Opinions - Astra CD or Epica CDX

[XLR8 V8]

My employer in their infinite wisdom has just decided to remove the VE from our company car options list. :toetap:
I'm now up for vehicle renewal and I've been given the option of either:

1) AH Astra 5door hatch (1.8L 4cyl auto) with options pack (cruise, p/windows, 15" alloys)

or

2) Epica CDX sedan (2.5L 6cyl auto)

I do approx 1000kms a week (4 day work week) with regular trips to Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast.
I've got my LS1 in the garage for my thrills on days off, just need a nice comfortable work car that I won't be embarrassed to drive
I'm after others opinions on the better choice if they've experienced driving either of the 2.

[CV860L]

I had no idea LS1 forum moderators got company cars...........what a sweet job :dance:

[planetdavo]

We've only just started getting Epica's in at work. Haven't had a great look at them yet though.
BUT, the Epica seems a decent enough car, more power than the Astra, plus a bit bigger and has a boot as well.
Astra is pretty well known as a solid, good handling, reliable car, and will be a bit lighter on fuel, plus has that "european" feel, including their harder seats! Less power though.
Don't know if I've helped much, but that's my bit anyway.

[Mikhael]

My employer in their infinite wisdom has just decided to remove the VE from our company car options list. :toetap:
I'm now up for vehicle renewal and I've been given the option of either:

1) AH Astra 5door hatch (1.8L 4cyl auto) with options pack (cruise, p/windows, 15" alloys)

or

2) Epica CDX sedan (2.5L 6cyl auto)

I do approx 1000kms a week (4 day work week) with regular trips to Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast.
I've got my LS1 in the garage for my thrills on days off, just need a nice comfortable work car that I won't be embarrassed to drive
I'm after others opinions on the better choice if they've experienced driving either of the 2.

The Astra has the reputation and does look the goods, and is all-round the best small car on the market, shiits on the Corolla and really only the Mazda 3 comes close to it.

The Epica is unknown quantity, but if it is up to the Captiva in quality, then should be a good car. Also if you need the extra room and more powerful motor, then the Epica is the way to go.

Good luck with your choice and let us know which one you end up taking ? ;)

[Ron SS]

THe Astra has just been updated with a 100kw+ motor. The auto is sluggish in the previous version, so should be improved now. The Epica is not a quality item ... whereas the Astra is very well made, is well equipped and has lots of air bags. Ask for a manual if possible. The seat backs are good, but the seat base is very hard. Check out the seat material too, because the pre May model has seats that are extremely hard to keep clean with sticky material that collects grime and hair etc. The new version may be better ... get leather if it is an option. Pity about dropping the VE from the list.

[SSV8pilot]

Change jobs!

[HAVUGO]

My employer in their infinite wisdom has just decided to remove the VE from our company car options list. :toetap:
I'm now up for vehicle renewal and I've been given the option of either:

1) AH Astra 5door hatch (1.8L 4cyl auto) with options pack (cruise, p/windows, 15" alloys)

or

2) Epica CDX sedan (2.5L 6cyl auto)

I do approx 1000kms a week (4 day work week) with regular trips to Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast.
I've got my LS1 in the garage for my thrills on days off, just need a nice comfortable work car that I won't be embarrassed to drive
I'm after others opinions on the better choice if they've experienced driving either of the 2.
Same happend to me except I didn't get an option,I just got the astra.I found it to be a great little car,has plenty of power.It just becomes an issue if you have to put people in the back seat.No good for a family of five.

[Mikhael]

My employer in their infinite wisdom has just decided to remove the VE from our company car options list. :toetap:
I'm now up for vehicle renewal and I've been given the option of either:

1) AH Astra 5door hatch (1.8L 4cyl auto) with options pack (cruise, p/windows, 15" alloys)

or

2) Epica CDX sedan (2.5L 6cyl auto)

I do approx 1000kms a week (4 day work week) with regular trips to Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast.
I've got my LS1 in the garage for my thrills on days off, just need a nice comfortable work car that I won't be embarrassed to drive
I'm after others opinions on the better choice if they've experienced driving either of the 2.

