Quick Question regarding Opel Astra

Amzie · 16-04-2009 7:53pm #1

Im buying a 04 Opel Astra(new model 5dr SXI 1.4) from a dealer, He says this model has a timing chain not a timing belt and that he is replacing it...Is this correct that is has a timing chain instead of a timing belt and how often should this be replaced?

Another couple of things I want to know about it?
1. The mileage is 85K miles is this good or bad?( he said hes getting it service and its been serviced regularly)
2. The price was 7950 and Im getting it for 6950?
3. What are peoples opinions of the car? is it reliable, any probs with the engine?

I've taken it for a test drive and it seems okay bar the noise with the engine which is coming from the timing chain/belt? which he pointed out and said he is replacing.

So I'm basically looking for people opinion on car:)
Thanks:D

colm_mcm · 16-04-2009 8:07pm

these newer 1.4 engines are always a little bit rattly anyway. have you driven another to compare. obviously if it's excessive the chain may need replacement. I presume he's doing water pump too.

Amzie · 16-04-2009 8:13pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

these newer 1.4 engines are always a little bit rattly anyway. have you driven another to compare. obviously if it's excessive the chain may need replacement. I presume he's doing water pump too.

does the water pump need to be replaced? he didn't say anything about that just that he was replacing the chain:(

colm_mcm · 16-04-2009 8:27pm

on the older model Astra, the water pump needs replacement quite regularly, I'd imagine the new one is largely the same.

Amzie · 16-04-2009 8:29pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

on the older model Astra, the water pump needs replacement quite regularly, I'd imagine the new one is largely the same.

hum..I better give him a ring tomorrow and ask him about it!! I dont want to have to fork out to get it replaced if it should be done with t-chain!

colm_mcm · 16-04-2009 8:34pm

Don't know if this needs to be mentioned, but I'm pretty certain there's a modified timing chain for the Astra 1.4, the original ones gave trouble, there's a tougher version available, maybe it's the only one you can get now, but definitely worth checking with an Opel dealer first.

I'm not very clued-in with Opels, but I'm sure someone on here can go more in-depth

EPM · 16-04-2009 8:48pm

I think maybe you could do a lot better on the price. 7k for a 5 year old car with pretty high mileage seems a bit mad to me. You'll have trouble selling it in a few years with another 50k or so on it...

lifer_sean · 16-04-2009 10:08pm

04 Astra 1.4 new shape 85k miles is not worth anything like 6950. Are you buying straight or trading something in ? This would affect the asking price.

I'd have valued that car at least 1000 euro less than that, more like 1500 euro less.

You would buy a low mileage Focus for not much more than 7k, and a way better car. You'd even get a Golf for that money, not that I'd recommend one.

Amzie · 16-04-2009 10:56pm

lifer_sean wrote: »

04 Astra 1.4 new shape 85k miles is not worth anything like 6950. Are you buying straight or trading something in ? This would affect the asking price.

I'd have valued that car at least 1000 euro less than that, more like 1500 euro less.

You would buy a low mileage Focus for not much more than 7k, and a way better car. You'd even get a Golf for that money, not that I'd recommend one.

He was asking for 7950 and is giving it for 6950 as Im paying cash. I've given a deposit on it now so dont tink you can get the price any lower now!:(

The only focus I saw for that price was the older model which I dont like and I just think the Golf is a bit plain.........

Amzie · 16-04-2009 10:58pm

EPM wrote: »

I think maybe you could do a lot better on the price. 7k for a 5 year old car with pretty high mileage seems a bit mad to me. You'll have trouble selling it in a few years with another 50k or so on it...

TBH I wont be doing alot of mileage.. so Im not too worried about that part and I'm going to hanging on this car for a good while! but thanks for your opinion:)

Mr Benevolent · 16-04-2009 11:06pm

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1364299

2004, new model, 1.4 73k miles

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1359351

2004, new model, 1.6, 56k miles

Finally:

[URL="http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?
fuseaction=car&carID=1191182"]http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1191182[/URL]

2004, new model, 1.4 45k miles

All around the price you're about to pay, so room for negotiation there.

Fishtits · 16-04-2009 11:08pm

If its done properly, ie its why they abandoned the ridiculous belt system, a chain driven system should be maintenance free & last the projected engine life. ie no maint required.

colm_mcm · 16-04-2009 11:09pm

Confab wrote: »

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1364299

2004, new model, 73k miles

That's a Life (base) model, the SXI has aircon and some toys. that car also has a pikey steering wheel cover

Mr Benevolent · 16-04-2009 11:17pm

Still, €6950 is over the odds for the Astra he wants. Offer €6000 at most.

Amzie · 16-04-2009 11:26pm

heres a link to the actual car
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/1.4-sxi-/200911192097339/advert

see im already after giving deposit though so is'nt that a bit cheeky to haggle more???

Mr Benevolent · 16-04-2009 11:28pm

see im already after giving deposit though so is'nt that a bit cheeky to haggle more??

No. Haggle as much as you can. How much was the deposit? As far as I'm aware it's just a holding deposit, he has no right to keep it if you walk away.

colm_mcm · 16-04-2009 11:31pm

Confab wrote: »

he has no right to keep it if you walk away.

