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Holden Astra AH (2004-2009) (page 5 of 5)
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AntocoMetropolitan Adelaide, SA
- 129 reviews
OK
I had to get into the car of a customer and what was it? A 2008 Astra hatch and I couldn't believe it when he told me that the car's reverse gear wasn't working at all. I had to go in the car and steer, I was disgusted that this could be a problem with a new car. Drive a Ford focus and it hasn't had any issues so far with it. I always thought that Astras were decent cars but after seeing this I'm not so sure.
Unsure at this stage.
The reverse in the manual version didn't work.
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BoadiceaAU
Hot weather, has a water hose blown? Will I overheat and seize the motor before I find out?
Bought a used 2005 CD AH wagon, seemed nice driving it except bottom gear is a little too low for me but it would be handy if you were towing.
Most disconcerting is there is no coolant warning or temp gauge on it. The onboard BC (board computer) was showing a varying fuel consumption indication something like "economy 9c a litre" when I test drove it and I have tried all ways to try and get this screen back again but have been unable to do it. Because of seeing that working, I assumed the BC computer was working OK. Now, pressing the "BC" b...Read more
utton on the unit displays "No Function" even while driving at well over 30km/hr where some functions are supposed to start working. Only audio functions are available on this computer panel. Nothing else, unless secret squirrels code is needed to get it. In the car info manual it states that when turning on the ignition, all of the dashboard alarm symbols in the tachometer and speedo dials should illuminate for 10 seconds before the non-alarming ones go out. They all do except the cooling system symbol, which just isn't there. Is it faulty, or been disabled to cover up a fault? Globes aren't used these days and light emitting diodes only fail in extreme circumstances like a broken or cut wire. Not happy and regret buying it, especially after reading other reviews. As an aside, I got a RAC 59 point check on the car stating please check out the no-show of the cooling alarm symbol. On the check sheet they stated exactly what I asked them. "No indication of the cooling alarm symbol on the dashboard needs further investigation" I won't bother with them again. They wanted ANOTHER $169 to investigate it. Nice to drive when you get used to the clutch operation and auto reset indicators that always need resetting manually No over-temperature alarm or cooling fail alarms or engine temperature indicator in a very hot country. Abysmal.
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Tracie.EAU
- 3 reviews
OK
Overall we like this car. We bought it second hand last year (it's a 2006) and haven't had any problems with it so far. I've owned many different makes and models of cars over the years, and this one is just as good as any of them. It's not a luxury car, but it drives smoothly, it's reliable, and there's plenty of room for our kayaks on top and bicycles and camping gear in the boot.
Roomy and reliable. We drive very long distances in this car and it serves us well.
No cup holders, no input for my mp3 player.
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Excellent
I love it! Looking forward to hopping in to the now more powerful (103KW) 1.8l with even better economy. THis is a great small car for the price. Very solid build, drives and handles extremely well. Just to see if those numbers on the speedo were for show only, I took the Astra to 140KM/hr on a straight stretch and it felt it could just sit there all day (Northern Territorians will not be dissapointed). Would reccommend this model - AH Astra 1.8l to anyone.
