Idiot Astra :-)

[Simon Finnigan]

Hi All,
further to my last post about a noisy Astra, I now have a dying Astra. Nothing has been done to it for a few weeks apart from unplugging and reconnecting the radio a few times, which was done today. The radios being swapped where the same make and model, nothing was done except take the plug out the rear of one and plug it into the rear of the other.. Now I`ve just got back frolm a 10 mile drive during which the car has cut out 3 times. It hasn`t stalled, the engine just stopped as if the ignition had been turned off, but the exterior lights and radio remained on, and all the lights that first come on when you turn the ignition to "on" came on. This happened 3 times, all while stationary. Apart from that the car drove perfectly normally, no struggling, no spluttering, no lights changing brightness.

I`m loath to get anything done about the noise until this is sorted, i`m going to a garage tomorrow but I was wondering - any suggestions? I`m thinking an electrical fault that would be nice and easy to fix (fingers crossed).

I`m also thinking about replacing the car entirely - I work 45 miles from home and need a reliable car (publi transport isn`t an option at 5AM ). I`d be looking for something Astra sized that is comfortable and economical. Absolutely no fiats, I want a reliable car and i`m fed up of seeing them broken down . At the moment I do about 1500-1800 miles a month, which costs about £150 a month in fuel, driving at a steady 60mph. I`d like a car that can do upwards of 600 miles for a tank of fuel, and that can match (or even beat) that kind of fuel economy, ideally at 70mph.

Does anyone have any suggestions for suitible cars to look out for? I`m happy with Diesel or Petrol, manual or automatic is fine - I want economy, comfort and reliability. Ideally around the £2k-£3k mark, but I can stretch up to £5k for something particularly good.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Chris (archive)]

Hi All,
further to my last post about a noisy Astra, I now have a dying Astra. Nothing has been done to it for a few weeks apart from unplugging and reconnecting the radio a few times, which was done today. The radios being swapped where the same make and model, nothing was done except take the plug out the rear of one and plug it into the rear of the other.. Now I`ve just got back frolm a 10 mile drive during which the car has cut out 3 times. It hasn`t stalled, the engine just stopped as if the ignition had been turned off, but the exterior lights and radio remained on, and all the lights that first come on when you turn the ignition to "on" came on. This happened 3 times, all while stationary. Apart from that the car drove perfectly normally, no struggling, no spluttering, no lights changing brightness.

I`m loath to get anything done about the noise until this is sorted, i`m going to a garage tomorrow but I was wondering - any suggestions? I`m thinking an electrical fault that would be nice and easy to fix (fingers crossed).

I`m also thinking about replacing the car entirely - I work 45 miles from home and need a reliable car (publi transport isn`t an option at 5AM ). I`d be looking for something Astra sized that is comfortable and economical. Absolutely no fiats, I want a reliable car and i`m fed up of seeing them broken down . At the moment I do about 1500-1800 miles a month, which costs about £150 a month in fuel, driving at a steady 60mph. I`d like a car that can do upwards of 600 miles for a tank of fuel, and that can match (or even beat) that kind of fuel economy, ideally at 70mph.

Does anyone have any suggestions for suitible cars to look out for? I`m happy with Diesel or Petrol, manual or automatic is fine - I want economy, comfort and reliability. Ideally around the £2k-£3k mark, but I can stretch up to £5k for something particularly good.

Thanks in advance for your help!

We'll I'd have to say a nice Cav 1.8 - from my experience comfortable and reliable - good fuel economy on higher speed trips - easy to get cheap bits for (loads in scrap yards) - who cares if its nicked/scratched - ideal motor if you don't mind being seen in an older car. Did I mention cheap insurance?

 

[Simon Finnigan]

We'll I'd have to say a nice Cav 1.8 - from my experience comfortable and reliable - good fuel economy on higher speed trips - easy to get cheap bits for (loads in scrap yards) - who cares if its nicked/scratched - ideal motor if you don't mind being seen in an older car. Did I mention cheap insurance?

I drive a bright yellow M reg Astra sport at the moment - do you REALLY think i`m bothered what the outside of a car looks like?

 

[Chris (archive)]

I drive a bright yellow M reg Astra sport at the moment - do you REALLY think i`m bothered what the outside of a car looks like?

Fair play - point well made (isn't there some kind a local byelaw against such vechicles?)

 

[Simon Finnigan]

Fair play - point well made (isn't there some kind a local byelaw against such vechicles?)

Apparently only 1 in 50 stolen cars is yellow - it`s an anti-theft device Nahh, it was dirt cheap when I needed a new car there and then, I got a spare enging with it (which is now clogging up the garage) but apart from the occasional niggle it`s a good car. Certainly more fun to drive than a lot of what my friends drive.

Plus it always gives someone an excuse to start slagging me off in work, and the more banter the better

 

[Gaz (3)]

Well the later shape Astras are now on sale for well under 2k. I have a 99 1,6LS I picked up for 1600, and it's the closest thing I have ever driven to a Cav. Infact, closer to a Cav than to the earlier Astras