Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: £15,405 to £22,000
Good performance, smooth engines, comfortable over distance
Not the most engaging hot hatches, indifferent residual values
Surprisingly good hot-hatch serves up good performance, if not outright thrills
Vauxhalls are generally very durable; this-generation Astra has been around since 1998 and is pretty well proven.
There have been few recalls for the model but, like most new cars, there are reports of some known faults and niggles. On the 2.2i 16v SRi, care should be taken to adhere to changing the oil at the specified intervals, otherwise the timing chain's lubrication jet can block, leading the chain to snap. No reported problems with the 2.0-litre turbo engine.
Although the cabin's a little on the ordinary side, with boxy styling and a simple control layout, the Astra feels well constructed and its design ageing better than the interiors of some more obviously 'styled' cars.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Vauxhall Astra
wrote on 12 01 2008
wrote on 22 09 2007
wrote on 17 09 2007
wrote on 14 09 2007
wrote on 11 09 2007
wrote on 24 03 2007