2007-2010 Holden Astra used car review

Holden has had a bit of an on-again-off-again relationship with the Astra model.

The badge has just returned to Australia showrooms after a six-year break, brought about mainly by the decision to place the Cruze into Holden's line-up, therefore negating the need for the Astra hatchback and station-wagon line-up.

Launched here in 2004, the original AH Astra range was made up of a five-door, three-door and a station-wagon and was bigger than any Astra before it. There was also a turbocharged sporty model, but that's different enough to warrant its own discussion, so for now, we'll stick with the bread-and-butter versions.

The five-door was the smart choice unless you needed the extra cargo capacity of the station-wagon which also sold in reasonable numbers.

The three-door was a sleek looking car with a good dollop of style, but the lines that contributed to that made it feel pretty tight in the rear and compromised the view to the sides and rear from the driver's seat.

Inside, the Astra looked the goods with plenty of Euro-touches and equipment levels weren't bad. Of course, some of those cars are now easily more than a decade old and with the various question marks over their Belgian build-quality at the time, they're a bit more of a punt than some buyers would like the take.

Which brings us to the facelifted version of the AH Astra which came along in 2007 and lasted until 2010.

Those cars are not only likely to be better built (that's the way of mass production over time) but they're also likely to have travelled less kilometres in the hand s of fewer previous owners.

Even so, you have to buy the right Astra to avoid a complete melt-down of your wallet.

While these cars had plenty of showroom appeal when they were brand-new, they don't seem to have aged as gracefully as some of their competition from, say, Japan.

An important check to make is that anything electrical works and works properly. Power windows, central locking and just about everything else can give grief in an Astra from this series, so make sure it checks out okay.

The culprit could be anything from the body-computer to the actual ignition barrel in the steering column, but weirdness abounds in elderly Astras with craziness from the horn not working when the headlights are on to the stereo mysteriously switching itself on and flattening the battery overnight.

The engines weren't without flaws either, and the 1.8-litre engine in particular has a very short timing-belt-change interval of just 60,000km when most of the opposition is good for 100,000km or more.

The turbo-diesel engine also requires a timing-belt change at 60,000km, adding to the running costs of that engine and bringing into further question the notion of a diesel engine in an urban-based small car.

If the water pump isn't changed regularly, it can fail with the impeller blades breaking off and jamming the pump. If that happens, the timing belt will often jump ship leading to all sorts of mechanical mayhem at the top of the engine. In many cases, the damage will be enough to render the entire engine useless.

The timing-belt change isn't a cheap replacement in a car like this either as the water pump and pulleys should be changed along with the timing-belt, so you'll find that many Astras hit the used-car market just before this crucial maintenance is required. Check the odometer to see whether that's the case in a particular car.

The turbo-diesel can also develop excess soot in its intake manifold, jamming the operation of the swirl-valves inside and requiring a whole new inlet manifold to be fitted. Again, not cheap.

The Astra also had a potential flaw with the cooling system of its transmission in automatic cars.

This is not an Astra-specific thing, but the joints in the cooling matrix for the transmission fluid could fail where the cooler passes through the car's radiator, allowing coolant to enter the gearbox and totally destroy it internally.

Check the coolant for any milkiness suggesting coolant contamination and make sure the transmission behaves perfectly.

Oil leaks plagued the Astra too, mainly from the engine. While this is often more of an inconvenience than something terrible, it is a roadworthy item in any car, but in the Astra it can also point to the beginning of the end for the engine itself.

Simply, if the engine is leaking badly, it's getting quite worn generally. Try to find where the car is parked each night and check for oil splotches on the ground that indicate leaks.

The Astra looked good when it was new and had lots of driver appeal with smooth engines, supple suspension and a quality feel. Unfortunately, that hasn't panned out in the ensuing years and the wrong Astra could leave you broke and in tears.

That's reflected in second-hand prices as cars change hands for money that makes them more or less disposable if the unthinkable should happen.

Our rating: 2/5

Nuts and bolts

Engine/s: 1.8 4-cyl/1.9 turbo-diesel

Transmissions: 4-auto/5-man/6-auto/6-man

Fuel economy (combined): 7.8 litres per 100km

Safety rating (courtesy of www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au): 2 stars

Likes:

• Styling has aged well.
• Station-wagon offers added practicality.
• Nice to drive in good condition.
• Three-door looks especially sharp.

Dislikes:

• Big reliability question marks.
• Reputation has suffered.
• Vision from three-door poor.
• Japan did it better back then.

Competitors:

Ford Focus – Another European design but one that has endured a bit better. One of the better handling and steering hatches of the time and still a good drive. Good value. 3.5/5

Volkswagen Golf – Questions remain over DSG gearboxes from this era, but the drive experience of the VW is the best in the business. Plenty around, too, thanks to popularity. 4/5

Subaru Impreza – A solid choice thanks to good basic engineering. All-wheel-drive gives a grip margin in the wet and provided servicing is maintained, they can go forever. 3.5/5

What to pay (courtesy of Glass's Guide):

Model                   Year       New      Now

SRi 3-door           2007       $32490  $6700

SRi 5-door           2007       $31990  $6700

SRi 3-door           2008       $32490  $6700

SRi 5-door           2008       $31990  $6700

SRi 3-door           2009       $30790  $9300

SRi 5-door           2009       $30790  $10600

SRi 3-door           2010       $30790  $9800

SRi 5-door           2010       $30790  $11200