Test drive Opel Astra Sedan 1998 - 2008 Sedan

Excellent and good

Oh, how many times for short meetings with these cars I had to answer the same question! How much to withstand the discussions are all on the same topic: which is better, more interesting and correct. In fact, try to immediately put all the points over I when such long-standing rivals as Volkswagen-Golf and Opel-astra participate in the dispute.
DIVIDE AND RULE
Yes, it is very honorable and at the same time not just to represent the most numerous class of cars, which even in the name of the official prefix golf. There is no longer up to bold experiments. Each time, creating a new model, one must think that it is not only better than the previous, but also more advanced than competitors. They can afford certain liberties, leaving the consumer the opportunity to decide whether it turned out or not. Volkswagen has somewhat different tasks to present a kind of ideal for several next years, to become an object to follow, a fashion legislator, if you want.
Why are these reasoning? In our test, only a technical comparison of two cars is not possible for them, which one is better. With German pedantry, they have already been divided by giving each their own niche in the policy of firms. Otherwise, you explain that the difference in the cost of close in status, size and functional purpose of cars reaches (at least in the Russian market) almost four thousand dollars. Our legislator easily invaded the price niche much more prestigious cars. Agree, 24.5 thousand dollars for a car, albeit excellently equipped with additional equipment, but with an engine only 1.6 liters, to put it mildly, immodest. Especially against the background of a direct competitor for twenty and a half thousand. The latter, of course, does not have a climatic installation, rain sensor, heating seats and a lever of the steering wheel and lever of the box. However, for $ 24,761, you can purchase an Astra with a 1.8 liter engine and a very impressive list of options. So it turns out that in his class golf the leader is primarily in price. Yes, manufacturers are trying to offer the most convenient and practical car as possible, but at the same time someone makes it not only more correct, but also more expensive.
 
Traditions against novelty
If we put our wards nearby in a crowded place, the priority of attention will be behind Astra. And the point is not even of interesting stylistic finds or abundance of fashionable chromium. The car radically changed in appearance, preserving only the emblem from the previous version. Astra not just grew up, she became more solid. The new exterior, of course, is of interest: they look at the car, vividly discuss, express a variety of opinions.
Volkswagen is more calm: one hundred percent recognition conceals the perception of the novelty of the model. Of course, the Volkswagen stylist will be ofadniably prove that Golf has changed significantly in comparison with the predecessor. That he, I quote a press release, appeared the arrow-shaped contours of the front, the powerful outline of the back and unique design of the side. It sounds intriguing, but for the layman, all this is not very convincingly real novelty much less. For Volkswagen, tradition is more important. It is proven solutions that the company brings to perfection from model to model.
The internal content of both machines is dominated by traditional German quality, thoughtfulness of the surrounding space. If this is plastic, then necessarily soft, thoroughbred, warm to the touch. The seat means with guaranteed convenient hugs and sufficient adjustments. And even if the astrah has an ordinary steering wheel, and the golf has a lined skin, there is no doubt: the ranges of his settings will satisfy the most non -standard requirements. At the same time, the closer you converge with cars, the more noticeable the difference.
 
The best and good
To feel the spirit of the new model, you need to look closely at the golf v. The gaze, almost without linger, slides through the familiar controls, the scale of the devices, the wheels of the electric heating of the seats and other buttons and the toggle switches. In one or another performance, all this is familiar with other Volkswagen and highly appreciated more than once.
Perhaps, it is worth first to sit from behind, pay tribute to the texture of solid upholstery materials, to imbue the restrained branded style, only with simple and discreet.
And then suddenly you understand the car changed, and very seriously: Golf seemed to be liberated, you feel surprisingly freely in it. Only after that you begin to notice the little things and imbued with respect for their detailed study. Be sure that in this car, the glove will be as roomy as necessary, and the efforts on all buttons, toothblaires and other controls will be just the same as you expect.
Perhaps now you can finally appreciate the pride of the creators of climateistan. He not only migrated to a more convenient place (after all, it was not in vain nobed out), but also stepped into the future, becoming separate for the driver and the front passenger. In a word, you take Golf immediately and entirely, as a good old friend with whom you lived for more than one year.
The interior of Opel-Astra gravitates to a strict, even somewhat heavy style. The massive front panel, prevailing dark and black shades, specific design. Despite the abundance of free space, for some reason you feel like an official reception in this car. Even silver inserts on the doors are unable to amuse this officiality.
The traditional screen of the information display in the center of the front panel, the usual incision of the device combination, the familiar ring-pressor of the rear gear, which is on the box of boxes. Although the stop: there is no ring. Instead, a trigger of a toy pistol, I must say, is great at hand. Astra responds to my nit -picking with diplomatic silence: they say, you will get used to it. It seems not only to this. It turns out that the wheels of the ventilation system moved to the very bottom of the central console, and their symbols lost their former size and understandability. Well, at least the air conditioner button is in front of the box lever in it falls almost blindly.
But here, between the front seats, I will now attach a bottle of mineral water and my hand hangs in the air without finding a cup holder. Well, it doesn’t matter, we put it in another place, although it is not clear: convenient seats and controls, a lot of space, including the rear passengers, an effective and at the same time very comfortable air conditioning system and such small, offensive miscalculations.
 
