Test drive Opel Astra Sedan 1998 - 2008 Sedan

We pay for pleasure

In German is rational and pragmatic, earlier Astra stood out except for a favorable price. The machine of the current, already the third generation has become a completely different bright, expressive outwardly, with a living, clockwork character. What will such a change in the image cost the buyer?


The effect of an unexploded bomb
Appearing in Russia last June, the new Astra was indeed similar to the phenomenon of a comet. A swift silhouette, a deliberately predatory incision of the eyes, a rich, brightly designed interior attracted the attention of not only the owners of the previous generation cars, but also those snobs who used to turn their nose from Opel. In Europe, the car produced a splash, the Germans even had to connect additional capacities to satisfy all -growing demand.
 

In Russia, everything did not work out. For more than six months, both models were sold side by side, and the result was by no means in favor of the novelty: she turned out to be 2.5 times less buyers than that seemingly gray mouse her predecessor.
 

Why didn't the bomb explode? Everything is simple. You could have nowhere cheaper about the previous Astra, which was really the most affordable German golf car in Russia. The new one is significantly by $ 25003,000, or almost 20 percent went up.
 

It is not surprising that many of those who enthusiastically accepted the car, seeing the price, became firmly thoughtful. But let's figure out whether the Astra is really so dear.
 



How much is?
The price list begins with the so-called special configuration for $ 15,290. It is a pity that this offer extends exclusively to cars in standard white or blue (not metallic) and only if the ratio of euro/$ does not go for mark 1, 35. There is no luck with the exchange rate goodbye to a special equipment, the price of Astra will begin at $ 16,490 (Essenshia-1,4).
 

Generally speaking, in Russia only our focus, Korean Lacetti and Cerato, as well as the Japanese Lancer are cheaper. But what is offered for these $ 15,290? A modern car without air conditioning, music, electric mirrors nonsense. So, please pay for all this $ 1250. But the main thing is that the 90-horsepower car is enough only to the one who plans to drive alone in the city for most of the time, a maximum of together with minimum luggles. Any additional loads on Astru-1,4 for most drivers will cause disappointment in the dynamics of the machine. In fact, a completely consistent Astra, which allows to reveal its new bright character, is a 105-horsepower Engo.
 

Knowing this, the ingenuous seller holds this version for the test drive. And for the dessert, the main trump card will store it with an electric drive heated mirrors and a stereoist by only $ 700 more expensive than Essenshia. Such a machine is more elegant, more convenient and prettier inside. And allows you to get almost all the innovation invented by the engineers.

 
A profitable package
   
Folding in the ratio of 40/20/40 the back of the sofa and the backlight can be ordered separately. But it is much more profitable for $ 1200 to buy an Angia plus package, which also includes air conditioning, a leather steering wheel with a radio control buttons, an armrest, painted moldings, a gangan in the trunk, seats with lumbar support. Save $ 455.


What options do more? If you do not think of a car without a machine gun, take a closer look at the Astra with Isetronics. Two pedals, no delay at start and switching and the price is only $ 750 more than for mechanics. Are your priorities a powerful motor and dynamics? There are also options: the 125-horsepower Astra-1,8 exchanges a hundred 1.5 s faster than a 105-horsepower product and costs from $ 19 190. 170-horsepower Astrabo real aircraft: 217 km/h. And the price is almost sky-high for golf class $ 28 80030 100.
 

In a word, for acquaintance, we chose the optimal, in our opinion, Ango-1,6. In metallic ($ 250), with air conditioning, additional $ 80 for MP3-format in the CD player and seven instead of four speakers, as well as $ 60 per package of lighting, our car cost $ 19,380.
 

Now let's figure out. Yes, Corolla and Mazda-3, Focus and Almer, Lacetti and Chemoto in comparable trim levels are cheaper. However, all European competitors of asters are even more expensive.

 
6 configurations and 15 levels of decoration
   
In addition to the special, basic Essenshia and the optimal Ang Joy, there are three more configurations, each of which can be ordered by several levels of decoration. Eleans and Cosmo differ mainly by interior options, and the surcharge for them is already much weighing $ 18002000. The sport version is good by the presence of ESP, but is available only with the 1.8- and 2.0-turbo engines. In addition, in Russia, such machines are inconvenient due to 2 cm of road clearance and the impossibility of installing the protection of the crankcase.
 
