Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Mon 2 Nov 2015 07:05

Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! - Jetsam1

Well, after all the stress and working myself up we have ended up going for a new car. An Astra 1.4 Turbo estate...........

It's very nice, feels quality only 8KM! It's sitting in the showroom and we are going to start the paperwork this afternoon. I think despite the faults that crop up on the internet it's the best overall package we can find. We weren't going to go for the top spec (Opel won't let them order the 1.4 turbos any more apparently) but I think it may be easier to live with. We intend to keep it quite some time. Just so comfortable..... I have owned A BMW, Golf and Focus in the UK and so far the Astra competes well I think.

Test drove Skoda Yeti and Octavia 1.4 TSIs, Suzuki Vitara 1.6 and over the last couple of years have had two Astra hire cars. The first was a base spec with the normal 1.4 (not bad for pootling around town but really needed some extra go on the motorway) and a 2.0 tdci which was very good in the top spec. So I hope I have a good feel for these cars...! I want relaxed and sensible rather than sporty as sporty cars will drive you potty on the roads around here!

So. Away from used and onto new. Not sure whether to ask the dealer to top up/replace the oil and fluids as it has been standing for a bit? Will need to save a little for a second set of wheels with winter tires regarless. Will see what else we can get out from them. Does it affect the warrenty do you think replacing the il more often than the service book says? Really want to look afte this car.

Notes on the dealers. Opel where the one that actually seemed interested in ur business. Ford where awful, Suzuki where nice and one out of the two Skoda where reasonable. I was quite surprised! And the Opel saleman we are dealing with speaks English while the others we think can just condescend not to.

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Mon 2 Nov 2015 10:44

Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! - Falkirk Bairn

>>Opel won't let them order the 1.4 turbos any more apparently!!

You do know that the Astras are being replaced with all new models for 2016 and the old ones are on clearance from £10K with del mileage in the UK -

I appreciate the 1.4T is more expensive but be sure it is a bargain price compared to a clearance 1.4T BEFORE you sign on the line! New, even with del miles, is better than one 6 month old with 5K miles if they are within the same price bracket.

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Mon 2 Nov 2015 11:45

Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! - gordonbennet

I didn't know about a new model due, but what FB says makes a lot of sense, this has to be very well priced to be worth buying, Vauxhall have serious bargains on their run out models and a brand new one might be little more up front.

As for the oil change, yes it does make sense to change it, even though it won't be due mileage wise it might be getting there time wise.

If its a good while off needing a change officially, just buy a gallon of the correct spec oil of a decent brand plus a genuine filter and do your own oil change, keep receipt for future selling purposes but otherwise say nowt cos the car is hopefully still under makers warranty...course if the dealer will do it for you FOC as a deal sweetener...

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Mon 2 Nov 2015 14:11

Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! - Jetsam1

This is Hungary! You don't really get discounts as such....... There are very few turbo engines and they are cheaper to buy than in the UK (different specs). Unfortunately there isn't the nearly new market you get in the UK so it's either brand new or 3 years old at the newest. And that may well have been ragged something chronic!!

The price is competitive in comparison to what else is there. The gulf between this and the lower spec model we were looking at is pretty immense.

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Mon 2 Nov 2015 15:04

Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! - gordonbennet

Fair enough Jetsam, if its a bargain then buy it, my comments about slipping in an extra oil change whoever does it still stand.

As an aside if you could parcel up your PM Viktor Orban and send him over here to show our lot how to grow a pair and say no to Merkel, amongst other things, i for one would be forever in your debt.

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Mon 2 Nov 2015 18:21

Vauxhall Astra - Astra 1.4 Turbo: First time with new car! - Jetsam1

I have read that advice plenty of times around and about so sure it will keep the engine nice! If I was by myself I'd just go with an older car but with one small child and another on the way it does change you perspectives a little. Need something that can withstand impats and give a chance of walking away. We have looked around a lot and lots of the 3-4 year old cars are either really high mileage, diesels or have questions over the service history. It's much easier to buy a car in the UK...... Well, next February will get it up on the Autobahn so will see how it goes!

(20 year old Mondeos for example can still be had for over £1100!)

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