Opel Astra [2000-2003] User Reviews

Exterior : Nice design (Shape) Aerodynamic. Nice and decent looks.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) : I am 6.3 tall and huge man. This is the only car in this segment I found comfortable to get in and out. Very good Leg & Head Room at every seat. Has very good space, also trunk is also huge. Car loaded with great features like Power Mirrors, Power Windows, Power Antenna, HVAC, Stereo, All accessories & Controls are easy to access, Suspension is absolutely SUPERB, can handle any kind of terrain, No vibrations, jerks, or body noise. Super smooth drive is ensured by German Engineering. AC is more than enough to handle heat up to 45 C (Outside Temp) Power steering can handle this huge car just on one finger. When AC is on and all windows are up, no outside traffic noise can enter the cabin, its like your own private space on road.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox : Engine is very good and responsive. Gear ratio is very well calculated helps minimum gear change even in heavy city traffic and AC on. Engine and Gearbox are matching very well. Gear shifting is very smooth without any play. Fuel efficiency is little low compare to the same segment competitors. Vehicle performance with the AC on and full passengers on board, the comfort and feel is better and you don’t have to regret for low fuel efficiency. Also this vehicle is very heavy offers great safety, so I think I can compromise with the fuel economy for the safety & comfort. My car gives between 10-12 in city & 12-14 on Highway (On LPG) on petrol it gives slightly higher. The best efficiency I got was 15.5 with Continues AC on (Even while repairing the punctured wheel), all passengers on board, and on konkan roads, full with ghats.     

Ride Quality & Handling : I challenge no other vehicle in this segment can give you pleasure, feel, & comfort like this car. Ride quality is excellent, No vibrations, no body noise, no traction (Road & Tyre) noise, no outside traffic noise inside the cabin when windows are closed. Handling is also very good, vehicle has great control, and braking is excellent. Even on turns (Ghats) vehicle is always in full control. Tyre provides great road grip. Again this is also another point Astra beats its rivals. 

Final Words : ASTRA is a great car to own. I don’t know why it is called as high maintenance vehicle. My car is 1997 make and I am using this car for more than 6 Years, I have done almost 40 K Kms, and I am doing only routine maintenance. (Oil, Filter, and Wheel Alignment) other than this, Once I replaced Water pump (Original lasts for 12 Yrs), Battery (4 Years), and tyres. (Tyre did 45 K), Exhaust muffler box and AC Gas refilling & servicing. This additional maintenance costs me only @ 22 K I don’t think this is huge.

Areas of improvement : Now there is no point to suggest any improvement plan as this vehicle is no more manufactured, and more refined and improved vehicles like OPTRA, CRUZ are already on road.

Exterior I was on the lookout for a second hand car in the year 2005. The registration number of this car caught my eye. A single digit number and a luxury car for 2.9L. Till date I am happy, I have owned this car as a 3rd owner. The only irritant is the belt noise initially after ignition.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Good. Air-conditioning is not up to the mark for Indian conditions. Good comfort.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox High performance engine. Have tested 160 kms per hour.  Gives me around 15- 17kms/ltr in city conditions and 21kms/ltr of Diesel in highway conditions with A/c.

Ride Quality & Handling Easy, soft, good road grip and behaviour. Very good engineering. quality steel used and the weight of the car is far more than its peers.

Final Words "BEST VALUE FOR MONEY".

Areas of improvement Air conditioner. The car would have been a runaway success if it had been introduced in the Indian market today with current specifications. Opel should consider a relaunch in Indian market.

My First car was Opel Astra which I drove for a year, currently i am driving Opel Club. Believe me - I am in love with this Opel brand. Today if you want to buy a second hand mid-size car- Opel is THE best. In 1.5 to 2.5 lakhs you can get the best. Mind you it original cost during early 2000 used to be somewhere around 8.00 to 12.00 lakhs.

Dont go by stupid valuation of some car web site. I have test driven many car in this category. But hardly any of them matches the grace, quality and pick up of this beauty.

Spare parts might give you trouble but you may still get it.

HI MY NAME IS FRANCIS KIRAN. I OWN A BLACK 1.6GSI OPEL ASTRA FULLY LOADED. ITS THE BEST IN ITS SEGMENT OF CARS... WAT A BODY WEIGHT, REALLY AMAZING..ITS WEIGHT GIVES ME SO MUCH OF CONFIDENCE TO ZOOM THE CAR AT ANY SPEED AND EVEN TURN AT HIGH SPEEDS.. SMMOTHNESS AT ITS BEST.. EXCELLENT SHOCKS.. FREEZING A/C UNIT.. THE CAR DOES NOT STRUGGLE MUCH TO ZOOM EVEN WITH THE A/C ON.. VERY SPACIOUS INSIDE.. GOOD ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY.. ELEC VIE MIRRORS... THE ONLY BIG DRAW BACK IS THE MILLEGE.. GIVES ABOUT 7.5 YO 8 WITH OUT THE A/C..OVER ALL THE BEST CAR IN ITS SEGMENT,,,+91 9841311704 CHENNAI

The  car  by  its own virtue carries a special image. I purchased the ASTRA 1.6cc a few months back mainly  due to its aristocratic looks and  its background as  one of  the Euro majors in  the  auto. industry.

I bought it second hand and   must appreciate the  way  it  was taken  care since  the  last few  years.

I feel a little  bit  uncomfortable  due  to  its fuel consumption aspect. I t would have been better if  I could have enjoyed at least 11-12 km/lit.

It  stands  out  by  its own self and  demands a distance to  be  compared.

A s far as recommendation goes, the  looks  of  the  highways of a busy city would have had a different defination if Astra  would  have been the only option for  car  owners.

I may not be wrong if I quote that the looks of  the upgraded   model  will not  be  a  better looking than this one.

The  model might have been discontinued but as a owner a request to  the  GM Motors to  keep arrangement  of  the  spare  parts since there  are quite a few proud owners  in  this  part of  the  world  who should not  be  let  down, due  to  the want of  the  same. The  price  structure  should  be  reviewed , too.        

Exterior Exterior is tough and solid as well in symetry.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Very spacious, five heavy and big person can sit very comfertably, but when driver enter to his side his knee crash with engnition.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Very nice but petrol give 8 km/lit in city and 12-13 km at highway. I have fitted a gas kit at get 12 km/lit on lpg at high which is Rs 4/km in today price. Now when a 800 maruti is costing at least Rs 3 /km and you are driving dream car of 1996-2001 period fully loaded version with tough and reliable engineering of Germany at a price of 1-2 lakh.

Ride Quality & Handling Smooth and silky.

Final Words Dont go on mind while reading other comments but go by heart but atleast look the condition of the car I am driving 1998 model driven 110000 km car but this car kept as a medal of army person by previous owner and the same treatment is given by me. I have not seen any car driven more than one lack km and in this condition in my whole life.

Areas of improvement Ground clearence, average, and availability of spare parts.