2001 Vauxhall Astra eco4 TDI from UK and Ireland - Comments

Diesel pump ECU went after a couple of months, and I needed a set of core plugs that set me back 830.00.

2 months later the alternator went wrong and needed replacing - another 240.00

Rhe cigarette lighter doesn't work, the brakes squeak, and there is a high pitch squeak when you pull off.

Slow car, but it is a diesel.

The cabin is very dull.

The fuel economy is execelent. 630 miles on £40.00. Being the eco4, the tax is only £50.00 per year.

As for performance, it's quite slow. Once you get going, it's not too bad, but you have to try to keep the revs up.

I find the driving position very uncomfortable. The centre console gets in the way, plus you feel very high up, which I hate. It feels like you're perched rather than in a nice driving position.

My previous car was a Mondeo ST24 - nothing went wrong with the car and it was very comfortable.

I wouldn't buy a Vauxhall again.

Test yes.

How can you compare Mondeo ST to a diesel Astra?

I still have my Astra Eco, and it's only £35 to tax for the full year.

I changed the airflow meter to a standard 1.7dti one, and a it was a great improvement to the sluggish take off.

The only problem I have had with mine is the head has been sent away to be skimmed, but that's after 180,000 miles.

Great car all round.

Have had my Astra ECO4 from new as a company car in July 2004. I bought it at the end of 3 years, coinciding with when I retired, & it has now covered 81,000 miles. I can't fault it - very economical (60mpg), comfortable, & pleasant to drive. So far it has been totally reliable - just one set of disc pads, & front tyres lasting over 30,000 miles.

The moral is, drive a car with some degree of mechanical respect & you will be rewarded with reliability & it will last well - do the reverse & drive like a moron & chances are you'll get loads go wrong!!