1989 Vauxhall Astra Merit (GTE Lookalike) 1.3 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Better than any Ford in my opinion

Faults:

Impact damage from when I wrote it off :o(

General Comments:

Sorry to have seen it go. Will get be getting another one as there are not many road cars where you can walk away from a crash at over 80mph without a scratch.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd April, 2000

1989 Vauxhall Astra LXi Estate 1.8i 118 bhp petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Alternator, over 108,000 miles covered.

General servicing, never broken down!

General Comments:

A bit too powerful for it's chassis, doesn't like braking on a wet road when cornering, tends to go straight on.

Excellent 0-60 (8.7 seconds), out performs repmobiles and it's a estate, now looking for mk4 Cdi.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

17th Jan 2001, 08:40

Errr... yes pulls over 120mph... uses no oil... reliable... very good mid range...

Needs 15 inch 185 60 tyres like the current Vectra. Would probably pull 130... look mum I'm flying.

7th Nov 2006, 14:00

Funny car, looks dated, but goes very well considering it only cost 250. Very reliable cheap bits and it's very funny when you overtake the cars that are more powerful and better looking. Loads of fun!

25th Jun 2009, 15:04

Hi, I love my mk2 Astra LXI Estate. I think it is really nice to drive and easy to work on. It's also very reliable, but very hard to get parts for now, but I will never part with her, she is very fast and handles very well. Still going at 200,000, never has had a engine rebuild.

The only thing I've ever had to have was a new clutch, and that wasn't very long ago. It's in silver with gray and burberry interior, had her sprayed three years ago and she still looks good as new.

1989 Vauxhall Astra Merit Estate 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Usually high mileage (100K+) items: disks, shocks, alternator, CV boots, wheel bearings etc.

General Comments:

Unrefined, robust, roomy and competent with good visibility and sound engine. Reliable and easy to maintain. Though dead easy to break into, no-one bothers. Cannot get wheels balanced but not serious vibration. Average brakes, ride, comfort. Usual roll on cornering but good grip. Poor gearchange but gearbox ok. Fast for a 1.4 estate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 1998

1989 Vauxhall Astra SR 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Some rust, slight lack of performance, not had time to fix yet (Possibly due to ignition).

Usual wear and tear for age.

General Comments:

Good looking car, improved by bodykit, respray and styling mods. Performance when I bought the car was fantastic for a 1.4 in a car of its size. Once engine is tuned and modified I expect to get just over 100BHP.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st March, 1998

1989 Vauxhall Astra Gte 2.0 8 valve petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Engine cracking down the block after two hours of purchase....replacement costing 850 pounds.

Front caliper seizing.

Shocks gone soft.

Electrical fault on e/m, tailgate, rear demister etc.

Has been broken into already outside my house thanks to pathetic Vauxhall locks.

General Comments:

Still a nice car and I am slowly repairing piece by piece.

Should of paid for the 16 valve version but never mind.

Plenty of torque.

Now looking for an Astra Gsi (new shape) because they are better built and more secure.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th March, 1998

17th Feb 2003, 13:17

Fit solex locks as they are cheap £35 and offer great protection 100% as they have a high security design!

1989 Vauxhall Astra GTE 2.0 8v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Nothing apart from the usual consumables eg. water pump, shock absorbers.

The fuel pump relay failed recently but the car has done>90,000 miles and this failure is well-known on some Vauxhalls.

General Comments:

Handling not brilliant on this car but ride is comfortable.

Pretty happy with overall reliability and peformance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 1997