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Car reviewed: Opel Astra Classic CD 1.6 16V
Odometer reading: 9km
Engine:
1598ccm fuel-injected inline 4 petrol,
72kW@6200rpm, 142Nm@4000rpm
0-100km/h: 11.6 seconds
top speed: 193km/h
List Price: R147660 (March 2002)
Welcome everyone, to our very first Opel review! It should have
actually been a Corsa review, but once again I tricked myself into
going for something more upmarket and expensive. As not to worsen
the situation, I chose to drive the lowest-spec Astra I could find.
It comes with a fuel-injected 1600 ECOTEC engine and a quite
surprising number of standard features.
 I
must admit I always thought of Astras as being inferior to the likes
of the VW Golf, until I got to drive an Astra a few years ago. The
build quality and driving experience of the previous generation was
very impressive, and somehow it seemed a worthy contender to the
Golf III at the time. Having driven a few Golf and Jetta IV's
already, I can safely say that the Astra does match most of the Golf
criteria. Compare this car to a GolfIV 1.6 and the Golf might win
your heart. Compare the initial prices and maintenance of the two,
and I can forsee a change of mind. The Astra series is well
assembled, properly engineered, reasonably cheap to maintain, and
good value for money.
 The
white little Astra waiting for me didn't even have numberplates. It
carried an advertisement for the 3 year motorplan on the front
bumper and had garage plates in the front and rear windscreen.
The interior still smelt new, and a turn of the key revealed a total
milaege of 9. Yes, this car was nine kilometres old. Feeling very
privaleged and a tad nervous, I carefully tried to manouvre out of
the dealership. That careful tendency lead to the requirement of
reverse gear, which didn't want to budge. Just as the salesperson
came to assist, I realised that there was a special technique to it.
Lift up the ring around the gearlever and engage. I also realised
that it's for safety reasons, and although I don't approve of it, by
the time I returned the car I had already gotten used to it.
Our "lovely" weather was getting the better of me
again. Don't get me started on this plague of a season they call
summer, but at least it prompted me to max out the Opel's aircon.
Not even halfway around the block I was already cooler and had to
turn it down again. That works well then, doesn't it?
The lunchtime traffic made for grindingly slow progress, but also
allowed me to start playing with the creature comforts. This
perticular model was fitted with very funky blue upholstery which
positively lifted the aura of the car's cabin. Although the seats
were well-contoured and very comfortable, the side and lumbar
supports are a tad too soft. Perhaps these have more reinforcing in
a higher spec model?
 The
steering wheel was also reach AND height adjustable, the driver's
seat moves in all desired directions, so basically anybody can drive
this car.
As for the controls and instruments, everything was clearly marked
and I had no problems finding indicators, aircon, lights, and
others. The instruments also came with electronic odometre and trip
meter readouts, while the radio looked a bit odd without any form of
display. In what seems to be an Opel tradition now, the radio
displays all the vital info in the main digital display located in
the centre of the dashboard. This display also gives time, date and
outside temperature readings, as well as any error or warning
messages from the car.
Safety is an important aspect of the car, and I was surprised to
find speed-dependant, self-locking doors in this model - something
which you only find in bigger, more expensive vehicles. As soon as
you exceed a certain speed (say, 20km/h) ALL the doors lock. A
perimeter alarm, immobiliser and auto-window-close locking mode all
via the IR key make sure the Astra stays in your care. The front
also featured dual airbags, while the doors are reinforced with side
impact bars. The steering colomn is also engineered to collapse on
impact and the pedals will move out of the footwell in the case of
an accident. More safety features, anyone? The Astra comes with disc
brakes all-round, and these feature 4 channel ABS when applied.
Further more, EBD (electronic brake distribution) starts correcting
and leveling out the car's projectory path under heavy braking, and
the car will even audibly warn you of brake pad wear.
As I was still standing in traffic, I picked a radio station with
good reception and youthful doef-doef music, pumped up the volume
and was pleasantly surprised. Although the 1.6 CD only comes with 6
loudspeakers, the sound quality was crisp, clean and pretty well
defined. I didn't want to torture the car's brand new system, so I
never maxxed out anything and left the sound check at that.
 Once
I got going again, I turned off into a less busy road and managed to
bring the revs up to 3500rpm in first and second. As can be expected
of a 1600, the performance isn't rip-roaring, but it'll zip you
through traffic quite comfortably, even with the aircon blasting
away. High speed corners weren't part of my itiniary, but over a few
uneven surfaces the Astra proved to be part of the blacktop. The
salesperson later confirmed my belief that the Astra was a good
long-distance traveller, and the Lotus-tuned suspension can only be
advantageous in the cornering department. The previous generation
Astra had already impressed me as a passenger, with its calm and
unflustered nature at an indicated 180km/h, so I'll go out on a limb
and believe that this generation will equal or better that feat.
Speaking of speeds, although the 1600 mill may only have 72kW, it'll
sprint up to 100km/h in just over 11 seconds and will only tire at a
whisker short of 200km/h.
That's really not too shabby, considering that it's the entry model
of the range.
 You
might have noticed that I didn't mention the steering, pedal and
gearbox feel yet. Well, that's because they didn't give me any grief
(except for reverse). The pedal movement was light and precise, as
was the steering. A few bumps could be felt through the steering,
the brakes were sharp, the clutch bites nicely across the pedal
travel and the accelerator had no dead spots or surprises in store.
Gears snick into place quickly and easily, and the engine pulled
firmly from about 1400rpm onwards. Launching in second gear is
possible, but not recommended. I never got to fifth, but I can
confirm a nice torque band pulling you smoothly from 1500 to
3500rpm. Beyond that, YOU'RE SPEEDING!
I was running out of time though, and brought the Astra back to
the dealership; having travelled just over 5km through the busy
streets of Stellenbosch was a pleasurable and relaxing experience.
 The
seats could do with more (or harder) side/lumbar support, the 1600
is a little sluggish under 1400rpm with the aircon on
(duh-huhhh...), and the reverse gear party trick isn't my favourite.
Other than that, you'd be tremendously stupid not to check out the
Astra at your local Opel Dealer PORT DELTA in Bird Street. The Astra
offers good comfort, plenty safety, lots of toys and creature
comforts at a reasonable price. Added to that, you get a 3 year or
100000 km motorplan, a 36 month anti-corrosion guarantee and
roadside assistence as well.
For:
VALUE for money
Good standard safety & comfort features
Reputation & build quality
Ride and handling
Against:
Soft lumbar support
'Only' a 1600
Next review: The Ford Ikon is back, but it seems that it's
been going to the gym since we last drove it...
Stellenbosch.co.za advises: Always buckle up, be aware and
awake before you drive, and adhere to speed limits.
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