List of standard equipment

Essenshia execution:

ABS with electronic brake force distribution
Emergency braking amplifier
Front and front side pillows of safety
Mounts for children's seats Isofix
Immobilizer
Front electric windows
Central Castle with DU
Two -adjustable steering wheel with an amplifier
Fabric salon
Steel wheels R15, tires 195/55 R15

Enjoy's execution is additionally:

Adjusting the driver's seat in height
Audiosystem with CD player
Electric drive heated mirrors
Door handles in body color
Chrome edges
Three options for fabric finishes of seats and doors
Pockets behind the backs of seats
Folding ignition key
The outlet in the trunk
Steel wheels R16, tires 205/55R16

Eleganes execution additionally:

Air conditioning
Holder for glasses
Additional lightning lamps
Leather steering wheel
Velor finish of seats
Floor mats in the color of the interior
Two -tonal sound signal
Light alloy wheels R16 (eleganes)
Side moldings in the color of the body
Chrome decoration of the radiator grille

Cosmo execution additionally:

Leather-tone seats
Sports seats

Sport execution in addition to Essenshia:

ESP
CD player with mp3
Holder for glasses
External mirrors and doors in the color of the body
Sports suspension with low road clearance
Aluminum pedal overlays
Matte chrome of the central console and devices
Sports seats
Sports steering wheel with leather trim
Light alloy wheels R16 (sport)
Chrome edging devices
Pockets behind the backs of seats
Folding ignition key




Outside...
Perhaps the first thing you pay attention to when seeing the novelty with your own eyes, how much it has changed in comparison with the predecessor. Even when it is motionless, the car is already driving, attracting an athletic, rapid figure. The athlete take a look at the bumper with a large air intake, a neat spoiler above the rear window, the flowing line of the roof. And just a beauty, pretty lines-faras, neatly inscribed in the stern of the rear lights, as if powdered from the inside with a hoar ... Opel designers did not hide that they sought to create an expressive car. It seems that we coped with the task for the top five.
 

But more importantly, the car no longer seems small. Astra proudly rises against the background of its predecessor, clearly surpassing it in size. Moreover, the two-thirds of their classmates are wider, longer and only 3 cm is inferior to the Acselerata of the Peugeo-307 class in height.
 

But in pursuit of expressiveness in some places, the designers left the ideals of practicality. Of course, the thresholds painted in the color of the body give the appearance of the machine lightness. But such beauty on our roads is short -lived. After a dozen or two thousand kilometers from constant sand-strut processing, the thresholds will inevitably fade. And the possibilities of getting black plastic overlays on them, as on the predecessor, are no longer there. Another example of the rear doors. As if trying to extend the roof line, they were made too wide in the upper part. The profile of the machine from this really only won. But, opening such a gate, and look, you will not confident from the very protruding edge.
 

Otherwise, even the most picky gaze will not find the flaws. Astra still very skillfully creates a feeling of a solid, comfortable car. It is useless to look for flaws in the coloring and fitting of body panels. On the back of the gas tank, he, by the way,, along with the doors and the lid of the trunk, can be blocked from the key fob, a removable nozzle that allows, without dirty hands, to unscrew the caps of the valves. The wheel arches are securely covered with plastic seals with an impressive foam layer of sound insulation. Thanks to the double seal on the door rapids and racks, dust does not penetrate into the salon, and the thresholds remain clean in the weather.
 

There were a lot of details that make it even more convenient than its predecessor. The hood from now on holds pneumo-swindle, and not a rapidly staining pin, as before. To open the trunk at the end of the fifth door, a wide button with the palm appeared. Where more conveniently freezing a small, with a ruble coin, buttons. And, finally, not the most successful door handles in the form of visors gave way to wide, under natural grip, handles. Use them another little pleasure. I pull for her ...
 



... and inside
It turns out that the bright performance has already begun. Immediately after unlocking the central lock, in addition to the square of the lamps in the ceiling with soft light, devices, the backlight of the central console, the large screen of the on -board computer flash. Effective and convenient: not including overall lighting, you do not have to guess over the appointment of any of the buttons, even if you are on the street of pitch darkness. Similar manifestations of politeness are the norm only for much more expensive cars by class or two higher. But this is only the first of the trump cards, thanks to which the interior justifies the considerable amount spent on the purchase.
 

 


The next interior design. Inside, Astra resembles a chic, stylishly designed and comfortable apartment. Devices drowned in round wells with neat chrome halo, gorgeous in appearance and convenient three -spoke steering wheel, aluminum inserts in the doors and front panel inform the interior of a certain share of sports. Plus elements that give solidity, a wide and high central console and a bright large (13 cm) display. Opel offered such a liquid crystalline TV about five years ago only to the omega flagship.
 

