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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Auto Addict on 05 June 2009, 06:57:27

Title: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Auto Addict on 05 June 2009, 06:57:27
Trying to persuade Mrs AA to change the clit for one.

Anyone have any experience of these?
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: TheBoy on 05 June 2009, 08:21:37
Astra-G 1.6 one that a colleague has.  Seems to be OK, but imho any auto needs a big engine, so doubt I could live with it...
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Auto Addict on 05 June 2009, 08:23:40
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Astra-G 1.6 one that a colleague has.  Seems to be OK, but imho any auto needs a big engine, so doubt I could live with it...

Mrs AA could ;)
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 June 2009, 09:40:56
The mother in law has one.

Pretty bomb proof adn even on a 1.6 its fine for a car that size.

Make sure its an auto and not easytronic!
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: theowletman on 05 June 2009, 10:08:34
Make sure its an auto and not easytronic!

As usual MDTM speaks with great knowledge, do not buy an Easytronic, they are terrible.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Andy B on 05 June 2009, 10:37:20
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.....and not easytronic!

Is this the semi-auto/tiptronic? They're a manual underneath with auto controls.

Mrs Andy B has a 1600 auto, and although I agree with TheBoy re engine size - it would be better witha few more cubes - it's been a very good trouble-ish free car. She had a 0300 (general misfire) on it a few months back that cleared itself .... eventually .....  and that's it. She doesn't go very far in it though 3000-ish mile per year.

Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: mantahatch on 05 June 2009, 11:29:28
Bought the wife a 2005 1.8 Astra Design about 6 months or so ago.

Pretty good except I don't like the idea of it selecting nuetral by itself when waiting at the lights, it seems you take your foot off the brake and go for the throttle and and you have power on before it engages again and you clunk away. Suppose it is ok if you drive it normally but if you want to get away a bit quick, I think you need to use the handbrake and not hold it on the foot brake.

Just an observation and perhaps to used to how the Omega box works.

Oh yes should add it is the normal auto box.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Radar on 05 June 2009, 11:48:23
My father has a 2002 1.6 auto which did used to cut out whenever it felt like it. We fitted a "temporary" additional earth connector to a relay which fixed things. I must do a more permanent fitting as if the ignition is on but no engine running the fuel pump runs.

Otherwise no prblems.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Andy B on 05 June 2009, 12:22:51
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......

Pretty good except I don't like the idea of it selecting nuetral by itself when waiting at the lights, it seems you take your foot off the brake and go for the throttle and and you have power on before it engages again and you clunk away. .......


I'm glad someone else has said that! There's no creep at all is there. I wonder if it could be TechII'd to act like the Omega does?  :-/
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 June 2009, 14:16:46
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......

Pretty good except I don't like the idea of it selecting nuetral by itself when waiting at the lights, it seems you take your foot off the brake and go for the throttle and and you have power on before it engages again and you clunk away. .......


I'm glad someone else has said that! There's no creep at all is there. I wonder if it could be TechII'd to act like the Omega does?  :-/

Possibly, I will have a look.....it will creep if you take your foot off the brake pedal.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Andy B on 05 June 2009, 14:23:33
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........it will creep if you take your foot off the brake pedal.

Yes, but not against the brake like on an Omega. As you lift your foot slowly form the brake nothing happens till the brake lights come off and you get what Mantahatch describes, ie it suddenly goes into gear and you set off with a lurch.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 June 2009, 15:43:46
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........it will creep if you take your foot off the brake pedal.

Yes, but not against the brake like on an Omega. As you lift your foot slowly form the brake nothing happens till the brake lights come off and you get what Mantahatch describes, ie it suddenly goes into gear and you set off with a lurch.

I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Andy B on 05 June 2009, 15:49:05
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.....
I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin

As if I would ....  ::)
I don't drive it enough for it to worry me too much, you just need to remember to let it start to drive before you hit the accelerator too much.  :y  :y
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 05 June 2009, 16:03:39
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I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin

As if I would ....  ::)
I don't drive it enough for it to worry me too much, you just need to remember to let it start to drive before you hit the accelerator too much.  :y  :y

Eek! Surely it's DBW? If so, why didn't they make it intelligent enough to prevent the engine taking off before the 'box is in gear?

Kevin
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: TheBoy on 05 June 2009, 16:06:29
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I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin

As if I would ....  ::)
I don't drive it enough for it to worry me too much, you just need to remember to let it start to drive before you hit the accelerator too much.  :y  :y

Eek! Surely it's DBW? If so, why didn't they make it intelligent enough to prevent the engine taking off before the 'box is in gear?

Kevin
the one I know most definately isn't so clever as to be DBW
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 05 June 2009, 16:13:29
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I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin

As if I would ....  ::)
I don't drive it enough for it to worry me too much, you just need to remember to let it start to drive before you hit the accelerator too much.  :y  :y

Eek! Surely it's DBW? If so, why didn't they make it intelligent enough to prevent the engine taking off before the 'box is in gear?

Kevin

2001 onwards 1.6 16V units are drive by wire
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Andy B on 05 June 2009, 16:24:10
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I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin

As if I would ....  ::)
I don't drive it enough for it to worry me too much, you just need to remember to let it start to drive before you hit the accelerator too much.  :y  :y

Eek! Surely it's DBW? If so, why didn't they make it intelligent enough to prevent the engine taking off before the 'box is in gear?

Kevin

2001 onwards 1.6 16V units are drive by wire

SWMBO is a 52 plate & so is DBW .... you can even do the pedal trick for the codes.
In normal driving, if you're not too quick from the brake to the throttle it's OK. You need to bear it in mind.  :y
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: TheBoy on 05 June 2009, 16:27:46
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I can envisage a nasty bodge involving the wiring in the vicinity of the brake light switch... ::)

Kevin

As if I would ....  ::)
I don't drive it enough for it to worry me too much, you just need to remember to let it start to drive before you hit the accelerator too much.  :y  :y

Eek! Surely it's DBW? If so, why didn't they make it intelligent enough to prevent the engine taking off before the 'box is in gear?

Kevin

2001 onwards 1.6 16V units are drive by wire
That would explain why the S reg one in the carpark has a throttle cable then ;D
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: VX1 on 06 June 2009, 10:23:59
I bought the wife one two and half years ago now and she loves 2005 1.8 16v Design Auto and it has some poke to it as well. She even beats drivers with 3.0ltr BMW etc off the lights she is well impressed. Good buy I think. Get one she won't be disappointed thats for sure. :y

Paul :y
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Auto Addict on 06 June 2009, 10:27:01
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I bought the wife one two and half years ago now and she loves 2005 1.8 16v Design Auto and it has some poke to it as well. She even beats drivers with 3.0ltr BMW etc off the lights she is well impressed. Good buy I think. Get one she won't be disappointed thats for sure. :y

Paul :y

Going to look at a 1.8 tomorrow :y
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Auto Addict on 06 June 2009, 10:54:43
Is the 1.8 chain or belt?
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Andy B on 06 June 2009, 11:37:47
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Is the 1.8 chain or belt?

I expect it'll be a belt. A belt & tensioner will take you an hour at the very most to change - I didn't do the water pump though when I did her car's belt.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: mantahatch on 06 June 2009, 21:59:54
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I bought the wife one two and half years ago now and she loves 2005 1.8 16v Design Auto and it has some poke to it as well. She even beats drivers with 3.0ltr BMW etc off the lights she is well impressed. Good buy I think. Get one she won't be disappointed thats for sure. :y

Paul :y

Going to look at a 1.8 tomorrow :y


Possibly should add to go for a Design or Elite models as these have more toys and better seats. Life and envoy is pretty basic inside.

Mike
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Auto Addict on 07 June 2009, 08:09:08
Am I correct in thinking it's 6 years/60,000 miles for the cambelt?

Car is a 2005 1.8 petrol.
Title: Re: Vauxhall Astra Auto's?
Post by: Auto Addict on 07 June 2009, 15:01:32
She's bought it!

2005, 1.8 Auto with 6500 miles on the clock.