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[Shelby]

Hi,

Thought I would ask for peoples thoughts on the price for a car I am looking at.

3 door, 1999 Vauxhall Astra 2.0l SRI in black.

Can't seem to find any fuel economy details for it, which I like to look at, anyone know of any?  I would make a guestimate at around 35mpg combined?

It looks in pretty decent condition (haven't actually been to look at it yet), with 'lots of history' so the ad says and is priced currently at £995.  Mileage is a little high at 148k.  Doing a general price guide on www.usedcarexpert.co.uk puts it about right but thought I would ask the opinion of those I know are far more knowledgeable than I am in these areas 

Need to check on the cambelt change info ect as I assume it the same as at 40k / 5 year intervals so would probably be due fairly soon if not done recently.  Comes with full MOT but only Taxed till Jan 2012.

Any thoughts?

[zirk]

Guessing its around 130 Bhp type, so on a run 40 to 45 mpg, around town 28 to 33, its the right colour to sell, would say mileage a bit on the high side for the price and not knowing Cambelt and oil history, I would guess around the 690 to 790 price wise, having said any small enco car is worth a bit more these days.

Chris.  oh, and how many owners?

[Shelby]

Going to check on those details this afternoon.  Should of said it is through a used car dealer not a private sale, so that tends to put the price up a little. Linky.

I based the MPG on an older Astra 1.8 Sport I used to have, trip computer on that gave me around 35mpg for the run to and from work (20 miles each way) about half open road, half through villages.

[zirk]

Most Dealers are struggling at the moment, so should be some movement, and / or get them to through in some extended warranty.

 

[Shelby]

Most Dealers are struggling at the moment, so should be some movement, and / or get them to through in some extended warranty.

 

I only have £900 spare, so if he wants to sell it he has to move a bit haha.  If you don't ask, you don't get at the end of the day, worst he can do is say no to the offer.

[zirk]

good luck with it, sure you be fine, if you really want the car put 850 notes in an envelope and a reserve 40 quid only in your wallet, let him do His spill and a bit of haggling then slap the envelope on the table, normally works.

 

[Shelby]

Just had a quick chat with him and he is open to negotiation, going to go have a look later this afternoon.  Says it has loads of history / receipts so ill have to have a look through for cambelt changes etc.  Bit of bubbling on the wheel arches (pretty common from what ive seen of older Astras) but generally good nick.

At the end of the day, I like Vauxhalls, had an older Astra and it was a cracking little car for its age.  Ill probably end up getting it unless something major is wrong with it.

[aaronjb]

My first 'quick' car was an Astra - 1996 Astra 2.0 Sport.. they really should never have given me the keys to that (t'was a company car), I was only 18!

Always kinda fancied an original GTE..

[Shelby]

My first car at 18 was a Capri 1.6 Laser, which was upgraded 2 years later to a 3.2 modified Mk1 Capri, now that shifted 

[aaronjb]

I'd have been dangerous in one of those at that age.. I was bad enough in the Astra, and all that could do was understeer toward the nearest bush 

[albitz]

The Capri would have done exactly the same thing.

[aaronjb]

The Capri would have done exactly the same thing.

I assumed the 3.2 would have oversteered into the nearest bush..

[Shelby]

It was a nice car but I probably didn't maintain it as well as I should of, age thing I suppose.  I ended up trashing it on a back road in east anglia, I wasn't speeding at the time but hit a pheasant on the road and that snapped the tracking rod ... or at least that all I can ascertain from after the event.  I lost steering and was heading toward an open field, I remember thinking at least it wont be too bad, next thing I knew I was upside down.  What I didn't see was the ditch between the road and the field!

Got the Astra in the end for £800, it's pretty tide with two previous owners.  Has a couple of niggles, no aerial, intermittent wipers keep stopping mid screen, a front fog light out and some bubbling on the rear arches, but nothing major.

[Omega_Dan]

It was a nice car but I probably didn't maintain it as well as I should of, age thing I suppose.  I ended up trashing it on a back road in east anglia, I wasn't speeding at the time but hit a pheasant on the road and that snapped the tracking rod ... or at least that all I can ascertain from after the event.  I lost steering and was heading toward an open field, I remember thinking at least it wont be too bad, next thing I knew I was upside down.  What I didn't see was the ditch between the road and the field!

Got the Astra in the end for £800, it's pretty tide with two previous owners.  Has a couple of niggles, no aerial, intermittent wipers keep stopping mid screen, a front fog light out and some bubbling on the rear arches, but nothing major.

For 800 quid with a full MOT that isn't bad at all. Good spec for the money. Still look good despite 2 new models since.