Astra AH CDX MY05: body style, great steering - very responsive, feels like you're r...Read more
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GeorgePerth, WA
- 20 reviews
Good
OK, it's been about 7 months since my last review of the Astra CDXi 2005 model and the end of warranty period is fast approaching. Do I still like it? Yes, with some reservations. Front passenger window failed while I was in the country, wouldn't wind up. Fortunately with some jiggling I managed to get it closed otherwise we were facing a 400km ride home in the rain with the window down. Youngs Holden (WA) fixed under warranty, but it worries me as this fault has been reported on other Astras so I hope it is not a frequent occurrence. There is ...Read more
now a road noise from about 50km down to 20km that Holden tells me is the tyres. To the Astra's full credit the tyres still have plenty of tread on them after 60k, my previous Magna chopped out the front tyres at around 50k. Until I replace the tyres (currently using Bridgestone Turanzas) I won't know if they are the culprit and by the time they wear out, the car will be well out of warranty. Some trim has come loose on the back RH door, it will need sticking down again, and there is a mechanical rattle from the power steering at low speeds, but Holden haven't managed to fix it after two goes. The on board computer is a big disappointment. The manual says it tells you if your coolant or window washer bottle are low and it doesn't. The coolant tank was almost empty and there was no warning, took it to Holden who found a leaking thermostat housing, but if I hadn't noticed it, I could have been stranded with a cooked engine! It's supposed to tell you when the batteries in your remote are low, it doesn't do that. It does tell you when you have only 40km worth of fuel left in the tank, but all the promises the salesman said to me are false! "Not in this model, only European models" the service department says. Hello? This Astra is imported from Europe. Why leave off low coolant detection in one of the hottest countries on earth?! I'll bet it doesn't warn you if your brake or tail lights burn out too. Anyway, enough whingeing. Do I still like the car. Yes, it still drives well and quietly, engine has well and truly run in and winds up fairly well on the country runs, but it could still use few more kilowatts. I usually run it on premium on country runs for that little bit of extra power. Economy is still good averaging 8.4 l/100km around town and 7.2 in the country, that's with auto transmission. With petrol prices about to hit the $1.50/l this is a very good result. The transmission is smooth, silent and shifts beautifully. Also downshifts to 3rd if you brake going downhill. Still starts first time every time. Climate control and stereo still working well. The battery just failed after 3 years, $220 to replace! That's the price of having an imported low-volume model battery according to the auto electrician. And despite repeated looking, it still has no cup-holders!I find as I get older and stiffer, it gets a little harder to get in and out, and the damn sports seats still irritate my left leg. I feel if Holden put a 2.2 litre engine in this car, fixed the onboard computer and got rid of the sport seats, they would have a real winner here. Still running well at 3 years! On board computer does not report faults like it is supposed to. Still no cup holders! Seat cushion sides dig into leg too much.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
remembrance
- 3 reviews
OK
I would buy again, but they don't import them. I think the holden cruze will give the market a run for it's money
It was the purchase price that got me in. The car included many things that we had to pay extra for with other brands. We liked the quality of everything, including paint and interior. We also liked the other small things that were included in the car that I now miss in my new car. Fuel consumption was good. I travel mainly on the highway and I loved the cruise control which got me out of many speeding fines
It was difficult to ge...Read more
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Excellent
Background: I had sold my 2005 Toyota Corolla as I was so disappointed with the harsh, buzzy ride that it offered, and the Astra was a fresh breath of air compared to the Toyota! I've owned both the 2006 AH Astra 5 door hatch, and now the same car (new fantastic peacock colour) Astra with the new and more powerful "Xer" engine. By the way, the timing belt change interval is now at 150,000 kms on this new engine, and is a huge improvement over the previous 2005-2006 AH engine. I hightly recommend you buy the 2007-2009 model just to get this g...Read more
reat VVT "Xer" engine in your Astra. You'll love the performance & mileage. I should tell you that this is my SECOND ASTRA. My first was a second hand 2006 AH Astra (Auto). I put 25,000 kms on it and it was completely trouble free. Astra rides fantastic, feels like a much heavier car on the highway. I just purchased a like new 2007 Astra AH with the new "Xer" engine at 103 kw. My mates new Honda Civic can hardly keep up with me now. Great car I wish it had a second place to hold coffee while I am on the road.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
PETERMAN
- 10 reviews
Bad
Not good. I previously enjoyed this vehicle but it hasn't stood the test of time. Very hard to recommend now.
I retract my earlier review.
After three years and just out of warranty we have had serious and expensive service problems around the radiator and transmission despite only doing 50,000k. The car has not been reliable and we are now looking at a trade in for a more reliable vehicle. Fuel consumption remains on the high side.