If it was me, I would be down at my local and test driving both of them and see for yourself which one you could live with............. ;)

[XLR8 V8]

If it was me, I would be down at my local and test driving both of them and see for yourself which one you could live with............. ;)

When I get a day away from work I will, but this thread is about gaining the opinions of others who already have driven either. It's one thing to take a car for a quick 20min test drive, but it's a whole other story living with the car day in day out ... especially considering the number of k's I'll be doing

[Mikhael]

When I get a day away from work I will, but this thread is about gaining the opinions of others who already have driven either. It's one thing to take a car for a quick 20min test drive, but it's a whole other story living with the car day in day out ... especially considering the number of k's I'll be doing

Sure, but I don't think there would be too many Epica owner's out there yet...........they have only been on the market a week ;)

[ShanghaiVZ]

Sorry Kris little off topic, but the Epica a new range or is it meant to replace something? not much room left in the market for a small-medium sized car in Holden's range, replace the Vectra perhaps.

[XLR8 V8]

Sure, but I don't think there would be too many Epica owner's out there yet...........they have only been on the market a week ;)

I don't care if there are 50 posts with people who have driven the Astra, and only 2 who have driven the Epica. It's not the ratio of drivers I'm after, it's their opinions each car .....
We also have members on here from within Holden who have been driving some Epicas around for some time and can give feedback on the engine/trans combo, NVH, seat comfort etc. We were sent photos of the Epica from the undercover carpark at Holden last year so people have been driving them since then. Plenty of members at dealers too who could have been driving them around for a week or more.


Sorry Kris little off topic, but the Epica a new range or is it meant to replace something? not much room left in the market for a small-medium sized car in Holden's range, replace the Vectra perhaps.

I believe we may be getting stuck with the Epica instead of getting the new Vectra when released

[emg]

I've got my LS1 in the garage for my thrills on days off, just need a nice comfortable work car that I won't be embarrassed to drive


There's nothing to be embarrassed about when driving a nice comfortable car is there? :driving:

[XLR8 V8]

There's nothing to be embarrassed about when driving a nice comfortable car is there? :driving:

There's plenty of nice comfortable cars around that I wouldn't be caught dead driving.
The Astra has it over the Epica in the looks dept ... that's a given, but if people start posting that the Epica is a really nice car to get around in, then I might be able to see past those fugly headlights

[Mikhael]

I don't care if there are 50 posts with people who have driven the Astra, and only 2 who have driven the Epica. It's not the ratio of drivers I'm after, it's their opinions each car .....

Ummm, no need to get defensive.

I'm only making an obvious comment, but anyway, good luck with your Epica feedback.

:rolleyes:

[XLR8 V8]

Ummm, no need to get defensive.

I'm only making an obvious comment, but anyway, good luck with your Epica feedback.

:rolleyes:


It's not defensive, you're just reading it that way. If it was there would have been a ! or a nasty smilie in there. It's a simple response to your post telling you that I'm after feedback on both, no matter how unbalanced the ratio is

[seldo]

Kris - I bought my missus a new Astra CDX Coupe a month or so ago and so far - 2000km - so good. It's well built and drives nicely although it does seem very tame....I believe the autos are much slower though...At this early stage I think it's a great little car...

[Devil CV8]

Todays telegraph had an article on the epica. A couple of quotes
"By no means is the epica a bad car. for what it is it's much more than adequate"
"However it is predicated on getting in those for whom price is everything-- because if you're not one such, there's no compelling reason to opt for the latest kimchi holden"

And best of all

"Outrageously, holden would give no acceleration times. The evidence of the speedo indicates that while 100km/h is possible, it won't be achieved in a time to make your aunt giddy, not that push on driving is something you'd embrace from an awkward driving position with a barely adjustable steering wheel"

[Black AH CDX]

The accelaration is no where near as bad as what that article made out. In fact i doubt they even drove the car. The whole "review" was just a chance to bag Holden and they hardly mentioned anything about actually driving the car.


If your looking for something the cruises comfortably, has nice big cushie seats and is quiet smooth and refined the Epica is quiet up to it.

[katlad]

Bought the wife a AH CDX about 18 months ago, its a great little car & I would have no hesitation buying another. The only thing I dont like is the auto, I would have bought a manual but the wife cant drive em. Gives me the Shi*ts when the cruiz is on coz it kicks back all the time going up the slightest hill. Not much room in the back but we dont have kids.

[HSVMAN]

They are 2 quite different cars really, apart from the obvious - small hatch vs mid sized sedan. The Epica is even slightly bigger than mid size IMO.
My wife loved her Astra CDXi, they drive superbly, stick to the road etc.

