Astra has always been an important model for Holden, and has become even more so in recent years due to the swing towards smaller cars. Not that Astra is all that small in its latest format. The current model is a small-medium machine

These days the Astra comes from Europe where it's designed and built by longtime General Motors division Opel. It has an excellent reputation for long life and reliability. Even better in the minds of those who enjoy their driving, Astra has all you expect from a European car in the way of dynamic excellence and sheer driving pleasure.

Incidentally, cars built September 1996 were Australian-built and closely related to Nissan Pulsars. We aren't looking at these models in this feature.

Though it’s regarded as a family car in Europe, Astra is generally aimed at singles or couples in Australia. However, in 1998-onwards format it is significantly wider than the previous models and can be routinely used by four average-sized adults. So those thinking of moving down in size from a large Holden may find the Astra does everything they need from a car.

Body types were five-door hatch and four-door sedan with the TR series Astras, the range was expanded to include a three-door with the TS Astra. The three-door was only sold in the high-performance SRi until early 2003, when a lower cost three-door was finally introduced. Unusually for a sports hatch, the sporty Astra GSi was sold as a five-door.

When the latest, AH series, Astra arrived in Australia in November 2004 the three-door again disappeared from the options choice, before making another comeback in July 2005.

A station wagon was also launched in 2005. Unlike some small Euro wagons, the Holden has a spacious load area thanks to a square tail that can cope with reasonably bulky items.

Engines are all four-cylinder units. In the TR series Astra the lower-cost models got a 1.6-litre, the upmarket one a 1.8-litre. The Astra GSi has a 2.0-litre unit. With the 1998 TS Astra, only the 1.8 was offered in the standard cars, with the SRi and convertible getting a 2.2-litre.

The AH series cars used a similar 1.8-litre engine to the outgoing TS series, but the extra weight of the new model took a bit of the edge off the performance.

An economical turbo-diesel engine joined the lineup in June 2006 to counter rapidly rising fuel prices. It’s more expensive to buy than a petrol engine.

The top of the line is the Astra SRi Turbo. It was launched in the middle of 2003, was withdrawn a year later, only to make a return in 2006.

Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are offered in all versions with the exception of the sporting GSi and SRi Turbo. The former only had a five-speed manual, the latter used a five-speed in its initial iteration and has a six-speed close-ratio box from late 2006.

Underbonnet accessibility is generally good and the car is relatively easy to work on. As always, some parts should not be repaired by a home mechanic.

Spare parts prices are about average, perhaps slightly lower than average in some cases. There are Holden dealers in just about every corner of Australia, but some in more remote areas may not carry all parts for the Astra, so you may have to wait a day or so for them to be delivered.

Insurance rates are pretty reasonable when you consider that the Astra is a fully-imported European car, but make specific inquiries about the sporting variants, particularly the Turbo as insurance costs can be substantially higher.

Holden chose to hold onto two models in the otherwise-superseded TS series when the AH series was introduced in November 2004. One was the lowest cost variant and was given the title of Astra Classic, it was replaced by the Korean-built Holden Viva at the end of 2005.

The other carryover Astra was the Astra convertible. It was imported until mid 2006. It was replaced by an all-new convertible, the Astra TwinTop, in March 2007.

 
WHAT TO LOOK FOR

There can be quality control niggles in the older cars, so have a professional look over the car to find out its exact condition.

Try to test the engine when it's stone cold after an overnight stop. Start it up and make sure the oil-pressure light goes out promptly. At the same time listen for any rattling and feel for unevenness in the engine’s idle.

Accelerate the car hard after the engine is warm and feel for any hesitation under acceleration. Look for a puff of smoke from the exhaust at the same time.

If you suspect a turbocharged engine has been driven hard get it looked over by an expert.

Check for crash damage and previous body repairs. Looking at the finish of the paint, as well as for overspray on unpainted parts, is often the best way to start.

Look over the cabin for seats, dashboard, door trim and carpets to make sure the car hasn’t mistreated. Check the boot as well.

When braking hard the car shouldn’t pull to one side or the other and no one wheel should lock before the others. ABS, if fitted, will cause a vibration through the pedal as it operates.

Check for any tyres with uneven wear, particularly those at the front as they do the bulk of the work.

HOW MUCH?

Expect to pay from $3000 to $6000 for a 1996 City sedan; $6000 to $10,000 for a 2001 City three-door hatch; $8000 to $13,000 for a 2002 Equipe three-door hatch; $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2003 CDX sedan; $19,000 to $28,000 for a 2008 CDX wagon; and $23,000 to $32,000 for a 2008 Sri three-door coupe.

CAR BUYING TIP