Test drive Opel Astra Sedan 1994 - 1998 sedan
Opel Astra
Opel Astra. // Opel Astra
Opel Astra debuted in the summer of 1991. He replaced the Kadett model, the first generation of which appeared in the pre -war time. The new car was so different from the previous model that they decided to give it a different name. There are 5 options for Astra (hatchback, sedan, station wagon, convertible and commercial van) and more than 40 modifications on their base. In Germany, this car takes 2nd place in terms of sales in its class - after Volkswagen Golf. The popularity of the machine is so great that the production is deployed in Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, as well as in Taiwan, in South Africa and Australia.
A recently signed a contract for the production of Astra in India.
Such success in the market is determined by many factors. The car has a very extensive gamut of engines. He went to the inheritance from Kadett, but there are new, EcoteC series, equipped with electronic control, hydrotherapists and a three -component catalyst. The consumer can choose from 9 engines-from relatively modest 1.4 liters (60-80 hp) and 1.6 l (75-100 l. C) to more powerful 1.8 liters (2 distributed, 16 valves, 115 l. p.), 2.0 liters (136 l.) or 2.0 l (2 camshaft, 16 valves, 150 hp). There is a 1.7l turbodiesel with a capacity of 68-82 liters. With.
Outwardly, Astra is very sympathetic - the designers did not chase fashion and used proven stylistic solutions. The design is also traditional for cars of this class: the transverse location of the engine, front -wheel drive, the front suspension of Macpherson, the back is spring -red. The machine has a high level of passive and active safety - self -giving belts with a pyro -opatron were first used in the automotive industry precisely Opel.
In the range there are relatively low-speed modifications addressed to elderly fans of the brand, and acceptable models for middle-aged people, and the top version of the GSI for young people.
This promotional machine looks almost the same as the rest of the gamma cars. However, a set of spoilers, combined with wide rubber, made the appearance of Astra GSI more pretty, in addition, the aerodynamic resistance coefficient in the machine decreased to 0.3 (in the rest - 0.32). But inside the car is so different that it even has another nomenclature of spare parts. In addition, it is saturated with electronics to the limit - for example, for the first time in its class he received an anti -circus system.
Opel Astra GSI develops a maximum speed of 220 km/h, up to 100 km/h accelerates in 8 seconds, the engine power is 150 liters. With. at 6000 rpm/min. By the way, the same engines are installed on racing cars Opel-Lotus formulas. Rallests and ringers also fell in love with this variety of Astra and on a more brought (on suspension, transmission or body, depending on the type of competition) the version with pleasure compete with the Renault Clio Whilliams and Peegeot 306 Maxi. The 1995 European Cup for RAO RAO RAO Gazprom won just Opel Astra GSI.
A special place in the range is occupied by the Caravan version. Remaining according to the consumer parameters and the price in the same class as the rest of Astra, Caravan claims to be a higher position, moreover, bribes practicality.
Today, every solid company in the gamut must have a convertible. Opel decided to release it precisely on the Astra. It is produced by the Italian company Bertone.
Sooner or later, such a popular car was supposed to get to Russia. There are several ways to purchase, and the most reliable, though not the cheapest - buying from an official dealer. In this case, the buyer receives professional service and an annual guarantee (the car will be repaired at any GM-Opel service station, wherever it is). The Opel dealer system is arranged in such a way that the car suitable for our conditions can be bought even in Portugal, even in Finland. The dealer will fulfill the order, even if the request is not to put the catalyst on the car, to strengthen the suspension, and the engine to adapt to AI-92 gasoline will seem like miracles.
Abroad, you can buy a new Opel Astra cheaply in a small garage. But a completely new car will remain in this case without a factory guarantee, moreover, it may be in an exotic configuration, designed, for example, for Saudi Arabia. If in the summer two air conditioners are confused, then in winter in an excellent ventilated salon without a stove they will be completely inappropriate. And it is possible that such Astra will not start at all.
Despite the variety of modifications, the Russian consumer prefers Astra with a body sedan or5-door hatchback with an engine volume of 1.6 liters. The dealer, of course, is ready to offer a basic modification with a 1.4 liter engine, equipped with a carburetor or injection, the price of which CIF-Moscow is near DM22 thousand. But the carburetor engine with a volume of 1.4 liters with a capacity of only 60 liters. With. The injection version is more powerful - 90 liters. p., but this is achieved thanks to a higher degree of compression, that is, the engine has a smaller resource, in addition, it needs high -octane fuel. By paying another DM827, you will receive more acceptable for our conditions1.6 liters of an engine with a capacity of 85 liters. p., adapted under AI-92. The top version of the GSI (DM31208, CIF-Moscow) is not popular with our fellow citizens at all. Moreover, for almost the same money you can buy a frank, the wallpaper Opel Calibra (DM35632, CIF-Moscow).
