1.4 Astra J - why?

[Toaster Pilot]

Currently got a 1.4 Astra rental. Not bad car in general in terms of a place to sit etc as far as a rep box goes.

But the engine? It just doesnt cope with the weight of the car its hauling. There is no power at all in 5th at motorway speeds in that it will not maintain speed on a slight incline. Before anyone tells me to learn how to drive, bear in mind I drive a 1.0 Picanto on motorways regularly and this is far, far worse.

Its not even economical. AND has an SRI badge on it

I know rental companies will love the cheapness but who is buying these 2nd hand?

[vit4]

Jesus, they put a 1.4 in it? Bare in mind they're twice the weight of my Astra and I doubt they're twice the power...

My mum's 1.4 Focus is the same, barely livable around town but motorway journeys are hopeless, as you said, even a slight incline sends you changing down. Net result is worse economy than a bigger-engined one.

[Toaster Pilot]

I couldnt believe it when I saw the paperwork, I thought it was a 1.6 and thought it was a bit slow for that!

[Nickyboy]

SRI used to denote a sporty car now its just a trim level

[Backtobasics]

I had one of those as a rental for the day. A scary car which took an age to get up to any reasonable motorway speed.

[jason s4]

I used to use a J reg cavalier 1.7D with all 70 odd ponies.

On the M3 you could drive with your foot buried in the carpet and NEVER get over 80.

In fact, a few of the inclines on the M27/A31, you would have to take a good run up to reach the top without changing down.

Having said that, it used to do 1000000 miles to the gallon

[MK Ultra]

I agree with you 100%, as I've got one.

However, I am in the rental industry. So I guess you hit the nail on the head.

£4400 for a 59', I coudn't refuse knowing that I'll be making some money back off it.

But yeah. it's pathetic! (I want my golf back, which died on me this morning!)

[va1o]

Isn't the 1.4 in the new Astra a turbo? The reviews are generally quite good. Struggle to believe it would be slower than a 1.0 Picanto!

[blank]

The 1.4 turbos are OK.

The 1.6 NA is absolutely shocking. Fortunately I've not tried a 1.4 NA but it must be pretty awful!

[MarkRSi]

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-fi...

Nearly 100bhp...?

Oh wait it weighs more than the moon

[morgrp]

I drove a 1.2 golf Tsi fron Norwich to Bristol the other - I wanted to hate it and expected it to be crap but it performed admirably well. Sure it was no GTI but honestly, in the real world the performance was perfectly acceptable - fuel economy was also pretty decent too

[GestapoWatch]

Weight - 1545 kg
Power Output - 98 bhp



I'm still learning all this but isn't that like 60 odd bhp/tonne?

[Changedmyname]

I think it's false economy going for a smaller engined car ,I live in wales and driving behind some smaller cars up a hill you can tell they are having to change down,then of course I have to and the guy behind me the same so we are all using more revs= more fuel.

Fried Slice.

[bazking69]

Nickyboy said:

SRI used to denote a sporty car now its just a trim level

And not even a sporty one at that.

[Mr2Mike]

GestapoWatch said:

Weight - 1545 kg
Power Output - 98 bhp



I'm still learning all this but isn't that like 60 odd bhp/tonne?

Over 1.5 tonnes for small family hatch with bugger all boot space?

Where do they hide the weight, depleted uranium filled sills?

[Deva Link]

Toaster Pilot said:

Currently got a 1.4 Astra rental.

Have you taken the block from under the gas pedal?

Can it be that bad? We have new Golf in the family with an ordinary (not the TSi) 1.4 engine and it goes perfectly well. (For comparison I drive a Merc C270CDi auto - hills don't exist when driving that).

[1275GT]

I know exactly what you mean. I had one as a rental car last week in Hungary and was really very slow. Revving the thing only meant more noise, and no discernable increase in speed!

[MarkRSi]

GestapoWatch said:

Weight - 1545 kg
Power Output - 98 bhp



I'm still learning all this but isn't that like 60 odd bhp/tonne?

Thing is my 20 year old Discovery only has 10bhp more (when new...) and weighs more than Saturn around 2100kg

That Astra must be a ROCKETSHIP in comparison!

[Garett]

My Dad had a 1.4 Astra Mk3 in the 90s, he sold it after about 4 months because the engine was so pathetic, this was when Astras weighed 2/3 of what they do now. I can barely imagine the tedium it must bring!

[ClintonB]

MarkRSi said:

GestapoWatch said:

Weight - 1545 kg
Power Output - 98 bhp



I'm still learning all this but isn't that like 60 odd bhp/tonne?

Thing is my 20 year old Discovery only has 10bhp more (when new...) and weighs more than Saturn around 2100kg

That Astra must be a ROCKETSHIP in comparison!

If it is anything like the previous hire car special Ashtray, that 100bhp or so is somewhat like my weight being 13 stone (or so - if or so is 20%+ the wrong way). I remember the ones I had being hatefully difficult to pedal with an engine that just wanted to move towards the light.
That might be expected from a Landie diesel, less so from a family car.