astra 1.9cdti 150bhp
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Discussion

jamie128

Original Poster:

1,604 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
is this car reliable, i hear how great it is driving wise, but it seems the internet thinks it is incredibly unreliable at low mileage

ive seen a 2007 one with 30000 on the clock and full service history, it doesent have the bodykit on it so looks a bit plain frown but its the only car between 7000-8000 that is diesel, quick to 60 and economic, most of the diesels take 11 seconds, this one takes 8

the only other cars ive seen is a renault megane 2.0dci with 150bhp
and a honda civic 2006 2.2itcdi

these are just as quick but more expensive, and ill be getting this car on finance over 5 years so would like something that is newer

STW2010

5,889 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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It's a Vauxhall, so I seriously doubt that it's either good to drive or reliable. They are cheap for a reason

pilchardthecat

7,483 posts

201 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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5 year finance? Don't do it.

Burny16v

177 posts

199 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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I have a 1.7 CDTi Corsa, and the engine seems to be the most reliable thing about it - the diesel VX's seem to be very reliable, economical and powerful enough. However, the rest of it may fail or be a bit flimsy, but personally I think the newer Vauxhalls are screwed together reasonably, compared to older ones anyway!

Edited by Burny16v on Wednesday 15th December 20:38

jamie128

Original Poster:

1,604 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
i have to do 5 years, cant afford nothing else and i need a car

jamie128

Original Poster:

1,604 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
Burny16v said:
I have a 1.7 CDTi Corsa, and the engine seems to be the most reliable thing about it - the diesel VX's seem to be very reliable, economical and powerful enough. However, the rest of it may fail or be a bit flimsy, but personally I think the newer Vauxhalls are plenty reliable.
the 1.3 and 1.7cdtis are very reliable, the 1.9's appear to be a different story

frosted

3,549 posts

199 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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You really want a car that will be worth something after 5 years , so that rules out the vauxhal .

Who is giving you the loan ?

Agoogy

7,274 posts

270 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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STW2010 said:
It's a Vauxhall, so I seriously doubt that it's either good to drive or reliable. They are cheap for a reason
Wrong. Whilst no Focus in either chassis or steering feel, or Golf in in interior quality standards, the engine is better than the many of it's competitor's equivalent, and despite the torsion rear beam suspension it was considered, and by experience proved to be, a lot of fun and very capable.
Check suspension parts in terms of reliability but the rest should be fine.
Exterior design remains fresh IMO, interior less so with some questionable material choices.

They're cheap cos of media led pub bores like you (and a not so decent past that proves that opinion mostly right)....it will take a while for their reputation to improve....the sooner we lose the type/generation who judge cars by their badge and history and less by the actualcar in front of them the better.

Eddie the Ead

1,657 posts

230 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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I had one as a rental for about a month. The engines are pretty strong and they grip and ride reasonably well but I wouldn't call it fun and the gearbox is rather slow. I can understand the enthusiasm to buy a car you can't really afford and the concept of paying £Xper month now doesn't seem such a chore but thats because its new to you and probably better then a car thats gone before BUT how will you feel in 4 years still paying £Xper month. On a 5 year finance deal remember that you'll be upside down on the finance for the first 3 years so won't be able to get out of it easily.

Edited by Eddie the Ead on Wednesday 15th December 20:52

eldar

24,842 posts

218 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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Seems pricey for an 07. There are loads around.

43034

2,971 posts

190 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
We have one as a family car here, 08 reg. Can't comment on the drive of it as I can't drive but it has been reliable, nothing has gone wrong with it in the 2 years we have had it. Been serviced when it should and that's it tbh.

Better than the Peugeot 307 we had before it!

neil_w

79 posts

220 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
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I had one, between 25,000 and 75,000 miles it needed (amongst other things):
- a new inlet manifold
- 3 egr valves
- a dual mass flywheel

Luckily all of this happened within warranty, it would have been VERY expensive if I'd had to pay.

I think most modern diesels suffer the same problems though, at least it doesn't have a dpf!

jamie128

Original Poster:

1,604 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
frosted said:
You really want a car that will be worth something after 5 years , so that rules out the vauxhal .

Who is giving you the loan ?
what about the honda or the renault gti?

my bank so i own the car its not actually on finance although i class it as being of the same nature

jamie128

Original Poster:

1,604 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
[quote=neil_w]I had one, between 25,000 and 75,000 miles it needed (amongst other things):
- a new inlet manifold
- 3 egr valves
- a dual mass flywheel

Luckily all of this happened within warranty, it would have been VERY expensive if I'd had to pay.