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Mr_Fussy
- 2 reviews
Excellent
Overall ... I get 750/800 out of a tank of city driving. I haven't done a run down to Melbourne or up to Brisbane but I am confident I can do it on a tank. It drives like a big car should. Insurance is relatively cheap. Its a very average looking car so most thieves wouldn't try to steal it (comments based on stereotypical joyriders). There are no rattles or squeaks. Obviously being diesel it can tow a house with no problems. At the end of the day a diesel should outlast a petrol mechanically. Servicing costs should be about the same (as petrol...Read more
) but less service intervals for a diesel (every 10k, 5K for a petrol if you want it to last). If your tossing up between buying a diesel vs petrol in manual ... just go and test drive one and the rest will be history. If your reading this and it makes absolutely no sense ... torque is pulling power. So when your car is losing power because you have a full load or going up a hill ... thats when you need torque. Its really noisy at idle or coming off first gear (actually you sound like a truck and will get weird stares at the lights)... but when travelling ... you can't tell. In a nut shell its my first diesel and im extremely impressed with it. I don't think i'll every buy a petrol again unless its a high powered one (or something terribly goes wrong with this later in life). Opel Astra Diesel Turbo = Bang for your buck. I have the CDTi ... which is the diesel version. I actually test drove this car when it was initially released in Automatic form ... and it was absolutely horrible. The car loses so much power through the torque converter. The manual is an entirely different story. The power (torque) is instantaneous. In any gear just put your foot down and it keeps pulling and pulling and pulling. I'm not enticing you to speed ... its just what the car does, so keep an eye out for the red & blue lights. The power (KW) itself feels somewhat like a hot hatch at times .... but the car is probably too heavy to be in that category (or not enough KW .. whatever way you want to look at it). But this day and age most people drive torque not KW, just most people don't know how to spot the difference. I tow a trailer with 2 karts in it .. and you can't feel it. The brakes and nice and big and stops on a dime. I brought mine 2nd hand with 53K on the clock and no problems. Mine had leather which was a very welcome bonus. You can have the a/c on full blast and still not notice (much) power loss. You can be in 6th gear going up steep hills (e.g. the one on the F3 in Sydney going to gosford) with the a/c on and 4 adults in the car cruising @ 110kph and not notice power loss or the need to find another gear. Suspension and general road noise is very very good for a small car. And then there is the "sports" button ... hahaha enough said :) Not a terribly fast car but the torque more then makes up for it. Being a diesel the engine is heavy ... so understeers when you throw it in a corner. When driving it fast you have to drive it like a heavy car (V8 Commordore) and not throw it like a hatch. There is no temp gauge ... but being a diesel you don't have to warm it up. Quote from a holden dealer for 60K service was ridiculous. I got the same service + rotors & brakes from an independent for just less than the RRP from holden. Either my air mixture is incorrect or it just blows a lot of black smoke, more so then other diesels I see on the street (or maybe I just accelerate harder). I also can't find a comfortable seating position ... maybe its me ??? I like sitting low in the car ... so the pedals are not in the right position to my "desired" seating position. If 5th gear could be shorter that would be great ... ATM - toggling between 4th and 5th when cruising @ 60kph. The oil filter is under the car at the back of the engine ... so it basically has to go up on a hoist to get the thing off. The fuel filter is very fiddly too. The interior ... its so ugly ... really ugly ... Try not to look at it.1 comment
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duhat
- 2 reviews
- 1 like
Excellent
52,000 kms later and almost 4 years of owning this
car since new; I'd say I am pretty happy with it.
Bought the vehicle because of it's price and strong brand presence
here in Australia.
I like the following features:
- ability to wound down all windows(from a distance) at once using the remote(key);
convenient if you parked in a sunny spot and want the hot air to escape
the car even before you get in. Kids love this!
...Read more
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Good
Love this car and I mostly love the safety features since I drive alot. It's a great car for young girls, and even with a full car everyone has plenty of room in the back and the front.
I brought the 2004 CDX model second hand in July this year, and I love the safety features, leather seats and seat-warmers. The car has 5 airbags and a huge boot space. The glovebox is also huge, friends fear that their belongings have gotten lost in it! The car easily does 7ookm on one tank, I drive about 700km a week and it costs about $40-50 to fill up.
The ...Read more
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rochelle1972
- 8 reviews
Good
The fuel consumption is true to their word. 5.7L/100ks. And that is with my boss......yes male and a hoon!....driving it around the regional centre a fair bit on the weekends as well as my long rural drives during the week. Has great power pick up when needed for overtaking etc. It feels like you are in a larger car than what you are. Kids don't really like it that much as the don't have a great deal of room in the back for the 5 minute journey to the bus stop in the mornings. They have to put their bags in the boot. But that really isn'...Read more
t a problem. Both my boss and I are happy with the car. Even considered getting one for myself. But need the extra room in the pajero for the kids and dog! Love my little astra! Its a work vehicle and my boss and I fight over it! I travel approx 3000km a month for work so my boss thought it time to invest in something that was great on fuel. We were both worried about the whole small car business with kangaroos etc and feeling vunerable overtaking large trucks but it is no problems. It doesn't have a temp gauge, which the last reviewer mentioned. I don't like that at all. I have a habit of checking the engine temp while driving....yeah I know unusual for a girl but I had a dodgy galant for my first car that overheated all the time so got in the habit. Which is just as well as my brand new pajero got hot on the 3rd day of ownership last year! Some dodgy o ring! Other than that it's great.Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Debi67AU
- 8 reviews
I love this car!
