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- Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXi
- Ivanski's review
Have a picture of Vauxhall Astra 1.6 SXi?, please send it to us.
Picture courtesy of Jason.
| Performance | 8.7/10   |
|---|---|
| Practicality | 8.8/10 |
| Reliability | 8.8/10 |
| Value for Money | 9/10 |
| Reviewer Rating | 9/10 |
| Overall Rating | 8.5/10 |
By Ivanski
on 24th Dec 2006
| Year Manufactured | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Length of ownership | one year |
| Doors | 3 |
| Performance | 8/10 |
| Practicality | 9/10 |
| Reliability | 9/10 |
| Value for money | 10/10 |
| Overall value | 9/10 |
 Ivanski's recommendation | |
Good handling and ride quality, roomy, practical, cheap to run and insure.
Cabin a bit bland, notchy gearbox, some minor electrical faults with warning lamps going on and off.
Astra 1.6 16V SXI 2003 0verview.
I brought my Astra from a local Ford dealership after intending intially to buy a Mondeo however the Astra caught my eye on the forecourt and after a quick test drive opted for it as I liked its looks and handling.
I've had the car for a year now and apart from a minor warning lamp fault on the dash display coming on and then going off every now and then its been fine.
Driving the car it feels nimble in town traffic with light steering and handling though it does have a somewhat firm ride, however on longer motorway journeys it performs well with low road noise and good performance.
I seem to average around 37/44 mpg without pushing the car hard. The sports seats are a bit to firm for my liking but they are fine for a couple of hours driving.
The cars well built and feels solid and well screwed together with only a slight rattle coming from the rear parcel shelf area which can be a bit annoying. The front cabin is roomy,well laid out with clear instrumentation, fully adjustable seat height, and steering reach. The aircon is great on those muggy summer days and the cd/mp3 player has handy controls on the steering wheel for safer music selection while on the move. Other extras with the SXI include electric windows, central/dead locking doors, front fog lamps, alloy wheels, white sports style dials in the dash, driver and passenger airbags.
Insurance is an group affordable 6 but at 99bhp its never going to be quick but I find it a good balance between cost and performance.
If you want a something quicker the 1.8 16v 125bhp is the car for you.
Avoid older pre 2000 1.4/1.6 8 valve versions as they are sluggish and underwhelming to drive.
Overall i've been very happy with the car, it does what I want it to well, looks good, drives well and I'll keep it for another year ot two yet till the cambelt needs changing or the front disks go. I think its a good choice car for younger drivers who want some comfort and style without costing a fortune to insure or run. Just make sure the service record is complete and that the car hasnt been abused.
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