Faults:

Two light bulbs.

One engine starter.

Two electric window buttons.

Rebuilt alternator at 200000km.

Gear stick leather (change).

All those cost around 200 euros... except those service, service, service... And guess what... again service...

Replaced absorbers and coils with Bilstein B8 and H&R. Brakes with Brembo and Ferodo pads.

I still have the original exhaust.

No rust at all.

Roomy, average comfort, cheap parts and faster than a Focus or Golf... Way more reliable. What else to ask? Nothing. I will keep this car as long as parts are available.

Faults:

The only thing that gone wrong was the diesel injection pump. It is very sensitive to fuel. Here in Bulgaria the diesel is far from best quality. I would recommend to everybody who buys the car to fill every time 150 grams of motorcycle oil into full tank of diesel for better lubrication of the pump.

General Comments:

My car is a 3dr hatchback, and has 101 HP and 230Nm torque, which is pretty good for a car of that class. It accelerates quick, and overtaking is an easy job.

The handling is fantastic, mine has the sport suspension and it loves corners. However, its ride is not comfortable. The suspension is solidly built and reliable though.

The noise inside coming from the engine is a bit higher on lower revs compared to other cars in this class, but when it passes 1700 rpm, it becomes pretty good and sporty.

The car is very economical; the fuel consumption in the city is between 7 and 8 liters, and on a highway with 100km/h, it drops to 4.8 to 5 liters.

All in all, I like the car very much. It has great exterior, and it's OK inside too with the Recaro sport seats.

The thing that I don't like are the plastics inside, because when it's cold, they are cracking and making me nervous.

General Comments:

Good reliable car. Left sitting for 3 weeks in the snow, started first time. Great engine. Slightly dodgy finishing - rattles, etc but a great all round car.

Faults:

Nothing severe actually.

When I bought it:

- Driving belt was too tight (previous owner), which caused a knocking sound. Easily fixed.

- Left mirror was broken. It's an electrical one, so you need to buy the whole mirror case with engine at once (except the colored cap and the mirror glass itself). Price 100€ (incl. cap & mirror glass & respray of the cap)

- A very little point of rust at the door just below the window. Seemed to be a known point and nothing to worry about.

When driving it:

- Getting the reverse gear isn't always easy. Giving a little bit of gas solves the problem.

- The warning light for the engine electronics flashes once in a while.

General Comments:

As my first own car, it is really good:

- The looks aren't out of date yet. People are surprised when I say it's 9 years old.

- You have a lot of space in the front (3-door version), even more than in my dad's Vectra (also 2000 version).

- Surprisingly big boot. Especially when folding down the rear seats.

- The 1.4i 16v is quick for a 1.4. 90hp makes you have power enough. Keep the car in high revs and you fly away! Runs at 150km/h (90miles/hour) without problems (except speeding tickets ;) ), but gets a bit noisy and would use a lot more petrol.

- Average fuel economy: 7.9l/100km or 29.8mpg (see: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/thibaut/astra-g) Could be less, but I like to push the pedal too much.

- Good sound system. I like the control buttons at the steering wheel.

- The rigid suspension makes you feel the road really good, which makes (high speed) cornering predictable.

Things not so good about the car:

- View backwards isn't that good when you're smaller like my girlfriend. Seat can't be set high enough. So parking backwards isn't that easy for her.

- Suspension is rigid, which is maybe not that comfortable for longer rides.

- Selecting the reverse gear isn't always easy.

- Small horn buttons. I'm just to slow finding them.