2002 Holden Astra Equipe 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Like the car, but very disappointed with the cost to keep it on the road

Faults:

I like my Astra Equipe, but as per one of the other reviews, I too had a steering column lock which had to be replaced under warranty, a colleague told me he had the same problem on his Astra.

It has been back to the dealer twice for an engine error light with no fault found having crawled there at a dangerously slow speed on a highway; as per the handbook instructions.

In addition I was not made aware when purchasing that I would need a costly timing belt replacement on the 60,000k service.

At 62,769k I have just been told that I need both front shock-absorbers replaced which will cost me approximately $800.00 which I am told is virtually unheard of.

All brakes have also be replaced and the brake dust makes the mag wheels a waste of time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th July, 2005

2002 Holden Astra TS from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Sporty and Functional

Faults:

Fog lights blew very early on and ashtray hinge broke, although was quickly fixed under warranty by Holden.

Seats tend to be quite uncomfortable on long trips with most passengers complaining of back aches.

Cruise control stopped working for 3 weeks, but recommenced by itself.

General Comments:

This car is very zippy around town and generally is very good on petrol on the open highway.

Has a roomy boot that can fit quite a bit of luggage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th July, 2005

2002 Holden Astra TS 5 door hatch 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Value for money

Faults:

I found that at 60,000 K's, my service will cost me between $750 - $800. This seems a bit expensive and I was wondering if others owners have had this problem. I was told the timing belt needs to be changed. Would this be worth $600.

Also have a lot of road noise.

No head rests on back seats.

Always hot inside car.

General Comments:

Beautiful car to drive. Handles beautifully.

Great on fuel consumption.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st March, 2005

20th May 2005, 06:48

I have a 2002 Astra Equipe and have just booked it in for my 60 000km service. I have been quoted at $720 from my Holden dealer which I thought was a bit too much too. I was told it is around $420 for changing the timing belts and $300 for the "normal" service.

I called the family mechanic (non-Holden) for their advice. They said it would cost around that much and I would be better off taking it to Holden to have it done. They said they had another car at the moment having its belts changed and it was at 100 000km. I've been checking a few Astra reviews and I think it's pretty standard to have them changed every 60 000km - more frequently than a lot of other cars. But going through my owner's manual, it says that only in the 1.8L engine that it needs replacing that often.

6th Dec 2005, 22:25

I own a 1999 Holden Vectra 2.2, and I too was told I had to replace the timing belt at 60000km. At first I thought it was an April fools joke, but after hearing the stories of horrendously expensive engine damage if I chose to ignore this issue, I reluctantly replaced the belt at 80000km. It's just another example of Holden fitting cheap poor quality parts (Holden builds the engine in Melbourne).

20th Feb 2011, 14:53

From what I have read it is VERY important that the Astra's timing belt is replaced on or prior to 60,000km (though I thought it was 80,000km).

Further advice I have read is that if you look to buy a car and this belt has not been changed on time - walk away.

2002 Holden Astra TS Equipe 5 Door 1.8L petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Excellent quality car all-round

Faults:

Like other reviews I have read, the rear brakes made a horrible noise in reverse. This was fixed under warranty at the 15,000 km service.

Rattle in the center radio/clock display. This is quite annoying, but only occurs on roads which are not perfectly smooth.

Fog light bulb blew very early, and was rarely used.

Left front passenger door has a bolt loose around the hinge. The special star shaped head on it means that I cannot simply tighten it myself.

General Comments:

Interior is nicely finished and simple. Seats are a little flat and feel like you are sitting on them rather in them.

Car handles and rides very very well.

Steering feedback is excellent for a small car with power steering, and is not too light.

The larger 15 inch wheels on the Equipe and CD make for better handling and also look a lot better than the 14" wheels on the City.

Cruise control is one of the best I have used on any car and very simple to operate.

Air conditioning takes a while to get going on a warm day, but once it has been on for a while, it is quite fine.

Nice little engine, revs nicely at high revs without to much effort. Sufficient power to zip around the city and is superb on the highway for a small car. I run my car on synthetic oil and use high octane fuel (Optimax etc.) and it runs noticeably better.

Gearbox is a little slow and does not allow for really quick changes if you want to have a fang. 1st gear synchro sometimes does want to go into gear at the lights and needs to be aligned by using 3rd or 5th.

Holden servicing personnel need a lot of attention. Very poor service from two separate service centres and will not return to either of them. Both times I was charged for work that was not carried out! I think some of these people assume that most people know nothing about cars and take advantage of it.

All round an excellent car for the money and would highly recommend it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th November, 2004

10th Mar 2006, 01:11

Same reviewer here, for a follow up:

Car has now done 52000km, 2 tyres have just been replaced and the other two are only a couple of thousand kms away (yes they were regularly rotated.

Just recently had the ignition barrel jam up, sprayed extensively in the barrel with WD-40 seems to have fixed it for now, though it does not sound like an uncommon problem, though very frustrating!!!

Boot on the hatch seems to squeak a bit now!