I didn't know anything about them until my wife said she would like to get a sporty car. We have owned a lot of Italian sports cars but never an automatic . Wife said auto or nothing . So I looked around and came across the Astra . Took one for a drive and wow- I said to my wife I love this car, feels almost like an Italian car. A bit more research and even though it's badged holden turns out it is Italian . Handles like a dream, superb a/c great design and very little wind blowing you apart when roof is off. It's quite powerful even with 4 ...Read more

On cold days I just put on the heated seats, hot days I put down the roof with a touch of a button. I've got the 2.2L 4 cylinder automatic and it has so much power, never lags on hills(front wheel drive), overtakes any car in seconds. The car is fuel injected, so sports mode sounds amazing!! I love this car more than my boyfriend! it may be an older car but it still turns heads! The leather seats are awesome, comes in either black, red or beige (rare). All paints come in metallic apart from the reds (not including burgundy). The amazing holden ...Read more

I bought my Holden Astra TS 1.8 manual new in 2004, one of the last of this model. I did 120,000 km with a mix of highway and traffic crawl driving. In that time I fitted a tow bar and pulled a small trailer and a camper trailer. Apart from a battery that died (after 5 years) it never let me down. I always did my own servicing but that only normally consisted of an oil and filter change (genuine Holden filters are cheaper than Supercheap). At 69,000 km after reading all the scare stories about the cam belt, I replaced the whole belt kit an...Read more

I purchased this car two months ago, on the third day of driving my 2002 Holden Astra CD sitting at the set of lights the emission light came on, I pulled into a car-park and when I stopped my traction light came on. I decided to drive it around to test out what was going on, it wouldn't allow me to accelerate faster than 40km/h. After sitting at the side of the road turning off the ignition and starting it up again only the emission light had come on, where I proceeded to try and accelerate the traction light came straight back on again. When ...Read more

Bought this car second hand in 2007 it had done 60000 k . Fantastic to drive strong as a tank had two accidents in it one backed out carport with back door open, door still opend and closed even though the top of the door was bent in on its self. Rear ended a car on second crash and all they had to replace was the bumper and aircon hose squashed.
Towe truck came and asked where the damaged car was . Bonnet still perfect. So great to drive feel very safe in them good power struggle with steep hills a bit, but not to bad . Down fall electrics ...Read more

I bought my 2003 manual Astra CDX in 2004. It was a demonstrator with 170 km on the clock and $5000 off. I still have it and intend to keep it for quite awhile (provided my reliable and trustworthy mechanic doesn't retire soon).

I have just had the original brake pads replaced after 100 000 km. Fair amount of wear but I am an old fashioned driver, taught to use the gears and brakes to stop. Also taught to brake early when approaching red lights. Now no more black muck everywhere.

Took the mechanic quite some time to clean things before ...Read more

Very basic cars, I owned one for 6 years
Problems include
-60,000km intervals for timing belts. In addition you should be replacing water pump and the kit
-Brakes have to be changed every 25,000km
-Thermostat sensor brakes, leading to overheating, costing $250
-Air Compressor failure
-Trip Computer replacement
-Fan breakdown

Sold it with 130,000km on the clock ...Read more

I think these are a good vehicle, but be careful when buying. Brakes wear, and factory rotor replacements are expensive. I don't think I would purchase the automatic versions, as the 4-speed Aisin transmission is way off the pace in a modern car. The 2.2 litre motor is actually a lotus design used in the Vauxhall VX-220 in Europe. It is an all alloy design, a nice performer, but with a renown appetite for oil, and noisy timing chains. The turbo version offer great performance, but beware of the timing belt interval changes.
Equipment levels, It...Read more

Considering a few things have gone wrong with the engine, i totally put it past how great the car actually is. I have the 2001 model with 140ks on it and bought it when it had 100 last year. I dont think the previous owner took care of it as well as they should have. I've owned a few cars and the astra has so far been the best buy i have ever made. But, as i said, make sure if you buy one second hand (which is the only way to get one now.. ) make sure you get a warranty that covers alot of things with at least a $2000 bill cover cost and you wi...Read more

This was my first Holden car. I will never buy an Astra or Holden again due to this LEMON. I highly recommend others consider these words.

I sold the car the day after the warranty expired due to the engine troubles. The local dealer like us because it gave their service department work. The 5 unsheduled visits plus the 3 sheduled visits meant we saw the service people 8 times in the first 3 years.
Good handling, suspension. Steering very intuitive for effortless drving. Like all small cars it has a small front end which makes it easier tha...Read more