Discussion
These are a complete steal, so much more metal for the money!
What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.
Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!
What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.
Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!
Edited by Macron on Monday 21st December 00:25
bungz said:
Think these look really smart and drive really well.
Had a CDTI SRI spec one a few years ago but couldn't get on with it all round.
Think it was a Friday afternoon car as it had so many rattles and squeaks it drove me insane.
And I've never had a car that wheel hopped like that car did.
With 136bhp it went pretty well though, bet that goes very nicely....
I have a 17 plate 1.6 CDTi SRi on the smaller 17" wheels and like the car a lot however the wheel hopping thing is disconcerting. If i go round a bend on a flyover with a joint in the road at any speed it feels like the car is going to jump lanes. i assume this is what you mean,Had a CDTI SRI spec one a few years ago but couldn't get on with it all round.
Think it was a Friday afternoon car as it had so many rattles and squeaks it drove me insane.
And I've never had a car that wheel hopped like that car did.
With 136bhp it went pretty well though, bet that goes very nicely....
Mine has a few rattles etc too but for the money and kit it has i can forgive it.
I don't understand why people hate on Vauxhall so much. Before I had a BMW 218i coupe and the Astra is better in every way. The 3 cylinder engine in that was a dog and the reason I had to get rid.
Macron said:
These are a complete steal, so much more metal for the money!
What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.
Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!
I’m leasing one of these 2018 elite nav 200 ps and it does indeed have heated front (poss rear but we have childseats so not certain) and heated steering wheel.What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.
Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!
Edited by Macron on Monday 21st December 00:25
They lowered the third year payment to a pleasing £165 pm else I may have bought it. Apart from the small boot it’s perfect daily for a very comfortable and warm hatch drive.
I should mention the touchscreen was replaced at 8 month and broke at 13 month but I never bothered getting it sorted. Only impact is the sat nav is pretty much inoperable but hasn’t been an issue much in Covid times and mobiles take care of sat nav.
Edited by vindaloo79 on Monday 21st December 01:12
My wife has one of these and she's very happy with it. 1.6T elite nav with the vx line kit, Oct 17.
I have noticed that it makes the oil dark quickly, anyone else noticed this? It's had 6 month oil changes from new.
Very much underrated as lots of Vauxhall cars seem to be.
The Elite does have front and rear heated seats as standard, ours has cooled fronts and massage on the drivers too! and heated steering wheel which is nice this time of year.
I have noticed that it makes the oil dark quickly, anyone else noticed this? It's had 6 month oil changes from new.
Very much underrated as lots of Vauxhall cars seem to be.
The Elite does have front and rear heated seats as standard, ours has cooled fronts and massage on the drivers too! and heated steering wheel which is nice this time of year.
In May 2019 I was changing my car & test drove 2 Astra 1.4(150) Elites. Would have bought one but wanted an auto & much preferred the DSG in a Leon FR 1.4TSI(150) to the Astra's auto.
Remember the Astra's main two instrument dials being rather small. One of them had the excellent optional sports seats with additional adjustments.
Remember the Astra's main two instrument dials being rather small. One of them had the excellent optional sports seats with additional adjustments.
L99JKB said:
I have a 17 plate 1.6 CDTi SRi on the smaller 17" wheels and like the car a lot however the wheel hopping thing is disconcerting. If i go round a bend on a flyover with a joint in the road at any speed it feels like the car is going to jump lanes. i assume this is what you mean,
Mine has a few rattles etc too but for the money and kit it has i can forgive it.
I don't understand why people hate on Vauxhall so much. Before I had a BMW 218i coupe and the Astra is better in every way. The 3 cylinder engine in that was a dog and the reason I had to get rid.
Mine was when it lost grip the front end would scrabble and hop like crazy making a god awful banging in the turrets.Mine has a few rattles etc too but for the money and kit it has i can forgive it.
I don't understand why people hate on Vauxhall so much. Before I had a BMW 218i coupe and the Astra is better in every way. The 3 cylinder engine in that was a dog and the reason I had to get rid.