For me, only gray upholstery gives excessive severity. But this is a feature, not a flaw. You can order Astru-Enjoy with brighter blue or orange inserts. Together with the elements of finishes successfully selected in color, it will turn out very stylishly. To build in your tastes the interior of the golf class machine, not to pay for this, you will not find such generosity at any other company.

 

Pulse rotation switches are convenient, but require addiction

The central castle will work automatically after starting the engine

This pen above the driver's seat in Cosmo, Sport and Eleans will replace the eyebrush


However, a feeling of goodness, solidity, class is still nothing more than a sensation. It is much more important that it is combined with a convenient and spacious salon. A person with a height of 185 cm is easily placed here by himself, in front of the knees and over his head there is still a stock of several centimeters. Theoretically, the distance at the level of the shoulders of the rear passengers increased compared to the old Astra 2 cm. However, I did not feel much difference. Of course, you can travel three adults on the gallery. But better not over long distances.

 
   
There are only four cup holders in every door in each door

Behind the overlay on the end of the back hides the side pillow of the driver's safety

On the lid of the gas tank hatch plastic key for wheel valves


However, there are no miracles in technology, because this is not a middle class of a machine. The other was upset. First of all, the lack of comfortable cup holders. On a can of water, you can still put in the door pockets, but there is nowhere to attach a cup of coffee at the back. And the landing on the rear sofa is somewhat complicated by a strongly protruding upholstery. It seems that the interior designers simply did not have enough time: another week, and Astra II’s interior would go to the top five.
 



Behind the wheel
But the Astra is completely rehabilitated, as soon as you take the driver's place. By ease of landing, this is almost compactwane. The doorway is wide and high. A chair with a verified profile and generous lateral support will easily accept almost any height and complexion into his arms. Do you like to sit higher? A few manipulations with a pen to the left of the pillow, and the earth is already a couple of centimeters further. Having waved more than one hundred kilometers, I did not feel fatigue, including due to the successful form of the seat.
 

The optimally selected section and steering diameter, perfectly readable devices from the first seconds are tuned to the dynamic rhythm of life. Grasp the steering wheel and is almost sure of the skin. No, only plastic is so pleasant to the touch.

 
Governing bodies
 











1. Block windows. 2. The mirror settings remote control. 3. The control unit of overall lights and near light. 4. The wheel adjustment fixer. 5. Information display (clock, closing temperature, radio station, date). 6. The alarm switch. 7. Blocking button of the central lock. 8. Radio and CD control (mp3) radio. 9. Air conditioner block.


 
Dashboard












1. Speedometer. 2. Tachometer. 3. Signal lamps. 4. Fuel level indicator. 5. Mileage counter. 6. Button for the zeroing of a daily run.


So, they sat down, turned on the music (with seven speakers in Ango very good sound), looked around ... So, you don’t have to spend money on parking sensors. Although the rear head restraints eat the picture in the mirror, it is largely compensated by large side mirrors. In addition, when maneuvering in reverse, you clearly realize: feed almost immediately behind the rear janitor.
 

But the climate control is worth ordering. Not only because it automatically maintains a given temperature. The fact is that the ventilation control unit is located at the very bottom of the central console. And it partially blocks the lever KP. With climatic, this problem disappears. Rotate the handle, and the direction of air in the cabin is displayed on the monitor. Very clearly.
 

Do you think $ 1250 is expensive? In fact, not as much as it might seem at first glance. For example, at a climate control, a third is more expensive, and for other single-graders do not offer it at all.


We load the suitcases
Let's just say, in this discipline there is nothing to surprise the Astra. The trunk is not a small 350 liter, but not a record holder. Yes, when it was necessary to load several bags with things, bags of food and even children's sledges, he swallowed all this simple belongings with ease. If you remove the shelf, a large TV with a diagonal of 29 inches would fit here. And having folded the back entirely (it is possible in parts in a ratio of 60:40), I received an impressive 1507 x 949 mm, albeit an uneven, cargo site. The stall is also well equipped. On the left of the lighting ceiling, on the right, a recess with a fastener strap for a first -aid kit. There is a special place for the emergency stop and a 12-volt outlet. But that’s the trick that almost all these advantages could be found with the predecessor. From the modern German car, I expected more. And did not receive.
 

The disadvantages are unsuccessful form of the opening. Like the rear doors, it became a hostage of design too narrowed below. Thank you, first of all, the muscular arches (the distance between them is only 95 cm, 11 cm less than that of the predecessor), large rear lights and a massive transverse beam, which, obviously, increased the hardness of the body. And the Big Bumper did not allow to reduce the loading height.