What's the point in taking a deposit in that case? of course he can keep it.

Mr Benevolent · 16-04-2009 11:35pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

What's the point in taking a deposit in that case? of course he can keep it.

Damn, just checked it up, you're right

(Haggle though)

Amzie · 16-04-2009 11:39pm

Okay sure its worth a shot worst he can say is no:rolleyes: yeah I thought that about the deposit alrite, Twas €200 so I dont want that going down the drain,:(

Mr Benevolent · 16-04-2009 11:53pm

More examples, 05 this time:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1375589

Auto 1.6:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1367836

€7450 but haggling room there

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1344254

And finally, an 06 at €50 above the price he initially asked:

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1364647

Amzie · 17-04-2009 12:42am

here was another Astra sxi I was looking at before I found the one Im buying now, asked how much discount with paying cash
€50 off :eek: WTF
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1362961

EPM · 17-04-2009 7:29am

It might actually be worthwhile losing the deposit when you factor in what you could save on another, better Astra. Annoying as it is:mad:

Joey the lips · 17-04-2009 7:36am

My understanding on opels from my neighbour( Who was an opel mechanic for years) is generally the water pump is changed everytime the belt is changed. The reason being the water pumps tend to go between changes causing the belt to snap.

I drive a coursa and thank god it runs well and I love it. Have changed the T/Belt and pump twice. So although the comments Up Opel!!!

Mr Benevolent · 17-04-2009 9:27am

It might actually be worthwhile losing the deposit when you factor in what you could save on another, better Astra.

+1 You can easily save another €700 by shopping around, and minus the €200 that's still €500 you've saved. Don't buy that car, you'd save enough for a TV or a week's holiday or whatever by getting a better deal elsewhere.

Amzie · 17-04-2009 7:55pm

Joey the lips wrote: »

My understanding on opels from my neighbour( Who was an opel mechanic for years) is generally the water pump is changed everytime the belt is changed. The reason being the water pumps tend to go between changes causing the belt to snap.

I drive a coursa and thank god it runs well and I love it. Have changed the T/Belt and pump twice. So although the comments Up Opel!!!

well this one has a timing chain instead of a timing belt- the dealer said its not linked to the water pump as its not the same as a timing belt ( its stronger or something like that)

Amzie · 17-04-2009 8:00pm

EPM wrote: »

It might actually be worthwhile losing the deposit when you factor in what you could save on another, better Astra. Annoying as it is:mad:

Ah ya see the only thing is I really want the SXI model as the other models are really plain

(hence why they are bit cheeper I'd say as I havent seen many of the sxi ones for sale& the ones I have seen the dealers aren't willing to budge on price which is weird! I just want a car Im happy with the look of it and dont have to do anything to make it look better and of course be mechanically sound aswell:)

EPM · 17-04-2009 11:20pm

I know what you mean, the SXi's are nice. My buddy has the 1.3 cdti one - little rocket!

If you're willing to go for a 3 door and spend a grand and a half more (you should get €500 off cash price) you'd have a newer car:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/1.4-SXI-/200913192300350/advert

Design Spec is very similar to SXi - nicer trim but slightly plainer alloys (but not by much) and this one should be possible for a grand more than the one you're looking at and it's a year newwe:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/ASTRA-DE/200913192306770/advert

Both have less than half the mileage of the 04 SXi

Amzie · 20-04-2009 1:38am

EPM wrote: »

I know what you mean, the SXi's are nice. My buddy has the 1.3 cdti one - little rocket!

If you're willing to go for a 3 door and spend a grand and a half more (you should get €500 off cash price) you'd have a newer car:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/1.4-SXI-/200913192300350/advert

Design Spec is very similar to SXi - nicer trim but slightly plainer alloys (but not by much) and this one should be possible for a grand more than the one you're looking at and it's a year newwe:

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/ASTRA-DE/200913192306770/advert

Both have less than half the mileage of the 04 SXi

Ah I had looked at the 3 doors (they are fab) but they really are too expensive for me:( 7K really is the high end of my budget! but thanks for the piccies of other models! I dont mind that its 04 as im coming up from a 00 peugeot 206 so its gonna be a big difference:D

Henry Ford III · 20-04-2009 7:55am

Amzie wrote: »

heres a link to the actual car
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Opel/Astra/1.4-sxi-/200911192097339/advert

see im already after giving deposit though so is'nt that a bit cheeky to haggle more???

Yes it is.

EPM · 20-04-2009 8:31am

Amzie wrote: »

Ah I had looked at the 3 doors (they are fab) but they really are too expensive for me:( 7K really is the high end of my budget! but thanks for the piccies of other models! I dont mind that its 04 as im coming up from a 00 peugeot 206 so its gonna be a big difference:D

Try these:

About 7k should get this

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/NT-ZETEC/200916192525526/advert

Bad photo's aside should be about same price

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Corolla/200913192300701/advert

Should be room for bargaining

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/Sport/200914192355292/advert

Quick Question regarding Opel Astra

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