Vauxhall Astra 2.0 SRi

I've had this car for 9 months now and it's done nothing but give me trouble. Problem 1 Alternator needing replaced after car losing power on Christmas day of all the times to break down. 2 Hard to start in the mornings - glow plugs replaced. 3 Shuddering noise coming from the engine - Flywheel needed replaced (Not cheap, Vauxhall quoted £915.00) 4 Heavy burst of smoke coming from exhaust - Swirl Flaps needed replaced (Vauxhall quoted £530.00) 5 Clutch now kicking towards my foot while driving - can't afford to fix it so sitting in my driveway, the best place for it. 6 The gear box will need replaced - noise rattling while can it taking over. To sum up the worse car i have ever owed. Unreliable and no confidence what so ever in Vauxhall. We never buy another one. Should have known my dad drove one and he had similar trouble.

Have had my Vauxhall Astra since September 2005 and bought from dealer 9 months old.

I love this car - you can sit in traffic comfortably, cruise nicely or really give it some when the kids aren't in it!! We bought this as a fun car that doubles as a family car when required so we wanted a 5 door - Still looks good though with body kit. If you can, go for the top spec stereo and sat nav system - this is excellent and extremely accurate - you will never get lost again.

I had a Vauxhall Astra previously that lasted for years so am not too worried about things going wrong.

This is the second Vauxhall Astra 2.0 SRi Sports Car I have owned, other cars having included 2 Seat's, 3 Volkswagens, and even a Volvo (all in 6 years).

The two Astras stand out above the rest as being far superior in every way.

Understandably I have not had this one long, so reliability has not been an issue, and touch wood, won't be.

In any gear, it pulls hard, but at low revs, it is very docile, and not a problem in heavy traffic.

It looks as good as any hot hatch if not better - and I personally prefer the 3 door hatch (which I have) over the 2 door Coupe.

It comfortably seats 4 adults - well, it's comfortable for me when there are 4 adults in the car - and that's what matters!!

I have driven Porsches, Audi's, BMW's, and even a TVR, and none has put a smile on my face as much as this Astra.

If you can find one - buy it because they are as rare as Rocking horse poo!

In the 15 months of owning this Vauxhall Astra 2.0 SRi, the dealership has nearly had the car more than us. Oil needed topping up every 500 miles, this went on for a year before they finally found the valve stem seals had gone. Other faults include manifold head gasket, cylinder head gasket, cam sensor, coolant sensor problems, steering column collapsed, power steering pump, sunroof rails distorted, seat tilt cable, corrosion on both doors, squeaky seats, main beam freezing on, seat tilt and slide mechanism, sluggish performance and a flatspot. Just had a recall for the seat springs which require replacing. Car is currently back in the garage after been told not to drive it due to a heavy rattling coming from somewhere within the valve gear. (Awaiting diagnosis on that one).

All in all the worst car I've owned yet somehow I still like it, along with the other 7 vauxhalls I have owned. I keep hoping after each repair that it will be ok now and I can enjoy it as I should be able to. Is this false hope?