2000 Holden Astra cd from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Air conditioner compressor failed then failed again

Very expensive major service ($760)

rear electric window failed ($400)

all brake discs worn

engine noise

faulty remote key

faulty rear hatch release

Will not start when parked on steep hills.

First and last Holden I will ever own.

The car had a full service history, however I asked the previous owner to have the a/c repaired before I handed over my money. They did and they gave me the invoice in case I needed to make a warranty claim. The repair cost was $1000 to replace the compressor and three weeks later the car was back to the repair shop as the replacement compressor had failed.

I took the car to Hunter Holden to have the rear electric window repaired. They told me that the car was due for it's 90000k major service so I thought I would get both jobs done at once. I was astonished that the service cost was $760. They had forgotten to carry out the repair to the window as the customer service man had not written it on the job sheet. He also told me that it would soon be due for a new timing belt and quoted a cost of $1100.

Holden also told me that the mechanism for the window had to be purchased as a complete unit for $750. I took the car to a mechanic who then bought the unit from another Holden dealer for $350 and installed it for $50 labour.

During the major service, they are supposed to change the batteries in the remote keys. They didn't tell me that before hand so I had only one of them with me. That key now only works intermittently. A locksmith has quoted me $100 to replace the key.

Although Holden quoted me $1100 to replace the fan belt, a local mechanic replaced it and carried out a service for $850 for both jobs and $10 of that was for fuel. The timing belt kit is $360. Prior to this the engine rattled it's head off and it was so loud it was embarrassing.

The car has 95000k's on it and the discs have only two months life left in them.

The boot hatch is supposed to unlock when the car is unlocked, but occasionally it fails. We just ignore it and it comes good after a couple of days.

A couple of weeks ago the car was parked on a hill and would not start, but would the battery and starter motor were fine. A mechanic told us that it was a fuel delivery fault and not to park on hills. Great.

The cost of the never ending repairs to this car far outweigh the advantages of four cylinder economy.

I agree my car in 7 years old and I have had similar problems the first and last Astra I own.