New Opel Astra Hatchback

Carpet diem

Opel Astra or (EDIT!)GOLF HL BMT ACT 1.4TSI DSG 5DR 140HP D7F Highline Petrol

Let me know what I'm thinking of getting a new Opel Astra Hatch Back and would like some feedback and opinions. My thinking: Car would be ideal mainly because I like a nice looking car, something hopefully that is economical and low tax and only myself driving it not every day so no need for a big diesel and only live once so willing to spend few pound. (and not fixing it in the garage either!!)

I configured the one I would like on the website. A 1.4i 16v VVT (100PS), Manual 5-speed. The link is below for those to see what I'm taking about

http://www.opel.ie/vehicles/opel_range/cars/new-astra-hatchback/index.html

Just wondering about people's thoughts/experiences with it or with the car of similar age?

Is it a good car? Any serious issues with them? Opinions on the engine (1.4 Turbo). Will it be nifty?

nullzero

Have one as a rental in Work this week. Nice enough style wise, kind of like a mini insignia inside, although the parking brake lever seems like an afterthought as it hits off of the edge of the gear stick gater which is a little irritating. If you pushed me I'd probably buy a Golf or a Focus over this generation of Astra although it's a big improvement on the last iteration. The one I'm driving is low spec though so perhaps a few bells and whistles could liven the Car up a bit. It has the same radio as the insignia which is as bit cluttered and hard to use on the move. It's a decent Car as you'd expect but I would still probably spend my money on a golf offer a Focus instead. That said if you rely want the car there's nothing seriously wrong with it to stop you buying and enjoying driving one.

Carpet diem

nullzero wrote: »

Have one as a rental in Work this week. Nice enough style wise, kind of like a mini insignia inside, although the parking brake lever seems like an afterthought as it hits off of the edge of the gear stick gater which is a little irritating. If you pushed me I'd probably buy a Golf or a Focus over this generation of Astra although it's a big improvement on the last iteration. The one I'm driving is low spec though so perhaps a few bells and whistles could liven the Car up a bit. It has the same radio as the insignia which is as bit cluttered and hard to use on the move. It's a decent Car as you'd expect but I would still probably spend my money on a golf offer a Focus instead. That said if you rely want the car there's nothing seriously wrong with it to stop you buying and enjoying driving one.

Cheers - what size engine was on your one? Was it lively?

mickdw

Had one as a rental for a week. Found it a very nice chassis to drive, interior was ok I guess for that class of car. The one I had was totally let down by the small diesel engine it had. 1.3 I think. I didn't get good mpg either as the engine resulting in me dogging it everywhere I went.

Carpet diem

Did you find it tight for room inside? That's one thing I think might be an issue - everything a bit clustered?

MuppetCheck

1.4 n/a Astras are dog slow, the 1.4 turbo would be a better bet. It's not even economical due to being so underpowered. The Golf 1.4 weighs less and has more power. It will also have better residuals although you should expect a serious discount on an Astra to negate that.

JohnBoy26

Id be getting the Golf over the Astra if I was given the choice.

ninty9er

We've a mix of 1.3, 1.7 and 1.4 Astras. The 1.4 is horrific compared to the 1.2 Golf or the 1l Focus. It climbs hills worse than a Panda, accelerates worse than a Yaris.

There's 'no go in it'. Anyone who pulls the short straw hates having to drive it. The 1.3, even with 5 BHP less is much better, but if your mileage dictates petrol, go for the 1.4 T (140 BHP) or else grab a Golf TSI.

MuppetCheck

What sort of mileage do you do OP? Out of interest what extras did you add on the configurator?

road_high

It's a big lump of a car, say that 1.4 petrol/1.3 diesel just really struggle.

bazz26

MuppetCheck wrote: »

1.4 n/a Astras are dog slow, the 1.4 turbo would be a better bet. It's not even economical due to being so underpowered. The Golf 1.4 weighs less and has more power. It will also have better residuals although you should expect a serious discount on an Astra to negate that.

+1


An uncle of mine had a 1.4 current shape Astra and it was dog slow. If you are going petrol Astra then you at least need to go for one of the turbo versions.

ninty9er

Carpet diem wrote: »

Did you find it tight for room inside? That's one thing I think might be an issue - everything a bit clustered?

As C Segment cars go it's a nice place to be once you buy in SE spec. I'm a sucker for caring more about the spec badge than the make or model badge, it's my own warped badge snobbery.

The Skoda Rapid is a great drive compared to the rest of what I've driven recently in the segment.

Autosport

Get the 1.7 turbo, nice kick when you need it and overall a great car, depends on what type of driving you do but I get great mpg from it.

