Astra G which engine type?

wazza

Sister has a vauxhall astra on a 02 plate which i believe is the model G type. It is the 1.6 8v version. After driving it for a few days i don't mind getting one for myself.

Thanks to the amount of traffic on the roads and the dreaded speed cameras i have decided to go for the 1.6 engine size. The 1.6 comes as 8v and 16v guise.

Which is the more reliable and easy to work on, a 8v or 16v. The 8v looks like a easy engine to work on and has a lower insurance rating than the 16v. Naturally the 16v has more power and probably heavier fuel consumption.

Will use the car for local runs and once a month on the motorway covering 200 miles in total doing 70ish mph.

low running costs is more important to me than outright performance.

jonuk7

Hi mate, ive got an 03 Mk4 Astra SXI 1.6 16v, it currently runs at about 100 miles per £10 Petrol, they are up and down with the reliabilty, ive had no problems with mine up until now as you can see on my thread, the cam belts need changing at 40,000 so if you get one with more miles make sure its been done, and theres a few bits which are common to go but are not expensive to sort if you can hold a spanner. ive just started replacing bits on mine which VX wanted loads of money for but if you have the time and patience you can do it all yourself. have a look at https://www.astrasport.co.uk that'll give you a good insight into problems and benefits etc...

tomstickland

Which is the more reliable and easy to work on, a 8v or 16v. The 8v looks like a easy engine to work on and has a lower insurance rating than the 16v. Naturally the 16v has more power and probably heavier fuel consumption.

The 1.6 8v engines are derived from those in the Cavaliers, Astras and Novas from the 80s and are very easy to work on. I'm not sure, but they might have the power sapping single point injection. If they've got the proper multi point injection then they're pretty good engines and were frugal back in the 80s.
The 16v should manage more power and better fuel economy.
I'd go 16v myself.

kitchpoo

If you are after frugal motoring - consider the 1.4 16v, a better powerplant with more drivability and power than the 1.6 and lower annual tax. After testing everything from the 1.4, 1.6 8 and 16v, 1.8 16v, 2.0 16v, 1.7 Dti and 1.7 CDTi - the 1.4 was as impressive as the 1.8 in my opinion.

northern_munky

Have you thought about a Focus, most will you they are far superior to the Astra G.

wazza

currently have a 96' mondeo diesel which has been nothing but boring. nothing has gone wrong with it apart from wear and tear items. sluggish around town but a flyer at motorway when turbo cuts in. Has done 125000 miles and is on original clutch. Just been thinking that i will change the car if the clutch goes. It will cost roughly 400 to replace it. Am very happy with the car.

It is just that after owning it for 8 years i get the temptation for a change. Would also consider a focus.

just doing some research so that i am prepared when i come to chose a car.

balsingh

The 1.6 16v is an excellent engine and being an ecotec, it combines the best of power and economy. The 1.4 16v engine is excellent too. I didn't like the 1.6 8v when I drove it. It needed quite lot of pushing to make it go which then leads to less economy. The 1.4 16v has similar performance to th 1.6 8v but is more flexible and more reliable.

Basically, I say forget the 1.6 8v and go for one of the 16v engines!!