The Achilles heel of the accessibility of the old Opel Astra J

The Opel Astra F generation debuted back in 1991. Even then cars began to win the love of the people thanks to their availability and maintainability.


The next generation of Astra, which appeared in 1998, partially relieves the model of the glory of a constantly rotting machine. Astra G, produced until 2009, still regularly carries its owners even in the most difficult conditions.

But only generation H, which debuted in 2004, turned the Astra into a stylish and beautiful car. Although the class leader, Volkswagen Golf, Opel still fell short.



You can buy Opel Astra J in the secondary market from 360 rubles for models from the very first years of production. What awaits the car buyer, what problems does Astra have in this body, how to choose a car so that it pleases its owner?

There are so many and they are all different!

The first thing you need to understand is the type of car body.



Opel Astra J was produced in variations:

• ? Sedan
  
• ? Hatchback 3/5 doors
  
• ? station wagon
  
• ? Sports modification OPC
  

In the back of a coupe, cars in this generation were not made, the convertible was conditionally, but it was not called Astra, but Cascada.

If you need a classic sedan, then you should pay attention to modifications after restyling. For those who like to go to the country or those who need a large trunk and increased load capacity - a station wagon.



The Opel Astra J GTC is seriously different from the five-door, there are not even common body panels and the track is wider. This hatchback looks stylish, aggressive and dynamic. The OPC modification is a real sports city car.

Body and interior

No matter which version you choose, you still need to carefully inspect the body. The corrosion resistance of the Opel Astra J is still at the level, there should be no rust. Corrosion occurs after an accident and poor-quality body repair.



In the cabin, you should not expect space, especially when changing from cars of a higher class. Most of the space in the wagon, although this is only about the visual feel and luggage space.

Three people can fit in the back, but they will be uncomfortable, there is enough space for two passengers of average height.



The build quality of cars before restyling is average, plastic creaks. But then the manufacturer dealt with this problem, and even a couple of years before the global update of the model.

But the level of energy saturation of the Opel Astra J is better than all competitors in this price category and class. Cars are already aged, but there are even standard USB ports!

Engines, gearboxes and their features

Traditionally, Russian buyers prefer gasoline engines, Astra has a lot of them. Diesel versions are rare, they have only been produced since 2014. If taken as a percentage, then heavy fuel options make up no more than 2% of the total.



A few words about diesels still need to be said. These are versions with a working volume of 1,3 or 2,0 liters and power from 95 to 160 hp. With. respectively.
Most often on the market there are simple atmospheric gasoline engines with a displacement of 1,6 liters and 115 hp. With. Less common are versions of 1,4 per 100 liters. With.



The main problems with atmospherics:

• ? ignition module
  
• ? Sensors
  
• ? Requirements for oil quality
  

There are many used options on the market for Opel Astra J with turbocharged engines. For example, 1,4 A14NEL / NET has a maximum power of 120/140 hp. With. You can contact them, but only after a thorough diagnosis. Any motors with turbines are very demanding to maintain, but if they were looked after, problems rarely arise.

1,6 Turbo engines are considered more reliable than 1,4, but they are structurally more complex. If a repair is needed, the cost will hit the owner hard, especially with the A16XHT/SHT variant.





But with automatic transmissions, not everything is so simple - it is advisable to check them for diagnostics before buying. The most common problem is leaking refrigeration pipes. If you miss this nuance, the automatic transmission will overheat and fail. Repair is expensive, so many change the box to a contract one from Europe - it turns out cheaper.

Sometimes there are problems with the failure of the automatic transmission valve body, although this unit itself is reliable. Typically, breakdowns are associated with improper maintenance, when the oil and filter do not change for a long time.

Features in motion

Opel engineers managed to create Astra J with a reliable archaic chassis and at the same time make the model sharp to handle. The semi-independent suspension with a beam received two reactive thrusts with hinges - this is the Watt mechanism.



Thanks to the design, the load on the silent blocks is reduced, and the stability of the car in corners has increased. As a result, we managed to achieve the same level of handling as the Golf of the same model years, although the chassis is more complicated there.

So is it worth taking the Opel Astra J?

Advising something when choosing a used car is a thankless task. Astra J is one of the best representatives of the golf class. The cost of the car is competitive, from 450 rubles you can find a trouble-free copy.

Advantages of the model:

• ? Reliable engines and gearboxes, even turbo and automatic transmissions with proper maintenance
  
• ? Handling at high speeds
  
• ? Bright appearance
  
• ? Review for 5
  
• ? The body staunchly resists corrosion, even on pre-styling modifications
  

Disadvantages of Opel Astra J:

• ? Problems with cruise control and brake pedal sensors
  
• ? Sometimes the coolant reservoir leaks or the thermostat gasket wears out
  
• ? Rear brake pads can rattle
  
• ? Defective air conditioning drain hose - flows into the cabin, floods the control unit
  
• ? AFL headlight reflectors are melted
  
• ? Leaking or sweating transmission cooling pipes
  
• ? Thermostat short-lived
  
• ? Shock absorbers can knock in winter
  
• ? Chrome moldings get cloudy
  

The disadvantages are small, there are enough of them in any car, nothing serious, except for problems with automatic transmission hoses.

Opel Astra J looks stylish, the cost of maintenance and repair is not annoying, spare parts are relatively inexpensive.



If you like the look of the car, then it is definitely worth taking. The option with a 1,6-liter naturally aspirated engine and a manual transmission will deliver fewer problems.