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is the link working ?
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Now works fine in FF 3.0 which it didn't 10 minutes ago .
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Nice test - when you getting the Blackberry App ??
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Question is, if you can get the New Testament on the head of a pin, could you get the car mat thread on a Blackberry ?
Good test. Mrs B likes the look of that.
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OK, they have got to Astra I though they have to change the name before they get to Astra Y ...
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I was skeptical until I saw the video, then checked the text review. But I've been won over. This is a really decent car, and I really hope and expect that it will do well. It looks smart and modern, the engines are economical and punchy, and it's a very practical car for its size with a decent boot and room for HJ in a hat in the rear.
I also like the story about the Watts linkage giving improved ride, whilst maintaining roadholding.
I also have a soft spot for Vauxhall. I have happy memories of owning a trouble-free Cavalier years ago.
But - and this is a big "but" for which I expect to get slaughtered - The only thing that I don't like is the interior from what I saw of it. The centre console has far too many fiddly little buttons, and the are all illuminated (along with the speedo) in red light. I hate red illumination! |It reminds me of those cheap calculators & watches in the 1970's.
I think that Vauxhall will have to offer big discounts though. £23,695 for an Astra Elite Auto - are they kidding?
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I think that Vauxhall will have to offer big discounts though. £23 695 for an Astra Elite Auto - are they kidding?>>
The prices caused me to do a double-take also! About 8k too high, I'd say.
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The prices caused me to do a double-take also! About 8k too high I'd say.
The dearest Focus is a Titanium tdci at £20945 (no auto listed?) but I doubt anyone pays that, and it'll be the same for the Astra. Further down the range the press reports have said its about the same price as a outgoing car.
I like the look of it, i've requested details.
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Almost certainly the first of one driven straight out of the factory into its test. (It's very good. Excellent ride and handling combination.) HJ
HJ, can you confirm which model you drove? The vid says its a 1.4 turbo Exclusiv, but that combo isnt listed on the Vauxhall configurator.
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good review.
Thanks for the review.
however I do have a couple of reservations.
The next Ford Focus is due out next year and the engine range will start with a 1.0L turbo in two power forms (89bhp and 109bhp).
They will even provide a 1.6L Turbo at 168bhp.
This is taken from other web sites (so I am not sure if this is hype or true).
Link
www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/234878/...n
.html
{link to one of our rival sites made non clickable, unfortunately I can't do anything about the word wrapping}
I feel this is a missed opportunity for Vauxhall witch is a great shame.
They could cater to the insurance concious drivers (younger drivers for example).
As for the styling, If you like the Insignia then I think you like the new Astra (shame I don't though).
The price could be a bit off putting but then I expect a similar price band for the next Focus.
Otherwise a promising car that Vauxhall desperately needs right now.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 08/10/2009 at 02:25
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HJ, does this Astra have a temperature gauge, or are Vauxhall still using a warning light?
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>>As for the styling, If you like the Insignia then I think you like the new Astra (shame I don't though).>>
I dont particularly like the Insignia though in the pics the Astra looks better and as small cars become medium and medium cars become large it is the kind of car that might appeal.
Having a larger boot than a Golf could make a lot of difference.
HJ does this Astra have a temperature gauge or are Vauxhall still using a warning light?
Good question, dont like the lack of a gauge, I have fitted a gauge to my motorcycle that only had a light.
Interesting that HJ refers to the current facelifted MK II Focus as a Mk III Focus. This will cause a lot of confusion on this site when the Mk III is launched next year. HJ nearly took a similar tack when the Mk IV Mondeo was launched (he called it a Mk III IIRC) until I and one or two other persuaded him otherwise. I reckon this also needs addressing.
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To be honest, it does nothing for me style wise - especially the full frontal, I much prefer my metallic black Almera ... yeah, yeah it holds the road well & it has some fancy rear suspension but - to me its just another eurobox - gimme a QQ or a Megane anyday!
Honest Ray.
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This is style in my humble reckoning ~ www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/newmeganecoupe/produc...x
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This is style in my humble reckoning ~ www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/newmeganecoupe/produc...x
So stylish in fact that it doesn't work! (The website that is - quarter of a picture of a car and lots of rapidly flickering menus when I move the mouse pointer over it.)
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Surely a major omission is no vehicle under the magic 121g CO2/km? I would have
thought the low powered 1.7 diesel with skinny tyres & thin g/box oil could have managed that?
Also, still the same obsession it seems with low profile tyres on anything other than lowest spec. cars. Even though HJ says the ride ok on 17s - how much more compliant would 55-60 profile tyres be with the revised Watts-is-name suspension be one wonders?
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HJ does this Astra have a temperature gauge or are Vauxhall still using a warning light?
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The images i've seen show 2 smaller gauges inbetween speedo and revcounter - so i'd guess one is a temp gauge.
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As for the styling If you like the Insignia then I think you like the new Astra (shame I don't though).
Looks quite similar to our old Leon 2 in the exterior shots.
I reckon the current Focus is still the mk2, or a mk2.5 if you like. Whole number changes should be reserved for different basic shapes.
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I very much like the new Astra looks-wise, but I am also a fan of the Insignia which I think is one of the most elegant, understated and (I hate this word, but) classy looking mainstream cars in years. We have some SRIs on the fleet now in black, and they look very nice indeed. The build quality seems to be superb as well, in terms of flawless fit and finish inside, nice even panel gaps, and a deep, lustrous paint finish. If the Astra is more of the same, I hope it succeeds. I would seriously look at one.
I was surprised at the compound crank suspension arrangement. ISTRC the mk2 Astra had this as well, and was universally slated for its handling, with the setup being blamed for the snap lift-off oversteer these cars exhibited, particularly on the higher powered GTE models. I guess application is more important than principle. I don't doubt the Astra would be a decent handling car. It would be commercial suicide if Vauxhall hadn't benchmarked a Focus when they were setting the car up. The Insignia I am told is every bit as good as a Mondeo on the road, and that's from people who've covered extensive miles in both cars.
I would love to see the GTE badge return now, with a fireball engine under the bonnet and a nice lairy bodykit. Takes me back..... aaahh.... :-)
I like that Megane coupe, too. Seen a few on the road and they are very pretty, as is the Laguna coupe. Renaults have always looked good though IMHO.
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