Not much joy finding a decent Focus. Have noticed quite a few Astra's about and I would get a lot newer car for my money (about £7k). 1.6/1.8 GXI looks nice in silver and has air-con.

Only thing that puts me off is I had a Vauxhall Nova for my first car and that was a bag of ****e (50k on the clock). Have things changed and are Vauxhall as reliable as most other things on the road?

Anyone own one - any good to drive? Any major problems?

Simon.

Are they that bad that no one has one? :D

Simon.

I guess they must be! Ah well.

Simon.

We have a 1.8 sri.

MY00 - it is a good car, 50k miles now and has never needed anything other than regular servicing and a cam belt....and a set of tyres.

Astra are generally more reliable than most, in some cases more reliable than the Focus.

Only minor niggle has been squealing rear brakes.

The 1.8 Engine is fantastic. After 2001, power was upped from 115 to 125 bhp. So if going for 1.8, make it after October 2000 for more power. The later engine is better bet than the 2.2 which is a bit naff.

If you check out www.reliabilityindex.com, Astra comes out pretty well.

Regds,

Mantamagic

Mantamagic - cant even find the Focus on that website. Good to hear the Astra is reliable though. Think I will take one out for a test drive this weekend.

Simon.

lol Subaru is the worst car on that site. Low frequency of faults but when they do go wrong its expensive. Sounds about right.

Simon.