Opel 3 day test drive

Cantab.

I registered for this on Tuesday (www.opel.ie), got a call yesterday and am picking up an 06 Astra GTI for a 3 day weekend test-drive on the 23rd June!

Thing is, I have never driven on my own before as I passed my test about 6 months ago and I'm a bit nervous. Seems a bit mad giving me a car like this, but sure it'll be a laugh. I'm gonna do a road trip of Ireland: Dublin -> Waterford -> Cork -> Kerry -> Galway -> Sligo -> Donegal -> Derry -> Belfast -> Dublin.

Henry Ford III

SXI, SRI, and OPC all exist but GTI does not.

conor_mc

Gtc?

Cantab.

Ok, ok, Astra sport hatch... Whatever that is? Sounds fast anyway!

jhegarty

Cantab. wrote:

I registered for this on Tuesday (www.opel.ie), got a call yesterday and am picking up an 06 Astra GTI for a 3 day weekend test-drive on the 23rd June!

Thing is, I have never driven on my own before as I passed my test about 6 months ago and I'm a bit nervous. Seems a bit mad giving me a car like this, but sure it'll be a laugh. I'm gonna do a road trip of Ireland: Dublin -> Waterford -> Cork -> Kerry -> Galway -> Sligo -> Donegal -> Derry -> Belfast -> Dublin.

make sure there are no terms & conditions about crossing into the north....

muletide

Just ordered one for two weeks time. Terms and conditions are about three lines long seems like an easy way to get a new car for the weekend

Blitzkrieger

Cantab. wrote:

Thing is, I have never driven on my own before as I passed my test about 6 months ago and I'm a bit nervous.

That's OK. Just stick to 40mph and hug the white line.

tabatha

i had this about 2 weeks ago. i was very impressed. so much so that i went out and bought one today. i got the design model. lovely car. i have always loved opel anyway. its a great offer. you can also get the vectra or a zafira.

colm_mcm

I'm guessing Astra sport hatch will be 1.4. wouldn't worry about going fast...

Del2005

Do they give you any hassle when you drop the car back, or can you just walk away?

Stark

muletide wrote:

Just ordered one for two weeks time. Terms and conditions are about three lines long seems like an easy way to get a new car for the weekend

Insanely easy as you need to be over 25 or have your licence for 2 years in order to rent a car normally.

I assume they do require you to have a full licence?

fletch

Del2005 wrote:

Do they give you any hassle when you drop the car back, or can you just walk away?

No hassle whatsoever....just hand in the keys and thats it, they check to make sure you haven't damaged it, that's it....no pushy sales man or the like

drdre

i have applied again, as the last time the dealer rang me and left a message and said the astra is booked the date i want it.i can accept it anytime now.

also cantab what garage are you getting it from

commited

Do they just give you astra 1.4's or do they offer some decent engines?

Terms and Conditions:
"Drivers must be 21 years or older with a full driving licence. Drivers must have a valid credit card or laser card for security purposes. A €20 charge applies to Drivers who do not have their own insurance to transfer. Test drives begin on Mondays and Fridays. "

I have my own insurance, but I wouldnt want to transfer it over and leave my car uninsured. I'd rather pay €20. Do you reckon they'd be ok with that?

drdre

commited wrote:

Do they just give you astra 1.4's or do they offer some decent engines?

Terms and Conditions:
"Drivers must be 21 years or older with a full driving licence. Drivers must have a valid credit card or laser card for security purposes. A €20 charge applies to Drivers who do not have their own insurance to transfer. Test drives begin on Mondays and Fridays. "

I have my own insurance, but I wouldnt want to transfer it over and leave my car uninsured. I'd rather pay €20. Do you reckon they'd be ok with that?

yes i would like that question answered .i donot want to transfer my insurance.

commited

Just to go OT - drdre - is your golf grey and were you doing exams in the RDS last week/week before last?

Also - what car have you booked?

drdre

commited wrote:

Just to go OT - drdre - is your golf grey and were you doing exams in the RDS last week/week before last?

Also - what car have you booked?

yes that was me, its blue graphite.i was in simmonscourt.Are you in commerce.im going to call opel on monday as i was about to book it but cannot find the link for some reason.so i will call them.

commited

Ah yeah - thought it was - not many mk5 1.4 golfs with full beige leather interior! Nice colour actually!

I'm not doing commerce, just finishing off my engineering degree.

let me know how you get on with the test drive.

drdre

commited wrote:

Ah yeah - thought it was - not many mk5 1.4 golfs with full beige leather interior! Nice colour actually!

