Faults:

Strange noise from the catalyst, but really makes driving fun even with out a special silencer.

Gas pumps are a disadvantage leading to problems some cold mornings.

General Comments:

My previous car was more powerful, but did well only in hot starts - this Opel has really fine acceleration.

The engine is in few words weak, but in a city conditions where you just can't drive with more than 100 kph - it is perfect.

Faults:

Water pump failed.

Rear shock absorbers leaked (replaced under warranty).

Hazard switch failed.

Stop light switch failed.

Rocker cover gasket leaked.

Toothed belt jumped over a few teeth.

Corrosion: rear door, side panels of trunk, rear wheel arches, doors.

General Comments:

Corrosion is terrible on this car. After six years there were punctures in the rear wheel arches and the rear door. Although a lot of welding was done on the car under the warranty against corrosion for €6100 (!), it is coming again. The only advantage is its spaciousness, e.g. you can fit five bicycles inside with the rear seats folded forward.

Faults:

Today I will change the water pomp because it is licking for three days.

Driver seat is quite instabile, but this is the only wrong thing in the cabin.

Servodirection pomp go bad.

Rust in the rear wheel pasage.

Little noise from everywere!

General Comments:

Being a BMW 325'er ex-owner I couldn't say Astra is a fast car, but I think is nice, handling and reliable for the money.

The GLS version with ABS and electric gadgets (mirrors, windows, antenna) makes long distances and inner town roads easy to go.

Its cheap to fix the rust in the rear, but it's a must.

I also own a Manta from '79 which have the same problem with the rust so that means I'm used to 'engineer' around this problem.

For a 'cool' cockpit I think the Recaro seats is a good investment.

My Astra does not have this kind of seats, but the interior is still comfortable and a bit sportive.

Nice central console, which -by the way- took me a month to find how could I change the bulb lights from inside the heating unit.

The exterior look still remain attractive even the car have over ten years.

Mine have 14' alloy wheels and 28cm steering wheel, which makes it better looking and give driver a sportive feeling.

All in all I think Opel did make a good automobile for it's kind, better than the majority of the class.

Faults:

I had some minor suspension problems that were really cheap and easy to fix.

It wouldn't start in the morning for a couple of weeks and nobody, not even the official Opel dealer could tell what it was. Eventually it turned out to be just one little wire that was loose.

General Comments:

Very good car for first car.

Impressive acceleration for the small 1.4 engine.

Very stable on the road at higher speeds.

Faults:

Electrics are always a problem. Always blowing dash and headlight bulbs. Front bearing needed to be replaced.

General Comments:

Not bad for first car. Excellent fuel economy in city and over long distance.

Can get a bit uncomfortable over long periods. Not much room in the back for a family car. Can wait to get the Beamer!