Holden Astra TS (1998-2005) (page 4 of 5)

I have had my 2001 Astra CD Manual Hatch since new and its now tipping the 120,000km mark and what a fantastic car. Treat this car well and it'll treat you back well. This car is comfortable, quick, stylish and great on fuel. I have also done some visual modifications to it (lowering, new rims (turbo model), coloured calipers, exhaust) and it looks fantastic. Despite having to replace the a/c compressor at 110,000kms im extremely happy with this car. For people expressing their disgust about this car should perhaps take more care in general mai...

i purchased this car (sri 2.2) in 2005 it was 3 years old with 36000kays on the clock. ran fine for years.
once they kms got past 200000 i started to have a few minor problems, key kept getting stuck in barrel, transponder in key failed and i couldnt start the car in the middle of no where after having a wee at 3 am at the roadside lol, the high beam switchgear failed and was flashing people whenever i went over a bump, then the timing chain failed and destroyed the engine which was uber expensive to replace. so cut my losses and sold it damag...

Despite the cons, I like my car and will keep trying to find someone who can replace the electronic display for less than Holden's quote and get further info on the extended warranty cover.
Needed a change after years of work & was told by my daughter that I deserved the 2004 yr model.Totally agreed after the test drive in Apri 2008 so I went ahead with the purchase. It is so "cool" with the hood down.
Purchased at just undre 50k from Springwood and brakes had to be replaced after 6 months - was not impressed & Holden's quote to replace was $10...

When I first purchased this car it was used (a good 8 or 9 years old). It seemed to drive fine, although it was my first car, so I didn't have too much experience in test driving cars. It began with the roof headliner sagging, and needing to be replaced (2 days after purchase!)

It was approximately 1 month after I bought it, that I started having problems. I had driven to a friends house, and when I went to leave it wouldn't start. I did eventually get it to start, although at the time I didn't realise that my problems with this car had just...

I bought a 2003 cdx with only 105,000km in near new condition from Rockdale Wholesale Auto Traders in Sydney back in 2010. I now have just hit 165,000km. Replacing the tensioner assembly every 60,000 (major service) could hurt - but I was smart enough to befriend one of the local apprentices at Holden and he the parts for my 120,000km service only cost $300. I paid him $200 cash to do it as he was saving me a massive amount on the labour (I had quotes ranging from $1100 - $1800 through a dealer or local mechanics).

I took the car in its s...

We used to have an Astra, 2008 60th anniversary model. Gladly sold it. Opel cars are very expensive for parts and to repair. The engine oil cost us $80.00 and was needing a top up very often. The battery cost us $250.00. The timing belt needs to be replaced at around 90000 km, which isn't cheap. Windscreen wipers cost $70 to replace, which is ridiculous! There is nothing wrong with Holden, the "opel" cars have very expensive parts and it is really surprising for a small hatchback. I did not find this car to be fuel efficient either. I have a Su...

Astra 2.2SRi coupe, 5 speed manual with standard (cloth trim).

The Astra feels well built and solid, better so that a similar aged BMW 3 series. The on road ride is excellent and more comfortable than a 3 series too.

Handling is good, with usual front wheel drive tendencies, i.e. prefers understeer in the wet. However, like most good hatches you can induce a bit of lift off oversteer if you are a bit brutal or lift off.

The body panels are of good quality and seem impervious to shopping trolley dents or other doors, whereas most other...

This car is one of the nicest looking convertibles (for the price) on the market. The price is right and I must say i wish i bought one sooner (2005 model). This is my first convertible and really you cant beat the feeling of driving topless.
Heated Leather front seats, lovely to drive (great little gear shift), quality design. Very economical fuel miser.
I have only owned my car for 8 months, and as yet I have not found any thing i dont like about it.

As my first car, I bought this from an matured lady who has owned it since new. She kept it in superb condition, always garaged and always serviced on time. Gave me the original invoice which shows she's paid 30k for it. Mine has the added ABS, A/C and traction control with tinted windows. I've had it since 2008, bought it when it had just passed 80,000 kms on the clock. A year after I bought it the ECU completely died on me, which I had to replace for about 1200. I'll admit the parts and servicing costs are expensive because the car is not a h...

I got my 2001 cd hatch about 18 months ago. I got it secondhand from the dealer, full service history with it.
Doesnt feel like a small car, lots of boot space
Have spent a lot of money on astra 'faults'. Rear power windows broke, timing belt went and cost $2000, new radiator, ignition barrel, thermostat and ac isn't that great. I had an old holden commodore and i have nearly spent as much money on my astra as I did the holden. Had to get a new water pump and bearings in the engine when the timing belt went.

We have a 2001 Astra hatch Equipe, brought it 3 years ago and we have been very happy with it so far. We've not had any major mechanical problems so far. I think that my mechanic is going to replace the timing belt on the next service. The engine is nice & quiet, the interior is fitted out nicely. A good looking car with stylish timeless good looks. We get lots of compliments on our nice car.
Its a small car yet seems quite roomy inside, its even comfortable for people sitting in the back!
The car sometimes lacks that "omph" when taking off

A comfy car that has overall been very reliable but there are a number of design or quality control flaws evident from the number of times that the same complaints occur, namely the timing belt issue, clogging throttle body, and early air conditioning failures. If you're buying one second hand make sure the timing belt has been changed every 4 years, and listen for rattles, especially at idle with the AC turned off and then on. This could indicate a faulty AC compressor ($1200 inluding fitting), a dodgy AC belt tensioner($300 fitted), or sim...

Over all I'd say its a good car but I hope nothing else major breaks or wears out anytime soon as replacement parts are relatively pricey.
I have an 02 Astra Hatch. The car is comfortable and is smoothe to drive. Good power and tows a 6ftx4ft trailer loaded up really well.
Maintence costs have been high for me, at 120,000kms I've had to replace all 4 discs (common with Astras) and the water pump just went despite keeping up the maintence on the coolant. I have owned the car from around the 75,000kms mark and service books indicate it has always been serviced by a Holden Dealer. There are rattling noises coming from the engine which I have been told is the idler pulley for the A/C.

The car is great, it was a good investment, the services have been rather costly but doing them ontime everytime has given me trouble free driving for 8 years, i havent had one in between service issue, never.Once my car didnt start, just wouldnt start and we were besides ourselves not knowing what it could be or how much it would cost, this was the first time the car wouldnt start in more than 6 years, lol it was time for a new battery, $100.00 later and we were good to go again.A few times i have looked at the Mazda 3, and would only change m...

This was my first car I ever owned and I shall cherish my memories of it (I have since upgraded). I found it so easy to drive, great little city car and it never skipped a beat. It was a great chicks car without being too girly so my boyfriend didnt feel embarassed to drive it
Spacious for a small car, huge boot, quite speedy and nippy, great fuel economy, looks nice and sporty unlike most granny-looking small cars these days,
I found servicing and parts to be quite expensive, particularly with Holden dealerships, for me it was a nightmare to reverse park because of the front wheel drive, not so great when carrying fully loaded, a bit uncomfortable when driving long distance

If they were still making this exact spec, I'd happily recommend it to a new buyer. For 2nd-hand, look for combo of good car + good owner.
Bought new CD/manual in 2003; coming up for 170,000km. 2 more in immediate family with 145,000km & 85,000km. Happiest>Happy>OK. Handling/economy/usability (and other drivers) - find it good. Still on original clutch (and 2 learner drivers!) Love the auto-wind electric windows; the Jap thing of 'driver-only' feels cheap by comparo. In the country, I've done so-called 4WD-only tracks [with sense!] & at ...

2002 Astra TS (second owner - bought 1 year old with 13,000 km) City version with 5 speed manual.

Specs: 1.8 L petrol - roughly 95kW front wheel drive, power steering, NO ABS, 4 wheel disc brakes, CD player, Airconditioning, manual windows, central door locks

A straightforward no frills 2nd car for our family. Perfect for occasional use, limited electronic gadgets mean fewer failures and repairs outside the warranty window. Reasonable fuel economy for a little 4 cylinder petrol (7.6 L/100 km) which has plenty of pep for 1 or 2 people, tho...

I have changed almost everything under the Hood. I have replaced the motor when the car was only 3 years old I think that was at 65000km. The engine was "faulty" a piston came loose and went through the side of the motor. I have replaced 2 coils, 3 ignition barrels, the radiator, the thermostat, the alternator was the last to go. I have also fixed 3 out of 4 electric windows. It has become a joke within my family of what will go wrong next. I am religious with the services as well to no avail apparently. I am replacing this car this weekend. Only thing good with it is when it goes it goes like a dream.
Stylish, drives well.

The engine is good, drive it properly and it'll last like any other car, and you can be assured that the holden astra is not a lemon, :)
the holden Astra sedan 96 is very small, its easy to get in those tight parking spots and still have more room than you thought. Its sooo fuel efficient and very wise on those kilometers. Manuel is fun but it does come in automatic as well. The 1.3 litre engine is quite enough that it wont disturb your neighbours when you leave for work at 6 in the morning. The Holden astra can be brought for about 5 grand on a good day
If you do put your foot down theres a big difference in fuel. but apart from that theres not too much wrong.

First of all the Astra has enough power and is great for fuel. But my car fishtails on a straight highway all the time I have had the tyres and everything looked at and nothing seems to be broken. My bestfriend also had a major car accident in her 2002 Astra and almost died because it fishtailed onto an embankment causing her to be horrified. If you are a parent looking for a first car for your teens, Please do not buy this car. I would recommend buying a ford focus or fiesta over the Holden Astra.
Reliable, fuel efficient.
parts are expensive, fishtails, unsafe!

Buy a HONDA. Seriously.
Both rear power windows failed within months. They sell taiwan aftermarket rear window regulators on eBay for $50.
(I wonder why ?)
Air con compressor failed
ignition barrel stuck - needed replacement
alternator clutch noisy - needed replacement
coolant thermostat faulty - needed replacement
If you wonder why GM has collopased with 75 billion of debt to be bailed out by us taxpayers there is a good reason.
Solid. Heaps of room. Drives Well.
Owned from new. 2002 TS CD Hatchback. Everything started breaking on if after approx. 70,000 kms.

Price is good for the quality of the car very economical and comfortable would recomend it to anyone I puchased my second one last year I love it
I purchased mt first Astra in 2000 kept it for 4 years it had 60,000 klms on the clock when I sold except for the regular service never needed to spend anything else, fuel economy excellent great car around town even better on the open road
As I never hyad any problems with mine so have nothing bad to say about it

I'm looking to get rid of it at 110,000kms. I do like it but there are a lot of common problems that just shouldn't happen so soon in so many of the Astras. I will NEVER buy another one. I'm thinking a Corolla would have been a better buy.
I am quite attached to my 2000 Astra City hatch. It is comfortable and smooth to drive and feels safe for a small car. I have always had it regularly serviced and kept in garaged all the time.
My air con went at about 6 years, the key gets stuck in the ignition on hot days, my timing belt busted at 110,000kms...

Great car. Good secondhand investment if you pick one up at a fair price. I'd opt for the automatic as the manual can become sloppy over 120,000 klms
The Astra Convertible is impressive in styling. The leather sits in a pleasant stream of quality textured leather promising long life wear. The boot allows for a weekend away luggage with a friend. The 1.8 no slug on the road with great fuel consumption to match the feeling of driving a stylish 4 seater. The cargo barrier when only two sit in the car guarantees no fly away luggage if you utilise the back seats for storage.
The major service cost could set you back a hefty 700-1000 dependant who the service provider is.

I am very happy with the service that this car has given over a number of years, it is a quality built vehicle which plenty of room and very economical .
Fantastic small car, easy to park but suprisingly spacious interior. Still looks like a new car after 8 years. Interior looks almost as new with a few minor issues noted in 'Cons'. We get 700km/tank which we fill for about $50-$60; a very economical car in loads of ways.
Brake disc issues have irritated and cost money over time and are a known fault with the manufacturer. The back seats have a...