You can buy a corolla they are reliable but I just think the interior quality and build lets them down ,my girlfriends mother opted for the 2005 Corolla the same time we got the Astra it has been great apparently but I drove it and it feels bloody awful on the road like jelly and now at 32,480km it has a chasis squeak that cannot be fixed ,but apart from that she’s happy ,I’d still prefer an Astra though , even Compared to the Corolla comparison of the same year as the TR Astra…

In response to the question about purchasing a TR Astra
I would go for the TS instead they can be found for the same price if you are looking at spending anywhere between $7,500 – $10,000 ,and I would look for one with full service history if you can find it ,also look out for or ask about the timing belt they are a common problem but can be a minor problem if you have them regularly checked for splitting and wear usually if the car has done 60,000 or over have it checked if it looks like it’s wearing have it replaced ,check the service book or ask if the Astra you are looking at has had it’s timing belt changed lately and you should be right apart from this issue they are a great little car and will not let you down…

At the end of the day if you look after your car and have it regularly serviced you should be fine ,it’s the people who expect to much from their cars that never open the bonnet between taking it to a garage you must check your fluid levels and put a bit of effort in yourself…

They are not bullet proof…………..

Appreciate any of your thoughts or experiences you have had. e.g Are they reliable, any problems you have had? etc.

Thanks.

When the AH Astra first came out my girlfreind and I were very keen and she decided to purchase the top of the range at the time which was the CDXi with leather and all the bells and whistles,to be 100% honest the car has not let us down once and being as fussy as I am we have kept the car immaculate polishing it regularly and keeping it in pristine condition as we believe if you look after your car it looks after you (I know it sounds a bit stupid but I believe that after having stripped my old VL TUBO BT1 and restoring it and that car never let me down ,back on topic our Astra has now clocked over 57,400 km and has not missed a beat there are no rattles or strange noises and we just purchased 4 new Continental tyres for the car..

The only thing we could pick on when we first got the car was the crackling noise coming from the contact of the top of the windows against the rubbers when you put the windows up but that has now gone due to the fact that the rubbers are a little bit more worn in now ….

For me and my girlfreind the Astra has been great with fantastic handling capabilities around the Dandenongs and also pulling up the brakes are outstanding ,we have the 6 stacker cd player with 7 blaupunkt speakers they sound great with plenty of bass the seats are now moulded you could say and are comfy as on long trips ,petrol is still good even with the price averaging 750km to a full tank on PULP 98 ,fog lights are handy in this winter weather and also the safety and sturdiness on the road is outstanding .

My Girlfreinds Mother opted for the Toyota Corolla at the same time we purchased the Astra in 2005 and is very reliable as the Corolla always has been but if you want cheapo interior mouldings,tinny doors ,and a loose feel on the freeway I would suggest the Corolla ,I have now driven both and even though the Corolla may be more popular they still have a very cheap feel to them where is the Astra has that solid European feel on the road ,On a descent bend of road 140km is nothing for an Astra and efortless driving but in the Corolla I felt unsafe and it seemed as though the steering wheel was like jelly not very conforting at the same speed…

But at the end of the day each to their own and I just prefer not to buy Japanese cars ,maybe the Ford Focus is a good buy aswell…

Commercial drivers should expect the same level of comfort as any car driver and your comment “In short, this sort of seating isn’t even fit for a commercial vehicle in this day and age” only enforces the industries reluctance to recognise driver comfort and seat ergonomics within the commercial sector.

Not all van drivers are stereotypically sweaty unintelligent and vulgar people who deserve nothing more than a plank of wood to sit on, and I myself as a van owner, drive 1000 miles a week and have actually replaced the seating myself because of the reasons motioned in your review. Yes, a van driver actually changing seats? You must be amazed!!

Rant over.