I think most modern diesels suffer the same problems though, at least it doesn't have a dpf! [/quote

yeh the inlet manifold was mentioned, DMF i expect that, and yeh the egr valves get clogged but couldent i clean it with spray every so many miles or give the engine a good warm up on the motorway to clear it out?

what mileage did all this need doing at?


STW2010

5,889 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
Agoogy said:
STW2010 said:
It's a Vauxhall, so I seriously doubt that it's either good to drive or reliable. They are cheap for a reason
Wrong. Whilst no Focus in either chassis or steering feel, or Golf in in interior quality standards, the engine is better than the many of it's competitor's equivalent, and despite the torsion rear beam suspension it was considered, and by experience proved to be, a lot of fun and very capable.
Check suspension parts in terms of reliability but the rest should be fine.
Exterior design remains fresh IMO, interior less so with some questionable material choices.

They're cheap cos of media led pub bores like you (and a not so decent past that proves that opinion mostly right)....it will take a while for their reputation to improve....the sooner we lose the type/generation who judge cars by their badge and history and less by the actualcar in front of them the better.
Between my other half and I, we have owned many Vauxhalls. The reasons for this is that they were cheap to buy, however my experience is such that I will never buy another. The earlier ones I had were fine- one was smashed up, so the car wasn't to blame there. But my experience of them is that they are built on the cheap- the interior quality in particular is crap. As you mention, the suspension is a weak part.

The last one I owned (aside from the Corsa we still have) was a disaster. Just working under the bonnet gives clues on the quality of the parts used.

So, this isn't a media-led pub-knowledge person. I have experienced Vauxhall first hand- either through the ones I've owned, or the ones I get as the occassional hire car through work. From my job I have had the diesel versions, and I cannot see much positive about them except the initial cost to buy. The drive was ok, but not great- that is how I would describe every single Vauxhall I've driven.

On the topic of costs to buy, they are cheap to buy from new, and on paper you seem to be getting a good deal. But it's the used values which are the true bargains- which is bad bad news if you buy a reasonably new one. The depreciation is abysmal.

Disclaimer- I haven't driven a VX220 or a Monaro. I hear these are pretty damn good!

STW2010

5,889 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
jamie128 said:
i have to do 5 years, cant afford nothing else and i need a car
Could you not get a smaller amount on finance and go for a cheaper, perhaps older, car?

If you're careful with what you buy, a £3-4k car could last you a few years.

jamie128

Original Poster:

1,604 posts

192 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
STW2010 said:
jamie128 said:
i have to do 5 years, cant afford nothing else and i need a car
Could you not get a smaller amount on finance and go for a cheaper, perhaps older, car?

If you're careful with what you buy, a £3-4k car could last you a few years.
i end up nearly paying as much on a lower loan as the interest rate is higher :/ lol

RetroTed

1,029 posts

231 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
I have just purchased a 56 plate 3 door with the X pack bodykit.

Good points so far
It drives well and the engine is responsive with the sport button on.
It's quiter inside than our A3 with little road noise inside the cabin.
It looks great IMO.

Bad ponts
Engine sounds a bit tractory for my liking.
The seats are uncomfortable as the lumber support is too high, tbh the whole driving position is'nt great
The rear visability is rubbish
Gears are notchy
Speakers are crap
It's thirsty

Plans
Eibach springs to give it a better stance

Decat & Milltek system with a remap which will give around 200bhp which I can't wait for.

My problem is I have had vags for the last 3 years and it's taking a bit of getting used too.


Prof Prolapse

16,163 posts

212 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
Agoogy said:
They're cheap cos of media led pub bores like you (and a not so decent past that proves that opinion mostly right)....it will take a while for their reputation to improve....the sooner we lose the type/generation who judge cars by their badge and history and less by the actualcar in front of them the better.
Mate of mine is a senior techy at Lookers. Reckons the 1.9 cdti is ste.

I like Vauxhalls but the relibility issues surrounding the 1.9 are well known. It is a FIAT afterall isn't it?

Isn't the 1.7TDI an Isuzu? I know the 3.0 v6 diesel is... That one is corker!


STW2010

5,889 posts

184 months

Wednesday 15th December 2010
quotequote all
jamie128 said:
STW2010 said:
jamie128 said:
i have to do 5 years, cant afford nothing else and i need a car
Could you not get a smaller amount on finance and go for a cheaper, perhaps older, car?

If you're careful with what you buy, a £3-4k car could last you a few years.
i end up nearly paying as much on a lower loan as the interest rate is higher :/ lol
I see the issue. How about shorter repayment term? So have a monthly amount you can afford and then see if you can get a 2-3 year loan for that amount.