Prob related to what you are saying the front just didn't feel right.
Great engine though, it flew for what it was.
Macron said:
These are a complete steal, so much more metal for the money!
What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.
Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!
Agree, VFM they are really good for what you get. What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.
Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!
Edited by Macron on Monday 21st December 00:25
Niggle wise i've got a squeak from the rear end when going over little humps and bumps in the roads, weirdly it appears to disappear once the car has traveled a mile or two, the clutch pedal creaks every now. Nothing major, but its something that i'll mention the Vauxhall when it goes in for its MOT or Service.
I'am not to sure about the 'Winter Pack' if i'am honest.
Glosphil said:
In May 2019 I was changing my car & test drove 2 Astra 1.4(150) Elites. Would have bought one but wanted an auto & much preferred the DSG in a Leon FR 1.4TSI(150) to the Astra's auto.
Remember the Astra's main two instrument dials being rather small. One of them had the excellent optional sports seats with additional adjustments.
Without wanting to hijack the OP's thread, can I ask what/why you preferred the Leon?Remember the Astra's main two instrument dials being rather small. One of them had the excellent optional sports seats with additional adjustments.
Reason for my qu: I am looking at the Astra 1.4T auto/Leon 1.4 TSI DSG/V40 T3 geartronic as potential next cars.
Op - nice car! I would be getting the 1.6T in a heartbeat but wife insistent on an auto hence only the 1.4T is available with an auto. I think the Elite 1.6T in Grey or Black look slick and has a 'sleeper' element to the looks as you wouldn't expect it to have 200 bhp, nice to have subtle looks rather than lairy alloys and body kit..refreshing! Though I prefer the SRI alloys to the Elite, think they look much better IMO.
Just thought I’d give a quick update as its been little while. Since then I’ve changed the plates for some clean ‘3D’ type ones as that’s all the rage these days and they look okay, and not chav like some others on the market, add to that a couple of days ago I had the new discs and pads fitted all round as they were definitely due. Got the local indie to supply and fit, I’m not sure what make they are, but they stop well enough! And in his words “They’re good ones, not cheap crap” take from that what you will 
Mileage wise it’s not far from 40k now and regularly shows 38-40 MPG when I trip it from fill up to fill up, my long term average is about 35MPG so not to bad for 200bhp ‘hot hatch now I use the term hot hatch loosely as it is the semi sporting version on the Astra but with genuine hot hatch performance, think Fiesta ST’s and that sort of tackle which is amusing, but dynamically it falls short which is perfectly fine as it not a full fat VXR model (shame it never materialised) it’s a warm hatch with more GT qualities which for my needs at the moment is perfect. Sling it down a flowing A/B road that’s got dips, cambers and all the rest and it’s so enjoyable, the slightly soft ‘sports’ suspension and watts link work so good together. Perfectly happy at 6/10ths.
It'll be due its first MOT in a couple of months and a service too.
Anyways I couple of pictures.
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr
Thanks.
Mileage wise it’s not far from 40k now and regularly shows 38-40 MPG when I trip it from fill up to fill up, my long term average is about 35MPG so not to bad for 200bhp ‘hot hatch now I use the term hot hatch loosely as it is the semi sporting version on the Astra but with genuine hot hatch performance, think Fiesta ST’s and that sort of tackle which is amusing, but dynamically it falls short which is perfectly fine as it not a full fat VXR model (shame it never materialised) it’s a warm hatch with more GT qualities which for my needs at the moment is perfect. Sling it down a flowing A/B road that’s got dips, cambers and all the rest and it’s so enjoyable, the slightly soft ‘sports’ suspension and watts link work so good together. Perfectly happy at 6/10ths.
It'll be due its first MOT in a couple of months and a service too.
Anyways I couple of pictures.
Astra by Michael Smith, on FlickrAstra by Michael Smith, on FlickrAstra by Michael Smith, on FlickrAstra by Michael Smith, on FlickrAstra by Michael Smith, on FlickrAstra by Michael Smith, on FlickrAstra by Michael Smith, on FlickrThanks.
vindaloo79 said:
How is the touch screen. I have had two replacements in warranty on my elite nav 2018. Other than that I’m pleased with the car for the usage I have. Very comfortable drive.
