1996 Opel Astra | WB02F5646 - The Cruiseship

btirthankar · 28th April 2009, 16:59

I had been eyeing the Astra ever since it was launched. My first drive in that car, in 1996 - the experience was heavenly. Till this day, that ride-comfort and NVH has been unmatched in similar segment vehicles (other than the BMWs, Mercs and Audis that i have test-driven).

The pleasure was when you braked, the rear end of the car used to lower itself, compensating the forward thrust and heads didnot NOD.

Yes even in those days, I realised that it was underpowered.

I finally got the taste of ownership when I was allowed to use the company owned Astra (1996 model) for 3-4 months.

It gave a mileage of 6-8 kmpl. Yes this was the vehicle which taught me how to drive frugally, by light-footing the throttle. Inspite of that I decided I will buy one for myself.

The search ended and I picked up a steel Grey 1996 model. Things had to be spent on during ownership.

Alloys
Tyres
Timing Belt
Strut Mountings (They always gave way)
Brake pads
Brake shoes
AC Compressor repair
ICE
Front WIndshield replacement (for scratches)
Coolant plastic pipe near intake manifold
radiator and AC Fans

Though I used to get 6-8 kmpl in the city, It used to return 16kmpl on the highways. (or whenever I drove it on overdrive on extended periods). The car was designed for highway cruising.

The engine was not rev friendly. The LET was good. I changed gears @ 2000 rpm.

Drivoblogs:

CCU-HYD Nonstop 1500 kms in Aug 2007

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/29269-kolkata-hyderabad-21st-22nd-sep-2007-opel-astra-nh6-nh5-nh60-nh9.html

HYD-DEL-MUM-HYD 8 states 8 days, 4000 kms in Dec 2007

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...es-8-days.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...es-8-days.html

HYD-GOA-HYD Nonstop Jan 2008

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...bad-goa-2.html

Don't mind my 'publicising' the Drivoblogs but a lot of user experiences have been shared in the above threads regarding the Astra.

Problems:

One during the HYD-DEL-MUM-HYD, the brake line lost fluid and I drove whole night in that condition through Seoni till Sagar.
Once the radiator fan failed and the car had to be driven without coolant for 10 kms.
I was never confident of the brakes and cornering, so never drove above 100kmph
Once while driving through waterlogged streets, water wetted the carpet and a polythene got fouled up in one of the driveshafts and dislocated the axle bellow.
I always had a tough time sourcing spares and getting the right mechanic.
Both the Astras I used - used to overheat during bumper to bumper traffic.

The car was finally sold in Hyderabad in April 2008 after I got the Innova. I used to take it door to door to offer it everyday during lunch time, until one guy on Minister Road fell for it.

nithinnarayanan · 28th April 2009, 17:16

Keep it coming buddy.
The review...
Total Kms
Average service cost.
Etc
Etc...

28th April 2009, 16:59	#1
btirthankar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Some Moving Vehicle Posts: 816 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	1996 Opel Astra \| WB02F5646 - The Cruiseship I had been eyeing the Astra ever since it was launched. My first drive in that car, in 1996 - the experience was heavenly. Till this day, that ride-comfort and NVH has been unmatched in similar segment vehicles (other than the BMWs, Mercs and Audis that i have test-driven). The pleasure was when you braked, the rear end of the car used to lower itself, compensating the forward thrust and heads didnot NOD. Yes even in those days, I realised that it was underpowered. I finally got the taste of ownership when I was allowed to use the company owned Astra (1996 model) for 3-4 months. It gave a mileage of 6-8 kmpl. Yes this was the vehicle which taught me how to drive frugally, by light-footing the throttle. Inspite of that I decided I will buy one for myself. The search ended and I picked up a steel Grey 1996 model. Things had to be spent on during ownership. Alloys Tyres Timing Belt Strut Mountings (They always gave way) Brake pads Brake shoes AC Compressor repair ICE Front WIndshield replacement (for scratches) Coolant plastic pipe near intake manifold radiator and AC Fans Though I used to get 6-8 kmpl in the city, It used to return 16kmpl on the highways. (or whenever I drove it on overdrive on extended periods). The car was designed for highway cruising. The engine was not rev friendly. The LET was good. I changed gears @ 2000 rpm. Drivoblogs: CCU-HYD Nonstop 1500 kms in Aug 2007 http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/29269-kolkata-hyderabad-21st-22nd-sep-2007-opel-astra-nh6-nh5-nh60-nh9.html HYD-DEL-MUM-HYD 8 states 8 days, 4000 kms in Dec 2007 http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...es-8-days.html http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...es-8-days.html HYD-GOA-HYD Nonstop Jan 2008 https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route...bad-goa-2.html Don't mind my 'publicising' the Drivoblogs but a lot of user experiences have been shared in the above threads regarding the Astra. Problems: One during the HYD-DEL-MUM-HYD, the brake line lost fluid and I drove whole night in that condition through Seoni till Sagar. Once the radiator fan failed and the car had to be driven without coolant for 10 kms. I was never confident of the brakes and cornering, so never drove above 100kmph Once while driving through waterlogged streets, water wetted the carpet and a polythene got fouled up in one of the driveshafts and dislocated the axle bellow. I always had a tough time sourcing spares and getting the right mechanic. Both the Astras I used - used to overheat during bumper to bumper traffic. The car was finally sold in Hyderabad in April 2008 after I got the Innova. I used to take it door to door to offer it everyday during lunch time, until one guy on Minister Road fell for it. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by btirthankar : 28th April 2009 at 17:13.
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28th April 2009, 17:16	#2
nithinnarayanan BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bangalore Kannur Manipal Posts: 237 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	Keep it coming buddy. The review... Total Kms Average service cost. Etc Etc...
	() Thanks