Hey nisweth,
Firstly welcome aboard T-BHP!
I recently sold my '97 Astra (old engine) as it was just getting too expensive to maintain. Parts were always expensive for an Astra, and now that it's out of production even in India (I think we were one of the last countries to make that model of the astra) its only gonna get harder and more expensive to get parts.
However, since you already got your car, here are a few things to watch out for.
1. Ignition module. This is the main problem of the older astra. This module will go on the blink every 2 years or so, and costs about 3-4 grand to get a new one. It will give you a few signs first though...stuttering of the engine, sudden stalling at traffic lights and not starting.
2. Fuel pump. I got stranded once out in the middle of nowhere when my fuel pump failed. Unfortunatly, this may not give you any warning, so hope for the best! New one costs Rs.12,000.
3. Tie-rods. Although the suspension on the whole is great, tierods have a tendency to get loose and knock soon.
However, I know of people with old Astra's who have never experienced any of these problems, so hope that you got a good car!
The astra otherwise is a great car, solid, great interiors and still looks decent on the streets today.
Rt |