2007 Vauxhall Astra Design Estate 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Sluggish, uneconomical, badly built piece of soot
Faults:
The only real fault to have occurred was the air-con switch packed up after only 1000 miles.
General Comments:
This car is seriously lacking in all the departments that matter.
It is painfully slow on both acceleration and top speed. When overtaking does present itself, it feels like a hope and a prayer that you are going to actually get past the other vehicle; not safe at all.
The gearbox is the most temperamental sloppy and clunky thing ever. Although I have been driving for well over 25 years, in most things with wheels, the gearbox & clutch on this car is the worst I have ever used; you are never quite sure where it's going to engage (seems to be a different position each day) and it clunks into all of the first three gears; 1st and reverse are at times unavailable unless you have a strong left arm.
There is a total lack of storage space. You would expect loads of space in a modern car, especially an estate, but not this thing. There is a glove compartment (small) door pockets (even smaller) and that's it! Not even any storage under the floor in the back. I have had to ditch 90% of the stuff I had in the Toyota Avensis (now that was a good car).
The fuel consumption is dreadful. My last car was a 2003 Toyota Avensis 1.8 Estate; it was quite quick, reasonably comfy, loads of storage and unbelievably economical. This Vauxhall doesn't come close to it, in any way.
Also the build quality is shoddy and cheap, the auto headlights come on in bright sunshine, the auto wipers don't come on when it's raining, the windscreen fogs up if it's any less than tropical outside & you have to have the heater on.
All in all' I would not recommend this car at all. What was it Jeremy Clarkson said about Vauxhalls? It's a four letter word that begins with 'S', ends in 'T', and it isn't Soot! Just about my sentiments entirely.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 6th February, 2008
29th Jul 2008, 08:58
It seems like you've been driving a completely different Astra to me then!
I've found the auto lights to work just fine, and the auto wipers work well too - you just need to remember to switch them on by clicking the wiper control up once... ;)
I've not had any problem with misting either, have you mistakenly switched the air-recirculation on?
I agree about storage space though, it could do better.
13th Mar 2011, 04:36
The Toyota Avensis is currently the most reliable second hand car you can buy. No wonder the Astra didn't quite live up to the same standards. If you want a car that'll hold together for the first 3 years, buy a Ford or a Vauxhall. If you want something that'll hang together for 15 years, buy an Audi, Toyota or Honda. Just have a look next time you're driving along the road at the cars that are over 10 years old and still going; none of these are Fords or Vauxhalls!
29th Jun 2017, 16:14
I know this review was a while ago, but I think you just got a lemon. The Astra is by no means a car to get excited about, but it's no worse than any other middle of the road car from any other manufacturer. As for what motoring journalists say, who cares? Take a test drive and do your own research when buying any car.
16th Mar 2008, 18:09
You are quite wrong. Jeremy Clarkson said there was only word to describe the Vectra VXR; "begins in S ends in T and isn't soot".
Jeremy Clarkson likes some of the new Vauxhalls, including the new Astra, actually.
He hates the Toyota Avensis btw.