Having already had another six cars which normally were chosen more on emotion rather then logical thinking, I decided that I would use a different method to buy my next new car. After having gone through a good number of web pages and also asking my friends I was finally convinced to go for an Opel Astra 1.7 TDI model. This was also going to be my first diesel car. I must admit that I was a little bit scared since I did not have the least idea how diesel car work, more so one that is equiped with a turbo charged one with intercooler.
Finally I managed to get myself go for it. My initial expierence was not a very good one since having just taken the car out of the showroom it was leaking water from the radiator. Not a very good start since I had made my decision thinking that Opel cars are very good in the quality aspect. Having solved this problem, now the car has clocked over 16, 000 miles and so far everything seems to be working as it should be. Fuel consumption is very good (by Maltese Standards)and the car is doing something in the region of 50 miles to the gallion. This is a big plus! Ride quality is not that bad however I would prefer the ride quality of the other two French cars that I had before. Power steering is fine if a bit on the heavy side when compared with Japanese cars. The car does have a very solid feel to it. If you want a solid car this is a car to go for.So far the car has only needed routine attention. This is another plus point since having had a SEAT Cordoba before this Astra, the Cordoba had some bits coming apart from it.
My overall opinion is very good however I am now into buying another car for my wife. This is going to be a Tata Indica V2 car. I would like to thank all those who submitted their review on the Indica because they have helped me to make a decision in this respect. Why not buy another Opel. Simply, the Opel dealer needs to learn what the meaning of Customer Care mean in real terms!