1996 Vauxhall Astra Montana review from UK and Ireland

The day after I bought the car I was driving on a dual carrigeway approaching an island it decided to hold back, splutter and cut out. Arrgrhhhhh.

I was fuming!!! Considering I had the Mrs with me. I didn't resolve it there and then by opening the bonnet. It did start up after continuous turns of the key and finally got it home. I thought the seller had sold me a lemon... gutted. The last thing I want to do is start tinkering with it.. Thought those days were long gone.

My introduction to Vauxhalls was a bad one.

Considering for the last 5 years I only had japanese cars.

Got the AA man to have a look, apparently the previous owner spent a fair wedge on the service, but never renewed the dizzy cap and rotor arm.

On my dinner break I went to Halfords who had none in stock!!! After waiting 10 minutes.

Followed by a journey to a local auto shop, costing 11 pounds sterling, I replaced both items at the side of the road, but not without a fight. The rotor arm had rusted badly, the points on the dizzy were almost none existent, which had a grease type residue in it.

Now drives great smooth. And the fuel economy's better!!

Will keep a weekly check on the usual oil/water etc. So I shouldn't have any surprises in the future!!

Update:

Well just as I thought things were looking up, my recently acquired Astra decides to play up again...

Following the advice of the AA man, it decided to cut out on me once again after 5, less than 5, minutes of driving... I thought the greased up dizzy with non existent points was the cause???

Well... On this breakdown he suspected the ignition amplifier which sits beneath the coil.

I explained the same symptoms as the previous breakdown, and he’s certain replacing this will be the answer.

Searching on the net for a new one (can’t risk a used one). Delivered next day is 67 British pounds.

Got no choice have to buy it!!! But more importantly I hope it solves the problem.

Update 17 June 07:

Well 3 weeks have passed, and I'm glad to say the ignition module was the cause of the Astra cutting out.

The replacement costing 50 quid did the job

and 500 miles have passed without any hassle.

I sold my trusty Mazda 323c with the plan to buy a reliable runner, for between 600-800 ponds sterling.

Found a green 1.4i Montana 5 dr hatch for 700 quid with 43000 miles.

Handling and taking corners is always done at low speeds.

Try to keep it in the highest gear possible for economy!! Plenty of torque!!!

Yes it's very economical (the reason I bought it)

10 pounds sterling gives 90 miles at 95p per litre!!

Bought this as a day to day runner. I have to say it's very clean, and the 200 miles of driving since the earlier problem have been trouble free.

UPDATE

Sold as spares/repairs due to no 4 cylinder oil residue, lumpy cold starts and oil consumption after 3k of use since previous issues.

Having looked at numerous websites which highlight Vauxhall quality issues speaks for itself....

Sold at a loss and replaced by a Nissan Primera with higher miles. I will never purchase another GM/Vauxhall again!!!!