The Epica is very smooth and a nice car to drive, not over powered (but not under either) and well finished and refined. Those who see it are impressed. I'm talking about fleet clients here. I was plaeasantly surprised when I drove it and it was a better handler and drive than Camry and Sonata. It felt more refined and I think it looks better. You might say its the best looker and best equipped of a boring bunch of mid range cars that are priced to sell.
I'm not sure my other half would choose it over an Astra however, soley because the Astra delivered all she wanted in a car and was "easy to park".

Best bet is get the lady to decide for herself

[VYBerlinaV8]

Don't suppose there's any chance of getting an Astra Diesel? Manual, of course. Maybe the fuel economy argument would help. I've driven the current model Astra (but not with the updated petrol engine), and found it ok in petrol form (my TS Astra has a twitch more go), but liked the Diesel. It's a bit expensive, and the indicator stalk is a bit gimmicky, but a very solid car.

I haven't driven the Epica, but if it's anything like the auto Camry I had to suffer through a few weeks ago on a work trip - uurrrggghh...

[markone2]

Holden this is for importing aweful DAEWOO products!

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[mac06]

Haven't driven the Epica enough to make an in depth comment, but in the brief drive I've found it to be very quiet and the auto gearbox smooth. It's not a sports car by any means, but it's not meant to be. A few things I picked up from the brochure-
In addition to being one of the most economical mid-size sedans in Australia, Epica also rewards you with a ride of exceptional quietness.
The in-line six is also an extremely durable, low maintenance engine. A fact demonstrated beyond question when it operated continuously for an astounding 300,000 kilometers during endurance testing.

How does it compare with the Astra? The Astra is a different vehicle and hard to compare side by side with the Epica. Epica is far larger in interior and boot size, has to be more comfortable in long distance driving with the longer wheelbase. How the Epica will stack up, time will tell. To those who don't like the fact that the Epica comes from Korea, bear in mind that the GM plant there is the most advanced GM has in the world. Mike Simcoe and a lot of Holden engineers also had a lot to do with the design team in Korea, so in essence you're bagging Holden itself.

[planetdavo]

Holden this is for importing aweful DAEWOO products!

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As has been explained more than once, these are NOT Daewoo cars, they are GM-DAT cars, with either near full Holden engineering, or at worst, a heavy dose of Holden engineered upgrading. ALL of the current Korean sourced product is far better than any Daewoo ever was, and in some cases, totally new (Captiva).

[Danv8]

Carsguide on the Epica
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/A45F09A5C38D70F3CA2572CD000F4D0F

[markone2]

To those who don't like the fact that the Epica comes from Korea, bear in mind that the GM plant there is the most advanced GM has in the world. Mike Simcoe and a lot of Holden engineers also had a lot to do with the design team in Korea, so in essence you're bagging Holden itself.

Sounds like your selling them :shock: The Epica is produced in GM-Daewoo's Bupyong plant in South Korea. That said, according to Holden, the Epica has benefited from significant suspension tuning from Holden's own engineers.

While, officially, it was all smiles from Holden employees as they launched the Epica, you get the impression there’s hardly immense pride in this latest offering.....

Like the latest Barina and Viva, the Epica is a Daewoo with a Holden badge.


Mind you Holden claims that these are GMDAT cars, along with the Captiva, which, unlike the Barina and Viva are not Daewoo rebadges but designed with input by GM divisions around the world.

Still, it takes a long time to change public perception. Daewoo has been bad and is probably still bad. Even the Captiva, which is a GMDAT car is not perfect and Holden knows it too, which is why Holden has launched a money-back offer on the Epica, available to private buyers who purchase an Epica in 2007.


meantime back at battlefront any of the Daewoo brand of vehicles still suffers appalling resale value...and I mean APPALLING

[mac06]

Still, it takes a long time to change public perception. Daewoo has been bad and is probably still bad. Even the Captiva, which is a GMDAT car is not perfect and Holden knows it too, which is why Holden has launched a money-back offer on the Epica, available to private buyers who purchase an Epica in 2007.


Well Holden must have enough confidence in their product to do that. You can imagine how that would backfire if everyone handed their cars back. Public opinion is negative about Daewoo, but they don't exist anymore. GM bought them out and Holden has had a lot of input since then.

