Test drive Opel Astra Sedan 1998 - 2008 Sedan

Be, not seem to be

Opel-astra is rational and pragmatic in German, and in order to appreciate it, you should take a closer look at it.
Better late than never
In a golf class, they do not swear allegiance to the brand. Today, one model is well accepted, and tomorrow another company has a novelty, and buyers are together to run into the competitor’s camp. In the wake of the novelty, the car can hold out for a year or two, and then only a really successful model with a profitable combination of price and consumer qualities can count on success. The more amazing the situation that has developed in our market with this Opel.
The current Astra debuted in 1998 as a very solid and technical -advanced car. But if in Europe Astra was appreciated, then in Russia at first they accepted coolly. For example, in 2000, only 159 cars were sold. At that time, the Opel dealers worked sluggishly, the configurations for Russia were composed such that you could not look at the car without tears, and we didn’t have a marshmallow for Mark Opel.
But then Astra literally shot. The result of 2001 is 847 cars, and this year the numbers promise to become even more impressive. Why's that? Everything is simple. The dealers learned to work, the importer combed the configuration and established the supply of cars, and the buyers realized that Opel is no worse than Volkswagen, only is much cheaper. If in Europe the difference between Astra and Golf is approximately 5%, then in Russia - 15-20%. To date, Astra seems to be perhaps the most profitable purchase in its class. I immediately warn you that you can not ask for a dealer’s discount. Because for a modern car assembled in Germany,
There is nowhere cheaper
A single price list for all dealers starts at $ 12,990. This is the price of a 3-door hatchback in the basic version of the Club with an 84-horsepower 8-valve engine with a volume of 1.6 liters. The 5 -door hatchback is more expensive than $ 260, the sedan is $ 660, and the station wagon is $ 1260. At the same time, Astra is equipped with air conditioning. Having abandoned it, you can save $ 640 more.
 
The front seats in the three -door are returned to its original position. They do not have to be adjusted again

The glove box is separated in height with a removable shelf
 
However, it makes sense to buy a key only if your budget is rigidly limited. The fact is that Opel has a very inexpensive subtitle and, having paid only $ 1000, you can get a car in the comfort version. This is a 100-horsepower 16-valve engine 1.6 liters and a completely different set. Perhaps the levels of basic equipment given on this page do not allow to fully assess the difference between the Clab and comfort. But if you put them nearby, these are two completely different cars. In comfort, initially there is almost everything you need. Go come with the amount of $ 13 990-5 250 to golf or bore in a similar configuration. Even Octavia is more expensive.
Moreover, until about mid -autumn, the dealers will have a special summer version of En -Joy - an analogue of comfort, only with chrome in external and interior decoration, velor salon instead of a fabric and free air conditioning. That is, from the cost of comfort we take away another $ 540. I wonder how the Opelians are going to get out in winter if they have already shown to customers such a gift? Not otherwise, you will have to give a discount on comfort.
 
The richest performance is eleganes. The price of such an astra (at least 5-door hatchback) starts at $ 16 050. But if you need most of the options included in Eleans, it makes sense to start with it. It is cheaper than to treat them into comfort or en-joy.
In addition, in all trim levels, starting with comfort, for $ 1000 you can get a 16-valve motor with a volume of 1.8 liters in 125 forces. A profitable proposal, since this amount includes cruise control and an anti-boom system. The automatic gearbox is combined with both 16-valve engines and also costs a thousand.
This time we managed to travel to asters with various bodies, motors and gearboxes. Therefore, as an example, we give the most popular combination in our market - a comfort sedan with a 1.6 liter engine and a manual box. The configuration was complemented by xenon headlights ($ 800), climate control ($ 450), a winter package ($ 410), the CDR-500 audio system ($ 425), factory security alarm ($ 275), as well as passenger ($ 185), side ($ 400) and window (window) and window (window) $ 400) airbags. At the dealer, such an astra would cost $ 17,995. It would cost - because this set of options is completely not typical of real sale. This is the demonstration machine of the representative office, General Motors, designed to show the possibilities of configuration.
 
