Pre-loved: Holden/Opel Astra 2004-2020

by Ewan Kennedy

The Astra was built by Opel in Europe but rebadged as a Holden.

It was sold as the Astra AH from November 2004 until 2009.

Interestingly Holden chose to sell the low-cost models of the superseded TS series when the AH series was introduced.

These had the title of Astra Classic.

In March 2007 it got a facelift and improved engine performance.

AH models were discontinued in 2010 to be replaced by cheaper Korean cars.

Many Australian drivers didn’t like the dynamics of the Korean models so the Astra was brought back again in September, 2012.

This time the Astra had Opel badges not Holden ones.

The idea was to give Astra a more upmarket image – and sell it for higher prices.

It didn’t work so the Opel Astra was pulled out of the Australian market less than a year later.

Astra returned in May, 2015 – with Holden badges.

The virtually all-new Astra BK Series was launched in November, 2016. Most were built in Europe and the UK.

The sedan was made in Korea and has suspension design from Germany.

Australian engineers worked with the Europeans and the car suits the tastes of Aussie drivers.

A real bonus is that build quality is much better than in the early days of Korean models.

The BK Astra was a thoroughly up to date car, both in terms of technology and in driving dynamics.

Interior room is fine for two adults and three children, four adults can be transported but there may have to be juggling for legroom front to rear on the passenger side.

Most Astras are five-door hatches but there are also three-door hatchbacks, four-door sedans and five-door wagons -- even an Astra convertible.

The latter was sold from 2002 until the end of 2010.

Convertibles from March, 2007 were an all-new design and given the tag of ‘TwinTop’ as the roof folded in two sections.

Sporting models include the Astra SRi Turbo, launched in the middle of 2003.

It was withdrawn a year later only to make a return in 2006.

A lower cost SRi (without the turbo engine) was introduced as part of the 2007 upgrade of the complete range.

The sports model in the PJ Series is the GTC, it’s a real hotshot with 206kW of power.

The great majority of Astras use four-cylinder petrol engines with capacities ranging from 1.6, through 1.8 and 2.0 litres.

An Astra turbo-diesel engine was sold from June, 2006 until 2008.

Some of these may not have been sold new until 2009.

These days turbo-diesels in cars are less popular than in the past, though much more popular in SUVs and 4WDs.

Under-bonnet accessibility in Astras is generally good and the car is relatively easy to work on.

Safety related items should not be worked on by a home mechanic.

There are Holden dealers in just about every corner of Australia, but some in more remote areas may not carry all parts for the Astra, so you may have to wait a day or so for them to be delivered.

Spare parts prices, in both Holden and Opel terms, are about average for this class.

Insurance rates are pretty reasonable when you consider that the Astra is a fully-imported European car.

Get quotes in advance for the sporting variants, particularly the Turbo, as insurance costs can be substantially higher.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

There were quality control problems in older cars, so have a professional look over the Astra to find out its exact condition.

Check the Astra has an up-to-date service book as diesels can be more of a problem than petrols if not maintained correctly.

Try to test the engine when it’s cold after an overnight stop. Start it up and make sure the oil-pressure light goes out promptly.

At the same time listen for any rattling and feel for unevenness in the engine’s idle.

Accelerate the car hard after the engine is warm and feel for any hesitation under acceleration.

Look for a puff of smoke from the exhaust at the same time.

If you suspect a turbocharged engine has been driven hard get it looked over by an expert.

When braking hard the car shouldn’t pull to one side and no one wheel should lock before the others.

ABS, if fitted, will cause a vibration through the pedal as it operates.

Check for crash damage and previous body repairs, looking at the finish of the paint, as well as for overspray on unpainted parts.

Look over the cabin and boot for seats, dashboard, door trim and carpets to make sure the car hasn’t been knocked about by lazy owners – or rowdy kids.

Check for any tyres with uneven wear, particularly those at the front as they do the bulk of the work.

HOW MUCH?

Budget on paying from $13,650 to $18,750 for the most recent 2020 Holden Astra RS-V hatch; $8200 to $12,300 for a 2018 Holden LTZ sedan; $8900 to $13,100 for a 2018 Holden LS+ wagon; $9500 to $13,900 for a 2017 Holden Astra VXR Turbo; $5600 t0 $10,550 for a 2017 Holden Astra GTC Sport; $2800 to $6700 for a 2013 Opel Astra GTC Sport Auto; $2600 to $6500 for a 2013 Opel Astra wagon; or $3450 to $4200 for a 2009 Holden Astra Twin Top convertible.

CAR BUYING TIPS

Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.

That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.

Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.

Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.

That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.

Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.

This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.

Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.

Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.

If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot.

This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.

If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.

Take a slow walk around any car you're considering, looking for obvious defects.

It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.

Ideally any road test of a car you're getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.

If you're serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.

If they insist on coming that's understandable, but try to avoid them "selling” the car to you.

Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,

In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.

The next owner may suffer as a result.