The engine starter blew at 40000 kilometers.
This car is extremely fast. It has beat a 2001 Beetle Turbo.
This is one of the most comfortable cars ever made.
Also it is a secure car with 3 point seat belts and 5 headrests, 4 airbags, traction control and ESP.
It has a 1.8 liter engine, 16 valve, 130 horsepower, but with only 900 kilograms of weight, it can run 0 to 100 (0 to 60 miles per our) in less than 8 seconds. Once I reached 220 km per hour, and it felt better than my 1998 Audi A4. It is, definitely, much better car than the Audi, and it cost less than half.
The interior materials are 1st guality, and with almost 50000 kilometers, it is still like new, with no sounds in the interior, just as I bought it.
It has a standard 8 speakers BOSE CD stereo, that looks extremely simple, but it sounds better than the Audi's BOSE.
I love my car and it is the best thing ever!!!
It cost me $17000 dollars, almost 18000 with the import costs. I have compared it with the jetta, and it offers lots more than it. I have also beat a manual VR6.
The only bad thing I found was that the engine has no power under 2500 rpm, but after that, it feels like a turbo engine.
The weight is more like 1100 kilos (800 is only a bit more than Lotus quote for an Exige!!). Interesting how it managed to beat a VR6 as well, because that has 60 bhp more and is only marginally heavier.
May I ask why anyone would import an Opel Astra to the America?
I am from brazil and we have the astras, but made from chevrolet, why the hell you want to drive a car like that in usa there is so many cars much better than that!!!
* Just curious where did you import your car from? and how did you manage to get it to comply with Federal US vehicle regulations (very hard / expensive). - By the way Saturn will be officially importing the Opel Astra later this year (2007).
Kerb weight is far from 900kg you mentioned. The second, manufacture's data about top speed are significantly different in comparition with your's. Thay say 200 km/h top speed. I have never before heard about car which with 125 HP runs 220 km/h! Unless it's modified. I hope you will drive safely in the future.
The exact weight is 1225 kilograms, and its 0-100 km/h time is 13.04 seconds according to the AUTOMOBIL magazine (June 2001).
Its quieter than the Civic of the same year; (noise at 60 km/h in the Astra is 59.5 decibels, while in the Civic noise is 64.7 decibels). The problem is the fuel economy, but overall it is an excellent car and handles really nice.
Just curiosity.. How did you manage to get an Opel in North America?
I have aStra 2002 at Iraq an its grate car, but no spare part available in Iraq.
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