1992 Vauxhall Astra L 1.4i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

High mileage winner!

Faults:

The usual replacements (tires, exhaust).

Had to replace the entire braking system at 110,000 miles.

Had to replace the alternator and get a new battery.

General Comments:

Rattles a bit now but is still as solid as when I first got it.

Performance has been dulled due to the mileage but it still starts evey morning and I think it will carry on to 200,000 miles. Definitely a high mileage winner!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th September, 2000

1992 Vauxhall Astra Expression 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The 1.4 engine makes driving quite hard work, but overall a jolly good workhorse

Faults:

Windscreen wipers twice, repaired free of charge.

Static earthing of the petrol filler, repaired free of charge.

Very recently the engine management warning light has started to come on for short periods periodically.

General Comments:

A super second car, very comfortable and extremely economical - overall fuel consumption is approximately 40-45 mpg.

Our model does not have power steering - a big mistake.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2000

13th May 2003, 08:01

I have exactly the same model and agree totally!

The steering is unbelievably heavy

The engine management light comes on periodically, but apparently if it goes off fairly soon after it doesn't mean anything.

Still, it puts my old 1990 fiesta in the shade.

1992 Vauxhall Astra GSi 2.0 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

OK with the Calibra lump and box dropped in

Faults:

Hazard warning switch won't turn off - common fault.

Cam belt guides - common fault, but Vauxhall refused to pay for the repair saying it was not a known problem.

Front suspension strut bearings.

Water pump.

Rear wash wipe fails.

All of these faults are very common - all of these I had to pay myself.

General Comments:

Generally fairly solid. Build quality is average. Carpets are like furry cardboard compared to the MK11, but handling is nowhere near as good as the new MK1V... roll-on the launch of the new coupe turbo!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th July, 2000

1992 Vauxhall Astra GSi 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Recommend non ecotec GSi if buying

Faults:

After several expensive attempts by Vauxhall to cure an idle fault, I gave up on them and took the car to an independant injection specialist who cured the fault by replacing the air mass meter £300. Bear in mind the high mileage engine was perfect had it not been let down by a hydralic lifter failure. Other common faults to look out for on these type of engines are, idle air control valve( regularly needs cleaning), water pump always leaks, sump gasket always leaks oil no matter how often you replace the cork gasket, watch out for cam rollers.

General Comments:

Do not trust Vauxhall dealers to diagnose complex electric problems on their own cars unless they are committed to solve the disease not the symptom. They do not like to undertake headaches, rely to much on their Tech 1 diagnostic machine to give them the answer which does not always happen. However the Astra GSi is a bloody good performance car, solid build. Reliable when put right and from previous Astra GTE 16v experience I have not lost overall faith in Vauxhalls.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2000

1992 Vauxhall Astra Convertible 2.0i 8V petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Reliable fun car with all year round practicality

Faults:

Roof leaks on the front where the roof meets the windscreen and the door.

Radiator.

General Comments:

Starts 1st time every time. Excellent tow car, I pull a 17hwt caravan at around 65-70mph without any problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th June, 2000

1992 Vauxhall Astra Merit 1.4i (Single Point) from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A Trampoline!!!

Faults:

The steering rack has been changed and the discs and pads.

General Comments:

The handling is very poor even though I have changed the shock absorbers to gas and uprated the coil springs all round.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2000

1992 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.0i petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Owned it for three years, new front discs/pads, two sets of front tyres.

New exhaust back box, regularly serviced with best oil possible, sailed through all its MOT's

General Comments:

Used to steam up like crazy when it rained but since sealing all the ways water can get to the pollen filter, which is exposed (very handy), it only slightly steams if it is a real down-pour.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 1999

1992 Vauxhall Astra LS 1.4i (82PS) petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Nothing really major (tyres, brakes, servicing, etc.), the gearbox is a bit noisy though. It has covered 83k miles and as yet has not broken down once!

General Comments:

Great car, more than adequate performance & comfort. Not too convinced about the road holding though and the engine is quite noisy . Could really do with power steering.

On the whole the dealers are NOT very good. The car went back 3 times with a strange squeak on "tick-over" when the engine was warm. They were unable to locate the fault until I insisted that a mechanic came out to listen to the noise when he immediately said it was the water pump bearing. And there are various other complaints about the service too numerous to mention.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 1998

1992 Vauxhall Astra GLS 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

There has been a small oil leak between the gear box and the engine. Otherwise nothing else has gone wrong in the 8 months I have had the car.

General Comments:

The engine is under powered for the size of car. Being quite tall 6 foot 4" I do not think the seats give much back support.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th October, 1997