Honestly, people just don't get it! Although I now own the Astra convertible, I used to drive an Astra (CD sedan) and it was absolutely fabulous!!! I had no problems and the car was very quiet and zippy and handled excelently around corners!!! I suppose that comes in handy when you are the type of driver that is a little enthusiastic on the road!! All round , I found the chunky design sexy and eye catching!! That's a must in a car!!!
I agree with comment 15 - it's one of the best looking, if not the best looking, hatches around.
I have owned mine for around a year now, and I have managed to drive it as smoothly as in any other car. Changing gears (both up and down) are smooth and undetectable.
The secret is that this car loves throttle - the more you give it, the smoother it gets (obviously, if you press too hard, you'll get too much sudden acceleration, which might seem jerky to some). This means that I can change up very quickly and smoothly as long as I maintain plenty of throttle. It is also quite easy to rev it to the right point for the next gear, if you are not aiming at accelerating.
The trick for changing down is to leave your right foot where it is while pressing the clutch - this blips the revs to exactly the right point so that a smooth gear change can be made.
The only times when I get bumpy gear changes are when I don't have enough throttle.
I disagree with the comment that the more throttle you give an Astra the smoother are the gear changes as it is when you apply high revs that you get the lingering throttle. This fault varies a little from car to car and in some, although present, is not an inpediment to smooth progress.
GM still refuse to see it as a fault that would put off customers and see it as the style of throttle control into the future. (Nov 2003)
I have purchased a Holden Astra SRI which seems a lot smoother with an even more eager motor than the lovely 1.8 motor in Astra Citys and CDs, but it is not as economical.
The handling is much improved on the SRI and it corners like a well sorted BMW with a solidness that the other Astras lack, although they too, can corner with aplomb.
Just got my Astra City TODAY, a 2003 model. Has since drove it for about 60kms, and I realise that the engine revs while changing gears (Is it just me?) and it is a tad hard to change from 1st to 2nd gear. Also, whilst removing items from the boot, I realised there was a slight burnt smell and hissing from the exhaust pipe!
Has anyone else had this problem with their new car?
Interesting to note the number of entries regarding increasing revs when changing gears. I have a '98 TS Astra (CD) which has recently started revving between gear changes, particularly from 1st to 2nd, and sometimes 2nd to 3rd. In lower rev gear changes, i.e. 3rd to 4th, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Has anyone had this problem rectified, and if so, what did it involve?
I own a manual Astra 2001 model and after 60K kms the emission warning light appeared along with the traction control warning light for no apparent reason. The car now "stutters" and I fear it might be part of that over zealous engine management system. I had the computer reset and it seemed to run as before, but a day later both warning lights appeared again and the engine stuttering kicks in after while, or immediately. Any thoughts anyone? I'm thinking that once Astra's get to this age / mileage it's time to set them free and get another vehicle...
Hi, My 2001 Astra CD also had a 'stutter' and some lights came on, we put in a new battery and the problem was fixed. If you haven't changed your battery recently it may be worth having it checked. Hope this helps.
I have a TS 01 Astra - I have had NOTHING but trouble with it and I have serviced it regularly, every 10,000kms instead of 15,000kms.
I have replaced so far in this order... the left hub, the alternator, the right hub, the power steering pump is on the way out ($1200 just for the part) and now the door locking mechanism.
I have had ENOUGH, I don't know whether I bought a lemon but you shouldn't have to out lay this kind of money on a 5 year old car.
Quiet conveniently the only thing that went wrong during the 3 year warranty was the left hub - which was due to faulty workmanship through a holden service, but holden took no responsiblity and I ended up out of pocket for the part and the panel damage that occured.
NEVER by a holden 4 banger, stick with the Japanese produced 4s as they know what they are doing. If anyone else has had as many problems as I have... I feel your pain.
Also my car has the stutter and the oil light problem too. Forgot to mention that as I have become accustomed with it.
Hey guys and gals,
I've had my Holden Astra TS CD sedan for a year now and I've looked back and realised how many items have been replaced on the car. I brought the Astra at 84,000km from my mum's work colleague's daughter-in-law and she had no problems with it.
To date:
* Timing belt replaced at 85,000km and again at 105,000km ($450.00 a pop)
* Right rear power window mechanism failed at 100,000km ($445.00)
* Air conditioning modulator replaced at 90,000km ($625.00)
* Battery (had to be a European battery because of the terminals) replaced at 85,000km and again at 112,000km ($165.00 a pop)
* Coil pack replaced at 112,000km ($675.00)
The brake pads are due to be replaced as well. In the manual in says that auto transmission fluid lasts for the life of the car, Holden checked it at 90,000km and told me it has to be replaced. I refused to pay and said if the gearbox fails then they are liable and showed them the manual and their only response was "your the second owner of the car so we are no longer liable."
I thought buying the Astra was a good idea since it is a European car and it was Holden, little did I realise they are an expensive bugger to fix when something goes wrong. Even still, when there isn't any problems it runs smoothly, efficiently and comfortably. The doors close with a reassuring clunk and the car generally feels solid. Mine has the upgraded velour trim and so far it seems rather robust and it feels nice to rub against :)
Does anyone have any problems with the stereo blasting itself when it feels the need? I've slowed down at the lights and in the shopping centre car park and startled everyone. Sounds funny, but it really isn't.
13th July 2007 - just to update - when i change gears from drive in neutral, or try to drive manually 123D, the PRND321 lights illuminate. Holden reckons my gearbox will fail soon and will need to be replaced.. total price $3490 fitted.
Hi All.
I have a 2002 Astra CD (manual). Does anyone know how to change the gearbox oil in this car?
When I drive, the gears are very hard to change when the outside temperature is hot. I took the car to my local mechanic and apparently Holden have designed it so that they are the only ones that can change the oil. And Holden charge $50 just to have a look (or open the bonnet). Then they charge more to replace the oil.
If I can change the oil myself, I will. But I don't know how, so any help is appreciated.
Cheers,
Simon.
Just a comment for those who wrote about high revs in Astra TS series when auto transmission is changing the gears. I have been advised that if the auto transmission is slipping the oil would need to be replaced.
I Have 1999 TS Astra. I have just clocked up 200 thousand km's and the car still runs as smoothly as I first got it. To be honest the only problem I had was when I first got the car the stereo would automatically go to full blast when I started the car... Holden never fixed the problem so I ended up changing the stereo. I recommend finding a trustworthy mechanic who is truthful rather then taking it to the manufacturer for a service.
I got my astra in 2004, it was a 2000 model.
Within the first few months it simply just stopped working, the dash lights flashed on, speedo rose then just fell flat. turned out the alternator belt had completely frayed and wasn't charging the battery. had to be towed and belt replaced $$$
months after that white smoke was coming from the engine, turned out the battery was completely dry and acid was burning!! replaced $$$
a year or so without any major problems, temperature got high a fair bit, so not too bad until recently when temperature got extremely high, coolant seemed to be leaking. also air con wasn't working
took to holden for service, they said there was a crack in the radiator, needed to be fixed, also fixed the coolant leak, and after having the car for a week, they found the air con problem to be a computer problem, so they replaced the cars computer $$$!!!
All working fine, til 3 weeks later when the emmisson light came on, took it back, said it was a computer glitch!! fixed it. next day, back on again, this time it was a coil which needed replacing (stil under warranty luckily). all fixed. then the very next day my car did the same thing it had done 2 years before. completely stopping working. engine shuddered then just stopped. called nrma. they started it first go (always the way huh) couldnt find anything wrong, battery was fine. so it's a mystery.
I'm pretty sure I bought a lemon...!
That last post sounds like you haven't checked or serviced the car. You should check battery fluid leves, coolent levels, oil etc. every few weeks at a min, only tkaes 10 seconds.
I just got a 01 CD Astra 120,000km. I come to this forum because of the emission light that comes on 50km after I brought it. Haven't sussed it out yet. AFter reading this forum makes the astra sounds bad, and very expensive if it plays up. The rear elec window broke while I was test driving it also.
By the way when you go to holden and they tell you that the part is $500, its really only cost them half that and if you brought the part yourself from Autotraders or Sprint Auto you would save heaps. Also buy aftermarket parts, I service my own car and its got 300,000km (ford) nothing changed, but regular servicing, and when I need a part go aftermarket.