Why the Astra?

[Terrarist]

I understand why TG hate the Vectra, Astra and probably the Omega, but why? Is it because like the Golf series, the newer ones were always fatter and slower than the originals? In anycase, all the above cars ARE useless aside the Astra especially the Astra F/A. You see them everywhere in this country, even the armed robbers use them as chase and getaway cars. And it's alright: quick, fast acceleration, (unfortunately i haven't had enough of a chance to see how well it turns), good fuel economy and down here, you could practically pick the parts off the street. That's how common it is

[ViperVX]

Top Gear moves in a mysterious way...

[efoolution]

Originally Posted by Terrarist

I understand why TG hate the Vectra, Astra and probably the Omega, but why? Is it because like the Golf series, the newer ones were always fatter and slower than the originals? In anycase, all the above cars ARE useless aside the Astra especially the Astra F/A. You see them everywhere in this country, even the armed robbers use them as chase and getaway cars. And it's alright: quick, fast acceleration, (unfortunately i haven't had enough of a chance to see how well it turns), good fuel economy and down here, you could practically pick the parts off the street. That's how common it is

... I don´t think they generally "hate" them. It´s never been a case of "they aren´t good cars". They always more critizise the feel, the cheapness or the design. It´s not that they are saying the Vauxhals/Opels arent any good (they made two Vauxhals car of the Year in the past - Monaro and that little Lotos Clone), but they are just plain boring. Even more than a Golf or an Focus, wich are already boring.
I personally always fealt Opels were build only to compete against Volkswagen ... they were always cheaper than the VW Model compared to it. But it wasn´t just the Price-tag ... they are/were not as good everywhere. A little bit interiour Quality, a little bit Desgin, a little bit Handling ... a little bit less good Car ...

Let it put me this way ... it´d always have one of these if I didn´t have much money ... even today

... I´d never have one of these
... again.

[Terrarist]

I get u efoo, whenever I see someone in a Kadett i just feel sorry for the person, however there are some cars that feel so good, that you won't totally care about the cheapness. The Astra F is one of them. Which is not to say that I prefer a golf over an astra, but I prefer the Astra F over the Golf 2. G3's a knockout and the W12 is magic

[stiggie]

I don't think they all hate them. I remember Richard saying how good he thought the Astra looked when he reviewed the Focus.

Originally Posted by efoolution

they made two Vauxhals car of the Year in the past - Monaro and that little Lotos Clone

Well the Monaro doesn't count, It isn't really a Vauxhall. Its a Holden with Vauxhall badges nailed to it.

[Final Daihatsu]

One word: Understeer. All Opels/Vauxhalls have crap handling (as far as I know)

[Terrarist]

Only car I really had understeer in is our Nissan pickup. I think 90s edition. I have yet to lay my hands on an Astra to see what it's like. All I know for a fact is that it's fast (or I'm slow).

Was doing 160kph in our Cherokee Jeep Sports 2.5 CRD when this Astra literally breezed past me and took a 70 turn, to the right. I was shocked.

[stiggie]

Jeremy's biggest problem with the sports version of the Astra (Astra VXR in Britain?) was torque-steer. Take your hands off the wheel and press the accelerator and it turns left all by itself.

[djellison]

Originally Posted by Terrarist

I understand why TG hate the Vectra, Astra and probably the Omega, but why?

Because they're dull. There's no 'wow' of any sort. A Focus will put a smile on your face with the way it handles, a VW feels well built inside...but a Vaxhaull? It's just a lump of car. There's no passion or spirit or feel to the things. As a mode of transport, they're fine...but a choice between an Astra or something else...something else would always win.

Doug

[Donington]

Originally Posted by stiggie

Well the Monaro doesn't count, It isn't really a Vauxhall. Its a Holden with Vauxhall badges nailed to it.

No Vauxhall is really a Vauxhall.

[stiggie]

Originally Posted by Donington

No Vauxhall is really a Vauxhall.

Fair enough.

[Mercury]

I don't think they ever talked so badly about the new Astra. In Richard's hatchback review he said the astra looked the best (and JC said the Astra VXR was the best looking hot hatch) he also said the handling now feels just fine, not like past Vauxhalls that felt like the suspension was made of dried peaches, then he went on to say the interior looks great and only gave it to the Golf because it's the best all rounder. The new Astra is just fine, even on TG it did just fine.

[Prost264]

keep clear of the Astra

[ruuman]

It's simply because they are the epitome of average. Bad cars you can hate, great cars you can love. Average is just nothing.

I thought he liked the Astra VXR because it was so silly, he sung it's paraises in the Focus ST test.

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Prost264

keep clear of the Astra

That's the Vectra not the Astra.

[Prost264]

ok fine, keep clear of the Vectra then

[anti-net]

The Astra just isn't that good a car, the new one is OK but its no Focus or Golf. my father had an estate one as a hired car and it had little leg room, the seats actually hurt you. Though the Astra hatch is pretty good, and the VXR is still awesome if not a bit wild.

As for the Vectra - its just shit, they should re-build the platform and change the name. Vauxhalls have always been sub-standard, but like Terrarist said, the parts are cheap so it makes them popular.

[stiggie]

Originally Posted by Mercury

JC said the Astra VXR was the best looking hot hatch he also said the handling now feels just fine

Actually he said it "torque-steers like a pig" and that if you hear one tearing around in circles in your housing estate in the wee hours of the morning, don't call the police, it'll just be your neighbour trying to drive it to work.

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Terrarist

I understand why TG hate the Vectra, Astra and probably the Omega, but why? Is it because like the Golf series, the newer ones were always fatter and slower than the originals? In anycase, all the above cars ARE useless aside the Astra especially the Astra F/A. You see them everywhere in this country, even the armed robbers use them as chase and getaway cars. And it's alright: quick, fast acceleration, (unfortunately i haven't had enough of a chance to see how well it turns), good fuel economy and down here, you could practically pick the parts off the street. That's how common it is

I wouldn't exactly call an astra that fast, if I was a bandit I think i'd knock off something a little quicker

[Deanodriver]

Originally Posted by anti-net

As for the Vectra - its just shit, they should re-build the platform and change the name. Vauxhalls have always been sub-standard, but like Terrarist said, the parts are cheap so it makes them popular.

Isn't the next Vectra going to be called the Vauxhall Insignia anyway?

Originally Posted by djellison

Because they're dull. There's no 'wow' of any sort. A Focus will put a smile on your face with the way it handles, a VW feels well built inside...but a Vaxhaull? It's just a lump of car. There's no passion or spirit or feel to the things. As a mode of transport, they're fine...but a choice between an Astra or something else...something else would always win.

Doug

At least it's fairly attractive. After all, it looks good amongst a sea of Corollas and Mazda3s.