Basic equipment levels
The basic performance of the Club (1.6 8V):
Electro hydraulic steering wheel amplifier
adjustable steering column
Driving pillow
Active front head restraints
Fabric salon
air conditioning
audio training (2 speakers, antenna)
adjustable driver's chair
Heated mirrors with electric drive
Separately folding back of the rear seat
Central Castle Remote control
immobilizer
steel wheels 14
Comfort (1.6 16V and 1.8 16V) - Additionally:
Abs
Antibux system (only for a 1.8 l engine)
Electric mirrors and heating
Front electric windows
Cruise control (only for a 1.8 l engine)
Hinged hatch in the back of the rear seat
The rear head restraints
Steel wheels 15
En -joy (1.6 16V and 1.8 16V) - additional:
velor salon
chrome decoration of the grille of the radiator and devices
light gray trim of the central console
Boxing for CDs
Eleans (1.6 16V and 1.8 16V) - Additionally:
Passenger pillow
climate control
rear electric windows
Winter package (heating of seats, headlight washer)
CDR-500 audio system with CD-reiver and steering wheel control
Leather steering wheel
Wooden finish of the central console
cast wheels 15
 
  Security
There is something to be proud of the safety of the Astra. We will not list standard things such as protective bars in the doors and parameters. Interesting, for example, standardly installed by the pedal and active front head restraints, which, when hitting from the back, are automatically moved to the back of the head.
With a 1.8 liter engine, you get an anti -boom in the standard, and for surcharge an ESP dynamic stabilization system. Custom xenon headlights are also a means of active security, and not show -off, as many people think.
Do you say, in the standard, Astra has only one airbag? So we ourselves do not need anymore. Trying to remember who was the last time ordering a full set of pillows, dealers talk about foreigners who are ready to refuse from the air conditioner so that the passenger and side pillows are installed. And the Russians can even throw belts, if only the skin-automatic leather is present.
The factory security alarm offered for a surcharge will take care of the safety of the car itself and the things located in it. It has a function of turning off the sensors of volume and inclination. Plus, you can open the trunk by the regular key without removing the car from the guard. Accordingly, while you put your luggage, nothing will disappear from the salon.
 

Outside and inside
The restraint -strict appearance of Astra may not pretend to be a bright personality - of all design solutions, only the headlights entering the hood are remembered. But thanks to the successful proportions and the optimal combination of sharp faces and soft shapes, the body is harmonious and does not look either brick or a licked mirror. Only massive mudguards give a feeling of some heavyweight, which in the Russian specification are installed behind all four wheels. But you get protection against dirt, as well as from stones - in the form of a lining of black unpainted plastic on the thresholds.
I pull the door handle and, according to the characteristic scr-rr-ip, I would recognize the Astra with blindfolded eyes. This is characteristic of all copies. But the doors are closed not by $ 15,000, but to all $ 30,000. No iron clang is only soft cotton. Apparently, this is the merit of a double door seal, which is included in a bag for dusty roads, installed on all Russian asters.
At first, the interior does not make an impression. It seems to be decent finishing materials, and the design is strict, without liberties. But in general, the salon looks rustic. However, the interior of Astra is like a costume in a store that has almost passed by, but just in case I decided to try on. I put it - and he sits like a glove, does not pull anywhere. The doorways are very wide - especially the rear. Unlike most sedans, they are not mowed, but almost rectangular, which allows you not to bend. Enough space and below - the leg does not get stuck between the central counter and the seat pillow. Sitting from behind, you note the spaciousness unexpected for golf class. The knees do not rest on the back, even if the driver waved eighty -five meters. The supply of space above the head is also available in the sedan and in the hatchback, and the station wagon and the master will accept in the hat. In general, in the back of the Astra in the rear, the golf and octavia are beaten in some gates. And only in the width of the salon is slightly inferior to them. The third passenger is not desirable here.
But on the rear armrests and cup holders, the designers saved. If there are full -fledged rollers with comfortable handles in front, then their stumps are in the back. And the recesses for bottles in the door pockets, alas, do not replace glass holders. True, a couple of recesses for glasses are on the back of the glove compartment cover, but you can use them only during the parking lot. But the glove box itself is what you need.
  
From the warehouse and to order
All dealers receive ready -made cars from the central warehouse. If you want to buy a living car, you can count mainly on the choice of color. The key to the warehouse is almost always brought in the database - the maximum with front electric windows ($ 140). Otherwise, at a price, the Club is already selected to En-Joy. Eleans are also standard - they already have everything. Comfort is sometimes complemented by a winter package. But in the super-free en-joy sometimes add a passenger pillow and an average level of music.
If ready -made cars do not suit you, you can build a car for yourself. The factory order is executed in 2.5-3 months. In addition to the listed options, your attention is offered: athermal windshield ($ 100), electric hatch ($ 795), a dynamic stabilization system ($ 500, only for a 1.8 liter engine), a leather steering wheel ($ 175), an on -board computer ($ 200), fog lights ($ 150), preparation for installing a phone ($ 150). For eleans, you can even order a leather salon ($ 2095).
Separately, I would like to say about stereo systems, which are offered four species ($ 225-525). If you are not going to install Hi-Fi or Hi-End, it makes sense to order music from the factory. In order to get a similar set on the spot, a head device will need to be installed by the standard audio training (in the most expensive version, also CD chamber), 6 additional speakers and lay wires to them. It will cost much more. The same story with foglights: if you need them, order from the factory.
  
Governing bodies

1. Block windows. 2. The mirror settings remote control. 3. The central light switch. 4. The flashlight circuit breaker and the regulator of the brightness of the lighting of the devices. 5. Remote control buttons of the audio system. 6. The screen of the on -board computer. 7. The alarm switch. 8. Audio system. 9. Climate control unit. 10. Ash. 11. The swimmer and regulator of the heating intensity of the seat.
 
Behind the wheel
The range of longitudinal adjustment of the chair is simply huge, so tall people should pay attention to the Astra. However, miniature ladies will not remain offended - vertical adjustment allows you to drive the seat very high. Plus, a steering column adjustable in inclination and by departure. So everyone can choose a convenient landing for themselves. That's just the steering wheel lock without instructions for nothing. It is disguised as a steering column on the right, under the ignition lock. The steering wheel itself is quite comfortable, and leather is so easy to class! By the way, all factory audio systems, starting with CAR-400 for $ 325, have control on the steering wheel. Perhaps only the convex central part of the steering wheel interferes a little with rapid rotation. The chair can be recognized quite convenient, with the exception of several insufficient lateral support.
To the left of the steering wheel, a very convenient box for the little things perished and, by the way, inner lighting is also turned on, for which it is necessary to pull the central light switch. Characteristic of Opel, but an unusual decision. The steamed switches curved by monograms also roam from one Opel model to another, but today they already look cheap. However, it is convenient to wield them.
 
Opelian audio systems have a removable panel

German attention to the little things: the cap cap is unscrewed by a special device - the hands will remain clean
       
Automatic box with three operating modes: economical, sports and winter. Wood finish is included in the Eleans

       
To the left of the steering column, a box for trifles is provided

There is an internal upholstery of the fifth door in the universal and in the hatchback
             
When folding the rear sofa in the sedan and hatchback, a step forms on the floor, and in the station wagon (below) the floor is absolutely even

 
I was pleased with the rear parking view. The champion in this nomination, of course, the station wagon is for nothing that the longest. The rear window ends where the car ends - in a tight parking lot you can catch millimeters. The hatchback is almost transparent. Even in the sedan, if you get up a little in the chair, you can see the trunk lid. Today it is a rare quality. Well, we will write down: Parktronics cannot be issued. That's just with the left external mirror, the Germans overdook it, unsuccessfully picking up the curvature of the side view sector. The picture in it turns out to be lubricated, distorted and climbs onto the main area of \u200b\u200bthe mirror.
Everything else is in its place and works as it should. For example, a standard microclimate control unit is very convenient. But even if a climate control is installed instead of an ordinary air conditioner, you will find a common language with him in two accounts. For climatic - five points.
Children in the car
Everything is traditional here. The rear doors are equipped with children's locking locks and electric windows. If the car is equipped with a passenger pillow, then in the front seat it is forbidden to install a children's chair deployed forward, as evidenced by the sticker on the right end of the torpedo. And in the presence of side pillows, the installation of the children's chair is unacceptable in principle in principle. Otherwise, in the case of the pillow, the pillow can injure the child. True, in Europe you can order a passenger seat with a child seat recognition system, which automatically turns off the front and side passenger pillows, but this option is not provided for our market, since it is incompatible with heating seats.
For the transport of babies weighing up to 10 kg, you can order a branded Opel cradle. And for children up to 36 kg - a children's chair consisting of three parts, which can be composed in various combinations for growth.
 
Dashboard

1. The indicator of the temperature of the coolant. 2. Signal lamps. 3. Tachometer. 4. Speedometer. 5. Mileage counter. 6. Fuel level indicator.
  
Engine

1. Air filter. 2. The tank of the main brake cylinder. 3. Block relay. 4. Expande tank. 5. The tank of the washer of the glass. 6. The oil probe of the engine. 7. Oil -polling neck.

