My aplogies if I've missed a thread on this, but the search came up blank.
Have you seen the new Astra out and about yet? 1 sighting for me.
What are your thoughts? Is it a new star or does it belong in the gutter?
I'd love to hear what you think.
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Myself and a couple of other BR members (J500ANT & teabelly) had a drive of the Astra at Millbrook late last year. Yet to see one on the road yet. All I've seen so far are the ones at Millbrook and in my local dealers showroom.
Our reviews and other comments can be found at:-
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=80302
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Lets hope it's nicer than the outgoing Astra. I had a 1.6 SXi as a hire car yesterday and did all of 21 miles in it. Poor interior, uncomfortable seats and hard ride. Probably had some sort of sport suspension because it was an SXi. Glad to get back in the Mazda afterwards!
The prospect of driving to Scotland and back in the Astra if my car was not ready in time did not appeal. In fact after 5 miles I knew I would not drive it to Scotland regardless.
I think the new Astra looks really good inside and out though. Same applies to the Insignia too.
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I saw my first new Astra on the road about a week ago. My first thoughts were "That's an ugly Insignia, what's wrong with it?".
:)
Maybe it will grow on me...
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Agreed - not a great looker on the outside. Not quite ugly like a focus, but not great.
I've sold five so far, so selling well I think. The interior is the biggest improvement over the outgoing Astra I would say.
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The interior is the biggest improvement over the outgoing Astra I would say.
Not hard to improve on that interior. Both in terms of materials, quality and ergonomics.
Edited by rtj70 on 03/02/2010 at 22:09
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When I first saw it, I thought it looked similar in shape to the Rover 200.
My main bugbear about it though is the front indicators. They're mounted in the front fog light area. Fashion over practicality I think. Regardless what model you buy, it looks like it's got factory fit front fog lights. Personally I think they're too low down there. One good thing though, they didn't copy other car manufacturers and refrained from putting the indicator repeaters in the door mirrors.
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I believe the indicators mounted in fog lights or head lights is more to do with safety these days.
Lots of new cars have the indicators built into the headlights now.
I do also stlying seems to take over practicality these days.
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I think indicator repeators in the door mirror housings are actually a great idea, they make it far more obvious that somebody is turning as they're forward facing instead of side on.
I find this espeically useful when waiting to turn right onto a main road, as it is far easier to see if anybody in the inevitable procession of traffic is turning left and thus producing a gap for me to nip through.
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I saw one yesterday, looked a bit like a Hyundai I30 to me (from behind) to me. Not sure I really care though....
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I think indicator repeators in the door mirror housings are actually a great idea
I was thinking from a cost point of view if it was necessary to replace the door mirror. They're expensive enough as it is without the added cost of replacing the indicator repeater as well.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 04/02/2010 at 10:20
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The interior is the biggest improvement over the outgoing Astra I would say.
Good to hear it. Please tell me they've got rid of those awful low-resolution display screens now? The high-res version we have on our '06 Zafira Design with climate is fine, but the low-res on SiLs '08 Astra Design reminds me of computing in the early 80s. Horrible stuff.
And if they're going to put "BC" buttons (for essentially a free to implement trip computer) on the steering wheel it would be great if it didn't say "no function" on the display!!
Sorry, rant over... :)
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Good to hear it. Please tell me they've got rid of those awful low-resolution display screens now? The high-res version we have on our '06 Zafira Design with climate is fine but the low-res on SiLs '08 Astra Design reminds me of computing in the early 80s. Horrible stuff.
Completly agree, its ok if you have the basic Display 2 line display (the one with the date on top and time and temp underneath) and thats all that is displayed
But the bigger low res (Triple Info Display) one looks awfull, again the hi res (Graphic Info Display) is absoultley fine I dont see the point of having the TID version as its just so naff to use as we had one in a hire car Astra H and compared to the TID version ive used its terrible
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And if they're going to put "BC" buttons (for essentially a free to implement trip computer) on the steering wheel it would be great if it didn't say "no function" on the display!!
Apparantly this can be switched on via a tech2 session at your Vauxhall dealer.
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I thought so, so I don't understand why they don't they come out of the factory with it turned on already?
It wasn't even an "optional extra", was it?
I'm pretty sure that on the earlier Astra-Hs it worked as expected. Very odd.
Edited by TheOilBurner on 04/02/2010 at 14:26
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It mainly depends on the trim spec to as whether it's enabled or not. Basic spec = no, high spec = yes.
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