Martin's 2013 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 100 VVT Energy

Vauxhall's Astra is the genesis of my hard to shake dislike of all things Griffin badged, after arriving to collect what was supposed to be a repeat hire of a Rover 214iS, only to receive a bloated mark 3 Astra 1.4. Mild disappointment gave way to complete despair as that weekend rolled on, mediocre ride, dull handling, heavy body and feeble engine, all combined to provide next to no driver enjoyment whatsoever. So there was a certain amount of uncertainly as I awaited the arrival of Martin and his 5 door Energy spec mark 5. Things have improved since those bad old days of the mid 90's when even Ford were getting it wrong (think mark 5 Escort). The current generation Astra is a good looking car, probably even better than the current Ford Focus that has always been its main competitor (here in the UK at least).

First impressions are pretty good too as I sit in the drivers seat for the first time, going through the 'adjust everything' rigmarole that always accompanies the early stages of any test drive. The interior layout looks good with a centre console that resembles one of those hand built Vertu mobile phones, with materials quality that matches the best in class. You sit quite low in this conventional hatchback, in supportive well trimmed seat, neat chrome dials clearly visible through the soft leather trimmed steering wheel. The Energy spec levels are pretty decent too, that stylish centre console provides access to features such as iPod integration for the stereo and Bluetooth access to you phone, along with standard air con and electric front window. Fairly standard stuff by 2014 standards, but still quite a novelty for someone more use to the budget end of motoring.

The plan for the weekend is vague at best. There is a trip to Sunderland to be undertaken, along with a few visits to make and errands to run, and there's sure to be time for a quick blast along the Beehive (sticking strictly to the new SP40 of cause!). But for now I get to trundle through the Friday afternoon traffic that always afflicts the roads around Whitley Bay and the coast from 3-4 o'clock onwards. All the peddles, steering, and main controls only need light inputs to deliver the required outcome, the sharp brake peddle just makes me wonder whether Torie needs some routine maintenance rather than feeling like they are too much. Round town there's enough go to keep up with the cut and trust traffic combined with a comfy ride that suit the task in hand very nicely. Those good looks and the easy going nature seem to make for a well mannered city slicker.

Friday night child minding duties completed and as the early hours of Saturday wind on I get to go the long way home on some empty roads. Suburban sprawl dispensed with, and those waited for Vauxhall foibles make themselves know. On paper this engine should be a economical corker, with an alleged 99bhp from its 16 valve VVT 1.4 and an 51mpg it should be happy to rev all day long and return decent real world mpg too boot. The 12.9sec 0-60mph time and a rather humble 96lb/ft of torque hint at a different story, as does the realisation that the peak power output doesn't happen until 6000rpm. All this translates into an engine that just doesn't want to spin happily anywhere in the rev range, with no particular sweet spot for an enthusiastic driver to rely on. Below 3000rpm the engine makes those 'just getting into its stride' noises you'd expect from a current day 16 valve unit, then from 3-4 thousand there is a glimmer of hope, but as 4 thou gives way to 5, all hope dies, and revving any harder just seems futile. All of which results in lacklustre acceleration that makes A-road overtaking a chore, and B-road blasting a disappointment.

Picking up the A19 to cruise back home and the Vauxhall pulls out its default party piece, namely a very leisurely high speed cruise with the rpm sitting a good thousand lower than you'd expect otherwise. So as I pull up outside of my gaff in the wee small hours of Saturday morning, barely six hours after first getting the keys, and my feelings are decidedly mixed. I find myself chanting the phrase 'try to like this car' for most of the rest of the weekend. An afternoon out with a friend confirms my opinion regarding its looks and interior quality. The day trip to Sunderland via Newcastle City Centre, confirm that in can cruise beautifully and has excellent town manners. 'Try to like this car', it handles fine, with very little roll even in the tightest of corners, and the ride quality is irreproachable, but that engine!? It's just so glum. It puts a downer on every other aspect of the car, dragging down your overall opinion unfairly. 'Try to like this car!'

And so, having found a nice spot on the Newcastle Town Moors to take a few photos, I need to return 'Hercules' to his owner. And it's going to take a Herculean effect to hide my general disappointment from Martin. Turns out that I needn't have worried as Martins opinion of the car is similar to mine. Apparently, when looking for a new car last summer, Martin test drove the 1.6 with its 115bhp engine and was reasonably impressed, but went for the 1.4 to reduce the monthly payments and insurance premiums. Even with hindsight he'd have had to make do with the 1.4, but the looks, spec, and comfort make up for the lack of pace most of the time, and anything smaller wouldn't have worked so well with his part-time football coaching activities. So I don't go way feeling too bad for Martin, or as badly toward his 1.4 litre Astra as I did towards that mark 3 back in the mid 90's. But it hasn't changed my opinion of Vauxhall's any, and I'm still left thinking 'try to like this car!'

Thanks to Martin for the loan of his car.

© Dan Ewing 2014

Changing the Frame of Reference

So my trusted Scandinavian transport is beyond the help of even the most ingenious of mechanics or the dodgiest of MoT centres.  Nearly four years after purchasing Svart for 900 quid from the less than scrupulous Westbourne Garage, rust, wear, but mostly old age, have taken their toll.  So it's off to the scrap yard and the postmortem will include details of a cracked bulkhead, a failing head gasket, and a blown exhaust, which combine to make my once desirable 900 Turbo SE a complete basket case.  The indignity of being picked apart in a scrap yard is no way for any loyal automotive companion to end its days, but needs must, and you can't save them all.  The steady demise means that there will be no memorable last run, no chance to enjoy full boost acceleration out a slow corner, gently managing the torque steer as the turbo spools up to project you at the horizon yet again.  The diesel'esc clatter that now accompanies the blown exhaust and the water leak mean that I've been nursing the car around for the last few weeks.

Still the diesel clatter will be good perpetration for my next chariot, a hand me down Nissan X-Trail that I featured back in February 2013.  The parentals have moved on to lease a rather nice 2014 Nissan Note, so the bargain priced X-Trail came up for grabs at a very opportune moment.  And although I like this car, now named Torie (an extract from Ekkusu Toreiru (X トレイル) - Japanese for X-Trail by the way), it's no '180 brake' b-road battle tool, so I'm not too sure how long it'll be kept in service.  The sensible alternative would be a compact exec estate, but as the summer nights start growing shorter, the price of sporting convertibles may start to get even more tempting than they are now.  In amongst the default early Boxster's and Z4's, the odd wild card comes along, V8 TVR Wedge anyone?!

So anyhow! Enough dreaming for now, I just wanted to let any committed readers know that the frame of reference has changes slightly from a tired but worthy front wheel drive couple, to a worthy but dull 4x4 SUV.  Why mention it at all? Well stepping from one car to another, it's inevitable that some comparison is made to my daily drive.  So to date, cars may have felt slow or fast, high up or low down, small and nimble or big and bloated compared to my old Saab.  A car that felt slow compared to Svart isn't necessarily gonna feel slow compared to Torie.  A small difference maybe, but enough of one for a small mention.  One last note, my original intention was to test and write up a couple of cars a month and have moved onto Second Degree cars by now.  Real life means that once a quarter is more realistic and a friend of a friend quickly becomes a friend if you get chatting enough to ask about testing their car! I'll endeavour to put out a review every three months at least and try to build this back up to once a month if the opportunity arises.  For now, please keep reading, sharing, and commenting on my articles.

Thanks Dan180
© Dan Ewing 2014