 
To everyone according to needs
So, we were convinced that the hatchback, and the sedan, and the station wagon are provided with about the same comfort. Therefore, which one to choose depends on your needs for the transportation of luggage.
Let's start with the hatchback (the 3- and 5-door trunks are the same). The casket itself is shallow and does not affect the volume of 330 liters. But for transporting long -termers, you can fold either separate backs of the rear sofa (continuous pillow), or use the hatch in the niche of the armrest (is available in all four bodies, starting with configuration of comfort). The hatch is very convenient for the transportation of skis. However, when folding the backs, the floor of the elongated trunk is uneven. Even if you raise the pillow, a step will still remain on the floor. Which does not interfere with the bike or a box from under the TV with a diagonal 25. If the trunk is given to a four-legged friend or the luggage does not require folding the sofa, but does not pass a little in height, you can remove the shelf and install it vertically behind the back, and not leave it at home . Very comfortably.
The luggage of the sedan is 460 liters - so you will take more packages from the supermarket than in the hatchback. The possibility of transforming the rear sofa is similar to the hatchback. However, as in all sedans, the opening of the lid is small in height, and the window between the salon and the trunk is narrow. Therefore, the transportation of bicycles and large boxes will have to be forgotten. In addition, the lid of the trunk at the sedan does not have upholstery and inner handle: you have to grab onto the sharp iron edges of the amplifiers. And bent tubular loops when closing go deep inside and strive to smell the luggage.
Of course, the King of Transportation is a wagon caravan. Even when the sofa is in a passenger position, there are 480 liters under a soft sliding shelf, and if it is folded, one and a half cubic meter of space at your service. Moreover, these cubes are laid in an ideal rectangular pencil case - the fifth door is almost vertical, its lower threshold does not have a side, and the floor after folding the sofa (the pillow is also separate) is absolutely even. Superfunctionality! In addition, the caravan looks cool. Believe me, it costs an extra $ 600 compared to the sedan.
 
Car dimensions, mm
 
Salon dimensions, mm

 
 
Opel Astra 1.6 16V
general information
 
Body
5-seater sedan
 
Equipped mass, kg
1090
 
Complete mass, kg
1630
 
Maximum speed, km/h
188
 
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with
11.5
 
Highway fuel consumption/city, l/100 km
5.5/9.5
 
Fuel supply, l
52 (AI-95)
 
Engine

 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
gasoline, 4-cylinder, in order with two upper camshafts
 
