Phill

PS: I also prefer the indicators on the left side of the column – perhaps that’s because I’m left-handed.

I’m on my 3rd Astra and this has never bothered me, because all the Euro GM’s i’ve owned have always done this. I’ve not noticed if the Toyota does this or not. So now you’ve pointed this out, it will probably anoy me

I was told the reason the indicator is on the left is because its designed as LHD. When they manufacture the RHD version, they switch the column but don’t reverse the controls. So now mixing a RAV4 with my Astra. I can occasionally entertain other drivers by switching on my windscreen wipers when turing left or right!

But I agree the Astra’s dash is now looking a bit low tech and basic compared to the competition.

Maybe it’s just something I’m use to. But when I first drove cars with the stalk on the left, it just made sense while driving.

The stalk returning to the centre doesn’t really bother me at all. I’m not really sure what it is that bothers you about it…. not nit picking. I’m curious as to what it is that does bother you. Then again, I felt the same about BMW motorcycles that have an indicator button on the left handlebar for left turns and a right indicator button on the right handlebar. It’s quite different to Japanese bikes that have the one switch for left and right. Pushing it in cancells the indicator. Pushing it left turns on the left, etc etc.

You get use to the BMW system and then start to think it’s more logical and don’t go back… or you do, but hate it.

I recently drove the Astra Turbo Diesel. I was impressed with the power. Though it’s peaky for a diesel (the power comes on strong, then disappears). I like a nice flat torque curve. What I didn’t like about the Astra was that the buttons on the dash felt really cheap compared to other brands I’ve looked at (I’m recently needing a new small hatch, so I’ve been looking at Golf’s, Clio’s, Fiesta’s, Focus’s, etc). Otherwise, I thought it was a brilliant car. Very solid, handled and cornered great. The engine was great. I like peaky engines… correction: I liked them when I was boy racer. I did enjoy driving it, but I don’t think it’d be nice to live with day in day out. There are other more refined engines out there with similar performance.

Cheers
Steve

This is a very very dangerous feature: not only does it mean you see more Astras than other cars driving along in a straight line oblivious to the fact that they’re indicator is on (which I have – several times), it also means that the driver needs to take his/her eyes off the road to check if the light is flashing.

Give me indicators on the wrong side any day before this rubbish.

“Whats with the korean bashing!?! “, In a word the majority of Korean cars are cheap and nasty, not just a chosen few. And yes French cars also had their run of a bad reputation. But now look a them.

The Holden Barina is a classic example of cheap & nasty:-

http://www.caradvice.com.au/2159/why-you-shouldnt-buy-a-holden-barina/

Compare this with the smart and old Euro barina (Corsa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s

Hyundai are making big moves to turn around this reputation, but it will be a while before its on par with Euro imports. When this does happen, and it will. The price will increase also. So you won’t be seeing the large price gap in the future. Simply, you get what you pay for.

GM has just announced a US$3.2b investment in GM-DAT over the next two years, specifically for product and drivetrain. The Gamma small car will be the major beneficiary, along with new petrol and diesel powerplants, six-speed transmissions and a design centre.

The first Gamma exports are scheduled for 2009, around the time a new Euro Astra should debut. Australia will most likely not get this vehicle.

The Viva is Holden’s small car price leader, a TS Astra Classic replacement rather than a “base” model Astra replacement. The base model AH Astra sells at a $22K price point, some $3-4K above the Viva. Astra is a 5 star Euro NCAP car and Viva is a 4 star ANCAP car.

No doubt new GM-DAT Gamma cars will be 5 star vehicles.

Come on what about the dodgy build quality of any Renualts does that mean that all french cars are dodgy? or even better since the mercs have had issues with quality does this mean that all german cars suck?