I own a 2008 SRI Turbo. I think it is a beautiful car to drive, it travels well, it feels solid and sturdy on the road, very powerful for a small car and the leather interior and heated front seats make it very luxurious.
Parts are expensive but the car is worth it. No blue tooth.
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coolshadesMelbourne, Victoria
- 2 reviews
Great Car Nice Style
Mines a CD AH Astra, great car! Very stylish and modern, will not date for years! Has the same type headlights and the newly released VE Commodore! Has a great stero, fantastic quality! Feels comfortable to drive and very economical on petrol, even around town. Easy to drive and get's up and go when it needs too! The heater and heated mirrors are great as it's made for the cold European winters! Also has a brake assist system that when you are going down a steep decent it puts the car back into 3rd gear...Read more
when the brakes are applied, thus slowing the car down without excessive braking required. It also comes with cruise control, alloy wheels and electric windows to the rear as added bonuses. The only thing it lacks is cup holders! But I wouldn't let that put you off the car as that's my only complaint! Either would suit a young girl, mum, dad or rundabout with the kids! I couldn't be happier with this car! Modern, easy to drive and economical! No cup holders!Similar opinion? Write a review on ieatwords.com.au!
Donz78
- 2 reviews
Good
Love the car, i had a VW Golf 2002 b4 the astra and i had nothing but constant problems with it. but with the astra nothing so far. very roomy in the back for a two door car and the boot space is great. It handles on the road like its on rails. i would recommend this car to anyone. Great little car.
Very sporty car for a 1.8 litre, i have the cdx and i bought second hand for 15 grand with only 27000 km absolute bargain if you want a cheap european car has leather seats, heated seats, cd stacker and much more.
No mp3 player
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Good
Great car but technical help is non existent. Was told that because I have reported the fault within warranty it willbe covered at a later date if the computer fails. Will have to wait and see
CDTi. Neat little car, runs well, sports mode is great up and down the mountains.
Computer fuel guage is 10% out. Have contacted Holden several times but they say that it is within limits.
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Terrible
VERY cranky with the performance. It is very sad that it is only a bit over 3 years old and it is falling apart. The problems also all occur after your waranty expires. In my opinion no one should buy one. I can't sell my car cause I cant lie and dont want someone else to experience pain. Stupid Holden.
It LOOKS cute and nice. Too bad it is a chicks car and they suck us in and have it fall apart.
I dont like that the car falls to bits. Talk to any service person away from HOLDEN and they will tell you all the problems associated with Astra's an...Read more
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clintinoz
- 6 reviews
- 2 likes
Good
I have a 2006 coupe cdx, car has given me not one problem since i bought it. Fuel economy is average, love the trip computer, tells you exactly how many kms you can travel.
the heated leather seats are great for this freezing winter...
Car runs great, i sometimes get a few annoying squeaks while taking off with the low revs... also brake pads emmit so much dust and brakes are squeakking quite a bit, but these issues are not so bad to make me dislike the car... Great little car at a good price. Enjoy the ride for a 1.8lt.
good looks
no mp3 player, squeaks
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Questions & Answers
Dragonasked
Hi there I`v got hold astra AH 1.8 2007 auto, I have a problem with engine overheating so water is bowling, on mechanic thermostat is changed with new and working, water pump checked and working well but radiator is not enough hot like a water is. Its happen for three times in one year. can some one suggest me what to check. radiator fan checked, fuses and relay same. it is looking like no water circulation (or not enough) to radiator. thanks.
No answers
Griffoasked
Having trouble starting my 2009 astra diesel any thoughts?
No answers
Amanda k.asked
I have an 05 astra ah and my front windscreen wipers aren't working. The water pump is working fine and the rear wiper still works. Fuses are fine. What could it be?
No answers
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my astra
I love my 2006 CDTI it is great. The manual is the only way to go.