I'm not doing commerce, just finishing off my engineering degree.

let me know how you get on with the test drive.

yes that was mine with the leather.i will let you guys know how i get on.i will call them 1st thing on monday or can someone get me a exact link to the online registeration form asi cannot find it now..

also when is this offer finishing.

Duiske

Unlike the rest of ye "boy-racers", I went for the Vectra. Pity the don't have the cabriolet available.

drdre

Duiske_Lad wrote:

Unlike the rest of ye "boy-racers", I went for the Vectra. Pity the don't have the cabriolet available.

what do you mean by that?

fletch

Duiske_Lad wrote:

Unlike the rest of ye "boy-racers", I went for the Vectra.

My Dad got one of those last year and sent it back the very next day....compared to his 6year old Mondeo, the body roll was shockin so he had enough and sent it back

drdre

fletch wrote:

My Dad got one of those last year and sent it back the very next day....compared to his 6year old Mondeo, the body roll was shockin so he had enough and sent it back

which one the astra?

fletch

drdre wrote:

which one the astra?

No no the Vectra.....I had the Astra for a weekend and she handled beautifully....

drdre

fletch wrote:

No no the Vectra.....I had the Astra for a weekend and she handled beautifully....

yes im going to get the astra.

fletch

drdre wrote:

yes im going to get the astra.

You'll enjoy it....nice low drivin position...feels quite racy....only gripes I had...heater controls were too low and hard to read, indicators were headwrecking, dash looked tacky IMO, air con sapped power....other than that I loved the car...especially the radio controls on the steerin wheel....

Henry Ford III

Duiske_Lad wrote:

Unlike the rest of ye "boy-racers", I went for the Vectra. Pity the don't have the cabriolet available.

Please pass on my sympathy.

An appaling car. I drove a 2.2 petrol Vectra recently and it was shockingly poor.

commited

fletch wrote:

You'll enjoy it....nice low drivin position...feels quite racy....only gripes I had...heater controls were too low and hard to read, indicators were headwrecking, dash looked tacky IMO, air con sapped power....other than that I loved the car...especially the radio controls on the steerin wheel....

What Astra did you get?

I wouldn't be bothered driving the 1.4 - any of the quicker petrol or diesel variants available?

Also, do you have to return the car with a full tank?

tabatha

i dont get this whole thing of a 1.4?? you do know that there are speed limits? penilty points to be had?

fletch

commited wrote:

What Astra did you get?

I wouldn't be bothered driving the 1.4 - any of the quicker petrol or diesel variants available?

Also, do you have to return the car with a full tank?

Yeh I got the 1.4GTC....no quicker variants available....they gave me the car with a quarter tank...so ya just have to make sure you leave it back with a quarter tank

drdre

fletch wrote:

Yeh I got the 1.4GTC....no quicker variants available....they gave me the car with a quarter tank...so ya just have to make sure you leave it back with a quarter tank

fletch whats the bhp on the 1.4gtc. also is there any milage restriction on it as i want to go from dublin to limerick and then belfast.

fletch

drdre wrote:

fletch whats the bhp on the 1.4gtc. also is there any milage restriction on it as i want to go from dublin to limerick and then belfast.

Its about 90bhp I think....nice power delivery...relatively even all the way through the rev range...a bit of extra pull around 3.5-4k rpm. No mileage restrictions apply...I think I did about 600miles the weekend I had it, most of that was over 5,000rpm
Oh one other thing I didn't like about the Astra was the brakes, totally lacking in feel, and they just grab at the slightest touch of the pedal...in saying that they were verry effective

drdre

fletch wrote:

Its about 90bhp I think....nice power delivery...relatively even all the way through the rev range...a bit of extra pull around 3.5-4k rpm. No mileage restrictions apply...I think I did about 600miles the weekend I had it, most of that was over 5,000rpm
Oh one other thing I didn't like about the Astra was the brakes, totally lacking in feel, and they just grab at the slightest touch of the pedal...in saying that they were verry effective

thanks, and the other question is after i have it for a week can i get it again for a week or can you just get it once.

fletch

drdre wrote:

thanks, and the other question is after i have it for a week can i get it again for a week or can you just get it once.

I've heard of people (down the country at least) gettin the same car 2 and 3 times

commited

tabatha wrote:

i dont get this whole thing of a 1.4?? you do know that there are speed limits? penilty points to be had?

Do you drive?

Have you ever driven an underpowered car that makes merging on motorways, overtaking on national roads and pulling out of busy junctions a perilous task?

That is why I'm asking about other cars than the 1.4. It's an irish mentality to buy the lowest engine size available in a car. If you go to the UK or europe you'll find few 1.4 Astras and fewer 1.6 Vectras.

fletch

commited wrote:

Do you drive?

Have you ever driven an underpowered car that makes merging on motorways, overtaking on national roads and pulling out of busy junctions a perilous task?

That is why I'm asking about other cars than the 1.4. It's an irish mentality to buy the lowest engine size available in a car. If you go to the UK or europe you'll find few 1.4 Astras and fewer 1.6 Vectras.

I agree, I drive a 1.4 and often find it dangerously underpowered, like for example, trying to merge onto the M50 northbound at the Blanchardstown roundabout, the 120kph speed limit isn't til quite near the end of the ramp and then it's uphill making it near impossible for me to reach cruising speed to merge.

murphaph

I had a wedding to go to a few weeks back. I only have a motorbike right now so I got the Vectra for 20 quid for the weekend. Nice one Opel! Cheap car rental or what.

Töpher

Haven't availed of this offer yet (will do soon I'm sure! ). Had an Astra rented for a day or two a few weeks ago, fantastic little motor. Wouldn't think it was only a 1.4l - left my folks 1.8l 406 (elephant of a car! ) for dust. Currently looking to get my grubby hands on a '05 reg'd one in early August.

tabatha

.

tabatha

commited wrote:

Do you drive?

Have you ever driven an underpowered car that makes merging on motorways, overtaking on national roads and pulling out of busy junctions a perilous task?

That is why I'm asking about other cars than the 1.4. It's an irish mentality to buy the lowest engine size available in a car. If you go to the UK or europe you'll find few 1.4 Astras and fewer 1.6 Vectras.

yes i do drive.

i drive a 1.4 and have never found this. then again i have always had a new car.

i dont think it has anything to do with the irish mentality to be honest. i think its more to do with petrol, insurance and tax costs. as for the uk, well i lived there for a while and my husband is english, it is a different story over there. apart from the fact that they have better roads most people in the uk commute a long way to work so have the need for bigger engine sizes. you will find if you look that most people in the citys drive smart cars or micras to be honest. i drive a 1.4 as all i need is a run around. my husband drives a 3 litre and he does a lot of driving and that suits his needs.

to use an "excuse" that you find it difficult to merge on a motorway with a 1.4 is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard.

Kermitt

Have to agree with tabatha. even a 1.4 is well capable of hitting 120kph by the end of a motorway on ramp. Depressing the accelerator pedal I find does the trick. No it won't do it in 4 seconds, but a lot of the time you're not the only car on the road so you shouldn't be accelerating at 5 G's anyway:)

On topic - do they only do the test drives midweek, or can you get one for the weekend? Might be cheap car rental when I'm getting the Golf serviced

Guy:Incognito

Most models of car that start with a 1.4 are much better off in a 1.6 becaus eof weight for 1. My ex just bought a 2nd hand scenic (older model) in a 1.4 (the are very few 1.6 available) and theres no way it should be a 1.4. She's averageing 34 mpg and if it was a 1.6 it would be teh same or better, The body is too big for a 1.4 but people dont seem to realise this in this country. I had the zafira for th eweekedn , it was a 1.6 and horribly undepowered, it felt liek I was puling a trailer.

tabatha

Stekelly wrote:

Most models of car that start with a 1.4 are much better off in a 1.6 becaus eof weight for 1. My ex just bought a 2nd hand scenic (older model) in a 1.4 (the are very few 1.6 available) and theres no way it should be a 1.4. She's averageing 34 mpg and if it was a 1.6 it would be teh same or better, The body is too big for a 1.4 but people dont seem to realise this in this country. I had the zafira for th eweekedn , it was a 1.6 and horribly undepowered, it felt liek I was puling a trailer.

i totally agree with this. my friend has a toyota corolla verso and its a 1.4. like that the car is way to heavy for a 1.4. this is another circumstance when a higger power is needed.

i had my opel for the weekend. collected it on friday morning and brought it back on monday morning.

fletch

tabatha wrote:

to use an "excuse" that you find it difficult to merge on a motorway with a 1.4 is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard.

You ever tried to do it with a full complement of passengers?

bazz26

Do the cars have a big "Opel 3 day test drive" sticker all over them?

I was half tempted to go for the Astra 3 door myself for a weekend. However I have no interest in buying an Opel due to previous bad personnal experience of the brand. Any annoyance at all from them to make a sale after the 3 day test drive?

Alun

fletch wrote:

I agree, I drive a 1.4 and often find it dangerously underpowered, like for example, trying to merge onto the M50 northbound at the Blanchardstown roundabout, the 120kph speed limit isn't til quite near the end of the ramp and then it's uphill making it near impossible for me to reach cruising speed to merge.

You actually wait until the 120km/h sign on the on-ramp to start accelerating? Isn't that taking adhering to speed limits a bit too religiously?

I have to say I've never had any problems getting up to merging speed, even in my wife's 1.0 yaris, but then I'm not afraid of using my right foot or using the gearbox unlike some of the people on here, who seem to think the engine will blow up if you exceed 2,000rpm

Santa Claus

Had the 1.4 astra for the may bank holiday weekend (so a 4 day test drive).
The cars are provided by Enterprise rent a car so if you take the insurance it's done through them and their policy doesn't cover you if you go outside the country.
So for anyone wanting to go up north, transfer your own insurance over.

Oh yeah, make sure there's a tax disc on it. I picked mine up from Crosson Malahide and being the bank holiday weekend there was checkpoints everywhere. I got stopped and the Garda pointed out that there was no tax displayed. Luckily I managed to convince him it was a rental by pointing out the bloody big lettering all over the car telling everyone it was a 3 day test drive (so forget about trying to impress someone claiming it's your new car...the car is covered in phone numbers and ads for the 3 day test), but he did point out that I shouldn't be driving it (so out of a 4 day test drive, I actually got to drive it for 1 day).

fletch

bazz26 wrote:

However I have no interest in buying an Opel due to previous bad personnal experience of the brand. Any annoyance at all from them to make a sale after the 3 day test drive?

I would have had the same opinion of Opels but the Astra changed mine completely..I would have one tomorrow if I could afford one

Alun wrote:

You actually wait until the 120km/h sign on the on-ramp to start accelerating? Isn't that taking adhering to speed limits a bit too religiously?

Well no, but if one was to wait til the speed limit sign.

Alun wrote:

but then I'm not afraid of using my right foot or using the gearbox unlike some of the people on here, who seem to think the engine will blow up if you exceed 2,000rpm

Me either...I use all the available revs and correct gears...guess my 1.4 is a bit underpowered compared to most, being 8 years old and only 8 valves

tabatha

thats what i mean, older 1.4's might be harder to get going but i found the astra fantastic. it had great pulling power. my current astra is only 2 years old and i have had it full and found no problems - obivously it is a tad slower on the pull but nothing that i couldnt cope with (and that coming from a woman!). cant wait to get my new astra - have to wait 6 weeks as its a special order.

commited

tabatha wrote:

i drive a 1.4 and have never found this. then again i have always had a new car.

Cars dont really lose that much power as they get older. Do you drive a 1.4 astra? I havent driven the last model astra, but I drove the predecessor. The 1.4 was woefully underpowered.

i dont think it has anything to do with the irish mentality to be honest. i think its more to do with petrol, insurance and tax costs. as for the uk, well i lived there for a while and my husband is english, it is a different story over there. apart from the fact that they have better roads most people in the uk commute a long way to work so have the need for bigger engine sizes. you will find if you look that most people in the citys drive smart cars or micras to be honest. i drive a 1.4 as all i need is a run around. my husband drives a 3 litre and he does a lot of driving and that suits his needs.

to use an "excuse" that you find it difficult to merge on a motorway with a 1.4 is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard.

The most ridiculous thing you've ever heard?

I only have a 1.3, but it's perfectly suited to the size car. I've driven 1.4 golfs and 1.4 astras before and they were horrendously under powered. The 50-120kph time was shocking unless you absolutely revved the balls off it.

Indeed we arent the same as the UK. My grandmother lives in the UK, has never bought the smallest, cheapest car in the class - no one there really does. The tax and insurance difference is very little between a 1.4 and a 1.6 and, depending on the engine, a 1.6 will often return the same if not better economy than a 1.4 as it doesnt have to be worked as hard to achieve the same progression.

Also - do you ever carry passengers? My mothers car is a 1.2 and a year old, which isnt exactly the most powerful at the best of times. With 5 in the car (which it is designed to carry), it uses a ridiculous amount of petrol and getting to 120kph takes half the motorway.

A 1.6 litre engine in a Zafira is just as ridiculous. Imagine carrying 7 passengers with a puny engine like that pulling you along! My basic point was, the only reason for a larger engine in a car isnt to do eleventy million miles an hour around the place - it's to make progression more effortless and crusing more comfortable.

Stark

committed wrote:

Cars dont really lose that much power as they get older

He probably means having an older and less efficient model of engine rather than the engine slowing down as it ages.