MuppetCheck

Autosport wrote: »

Get the 1.7 turbo, nice kick when you need it and overall a great car, depends on what type of driving you do but I get great mpg from it.

Nah, the 2 litres better:p

Autosport

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Nah, the 2 litres better:p

Feck off :P some of us didn't get the car we had ordered so had to settle although we had renegotiate the price

Jesus.

road_high wrote: »

It's a big lump of a car.

An Opel Astra?!!!

OP, you say you won't be driving it much so why not buy a more powerful 2 year old car? What you'd spend on tax and fuel you'd already have saved by the cheaper asking price.

Unless you're a man that just likes the feel of a new car and in that case I'd go for the Focus.

Jesus.

ninty9er wrote: »

The Skoda Rapid is a great drive compared to the rest of what I've driven recently in the segment.

What's the official story with Skoda now?

Has the Octy now moved up to the large family car bracket?

bazz26

The Octavia has grown a little but still competes in the Golf/Astra segment. The Rapid and Toledo are basically a saloon version of the current Polo that is sold in certain countries. The Rapid replaced the original Fabia saloon. The Toledo replaced the Cordoba.

Jesus.

bazz26 wrote: »

The Octavia has grown a little but still competes in the Golf/Astra segment. The Rapid and Toledo are basically a saloon version of the current Polo that is sold in certain countries. The Rapid replaced the original Fabia saloon. The Toledo replaced the Cordoba.

That's what I though. The guy above said the Rapid competes in the Small Family Car segment when its actually in the Supermini bracket along with the Fabia.

nullzero

Carpet diem wrote: »

Cheers - what size engine was on your one? Was it lively?

1.3 diesel. Wouldn't pull you out of bed. Rear leg room doesn't appear to be great either. I'm happy enough with it as a rental but I wouldn't like to live with it full time

ninty9er

bazz26 wrote: »

The Octavia has grown a little but still competes in the Golf/Astra segment. The Rapid and Toledo are basically a saloon version of the current Polo that is sold in certain countries. The Rapid replaced the original Fabia saloon. The Toledo replaced the Cordoba.

Explain the Rapid Spaceback so? The Rapid interior and boot compete with the Jetta. It's a nice car too.

MuppetCheck

ninty9er wrote: »

Explain the Rapid Spaceback so? The Rapid interior and boot compete with the Jetta. It's a nice car too.

Marketing is how I would explain it.

And it seems to be working a treat judging by the numbers around the place. Build a car on a smaller, cheaper platform, add a little sheet metal to imply it competes with the class above, price it above its own class but slightly below its "competitors". They are doing the same with the Octavia.

ninty9er

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Marketing is how I would explain it.

And it seems to be working a treat judging by the numbers around the place. Build a car on a smaller, cheaper platform, add a little sheet metal to imply it competes with the class above, price it above its own class but slightly below its "competitors". They are doing the same with the Octavia.

Have you driven one? Been in one? I think that's the primary focus of most buyers, and it competes well in the C Segment.

MuppetCheck

ninty9er wrote: »

Have you driven one? Been in one? I think that's the primary focus of most buyers, and it competes well in the C Segment.

I haven't driven one but I was with my father when he test drove one. It's narrower than other cars in that class, feels cheaper than the old model octavia, isn't all that quiet and the price increases a fair bit if you want a decent level of specification.

In saying that the 1.2tsi is a very nice unit in it and far, far superior to the 1.4 in the Astra. He didn't buy it as he thought it was a bit too tinny for the money. I'd be inclined to agree with him tbh. I'm very much of the opinion it's a tarted up supermini. Not that that's a bad thing but it needs to be a couple of k cheaper. It will do the job for a lot of people though.

Jesus.

Just shows how sad the state of affairs is in the Country when it takes a Muppet to come along and talk common sense

Truckermal

I would prefer the golf as its more butch somehow. I know a guy with a brand new one in white but i think he is a hairdresser..

Jesus.

Truckermal wrote: »

I would prefer the golf as its more butch somehow. I know a guy with a brand new one in white but i think he is a hairdresser..

Honestly man?

Na, I'd have the opposite view. The Octy looks more like a man's Motor to me. The Golf looks like a woman's car.

Truckermal

Jesus. wrote: »

Honestly man?

Na, I'd have the opposite view. The Octy looks more like a man's Motor to me. The Golf looks like a woman's car.

Oops i was talking about the astra!!

MuppetCheck

Truckermal wrote: »

Oops i was talking about the astra!!