It's okay so far, touch wood at least! although on one occasion it froze when connecting to Apple Carplay but its been fine since. This is mine. Here in Australia it's called an Astra RS-V. It got the leather and bigger screen n stuff.
Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.
Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.
I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.
Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?
The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.
Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.
Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.
I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.
Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?
The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.
Edited by Pommy on Sunday 20th June 07:23
Pommy said:
This is mine. Here in Australia it's called an Astra RS-V. It got the leather and bigger screen n stuff.
Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.
Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.
I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.
Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?
The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.
They do go well enough! 3rd & 4th gears are a treat, plenty of torque for overtaking swiftly. Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.
Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.
I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.
Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?
The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.
Edited by Pommy on Sunday 20th June 07:23
There doesn't seem to be much tuning over on our shores but in Europe and especially Germany there's a few that have been modified, 280bhp from a Remap, Downpipe and uprated Intercooler is achievable which will make it rather quick! 60mph to 120mph in around 13 seconds to give a example of one guys over on YouTube.
Mike1990 said:
Pommy said:
This is mine. Here in Australia it's called an Astra RS-V. It got the leather and bigger screen n stuff.
Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.
Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.
I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.
Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?
The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.
They do go well enough! 3rd & 4th gears are a treat, plenty of torque for overtaking swiftly. Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.
Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.
I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.
Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?
The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.
Edited by Pommy on Sunday 20th June 07:23
There doesn't seem to be much tuning over on our shores but in Europe and especially Germany there's a few that have been modified, 280bhp from a Remap, Downpipe and uprated Intercooler is achievable which will make it rather quick! 60mph to 120mph in around 13 seconds to give a example of one guys over on YouTube.
Wonder what the cost is to get to that.
I’m sure I’m not alone in erm, browsing auto trader with no intention of buying various cars. But this one always amazes me for kit, engine spec and the price.
I know it’s not a sleeper in the sense of a golf with a 911 engine or whatever, but definitely an under the radar shifter in this class. I was once doing a healthy 70mph when one with the tell tail double exhausts went past me and off into the distance.
Ford also seem to have given up on anything slightly warm in the focus range. Pretty sure they have scrapped the 1.5 182hp engine from the line up. It’s either 0-60 of 9 seconds or full st.
I know it’s not a sleeper in the sense of a golf with a 911 engine or whatever, but definitely an under the radar shifter in this class. I was once doing a healthy 70mph when one with the tell tail double exhausts went past me and off into the distance.
Ford also seem to have given up on anything slightly warm in the focus range. Pretty sure they have scrapped the 1.5 182hp engine from the line up. It’s either 0-60 of 9 seconds or full st.
Flumpo said:
I’m sure I’m not alone in erm, browsing auto trader with no intention of buying various cars. But this one always amazes me for kit, engine spec and the price.
I know it’s not a sleeper in the sense of a golf with a 911 engine or whatever, but definitely an under the radar shifter in this class. I was once doing a healthy 70mph when one with the tell tail double exhausts went past me and off into the distance.
Ford also seem to have given up on anything slightly warm in the focus range. Pretty sure they have scrapped the 1.5 182hp engine from the line up. It’s either 0-60 of 9 seconds or full st.
Certainly not alone in that, Auto Trader is addictive I know it’s not a sleeper in the sense of a golf with a 911 engine or whatever, but definitely an under the radar shifter in this class. I was once doing a healthy 70mph when one with the tell tail double exhausts went past me and off into the distance.
Ford also seem to have given up on anything slightly warm in the focus range. Pretty sure they have scrapped the 1.5 182hp engine from the line up. It’s either 0-60 of 9 seconds or full st.
There's quite a few options in the 180 - 200bhp C-Segment bracket. Its a shame they get often overlooked by the full-fat versions and not to mention some being quite expensive! A250 AMG & 125i M Sport for example but they are a good all round package.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff