Astra Convertible

[leon1982]

Hi guys,

I'm a newbie here..
I'm thinking of purchasing an Astra Convertible, but I'd like to know about the reliability. Could anyone of you please share your experiences with Astra Convertible, if any?

Thanks guys

[Dacious]

Can't speak to the convertible, but my wife is on her second hardtop Astra - 1st '98 model traded after 4 years and 56,000kms, new one coming up to two years and 42,000km, basically the same vehicle.

What can I say - both comfortable, handle good for a stock car, go well (both 1.8s), extemely economical and have no real problems apart form chewing the discs out at 56,000km (which Euro cars appear to do more readily). Very quiet and smooth cruising 100-140.

Drove current one to Alice Springs from Melbourne last year. Apart from being a little cramped for room with all our gear, it cruised effortlessly at 140km/h in the Northern Territory and got best consumption of 42mpg (auto), did 185km/h indicated on the flat with a 1km runup, during which time it was totally unruffled - more windnoise but motor and chassis silent and smooth, stable.

The fit and finish is fine, nothing rattles, fell off either, broke and any minor problems with the first car (sensor, steering shaft bearing) were handled under warranty. Problems with '02 are nil. Good cars. When you drive an Astra anywhere you are never alone - you see them everywhere. The trade loves them and resale is good for this class. Great little motor Holden makes.

I cannot but imagine the convertible is as good, - esp as its' the second-best-selling sportscar in Oz.

[cutter bob]

i've got an astra, but not convertible. its the SRI so more the sports edition with the bigger 2.2L engine. its been a good car never had anything go wrong with it and everything feels good in the way of confort and handling, fuel ecconomy is around 9 litres per 100 and thats with me give it a bit..... mum also has an astra but 1.8L engine and she gets around 7-8 litres per 100

me personal i think its the best in it category, a very tight car

[NASSTY]

I recently hired a convertible while on hols in Qld. I was very impressed by it. Sinced it's based on the coupe and not the hatch it looks the part. 2.2 motor was a bit slow on takeoff with the auto but in gear flexiblity was very good for what it is. Easy to overtake at highway speeds but its no V6 or V8. Long term I think the only problem might be how loose the chassis becomes as it does has scuttle shake. The sides of the windscreen are bigger which can interfear with vision around corners. Then you've got the maintenance of the roof; looks great though when it erects or folds away. All up I thought it was a great car for what it is. It had good ride/handling compromise too. It's also well designed for airflow when the tops down. You can easily travel at highway speeds with the top down and windows up and not be blown away.
All up I thought it was a great car for what it is.

[Mongy]

Same as the guys above I purchased my wife a new one earlier this year, it was one of the first 2004 plated Astras to hit Brisvagas. It is a little beauty, I love it. We took it to Canberra about 4 months ago because my new ute only had a few k's on it and I did not want to go through the hassle of having it serviced down there and I'm glad we took it. They are comfortable, have a reasonable amount of get up and go and run on the smell of an oily rag. I'd recommend one to anybody who wanted a good reliable comfortable small car. The convertable always get a good write-up in the motoring mags so I don't think you could go wrong, and they look horn to boot.

[leon1982]

Thanks for the info guys...if you have no major probs with the normal Astra..I dont see any problems with the Convertibles then..
I just had a bad experience with my Mini..the Cooper that is..it's falling apart..so I think I will have to do some more research
Thanks alot guys

[Swordie]

The only mechanical issue I hear with the Astra is the timing belt has to be changed earlier than orginally expected by Holden as there are issues. Previosuly the belt may needed to be changed at 100,000 Km, now it's 50,000. I don't see this as anything to get concerned about. If you are purchasing second hand factor the belt change into service.

Other Astra owners or Holden will be able to confirm the above details. The turbo would be a nice car.

[chevypower]

So when's this Monaro convertible coming out???

[The Nurse]

Swordie is right, originally for the 1.8L it was 120,000km, holden revised it to 60,000km to be on the safe side but this wont affect the convertible as the 2.2 has a timing chain instead of belt

[Merlin]

Can't speak from experience but I hear you can park them right outside the hair salon and most leather handbags will match well... :booty:

J/K

[Mongy]

I just had a bad experience with my Mini..the Cooper that is..it's falling apart..
Thanks alot guys
So nothing has changed about the mini in the last 40 years? :lol:

[GTS JaZzA]

So when's this Monaro convertible coming out???

there isnt one coming out just yet, the costs are to great, ie. theres no build lie that can make the convertible atm, unless there ones built. check motor and wheels mag, they expain it all.

[leon1982]

So nothing has changed about the mini in the last 40 years? :lol:

yeah..I thought BMW could make a better car..
Mini is fun to drive, really..but you wouldnt wanna spend your money on a car that needs gearbox replacement after several tens of thousand Ks..

The reason I choose Astra Convertible is bcoz it's affordable :)...and reliable, of course.

Do you know where I can find some performance parts and other accessories for Astra?

[Merlin]

yeah..I thought BMW could make a better car..
Mini is fun to drive, really..but you wouldnt wanna spend your money on a car that needs gearbox replacement after several tens of thousand Ks..

The reason I choose Astra Convertible is bcoz it's affordable :)...and reliable, of course.

Do you know where I can find some performance parts and other accessories for Astra?

Affordable in what way? It costs over $45,000!!!!
You do realise you could get an SS or XR6T for this sort of money - I am only saying this because you mention performance parts. If your interested in performance why are you buying an Astra Convertible?

A Mazda MX5 SE is a factory turbo and costs less than the Astra. I would also hazard to say the Mazda would be more reliable and absolutly belt the Astra in terms of performance ie. its a rear wheel drive turbo.

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[leon1982]

Affordable in what way? It costs over $45,000!!!!
You do realise you could get an SS or XR6T for this sort of money - I am only saying this because you mention performance parts. If your interested in performance why are you buying an Astra Convertible?

A Mazda MX5 SE is a factory turbo and costs less than the Astra. I would also hazard to say the Mazda would be more reliable and absolutly belt the Astra in terms of performance ie. its a rear wheel drive turbo.

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I know what you mean..before I posted a thread in this forum, I did expect someone to yell at me and ask y dont I get a car with better performance...way better..than Astra..

Okay here are my reasons...first..if I was to get an Astra..it's gonna be a second hand one..which sets me back about $35,000 - $36,000 and that's within my range..

my second reason is..fuel economy..doesnt matter how economical a V8 or a 6 cylinder..I reckon..4 cylinder is still better..and my final reason is Astra has the luxury I want w/o having to pay a BMW price..

with what I said about the performance part..what I meant was aftermarket parts, really. so, correction there.

You guys might think that I'm a freak posting a thread about Astra Convertible in a, mainly, performance-oriented forum..I just couldn't find any forums about Astra..so I did a search about Holden forums and ls1.com.au came up..so..here I am
at least now I know more or less about the quality and reliability of Astra..thanks for sharing your info :)

[Merlin]

Didnt mean to yell at you just trying to provide constructive critisism. So your after a second hand $35-36K car with good fuel consumption?

Have you considered the Mazda MX5, Nissan 200SX, Honda Integra Type R, if buying an optioned one of these they would have the same luxury as the Astra. Does it have to be a convertible?

[leon1982]

that's alrite..I appreciate your opinion..really do :)

yes it has to be a convertible..
I thought about the MX 5 but it's a 2 seater..

Again..thanx for your opnion :)

[Dacious]

There's also an Astra Turbo convertible - the Turbos are a bit of a best-kept secret, but have similar straightline performance to a stock WRX according to roadtests. They also have great driveability and little or no turbo lag. The only negative to them is the torque steer due to 147kw in a 1300kg FWD car and scuttle-shake which all 'verts seem to have.

I had an SRi Turbo pick on me when I was napping and he level-pegged me for a while until he went for another gear, so they're no slouch. In my estimation they perform not far off a stock XR6T and would outhandle and outbrake one based on the fact it has better suspension, wheels/tyres and brakes than a stock Astra which is very agile.

I bet it'd still be cheaper for insurance for an under-30 than a V8 of any description.

Some people seem to have a problem with it in that

A) it's a Holden

B) it's 'just an Astra'

but they do come with very comprehensive equipment, and Holden has sold 3500 in a year (2nd best selling sportscar in Oz after the Monaro) so the market appreciates them.

Astra Convertible Turbo (http://www.autoweb.com.au/cms/A_1894/article.html)

[leon1982]

Oh yeah..I reckon the Turbo one is far better..
my concern is the price tag..
but..let see if I can stretch it that far
thanks for the info :)