2016 Opel Astra petrol - opinions

JC960

I am looking at buying a second hand astra (K generation - 2015/16 and up, budget €10 - 13,000 (may be a push to get a nice one?). There seems to be a good opinion overall of them but keen to know what people's opinions are here. Many reviews focus on the diesel and top of the line trim.

Are there any common problems ? This will be my second car, previously driving an 05 Fiesta, mainly around towns but some motorway driving and travelling every couple of weeks.
I'm looking at either 1.0L petrol turbo or 1.4L.

I think I'd like at least the SC trim, although there doesn't seem to be much difference to the baseline S line and if I came across an SRI within the budget, I'd if course go with that. Its difficult to find out exactly what each trim level has. From my understanding, none of the trim levels have parking sensors unless it was put in as an extra when bought ?

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of these are Vauxhall. Is there any difference in ability to resell with the difference badge on it ?

Thanks.

AMKC

I would say you would be better going with the 1 4.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-s-1-4i-5dr/26951135

Not a bad car that one just missing some fog lights outside.

If you could push your budget a little higher or maybe get the price down then this beauty could be yours,

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/opel-astra-sc-1-4i-100ps-5dr/25283044

colm_mcm

The 1.4 non turbo is very slow, I’d have the 1.0 turbo over it every time.

Beware the basic trims as there things left out or downgraded that you just wouldn’t expect, like the standard audio system is very poor, but you wouldn’t know by looking. There are other things too which I’ve forgotten now!

I’d def recommend you look at a Seat Leon as well. An FR would have nice spec and would drive well too.

https://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/seat/leon/fpa/202103200382125?journey=Search

A 2017 for €15k asking price from a Seat main dealer.

bazz26

Alot of them were probably rental cars at some stage especially the base trim models as rental companies where the Astra's main customers over the last few years or so. The non turbo petrol engine is pretty asthmatic too.

As above, look at the Leon, I'd have one over an Astra every time.

beauf

Really dislike the seating position in the Astra. Poor over the shoulder viz as well.

JC960

Thanks everyone. I had a test drive in an astra today . I like the car myself. One was a 1.0t out of my range but very nice. Also drove a 1.4 non turbo but didn't immediately notice any difference on the short drive I took it on. The Seat leon I considered but €15,000 + is a bit out of my range. Petrols in these astra's seem to be very rare according to multiple garages. Unfortunately as mentioned the lower trims of these cars do not seem to have a nice interior . I looked at an S trim which did had more of a display rather than an audio screen. Regardless I liked the drive. Has anyone actually seen a 1.4turbo in Ireland? I've asked in a few garages and none of them had seen one. As a result I think the 1.0turbo SC model would be ideal for me if I could get it in the €13_14,000 range max

bazz26

I think the 1.4 litre turbo models are 6 speed as opposed to the non turbo being 5 speed.

This Vauxhall SRi version is 6 speed so assume it's the turbo version, probably as high spec as you will get in a petrol Astra too:
https://www.carsireland.ie/2788824

Here is another one up the country but from an Opel dealer:
https://www.carsireland.ie/2658833

I think you have more chance of finding a Vauxhall with the engine and spec you want than a Opel. Most people bought Astras here would have been diesel. The few petrols would mostly have been basic entry engine and spec versions

richardsheil

bazz26 wrote: »

I think the 1.4 litre turbo models are 6 speed as opposed to the non turbo being 5 speed.

This Vauxhall SRi version is 6 speed so assume it's the turbo version, probably as high spec as you will get in a petrol Astra too:
https://www.carsireland.ie/2788824

Here is another one up the country but from an Opel dealer:
https://www.carsireland.ie/2658833

I think you have more chance of finding a Vauxhall with the engine and spec you want than a Opel. Most people bought Astras here would have been diesel. The few petrols would mostly have been basic entry engine and spec versions

Not sure why OP wants an also ran like an Astra. There is a reason why PSA bought Opel.

newmember2

richardsheil wrote: »

Not sure why OP wants an also ran like an Astra. There is a reason why PSA bought Opel.

...maybe it's budget although see lots of Leons in this price range...


https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/162d-seat-leon-1-2-se-tsi-low-miles-new-nct/27029567

road_high

richardsheil wrote: »

Not sure why OP wants an also ran like an Astra. There is a reason why PSA bought Opel.

That newer model Astra is actually a decent car. Get the right engine and spec it’s a very good place to be

finalfurlong

road_high wrote: »

That newer model Astra is actually a decent car. Get the right engine and spec it’s a very good place to be

Bought a 171 SRI astra 2 years ago 1. 6 diesel. I think it is excellent driver.Routine servicing so far and well worth going for the sri over the sc .When i was buying i found equivalent golf,focus,auris way dearer and took few weeks to get a well minded low mileage one(25 k km).Beware of ex hire ones which mainly come in S or ,less often ,in Sc.

road_high

Indeed never got some of the hate Opel’s get. I had two Insignias before and loved them. SRI is a really nice spec, the S and SC can be miserable but easily avoided.
I never liked the previous Astra, it was far too fat and stodgy. Newer one is much more classy and trim looking

The Astra K is a nicer, more modern interior than the contemporary Leon, a better cruiser and I found the 1.6d in the Astra is much nicer than the 1.6d in the Leon (not to mention the 1.4 turbo vs 1.2TSIs). It does have weird specs though, and buying a low spec one would be insane.

JC960

bazz26 wrote: »

I think the 1.4 litre turbo models are 6 speed as opposed to the non turbo being 5 speed.

This Vauxhall SRi version is 6 speed so assume it's the turbo version, probably as high spec as you will get in a petrol Astra too:
https://www.carsireland.ie/2788824

Here is another one up the country but from an Opel dealer:
https://www.carsireland.ie/2658833

I think you have more chance of finding a Vauxhall with the engine and spec you want than a Opel. Most people bought Astras here would have been diesel. The few petrols would mostly have been basic entry engine and spec versions

Thanks for that . That first link is a lovely spec car with parking sensors and all. I rang a couple of days ago althought it's a couple of hours away from me and theres a guy going to look at it tomorrow. Vauxhall is a good shout and I'll keep an eye out for a similarly speced car.

JC960

finalfurlong wrote: »

Bought a 171 SRI astra 2 years ago 1. 6 diesel. I think it is excellent driver.Routine servicing so far and well worth going for the sri over the sc .When i was buying i found equivalent golf,focus,auris way dearer and took few weeks to get a well minded low mileage one(25 k km).Beware of ex hire ones which mainly come in S or ,less often ,in Sc.

Good to hear. I'll keep an eye out for the SRIs in petrol over the next couple of weeks. Thanks

hots

Also looking at similar, is it safe to assume the higher specced models wouldn't have been rentals? Anything else to be wary of? Seems to be doable to get one of the decent spec K models for 10-11k

finalfurlong

hots wrote: »

Also looking at similar, is it safe to assume the higher specced models wouldn't have been rentals? Anything else to be wary of? Seems to be doable to get one of the decent spec K models for 10-11k

Yeah pretty much.The sri would be spec above what hertz etc generally buy.Sri has lot of extras with the much much rarer "elite " model the very top spec-has leather but not really a whole lot else.I find the Sri ticks all boxes.Just watch that correct oil has been used-its particular to opel/vauxhall.