Is the Epica as good as the Vectra it's replacing? No. But the public didn't buy enough of the Vectra's to make it viable to keep importing them. The answer was to give the public what they want, cheaper (but still good) cars. It's worked with the Barina and will probably work with the Epica. As I said before, time will tell.

[markone2]

As I said before, time will tell.

I concur...:)

[whitels1ss]

What a choice?
The Epica is a bloody re badged Daewoo!
The Astra is made in Belgium it would have to be a better quality car.
I feel for you mate.
I could never bring myself to drive a Daewoo!
I would have to take the Astra if I was forced to make a choice.

[jamesd]

All this Daewoo stuff is getting a bit silly, I don't see what's so wrong with it anymore. It's all engineered by GM, the build quaility is far better than what it was before, hell, the I6 was even engineered by Porsche. I'd atleast give it a test drive before I judge it.

The Vectra was no loss. Who's gonna pay up to $50k for a medium sized V6 Holden, regardless of the quailty?

[Swordie]

Does your decision depend on build quality? The Korean sourced car may feel rattly and loose after 12 months. I have already had feedback on a Viva feeling a bit loose after a few months.

Company cars compared to privately owned ones go faster, stop harder and corner quicker.

It sounds like a test drive is required.

[HSVMAN]

The surprising fact is, most of the Korean based product under Daewoo badges have been more reliable than the Aussie built cars.
I would imagine now with Aussie engineering and GM input the cars sourced under the new GMDAT banner to be rather good value with exceptional reliability
In this case the Astra doesnt come under either but is a decent car and I would have one again in an instant

[Danv8]

Found this on the Epica
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/holden-epica-quick-review.htm

"Driving the car is like, well, driving a Camry. It won’t set any performance records, but it is very frugal. The larger 2.5-litre engine with the 5-speed automatic gearbox (the least fuel efficient model) was sipping 6.2L/100km on the freeway, which isn't too bad.

At 100km/h in top gear it was sitting on 2000rpm, and it must be said that the automatic gearbox is quite smooth. It's an Aisin number, built in Japan. It doesn’t offer the quickest shifts in town, but they are smooth and combine with the 6-cylinder engines’ refined characters to create a smooth and dare I say seamless driving experience."

[markone2]

The surprising fact is, most of the Korean based product under Daewoo badges have been more reliable than the Aussie built cars.



Can I have some of what your smoking ?......Daewoos relaible.:errr: not looking at what's parked at the rear of our workshop ..they most certainly are not

[HSVMAN]

Can I have some of what your smoking ?......Daewoos relaible.:errr: not looking at what's parked at the rear of our workshop ..they most certainly are not

Sure here ya go... :)
maybe from your experience it is different but our dealership has sold more than anyone in NZ over the past 5 years and we dont see them in service. In fact most of the service loan cars are Daewoo/Viva/Barina

[Black AH CDX]

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2567967.aspx

[Alister]

Kris: Why not go to a dealership and have a sit in the Astra and the Epica and see which one is more comfortable (since you spend a lot of time on the road)?
Epica looks nice and performs better than the Astra 1.8L. Hey, coming from a LS1, power should be important :)

[XLR8 V8]

Kris: Why not go to a dealership and have a sit in the Astra and the Epica and see which one is more comfortable (since you spend a lot of time on the road)?
Epica looks nice and performs better than the Astra 1.8L. Hey, coming from a LS1, power should be important :)

See post #9 :deal:

Had a chat with my line manager at our meeting last night and he's going in to bat to try and spec us up to VE's. I'm not confident at all, but at least he's having a go.
Stupid thing is, there's an unused Evoke VE Omega sitting in the work carpark after one of the new loss prevention manager quit after 2 weeks. The loss prevention guys do about 200-300kms a week maximum and they still get VE's? They're going to leave it sitting there until someone new is hired :banghead:

[Carby650]

See post #9 :deal:

Had a chat with my line manager at our meeting last night and he's going in to bat to try and spec us up to VE's. I'm not confident at all, but at least he's having a go.
Stupid thing is, there's an unused Evoke VE Omega sitting in the work carpark after one of the new loss prevention manager quit after 2 weeks. The loss prevention guys do about 200-300kms a week maximum and they still get VE's? They're going to leave it sitting there until someone new is hired :banghead:

I'm for giving you the VE and the new bloke can deal with the Astra/Epica choise !!
For whats its worth we have just purchased a new Astra (although an SRI which has a different motor) and I gotta say that considering it is only a 4 cyl I don't mind it.
(disclaimer: I want my SS back :cussing: )

[xplosv57]

Go the Astra mate, theyre a fantastic car, great hadling lots of get up and go, and great on the juice!!! The Epica being new on the market and whichever way you say it, somehow based on a Daewoo, its bound to have teething problems!!!

