I want to buy a 2006 Astra (diesel) - please advise me

Amtmann

Hi Folks,

Next year I'm set on buying a diesel Astra. I'll have about €6,000 to play with. Any advice about the best places to buy these cars, and any particular issues I should be aware of with the model when viewing?

Thanks.

bazz26

There are 3 different diesel engines in that model Astra, 1.3, 1.7 and 1.9 litre. 1.3 and 1.9 are Fiat engines while the 1.7 is a GM unit. Which one are you looking at?

Amtmann

Thanks for the reply. I am quite clueless about cars, and I didn't know any of what you just told me. Basically, I want an Astra that is economical to run, but also not sluggish, as I do quite a bit of motorway driving. Based on that, what would you recommend?

shamwari

Tremelo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I am quite clueless about cars, and I didn't know any of what you just told me. Basically, I want an Astra that is economical to run, but also not sluggish, as I do quite a bit of motorway driving. Based on that, what would you recommend?

I'll probably be flamed for this but personally, I would avoid the 1.3. It is underpowered for such a heavy car and its power characteristics are such that it is dead below 1800rpm.

The 1.7 is an Isuzu based GM unit and not that bad. I suppose it strikes a balance between decent power / fuel economy / road tax.

Whatever you buy, make sure is has plenty of service history

Amtmann

shamwari wrote: »

I'll probably be flamed for this but personally, I would avoid the 1.3. It is underpowered for such a heavy car and its power characteristics are such that it is dead below 1800rpm.

The 1.7 is an Isuzu based GM unit and not that bad. I suppose it strikes a balance between decent power / fuel economy / road tax.

Whatever you buy, make sure is has plenty of service history

Thanks. I think I'll buy from a SIMI dealer.

EPM

Tremelo wrote: »

Thanks. I think I'll buy from a SIMI dealer.

Ignore the SIMI bit. It won't make any difference when buying for you. They are a lobby group for dealers first and foremost. Buy based on the actual car and do the usual checks.

conzy

the 1.9 CDTI comes in 8v (120HP) and 16v (150HP) the 150HP has good power and will do 50mpg easily, they seem to be plagued by the usuals like EGR / DPF / DMF failure at some point or another so make sure you ask which have been taken care of

Amtmann

EPM wrote: »

Ignore the SIMI bit. It won't make any difference when buying for you. They are a lobby group for dealers first and foremost. Buy based on the actual car and do the usual checks.

Thanks for that - I assumed there would be better aftercare if anything were to go wrong.

Amtmann

conzymaher wrote: »

the 1.9 CDTI comes in 8v (120HP) and 16v (150HP) the 150HP has good power and will do 50mpg easily, they seem to be plagued by the usuals like EGR / DPF / DMF failure at some point or another so make sure you ask which have been taken care of

Do these problems mostly afflict the 1.9 model, or the 1.7 too? Just looking on Carzone, the 1.3 model seems far more numerous.

Just out of curiosity, given that I want a reliable, decent looking, economical diesel car for in or around the 6k mark (buying next year), apart from Astras, should I consider any other makes?

bazz26

Toyota Corolla is available in 1.4 diesel since 2004. Ford Focus is available in both 1.6 and 1.8 litre diesel

Amtmann

bazz26 wrote: »

Toyota Corolla is available in 1.4 diesel since 2004. Ford Focus is available in both 1.6 and 1.8 litre diesel

Thanks. I don't really like Toyotas, so I will probably stick with my idea to buy an Astra. I'll look at F Focuses too, but I don't really like their appearance.

Nissan doctor

I'd go for the 1.3 engine, its a good reliable(when serviced correctly) Fiat engine, extremely economical, not under powered at all(more power then most 1.4 petrols and alot more torque) and has the cheapest tax if your going for a 2006.

Amtmann

Tax is a good consideration. I've tried Googling tax rates for cars by make and year, but have had no joy. Economy is very important to me. The banger that I have at the moment drinks petrol.

Nissan doctor

Tremelo wrote: »

Tax is a good consideration. I've tried Googling tax rates for cars by make and year, but have had no joy. Economy is very important to me. The banger that I have at the moment drinks petrol.

Tax for a 1.3 engine(pre 2008) is €310pa
http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/MotorTax/MotorTaxRates/MotorTaxRatesBasedonEngineSize/

R.O.R

Biggest issue I'd have is that there is no arm rest in that model Astra, which I'd see as a must for doing a lot of Motorway driving.