 
   
The trunk of the station wagon can be turned into a huge hold
  
Even folding the rear seat, it will not be possible to get an even floor in the hatchback


Another flaw covering the spare wheel is an uncomfortable soft, vile vibratic coating. Other companies have long been using the lids folding in parts for these purposes. Astra mat is quite difficult to fix. And the reserve itself lies down. To get a screwdriver or wrench stored in it, the wheel will have to be removed.
 

In fairness, it is worth adding that some shortcomings can be avoided by paying a little. For those who want to use the beneficial space of the trunk to the maximum for $ 70, the Germans offer a shallow shared into compartments. It is installed on top of the spare wheel and easily accept the tools and other small things.

And finally, the most cardinal way to buy an Astru-Karavan. With a 2-seater layout, almost a bed can be immersed in this body. After all, the length of the hold is 1840 mm. Not every middle class station wagon can boast of this. And having folded the back of the front chair, we get a record three meters.
 

 
Car dimensions, mm
 
Salon dimensions, mm




Security
If a lot of pre -equipment is intended for lovers of active lifestyle, then security care is already laid in the basic Astra. Which manifests itself from the first seconds of communication with the machine. The sensor of the unsastened belt is equipped not only by the driver’s, but also by the passenger seat. The database has four pillows, traumatic pedals, ABS with an emergency braking amplifier. If desired, this kit can be supplemented with inflatable curtains in front and behind, as well as active head restraints. The coordinated work of such arsenal allowed Astra with 34 points to join the prestigious club of five -star Euroncap laureates.
 

To someone, European points may seem only abstract theory. Maybe I will not argue. But the magnificent, much more effective, than before, the brakes are undeniable. What I became convinced of my own experience when a tractor with a tee of Silos was cut off in front of me on a suburban highway. A little later, I believed my enthusiasm with strict mathematics at the Dmitrovsky training ground. It turned out that until a complete stop with 100 km/h on dry asphalt, the Astra requires only 39.5 m. This is almost the best result in the class.
 

If you are a real fan of security, you can supplement the ESP Astra, turning headlights, tire pressure sensor, and even a starting system for a couple of seconds after releasing the brake pedal, the machine will not roll back. Finally, the IDS+interactive control system is intended for the most active drivers. The rigidity of the suspension, the operation of the steering electrolyter, the speed of the response to the gas pedal will change depending on the driving style. All this makes it possible to pass the turns very confidently.
 

However, it is not necessary to spend on IDS+ $ 900. Because even without this smart system, Astra turned out to be an outstanding fighter on straight lines and in corners
Enough by traveling by cars with different engines and transmissions, I am sure that this car will be loved not only for style, safety and convenience. It feels like a 105-horsepower car is much more dynamic than it promises its modest 12.3 s to hundreds. But perhaps the most important plus she infects excitement. The engine is confidently lucky from the bottom, and after 3,000 you do not notice how the engine is unscrewed to the maximum.
 

I had to get used to only the adhesion pedal. The course is long, and grabs in a rather narrow range. In traffic jams this quickly bothers. But you immediately forget about this on free prospectus and outside the city, starting to go much faster where this should not be done. On the highway, the speedometer arrow easily fell at 190. The car is assembled, completely in the power of the driver, and it seems that it is only pressed to the ground with an increase in speed.

 
Engine










1. Oil probe. 2. The oil -pounding neck of the engine. 3. The glass of the glass gunner. 4. Expanding tank of the cooling system. 5. The tank of the main brake cylinder. 6. The battery. 7. Air filter case.


Nevertheless, the most harmonious combination version with the semi -automatic gearbox of Iseronik. It allows you to switch in manual mode, and is installed only with a 1.6 liter engine. For most cars, the machine gun and thoughtfulness are synonymous. And the numbers of acceleration of asters with such a box seem to confirm this modest 13 C to hundreds. Forget you about it! I stomp over the gas pedal, and the car begins to polish the asphalt up to the nod at the time of turning on the second. A fraction of a second (the Germans claim 0.3), and again rushes forward. I slightly remove my leg from the gas during switching, and the next step in the box enters the work already inconspicuous. Yes, with approximately 80 km/h accelerations are not as temperamental as we would like. But to swim 120130 km/h, without losing speed on the rises, the car allows easily.
 

However, regardless of the type of transmission, it is also a perfectly configured suspension to go. On the arc, Astra holds perfectly. He knows how to quietly swallow irregularities and does not suffer from excessive vertical buildup. Little by little, you begin to get true pleasure from how it passes. And I want the bends to be more and more.
 

Against this background, the high smoothness of the course is even more surprised. Astra, be sure, came close to this indicator to the middle class cars. The paving stones on Krasnaya Presnya, the joints on the overpasses of the third ring, the tram tracks on Semenovskaya about all these road unexpuncts, Opel reports only with light wheels.
 