Having owned an Astra for a while myself, and having heaps of mates who own them still its a great car, only reason i sold mine is because i wanted alot more power, otherwise i wouldve kept it!!!!

If you want more info on the Astra, jump on www opelaus com, plenty of info on there!!!!!

[Holden Man]

If it was my own car then I would buy the Astra. But having said that I did read a good review for the Epica in the Courier Mail (Brisbane) and he praised the camry beating fuel economy. The 2.5L is apparently Porsche designed ! (no rocketship though)

He basically said it was a good, roomy, no nonsense car with excellent fuel economy which is very well priced. (perfect company car maybe)

[Alister]

See post #9 :deal:

Had a chat with my line manager at our meeting last night and he's going in to bat to try and spec us up to VE's. I'm not confident at all, but at least he's having a go.
Stupid thing is, there's an unused Evoke VE Omega sitting in the work carpark after one of the new loss prevention manager quit after 2 weeks. The loss prevention guys do about 200-300kms a week maximum and they still get VE's? They're going to leave it sitting there until someone new is hired :banghead:


Ahh that sucks. Hope you end up with a VE.
Then drop by Monday night sometime so I can drool over it :yahoo:

[AussieTone]

Go the Epica then you can do a write up for us all :idea:

[cholo]

i've got an astra diesel the new one as a courtesy car (while my ve ssv gets checked at for warning lights) and it drives like crap. Christ its so weak I'd always get scared when i go on the freeway. :driving:

Havent tried the Epica but Im sure it should be more tolerable to drive.

Cheers

Cholo

[vessv]

the astra as a 2 door looks ok, call the epica what it is a daewoo

[Black AH CDX]

i've got an astra diesel the new one as a courtesy car (while my ve ssv gets checked at for warning lights) and it drives like crap. Christ its so weak I'd always get scared when i go on the freeway. :driving:

Havent tried the Epica but Im sure it should be more tolerable to drive.

Cheers

Cholo

Was it manual or Auto?

[HSVMAN]

i've got an astra diesel the new one as a courtesy car (while my ve ssv gets checked at for warning lights) and it drives like crap. Christ its so weak I'd always get scared when i go on the freeway. :driving:

Havent tried the Epica but Im sure it should be more tolerable to drive.

Cheers

Cholo

It kicks the hell out of the Petrol model so I'm not sure what youre on about there dude

[cholo]

:wave: yeah i havent driven a petrol one yet.

cheers

cholo


Was it manual or Auto?

it was auto .. but i still used the manual mode too and it was too weak for me. Then again im used to a v8 now.:thumbsup:

[XLR8 V8]

Well my employer stood firm on the "No new VE's for anyone" policy, so I went and took an Epica and Astra for a test drive. Was about to order an Astra when I got a last minute reprieve. A bunch of people were recently let go in the company, and their cars (VZ Execs) were now sitting at the Custom Fleet holding yard with 40,000kms each on them. I was given a choice of Odyssey, Heron or Phantom Black. I went with the black one of course.

I went and picked it up today and was HORRIFIED at the state of the paint. :eek: Whoever had been using the vehicle must've had 10 cats that they let sleep (and fight) on the bonnet. Thousands of claw scratches covered the ENTIRE bonnet and the top of the front quarter panels. I spent an hour today polishing it which took care of some of them, but it's going to take some effort to get them all out. I would have pitied the buyer if it had gone to auction

[Alister]

Good to hear Kris, a VZ is much better than an Epica or Astra :)
What does Alan drive?

[XLR8 V8]

VE Berlina .... but his is a novated lease so he's paying towards it.
I had the option of novating, but I'm not going to pay money towards the work car when:

1) No V8's allowed
2) I already have my LS1 in the garage at home which keeps me happy

[ShanghaiVZ]

Well Kris, you test drove both Im very curious your impressions with Korean v's European :).

Also how many times do we have "thanks" display with posts I count 7 seperate in your post alone :lol: