2000 Opel Astra XE 'Edition 2000' 3-doors review from Belgium

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.

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- The looks aren't out of date yet.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.