2002 Holden Astra City 1.8 16v from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Powerful, comfortable, practical, dependable, economical and stylish - why bother with Japanese cars

Faults:

Nothing as gone wrong with the car. I have owned it for about a month.

Things that needed replacing when I bought it were:

- 3 new wiper blades

- Steering wheel badge (bought replacement from wreckers)

-Front tow hook cover missing (extremely expensive to replace with a brand new part!)

General Comments:

This is an excellent car!

It's European so you can count on it being dependable, powerful, comfortable, practical and stylish. It sure meets every one of those requirements!

The quality of the car is as if it was assembled yesterday; it's 8 years old and has done a few kms, but was ex-council car, so always treated well.

The boot space is excellent! Far better than the Asian alternatives (if you could call them that).

The cabin is far quieter and more refined than the Ford Laser I used to have.

This car is SO economical you wouldn't believe! It's more economical than the 1.3 Laser it replaced!

You can be sure of safety in this car. It features 2 airbags in the front, and all 5 occupants are protected by 5 normal seatbelts, no lap belts here (I noticed my friend's standard GL Corolla still had middle seat lapbelt in 2004!)

Assembled in Germany, you know it will be a beautiful piece of engineering. The powerful 1.8 engine is mind blowing.

This car is a real credit to Holden and General Motors.

Why bother with Japanese cars, when this will do everything better. I really do recommend this car. I will post updates every six months in the comments.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th July, 2010

7th Jul 2010, 22:14

I cannot believe this review. The Astra is an absolute dog compared to almost any other Japanese car, which you will soon find out. What Japanese car needs its timing belt changed every 60,000 km's?

A friend of mine has a 2004 model that has only around 65k on the clock, and has leaked oil since new (Holden can't fix) and has had brake problems amongst other things.

Just read some of the reviews here about replacement costs for things like plastic rear window winder mechanisms, wiper blades, brakes, timing belt changes, it's no wonder Holden don't import them anymore.

And it's no credit to Holden, it's an Opel made in Belgium with Holden badges stuck on. You'll be wishing you bought a Corolla instead soon enough.

2002 Holden Astra TS 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Will never buy one again, or recommend to anyone

Faults:

Have owned this car for very painfully expensive years.

Had to replace wheel bearing 2 months after buying; $1000.

Air con stopped working; $1000 +

4 sets of tyres.

Rotors and brake pads replaced.

Ignition barrel twice.

Central locking doesn't work.

Boot lock sometime doesn't unlock.

Stereo jumps to max volume just by touching volume knob.

That's off the top of my head, since my books are in my car, which is stuck at the shops with an ignition barrel gone again; not ringing a locksmith on a Sunday!!!

General Comments:

The only positive things I have to say are.

Handles well.

Gets up hills really good without losing speed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th April, 2008

2002 Holden Astra CD 1.8L from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Very very disappointed

Faults:

BOTH sets of brake pads replaced by 62,000kms (brakes always squealed from new – was told by Holden this was a common problem with Astras – what the…?!!)

SIX new tyres by 65,000kms.

Major electrical part required replacing at 60,000kms costing $240 (exc installation by auto electrician).

Major service at 60,000kms …..$840 later!

ALL WHILST STILL UNDER Warranty!!!

General Comments:

After numerous problems, I opted out of using Holden for servicing altogether, and chose to wear the cost with my local mechanic (who has since advised that it would be in my interest to sell the vehicle before anything else goes wrong - claiming it’s only a matter of time until it does).

Clearly naïve to expect nothing major to go wrong with my Astra in its 3 year warranty period, I have vowed never to own another Holden! I never expected to hand over $25,000 for a new car, to have it cost me so dearly in such a short space of time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th December, 2005

30th Dec 2005, 22:01

Six new tyres by 62000km? Sounds like they were never rotated regularly - otherwise all 4 should have needed replacing at roughly the same time. This should be done every 10000km along with a wheel alignment check. The Astra, Barina and Vectra all run negative camber and toe out (these are factory settings, all three have a firm (ish) ride with a bias towards handling). This coupled with the usual FWD forward weight bias means if left unchecked, tyre wear will go through the roof!

As for the brake pads, maybe you should have tried a different compound pad?? At 20000km per year, that doesn't sound too horrendous to me. In any case, tyres, brakes and servicing (even the $840 ones) are NOT warranty items - simply wear and tear.

The electrical component should have been replaced under warranty though! (Assuming it was inside the 3 years).