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