By the way, the Russian buyer does not really like the 3-door version of Astra, preferring it to her 3-door Opel Corsa.
Caravan modification is also little popular, despite even a large capacity and endurance, because people who are ready to lay out for the DM23408 car are rarely engaged in gardening and transportation of fertilizers.
Astra Cabrio is also not worth the turn: Russians are spent on the car for the car for fashion, they buy the car with a class higher.
But, as you know, everything is just beginning with the purchase of a car. Maintenance, repair, diagnosis. The Opel Kadett service book ended at a mark of 100 thousand km, at Astra it is designed for 180 thousand. Intermedical mileage is 15 thousand kilometers.
Adam Opel AG gives a guarantee only for the body (from through corrosion - 6 years), engine (1 year) and a battery (3 years). It does not follow from this that if something else breaks out during the warranty period of 1 year, the repair will be refused. In the first year of operation, all breakdowns will be eliminated, with the exception of those caused by contact with the telegraph pillar.
The manufacturer determines the engine resource in 350 thousand km, which, by factory standards, must correspond to 10 years of operation. Many believe that manufacturing companies do not produce repair complexes for the overhaul of the engine. In fact, everyone has differently. Opel makes sets of piston rings, liners, etc. And for the first repair, and for the second and the third. Moreover, if the car was more than 12 years old and there were no spare parts in the warehouse, they will still be delivered to the buyer - only a little later. Opel is ready to make them for a car of any age.
The operation of a new car is joyful and not -in -and -in -abrupt. At the first (15 thousand km) Opel Astra needs a cursory examination, replacing oil and filters. And then the factory recommendations to visit a car service through the next 15 thousand km have to be violated due to the low quality of our gasoline.
20,000 km after 20 thousand km should take care of injectors. Call on the station, connect to a diagnostic computer and find out how to clean them. If the pollution is insignificant, it is enough to buy for $ 15 a detergent additive to gasoline and calmly go further. If strong, you will have to clean the injection system on a special stand. At the cost of an hour of work from $ 45 (at different stations in different ways), such a procedure will cost $ 60. You may have to change the fuel filter.
After 30 thousand km, the ignition candles will have to be replaced. Or every 2 years - according to the requirements of the manufacturer. Regardless of their condition. The manufacturers of the candles themselves insist on the same, in this case, Bosch.
50,000 km Astra is doomed to replace the rear shock absorbers. With such a run, this is only a preventive action, and not emergency. Especially on Astra Caravan.
Opel pays a lot of attention to the geometry of the suspension and considers it unacceptable even a slight change in the properties of its elements, because this may entail a deterioration in controllability. The cost of work with spare parts will be $ 160-170. Replacing the front ones is also not far off. In the service book, it is recommended to check the suspension and tire parameters with TO-1. After about 10 thousand km, the turn of the front shock absorbers and the timing belt will come.
The service life of the clutch disks is 60-80 thousand km, depending on the operating conditions and driving manners. And the most accurate handling with them will not protect them from replacement. And the clutch basket will last up to 160-200 thousand.
km, don't worry about her.
75,000 km replacing the CV joints. The left will begin to crunch after 65-70 thousand, the right - after another 10 thousand km. If by this time Astra is still under warranty, the dealer will put certified CV joints with GM-Opel marking worth $ 98 apiece. But if the car is more than a year, which is more likely, it will be possible to save a little here. Of course, it is not about putting the first details of an unknown manufacturer. But you can buy a part made for Astra, for example, the German company LUK. The question is where to buy. Answer: Better at the dealer.
Then the replacement of the CVAs will cost the work and cost of spare parts $ 250. In addition to replacing the CV joints, the same mark also accounts for the replacement of ball joints of steering rods.
100,000 km will have to replace the stitching seafront seals. All electrical equipment works reliably. The starter and generator replacement of brushes will be required after 100-120 thousand km. In some cases, in some cases, with a run of 100 thousand, you have to change the overall coupling.
Many mechanical breakdowns of Opel Astra can be eliminated at any station, provided that the staff has a fairly high qualification. But not in case of problems with electronics (computer, injectors, ABS). Here the road lies only with a specially equipped station. But still not necessarily Opelian. With a breakdown of the injection or computer control unit, you can contact the Bosch specialized service station. And in extreme cases - both for the Mercedes or BMW service. They will figure it out there.
But the cost of an hour of work will be higher than that of Opel. And more time will take work, besides, the masters will need special catalogs.
In general, Opel Astra is a fairly simple car in design. And this allows you to repair it not only at a specialized technical station.
Source: Motor magazine [No. 6/1996]