I'll remember that

Truckermal

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I'll remember that

I was refreshing my tab for the last half hour waiting for that.. :pac::pac:

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

What sort of mileage do you do OP? Out of interest what extras did you add on the configurator?

Id say around 5,000-8,000km p/year maybe more if I start driving to work. I was thinking petrol as might be better job in slow moving traffic in the city?

On the configurator I added a lot - sat nav, blue tooth, parking, leather seats, drop down thing on back seat and good few other bits..Came to about 30k I think. I feel like treating myself as I've always gone bog standard bofore but want a bit of luxury! Why you ask out of interest about configs?

Carpet diem

Jesus. wrote: »

An Opel Astra?!!!

OP, you say you won't be driving it much so why not buy a more powerful 2 year old car? What you'd spend on tax and fuel you'd already have saved by the cheaper asking price.

Unless you're a man that just likes the feel of a new car and in that case I'd go for the Focus.

It's a possibility alright but Opel have the deal on the moment re financing and option of trading up after three years and warranty of five years. Also secretly Id like to get a brand new car for show! and just suppose to treat myself.

I would like to get something that efficient on fuel anyways and i think I don't really need a big engine although a 1.7d might be a possibility. Also like to keep tax low.

Damien360

Carpet diem wrote: »

Id say around 5,000-8,000km p/year maybe more if I start driving to work. I was thinking petrol as might be better job in slow moving traffic in the city?

On the configurator I added a lot - sat nav, blue tooth, parking, leather seats, drop down thing on back seat and good few other bits..Came to about 30k I think. I feel like treating myself as I've always gone bog standard bofore but want a bit of luxury! Why you ask out of interest about configs?

I had a 1.4 petrol in Germany on rental a few weeks ago. It is very slow getting on motorways . I have an insignia for work and the interior of the Astra feels cheap even though it is 90% same as the insignia. I would look at a focus first before the Astra .

Carpet diem

Truckermal wrote: »

Oops i was talking about the astra!!

Ha the gf said the same thing..Feck it doctor differ and all that...

Carpet diem

Damien360 wrote: »

I had a 1.4 petrol in Germany on rental a few weeks ago. It is very slow getting on motorways . I have an insignia for work and the interior of the Astra feels cheap even though it is 90% same as the insignia. I would look at a focus first before the Astra .

Must check this focus ..Heard a few mention it earlier.

I like the new golf interior (hightline) but just not a huge fan of the exterior. Looks like there is a cross of a polo about it.

MuppetCheck

Carpet diem wrote: »

Id say around 5,000-8,000km p/year maybe more if I start driving to work. I was thinking petrol as might be better job in slow moving traffic in the city?

On the configurator I added a lot - sat nav, blue tooth, parking, leather seats, drop down thing on back seat and good few other bits..Came to about 30k I think. I feel like treating myself as I've always gone bog standard bofore but want a bit of luxury! Why you ask out of interest about configs?

Look at the 1.4 turbo 140. It's a nice engine and makes a big difference. I bought a 3 door one this year and you should expect a serious discount on one. Mine came in at 32k on the configurator but I paid a lot less than that. I wouldn't bother with the leather though - it's really not worth the money.

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Look at the 1.4 turbo 140. It's a nice engine and makes a big difference. I bought a 3 door one this year and you should expect a serious discount on one. Mine came in at 32k on the configurator but I paid a lot less than that. I wouldn't bother with the leather though - it's really not worth the money.

What did you get with config and what you think was worth it/not worth it?

MuppetCheck

Carpet diem wrote: »

What did you get with config and what you think was worth it/not worth it?

19 inch alloys - look nice, a bit firm around town, grand otherwise.
Spoiler - didn't want the full OPC line kit as it looks ill-fitting
LED back lights - cheap and worth it
Premium forward lighting - worth their weight in gold if you drive country roads and have some neat tricks too
Parking sensors - can only be had front and back together but you can't see a thing out the back of the GTC so needed
Bluetooth - really should be standard
Dual zone climate control - shuts herself up really
Electric folding mirrors - I park on a narrow road when I open my gate so they're handy
Navi 600 - graphics are nothing fantastic but it hasn't left me down yet
Spare wheel - don't like cans of gunk and air compressors

Suppose I could do without the nav for sure as it's expensive but does lift the otherwise boring dash. Depending how long you're keeping it a diesel might work - 5 year warranty would cover a dpf if it went and if you don't need back doors the GTC is a lot nicer to drive and look at too.