Noble behavior successfully complements excellent sound insulation. The wind licking racks and mirrors becomes noticeable far beyond the speed limits permitted in Russia by 150160 km/h, not earlier. The motor is clearly heard only when it cannot be heard, after 35004000.
 



On the ground
Knowing about very short overhangs and a muffler pulled to the bottom, I was able to cross the pontoon, with steep excesses through the OKU, painlessly. And at the entrance to the dacha, he almost scraped the anti -corrosion coating of the bottom on the crust of snow. I did not expect more from the passenger car.
 

After all, all asters come to us in the European specification of 14 cm under the crankcase. The so -called packages for bad roads cost $ 100 and $ 200 dealers. The first is only steel protection of the crankcase. The second also includes spacers that increase the road clearance by 2 cm.


Operation, service
Opel is traditionally one of the most democratic foreign brands at service prices. So Astra is guaranteed to be cheaper than any of the Europeans and Japanese. Not very expensive spare parts with consumables. Then according to the plan it is ordered to carry out every 15,000 km or once a year. For all cars, the plant gives a 2-year guarantee without limiting a run.
 

You can serve at any of the official dealers. There are 13 of them in Moscow, 3 in St. Petersburg, 2 in Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod and Tyumen, and one each in 18 cities of Russia.
 

In the struggle for the client, almost every of them offers all kinds of cumulative discounts. Which of the officials to choose a voluntary business.

It is worth remembering that in the motor of your new astra, Opel mineral oil is flooded. After two to three thousand, the dealer, as a rule, recommends changing it. For the manufactured new components, this is justified. However, to maintain a guarantee, it is not at all necessary.

 
We liked
 


Stylish ergonomic salon

Front seats profile and shape
 
Great stereo system
 
Capacious binary glove


As well as:

The richest selection of options
Magnificent brakes and handling
Energy -intensive suspension
High level of security
Sensation of a higher class car
 
 
We didn't like it
 
  
Unknown fabric coating of trunk floor

Low air conditioner block
 
Strongly protruding edge of the back door of the hatchback

Lack of plastic protection of thresholds


As well as:

High cost of many options
Small (2.4 l) and an nameless tank of the glass gunner
Lack of comfortable cup holders
Long -line adhesion and narrow operation range
  
 
Opel Astra 1.6 m/t

general information
 
Body (number of places/doors)
hatchback (5/5)
 
Equipped mass, kg
1230
 
Speed, km/h
185
 
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, with
12.3
 

Fuel consumption, l/100 km highway/city
5.5/8.5
 

Fuel supply, l
52
 

Engine


 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
gasoline, 4-cylinder, in order, with two upper camshafts
 
The number of valves per cylinder
4
 
Diam. cylinder x Piston stroke, mm
79.5x80.5
 
Working volume, SMZ
1598
 
Compression ratio
10.5: 1
 
Power, L.S. at rpm
105/6000
 
Torque, kgsm at rpm
15.5/3900
 

Chassis
 
Drive unit
to the front wheels with automatic shift of the rear
 
Transmission
Mechanical, 5-speed
 
Gear rates I; II; III; IV; V; Z.Kh.
3.73; 1.96; 1.31; 0.95; 0.76; 3.31
 
main gear
3.94
 
Suspension:
spring, with stabilizers of anti -resistance stability
 
front
Independent, such as McEferson
 
behind
Elastic transverse beam
 
Steering
rack type with amplifier
 
Brakes
disk, behind - drums with ABS
 
Tires
205/55 R16


 
Prices for spare parts and that, $

TO1 (15,000 km) 120
TO2 (30,000 km) 160
TO3 (45,000 km) 120
Oil filter 5.1
Air filter 12.6
Speak of ignition (1 pc.) 6.1
Front belt 61.2
Front brake pads/rear 94/101
Tip of steering thrust 38.9
Steering rod 34.5
Ball support 41.7
Front/rear shock absorber 98.9/74.8
Front wing 116.4
Rear wing 260.2
The hood is 362.6
Front door 463.9
The rear door 449.6
Front bumper assembly 408.2
Rear bumper assembly 380.6
Windshield 270.5
Side glass 60.7
Front headlight assembly 204.5
Rear lamp assembly 111.4
 
    
We decided:

Bright appearance and stylish, spacious salon, comfortable suspension and acute controllability of Astra largely surpasses the generally accepted golf-class standards. However, only the cautious choice of the most necessary options will allow you to maintain a profitable price.
 

Alexey Sergeev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 

A source: Magazine buy a car [03/2005]