One hundred and two against one hundred and five
In Volkswagen, all his honing in the little things reveals very clearly. It seems that he sat down, habitually turned on the program, went: nothing special. And only then it comes to the actions of pedals, the boxes of the box are so natural and verified that you did not think for a second! The clutch worked precisely at the moment when it was necessary, the engine speed turned out to be suitable, and the gearbox is clear and informative. And again, you are imbued with involuntary respect. It is then that the nit-picking will appear to a calm and generally non-outstanding motor, which loving the momentum, to the energetic shaking of adapted pendants. Unknown external mirrors will be remembered, treacherously winking around the turn signals, from which for some reason you tremble all the time, really did you miss someone?
So far, this is not the main thing. You tried on a new solid costume, and it turned out to be extremely figure. Mindful of the special, drivers of the steering electric power steering, at the first moments of dating you pay attention to too light a steering wheel. Immediately, thoughts come about possible problems at high speed and, accordingly, controllability. No matter how! As the pace increases, the steering wheel is directly filled with excellent feedback.
And how golf goes in corners! Maybe it is here that the feeling of confidence, which appeared initially, develops into an unshakable faith: the reliability and predictability of the machine is beyond praise. It would seem, well, he must tilt, to regain something in a quick turn. But no, they hold the tires, the pendants work flawlessly. Even slipping, Golf behaves sedately and with dignity: they say, I'm not to blame, the driver is too hot.
Opel Astra against the background of an almost ideal competitor is not devoid of contradictions. First, you learn to move off, although the Astra engine is much more frustrated by the Volkswagenovsky: the clutch is triggered in a too narrow range.
Then, having appreciated high acoustic comfort, you cannot help but complain to too noisy tires that note each change in the road surface. Comfortable pendants are great! But why are their smooth swaying are accompanied by such a noisy and shaking passage through minor irregularities?
Suddenly, the sharp steering wheel at first bribes the ideal relationships for the city: it seems that he only thought, and the car itself was rebuilt into the right row. However, with an increase in speed, the impulsiveness of responses begins to strain, demanding increased attention. And then comfortable pendants bring their highlight to the behavior of the car, giving rise to side buildup in quick turns.
In general, there is something to complain about, especially since the competitor is prepared very seriously.
 
THE BEST
Well, speaking of technology, the fifth golf is almost impeccable: the perfection of mechanics, electronics, etc. It was in this channel that the main work was conducted on a new car. From my point of view, she was a success perfectly.
Opel Astra, with all its interesting appearance, practical and thoughtful internal content, balanced ceremonial numbers, remained good. Although, if you return to the beginning of my discussions about prices, it is easy to assume that in Russia a good way will be in much greater demand than an excellent student.
SUMMARY
Volkswagen Golf reinforced to the smallest detail a car, still the first student in golf class.
+ Convenient functional interior, verified ergonomics, a high level of equipment, driving capabilities brought to perfection.
- High price, little novelty in appearance, on the side mirrors the repeaters of the turning indicators interfere.
SUMMARY
Opel Astra in his abilities can not be doubt, but they do not reach a great assessment.
+ Novelty, spacious salon, comfortable trunk, good acoustic comfort, excellent brakes.
- noisy tires, harsh on small irregularities, several harsh at high speed.
Sergey Voskresensky
 
 
 
 
 

 

A source: The magazine "Driving"