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

19 inch alloys - look nice, a bit firm around town, grand otherwise.
Spoiler - didn't want the full OPC line kit as it looks ill-fitting
LED back lights - cheap and worth it
Premium forward lighting - worth their weight in gold if you drive country roads and have some neat tricks too
Parking sensors - can only be had front and back together but you can't see a thing out the back of the GTC so needed
Bluetooth - really should be standard
Dual zone climate control - shuts herself up really
Electric folding mirrors - I park on a narrow road when I open my gate so they're handy
Navi 600 - graphics are nothing fantastic but it hasn't left me down yet
Spare wheel - don't like cans of gunk and air compressors

Suppose I could do without the nav for sure as it's expensive but does lift the otherwise boring dash. Depending how long you're keeping it a diesel might work - 5 year warranty would cover a dpf if it went.

Must get the dual climate so!!
Did you get much of a reduction out of interest just so I know how cheeky I can be?

MuppetCheck

Carpet diem wrote: »

Must get the dual climate so!!
Did you get much of a reduction out of interest just so I know how cheeky I can be?

Somewhere between 4 and 5 grand by my rough calcs plus use of a car for 5 months or so while I was waiting for it. Just played a couple of places against each for the price.

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Somewhere between 4 and 5 grand by my rough calcs plus use of a car for 5 months or so while I was waiting for it. Just played a couple of places against each for the price.

Was it use of a decent car? That's pretty sweet as it difficult to sell old car/get new car without having to own two cars for a few weeks/months or alternately walking around with a head on ya..

MuppetCheck

Carpet diem wrote: »

Was it use of a decent car? That's pretty sweet as it difficult to sell old car/get new car without having to own two cars for a few weeks/months or alternately walking around with a head on ya..

It varied from a w*nked out 3008 to a corsa, Insignia, Astra. Got me around and didn't cost me anything on tyres or servicing so I wasn't too bothered. I can pm you a name and number of a decent guy to deal with if you want a price.

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

It varied from a w*nked out 3008 to a corsa, Insignia, Astra. Got me around and didn't cost me anything on tyres or servicing so I want too bothered. I can pm you a name and number of a decent guy to deal with if you want a price.

Cheers Muppet - PM the details. It probably be after xmas before I decided to start looking early just so I don't get a rush of blood and buy something I regret and it's also good craic going around getting test drives and finding out more about car and what are peoples opinions.

PS I was looking at insignia originally but I realised it would be ridiculous for me to get such a big car. Kinda a family car although plenty room in back seat. Ok nuff of that!

MuppetCheck

PM sent.

The Golf is the better car though so be sure to compare the prices. Well specced Astra vs a lower spec Golf for the same money. Depends what you want I suppose.

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

PM sent.

The Golf is the better car though so be sure to compare the prices. Well specced Astra vs a lower spec Golf for the same money. Depends what you want I suppose.

That's it - I want the nice spec and tried to spec out a golf and price went out of control!

bazz26

ninty9er wrote: »

Explain the Rapid Spaceback so? The Rapid interior and boot compete with the Jetta. It's a nice car too.

VW Polo saloon:



Skoda Rapid:


Seat Toledo:



These are all the same car except for minor badging and trim. This segment like other segments is growing in size with each new generation. Estate versions of both are still based on the same car, the Polo.


The Jetta has always been an oddball for VW because of the market position they tried to create for it. It a more sober Golf with a boot for those who didn't want the bigger Passat. It also overlapped the different generations of Golf, i.e. the last model Jetta was sold along side the MkVI Golf and the current Jetta based on the MkVI Golf sells along side the MkVII Golf. In reality it doesn't sell in large numbers because Golf drivers never took to it's less youthful image and it wasn't that much cheaper than a Passat. I would not be surprised if VW drop it altogether here when the current model has run it's course and start offering a Polo based saloon instead.

Jesus.

The Rapid interior and boot compete with the Jetta. It's a nice car too.

No way man. Have you seen the new Jetta?

The Jetta and the Octy are the equivalents.

Carpet diem

MuppetCheck wrote: »

PM sent.

The Golf is the better car though so be sure to compare the prices. Well specced Astra vs a lower spec Golf for the same money. Depends what you want I suppose.

Hey muppetcheck,
Would it be possible to post pics of your car here so I can see what spoiler is like ?

MuppetCheck

Carpet diem wrote: »

Hey muppetcheck,
Would it be possible to post pics of your car here so I can see what spoiler is like ?

No problem. The difference is its longer than the standard one and the black lip goes all the way round the back of the car.





It's €100 so may as well.

JoeA3

Lovely looking car.

Mint Sauce

MuppetCheck wrote: »

No problem. The difference is its longer than the standard one and the black lip goes all the way round the back of the car.





It's €100 so may as well.

Currently drive the Astra H GTC, am slowly coming round to this newer one.