And moreover extra weight also safe, you have a lot of steel and look around you and feel safe

What we pretty Astra. Pretty timeless and for a mid-range very chic, especially with leather upholstery.

With the 140hp turbocharged engine it 's wonderful ride. Contrary to what the motoring press in the past, wrote this ecotec fine motor flexible machine that you no time to get the clue deficit. In 9.9 seconds to 100km / h, I find a strong performance, especially for a heavy vehicle of roughly 1450kg.

The Astra J is heavy knocks but I did not see it as a hindrance. The Opel is a block down the road. No surprises and wind sensitivity you do not bother. And moreover extra weight also safe, you have a lot of steel and look around you and feel safe. The Astra is generously equipped and the dark blue paint and large 17inch wheels stand him well. Unfortunately I was not very comfortable, the low-profile tires. I would not take them anymore.

Many positive comments were received on the appearance. The Astra has become a sleek, clean and especially sharp car.
When you consider that it all started with a Kadett and look what is now changing as the successor of the middle class car for the common man ... times. The price, unfortunately, because as a private person anyway you pay soon almost 30 grand for this car (an Astra!) And its high weight and turbocharged (consumption 1 at 14 when I did my best), it is a more expensive car to drive. But there is so much power and indulgence opposite.

The space was adequate as we had a car this size expect more interior space. Reason for purchase was the reputation of Opel and the fact that I just felt like it. A reward for their work speak. My previous car, Corsa 1.2, which was disabled under dimensioned to my liking so I had the 1.4 turbo high expectations. In that respect, the Astra has disappointed me.

Where he introduced me or disappoint? Minor aches and sloppiness. Things that are fixed under warranty / guarantee partially submerged but still had a stain on the reliability blazon of Opel. Opel Astra gave this to set a very reliable piece of German engineering (made in Poland). Well that's true too, the Astra has never felt let down but what they had to visit a number of additional garage built around the engine. My family has been riding since the 50s only Opel, following I have always had but the Opel Astra, my enthusiasm cooled. What happened:

14.000km: Autumn: to start humid weather, the engine is not pretty stationary. Very pushing and shaky. In the garage is replaced inflammation. Problem solved.

16.000km: I notice that the dashboard electronics does not work properly after a holiday trip through Wallonia with bad roads and much trembling. For example, the indicator is no longer parallel with the 't sound of it. The data on the LCD seem suddenly more Chinese than Dutch. The car itself checked at the garage, apparently there was a connector vibrated loose.

20,000 The dashboard squeaks and crackles. Increasingly between 3500-4000 rpm and when the engine is warm even at low revs. Very annoying. Garage has checked it. They could not find anything. Something done with silicone spray, it was temporarily. A week later, again the same. Then I felt pads yourself stuck on a number of strategic locations / cracks and crevices but I never got completely away. Ridiculous that I have to stick felt pads in a car of almost 30 grand self.

22,000. Storm damage. There is a heavy plate of a wall on the car. Severe damage to the right-hand side. Neatly solved by insurance.

31,000. Autumn. Again not nice walk to start in damp weather. At garage replace ignition again.

32,000. The central locking system is broken at the rear doors: cost 600 euros, was no longer under warranty for cars now 3 years old. I have not repaired 't. But then manually as often as I do not have rear passengers.

Furthermore, the clearcoat of the front bumper start to let go. Large pieces of paint fall off if someone has sanded the bumper. The garage thinks it was because of the elements, rain / sun. Yet careless that releases the paint. Refinishing 300 euros but had leniency.

41,000. Piece horn.

At 43.000km sold the car. Reasons: family expansion so more space and I started getting more annoyed me the little aches and certainly the crackling dashboard.

I voted for the Astra a recovered very tidy sum, inflation-proof, they are certainly (someone else may now start worrying about the broken lock / rattles) and I saw that "he was sold again within a week. To the eye 't was a beautiful car in this embodiment.

In short, nice car, powerful engine, solid and safe driving behavior, good for long distances. Fun to drive with it but some minor gripes that should not belong to a young car. For now, I 't just had with Opel and switched to a Japanese (not valued in the family, but oh well, I also have a Agila) In the future, I close the purchase of a new Opel not matter but I wait in first how the user experiences with new models that they have launched / sit it out.