The number of valves per cylinder
four
 
Diam. cylinder x Piston stroke, mm
79.0 x 81.5
 
Working volume, SMZ
1598
 
Compression ratio
10.5
 
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
101/6200
 
Maximum torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
15.3/3200
 
Chassis
 
Transmission
front -wheel drive
 
Transmission
Mechanical, 5-speed
 
Transport numbers:
I; II; III; IV; V; Z.Kh.
3.73; 2.14; 1.41; 1.12; 0.89; 3.31
 
main gear
3.74
 
Suspension
Independent, with a reptile stabilizer
 
front
Type McEzerson
 
behind
on longitudinal levers associated with an elastic transverse beam
 
Steering
rack, with an amplifier
 
Brakes
with amplifier and abs
 
front
Disk ventilated
 
behind
Drum
 
The size of the tires
195/60 R1
 
  On asphalt
An 8-valve 1.6-liter engine gives out what you expect from it. In the city, it is almost not inferior to a 16-plastic of the same volume, and at suburban speeds it becomes sluggish and does not like to spin above. In general, an acceptable option for a calm driver.
The transfer numbers are selected so as not to experience special difficulties either in the city or on the highway - the compromise is quite successful. The very short lever with a clear switch resembles a computer joystick. But it is most pleasant that, unlike most other German cars, the adhesion pedal is not a kilometer in the astra. Agreeing with the clutch here is much easier.
But the 16-class 1.6 liter simply struck! The only thing that is required of you is to twist the motor a little when touched. And then he is not only confidently lucky almost with idle, but also cheerfully spins up to the cut off at 6500 rpm, telling the machine a decent dynamics at any speed. Moreover, unlike most of his counterparts, at revolutions above the average, he does not turn into a nasty buzzer, but speaks in a very noble tone. At the same time, the engine is quite economical - in our computer, the cost of the computer was 7.8 l/100 km. It seems that Opel engineers managed to bring 16-valve engines of the Eco-Teke series to perfect condition.
  It is clear that Ecotek-1,8 is even better, and noticeably better. But the whole trick is that you expect this from him - all the more so when you overpaid a thousand. This painful motor in combination with an automatic box is especially good.
A 4 -speed Japanese machine gun by today's standards is no longer a masterpiece - switching moments are felt not only at the tachometer arrow. And, unfortunately, there is no indication of the selector modes on the dashboard. But the box has a forced sports mode, in which a noticeable engine braking effect appears, the transmission switches at higher speeds, and the hydrotransformer acquires a more rigid connection with the engine. In my opinion, it is better than waiting until a smart box adapts to the driver’s driving style. There is a winter mode, when turned on, the car is touching smoothly, from the 3rd gear. It helps a lot on slippery roads.
If you feel true at a speed in a turn, the car begins to smoothly shift the front axle outward, warning the driver about the danger. At the same time, the steering wheel is constantly poured with reactive effort and allows you to understand what is happening under the wheels. But at high speeds, control becomes very sharp, so careless taxiing with two fingers of one hand for astra is contraindicated.
I liked the brakes. They do not differ in excessive sensitivity, but at the same time they know their job and stop the car where they need. ABS intervenes in the work very delicately and only if necessary.
Also, a very pleasant impression left the smoothness. The suspension is quite energy intensive and allows you to swallow large potholes painlessly. It does not annoy either the buildup at speed or excessive rigidity. In any case, the driver and passengers are not reported about the slightest irregularity. This is a rather rare example of successful suspension adaptation.
So, with the behavior on the road, Astra is more than good. And what will happen if
is the asphalt over?
Yes, in general, it's okay. A mandatory package for bad roads includes not only a reinforced suspension with an increased 3 mm road clearance, but also a powerful steel protection of the motor compartment and plastic - pipelines under the bottom. Plus, Astra has short overhangs of the body. Therefore, where the Zhiguli passes, you will not save you.
Operation, service
When buying an Astra, you get a year of factory guarantee without limiting a run. It, like other maintenance and repair work, is performed by 22 authorized dealers, of which 8 in Moscow and 2 in St. Petersburg. It is prescribed to come to that every 15,000 km. Given that this is the most real interval in our conditions, Astra seems to be very inexpensive to maintain a car. Look at the prices of spare parts - especially for consumables. They are quite real. And normal, Moscow dealers cost an average of $ 30 (some even work for $ 25). In general, low operating costs are Opel's horse.
In addition, a summer service program began to operate, in the framework of which the main operations for which will cost all dealers the same and cheaper than usual. Subsequently, such programs promise to become regular.
The dealers receive spare parts from the central warehouse near Moscow, in which today more than 8,000 different parts are stored today, the number of which is constantly growing. Moscow dealers receive spare parts twice a day, and regional - in a maximum of five days. From Germany, the part will be delivered in 10-14 days.
Measure the experts of the magazine limousine
Weather
 
Temperature
+ 12-18
 
Pressure, mm Hg. Art.
740
 
Humidity, %
80-95
 
Coating
Dry asphalt concrete
 
Dynamic qualities
 
(partial load 2 people + 25 kg)
 
Acceleration, C:
 
040 km/h
2.3
 
060 km/h
4.6
 
080 km/h
7.8
 
0100 km/h
12.2
 
0120 km/h
17.9
 
0140 km/h
25.5
 
0160 km/h
36.7
 
0400 m
18.1 (120.6 km/h)
 
01000 m
33.5 (154.1 km/h)
 
Maximum speed, km/h
183.6
 
Speedometer error, %
4.5
 
Elasticity, p
 
60100 km/h
11.6
 
80120 km/h
17.4
 
Running, m
 
12050 km/h
1560
 
500 km/h
718
 
Braking with 100 km/h
 
Braking distance, m
42.1
 
Slow down, m/s2
9.2
  
Prices for spare parts and that, USD
TO1 15,000 km $ 130
TO2 30,000 km $ 180
TO3 45,000 km $ 130
Oil filter $ 3.0
Air filter $ 12
Fuel filter $ 14
Spark plug (1 pc.) $ 5.0
Timing belt $ 37
Brake pads (front/rear) $ 59/52
Tip of steering thrust $ 29
Steering rod $ 34
Ball support $ 37
Shock absorber, front/rear $ 95/54
Front wing $ 99
Rear wing $ 198
Hood $ 236
Front door $ 323
Rear door $ 330
Front bumper assembly $ 423
Rear bumper assembly $ 365
Windshield $ 137
Side glass $ 41
Front headlight assembly
halogen/xenon $ 115/365
Rear lamp assembly $ 63
  
We liked
 

Very wide doorways and space behind

Regular mudguards behind all wheels and plastic threshold lining
 
Convenient climate control unit

The battery is hidden in a thermal insulation casing

As well as:
Magnificent 16-valve engine with a volume of 1.6 liters
Successful adaptation of the chassis for bad roads
Profitable price
Low operating costs
  
We didn't like it
 
 
The lid of the trunk of the sedan has no inner upholstery

Trunk loops when closing the lids can melt the luggage
 
Convenient front armrests are not duplicated from behind

Unsuccessfully selected curvature of the left mirror

As well as:
Lack of indication of an automatic box selector modes
Skill of door handles
     
We decided:
a solid and inexpensive in operation is a German car at a very attractive price.
Alexander Konov, photo Alexander Sadovnikov
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [07-08/02]