November 2002

• Rating:
• Latest deal price: from £12,718 to £18,306

Four-and-a-half years since the small family model was launched here, there are plenty of good second-hand examples around. Steep depreciation makes the Astra a cheap alternative to a Focus or Golf, yet it has a better ride than the Ford and more agile handling than the VW.
Don't be put off by ex-fleet high-milers - just remember to price them accordingly. Go for as high a spec as possible, too, as entry-level models are sparsely equipped and hard to sell on.
Checklist
* Listen for ticking camshafts, especially on eight-valve 1.6s and 1.4s. Wear indicates hard use, and replacement involves a partial engine rebuild.
* Dash warning lamps have a mind of their own. The side airbag sensors are under the seat and the connection tends to work loose. Brake and emissions warnings also light unnecessarily.
* CV joint seals wear if not lubricated, so listen for steering knocks on full lock.
* Some owners have had blown ventilation fans in very hot or cold weather.
* build on early cars wasn't brilliant, but post-2000 models are much better. Look for ill-fitting parcel shelves, rattly gloveboxes and sagging front seats.
Glass's View
plentiful supply means good prices for the Astra, according to trade bible Glass's Consumer Values. Yet there's more demand for higher-spec models, while base Envoys are slow sellers. Auctions are a great source of cheap ex-fleet cars, but main dealers usually have the best examples. They can be pricey, but there are so many around, you should be able to haggle. If the dealer holds firm, simply find another.
My Astra...
When his Jeep Cherokee off-roader started swallowing money, Stephen Haywood decided it was time to seek out a less expensive car to run. The 56-year-old aircraft parts co-ordinator from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, bought his Astra 1.6 8v Club in March 2000 because of a special zero per cent finance offer at his local Vauxhall dealership - and he came away very happy. "I am satisfied with my Astra," he told Auto Express. "It has been reliable and returns 36mpg, even when used for commuting, while there is plenty of space for four people to travel in comfort."
Stephen likes his car's handling and driving position, but says the cabin is frustratingly short of storage space. "If the glovebox is full, the only other places in which to put things are the door pockets, a tiny hatch beneath the steering wheel and a slot below the heater controls," he complained. "So you end up with CDs and tapes all over the place." In the 29,000 miles he's covered in the car, Stephen has had to have a replacement exhaust emissions sensor - a fault also experienced by his son, who runs a 16v Astra 1.6. His only other gripe is the Vauxhall's fondness for rubber on the front wheels. "I don't drive hard," he said. "But I needed new front tyres at 16,000 miles. It tends to slip its wheels even if you're gentle on the throttle."
Nevertheless, Stephen is pleased with the Astra and the service he's had from his dealer. "It's a good car, if not very exciting," he told us. "It's been hassle-free and I'd definitely buy another one."

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