Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Graham Smith
Contributing Journalist
25 Mar 2006
3 min read
0 Comments

MODEL WATCH

There's more to producing a convertible than chopping the roof off a sedan or coupe. The steel roof forms a vital part of a car's structure, giving it strength and rigidity, and that strength has to be replaced somehow once the roof is removed. Dash or scuttle shake is often a sign of a lack of strength in a soft top, and a measure of the amount of development that's gone into the body.

A car that exhibits scuttle shake, evidenced when the dash area shakes or vibrates, can be a most annoying vehicle to drive. The Astra convertible is pretty good in that respect. The body is quite tight and shows no real evidence of scuttle shake, even with quite a few kilometres under its belt.

Another challenge convertible designers always face is how to make the end result look good with the top raised. The Astra also fares well in this respect.

The Astra sedan and coupe were good-looking cars to start with so the basics were there, and designer Bertone did a good job in slicing the roof off and producing a new roof so that it looks good with the roof up or down.

The Astra's top goes up or down at the touch of a switch, or remotely by the key, and disappears under a hatch at the back. It not only works well, it is triple insulated and has an electrically-heated glass rear window so it feels much like a sedan or coupe once the roof is raised. Like all convertibles, the Astra rag top sits atop the Astra range but also comes fully equipped to ease the price pain: leather sports seats, airconditioning, cruise, trip computer, power windows and mirrors and a CD player with steering wheel controls.

The engine is a 2.2-litre double overhead cam 16-valve four-cylinder producing 108kW at 5800 revs and 203Nm at 4000 revs. From 2003 there was a choice of a 2.0-litre turbo, which gave 147kW at 5600 revs and 250Nm at 1950 revs. Standard transmission is a five-speed manual with the option of a four-speed auto.

IN THE SHOP

With any convertible its important to listen for body rattles that might show that it's loosening with age, or more seriously, that it's suffered a crash. Make sure the roof goes up and down with no jerking or misalignment. Check that it operates with the button in the car and remotely with the key.

Closely inspect the roof inside and out for damage such as tears or folds that will need repairs down the road. Body damage can also affect the smooth function of the roof, so look for ill-fitting boot lids and doors, etc.

Mechanically, the Astra convertible is pretty much the same as any Astra.

The 2.2-litre engine has a chain for the camshaft drive so it doesn't have to be replaced like the belt on the regular Astra.

The turbo engine does have a belt, so be aware it needs to be replaced regularly. Brake wear can also be a headache on Astras, as it is on all European cars. Be prepared to replace disc rotors and brake pads quite regularly - about every 60,000km on average.

CRUNCH TIME

The Astra convertible is well-equipped when it comes to the crunch. It has front airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger and front side airbags as well, with reinforced A-pillars and padded roll bars behind the rear seats for protection in the event of a rollover. Dynamically, it has anti-skid brakes, traction control and electronic stability control - the first time such a system was used on a Holden.

Holden Astra 2001: Convertible

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.2L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 9.5L/100km (combined)
Seating 4
Price From $3,850 - $5,720

Pricing Guides

$5,479
Based on 42 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$995
HIGHEST PRICE
$9,990
Graham Smith
Contributing Journalist
With a passion for cars dating back to his childhood and having a qualification in mechanical engineering, Graham couldn’t believe his good fortune when he was offered a job in the Engineering Department at General Motors-Holden’s in the late-1960s when the Kingswood was king and Toyota was an upstart newcomer. It was a dream come true. Over the next 20 years Graham worked in a range of test and development roles within GMH’s Experimental Engineering Department, at the Lang Lang Proving Ground, and the Engine Development Group where he predominantly worked on the six-cylinder and V8 engines. If working for Holden wasn’t exciting enough he also spent two years studying General Motors Institute in America, with work stints with the Chassis Engineering section at Pontiac, and later took up the post of Holden’s liaison engineer at Opel in Germany. But the lure of working in the media saw him become a fulltime motorsport reporter and photographer in the late-1980s following the Grand Prix trail around the world and covering major world motor racing events from bases first in Germany and then London. After returning home to Australia in the late-1980s Graham worked on numerous motoring magazines and newspapers writing about new and used cars, and issues concerning car owners. These days, Graham is CarsGuide's longest standing contributor.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$995
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2007 Holden Astra
See Pricing & Specs

Comments