1996 Astra?

[real4star]

Whilst looking for my next hack I found an 1996 1.6 Astra DUO at a 2nd hand dealership
MOT'd till Sept2013 and Taxed to the end of the year for £487 (PX to clear)...

Tempted but are these old Astra's any good? reliability, rust prone etc etc

Neal

[Baryonyx]

Just be wary that at the pricepoint (and marked as P/X to clear) the dealer will no doubt try to avoid any of their obligations under SOGA.

[duncancallum]

They're not bad to be fair.

Bits are cheap and they are dead easy to work on.

[Sir Bagalot]

Baryonyx said:

Just be wary that at the pricepoint (and marked as P/X to clear) the dealer will no doubt try to avoid any of their obligations under SOGA.

Taxed until end of year, 9 months MOT left.... what exactly do you want for £487?!?

[Vince70]

I would only offer £486 as I doubt it would have a full vauxhall extended warranty on it lol.
I hope it comes with a full tank of petrol, and a new set of mats.
What's the real worse that could happen you may loose £200 if it blows up tomorrow.
It's £150 in scrap value and it has £50 tax on the screen, I would say its worth a gamble.

I drive around in a car which cost me £281 which was bought as a stop gap nearly 3 years ago and must say its been the most reliable car I've owned.

I now wonder why I spent a fortune in the past on cars, and the added bonus is you will be able to leave it anywhere without worrying about scratches and dents.

Go for it.

[real4star]

I'm off to see the dealer then

Neal

[JREwing]

They're not exciting, but there's nothing inherently wrong with them

[ajb85]

Sir Bagalot said:

Baryonyx said:

Just be wary that at the pricepoint (and marked as P/X to clear) the dealer will no doubt try to avoid any of their obligations under SOGA.

Taxed until end of year, 9 months MOT left.... what exactly do you want for £487?!?

Quite right, and exactly how much do you think the dealer is profiting asking that sort of money for a car???

Sounds like a bargain. It has done well to escape terminal rot. Treat it as transport that you will ultimately dispose of, and if you don't have to in nine months time - that's a bonus.

[real4star]

Sir Bagalot said:

Taxed until end of year, 9 months MOT left.... what exactly do you want for £487?!?

I agree... totaly.

My rules for buying hacks are simple: I won't spend more than £500 and it has to have more than 6months MOT.

BUT I've never owned an Astra before and I would like to know if I'm buying somthing thats KNOWN to explode for no apparent reason.

OK its not going to drive like a Ferrari and it will have age related wear problems but if they're generaly well made and reliable I'll go for it

Neal

[Vince70]

I've had a few astras over the years and i would say they have always been better than the escort but not quite as good as a golf if that makes sense.
only real problem I've encountered is rotten rear arches

[Vince70]

I've had a few astras over the years and i would say they have always been better than the escort but not quite as good as a golf if that makes sense.
only real problem I've encountered is rotten rear arches