Mk 4 Astra diesel van

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Myself and Ms_Ballcocks are in the process of buying a house in Alsager that needs loads of work doing on it, much of which I will probably end up doing myself. So I’m thinking that a van of some sort will be a useful tool as I don’t want to be putting sacks of plaster, garden rubbish and other crap inside the Mondeo and wrecking its nice interior.

 

If it’s a modernish, diesel van it should be suitable for my daily 100-mile commute as well, so I’m thinking of flogging the Xsara HDi and maybe the FSO, pooling the dollarz (should be able to get about 900 quid together I’d have thought) and buying a Mk4 Astra diesel van. Why an Astra? Well theres loads knocking about, they seem a tough old bus and reasonably comfortable, and you can seemingly get a fairly decent 52/53 plate one for under a grand. Plus Ms_Ballz’ astra 1.6pez has been the most hassle-free car I have ever known so I have a grudging respect for them.

 

I know the diesels can be a lot of bother, but my feeling is that if I get one that’s running well and keep on top of cambelts, oil changes and coolant strength, it ought to be more or less OK as it certainly won’t be pottering to morrison’s once a week at 20mph, it will be getting caned up and down the A50 every day, so will be well exercised. I have driven the 1.7 16v diesel and it went pretty well I thought, so the 2.0DTi must be a flyer surely.

 

What do we reckon?

[Volksy]

Whereabouts in Alsager? I lived on the Linley Estate there many moons ago, still have quite a few friends that way.

[Volksy]

My mate had a 2.0 DTi Astra van a few years back, went like the clappers, and didn't seem to suffer any maladies given it was an ex GPO pool van (my mate repaired postboxes) so had obviously led a pretty hard life!

[warren t claim]

Have you considered a Citroen C15? Mechanically simple but if it does go bang then you could drop a 652cc Visa powerhouse in there.

 

I'd be tempted to say you're the ideal customer demographic for a brand new Dacia Duster if you fancy living the dream.

[Albert Ross]

The 2 litre is a dog of an engine. They suffer from pump failure. There is no lift pump per se, so each time the filter is replaced, it is forced to suck plain air, and kill the battery. They're about £1700 and need coding to the engine. Go for any of the 1.7 units. Far easier to keep, and only known for the small heater hoses rupturing, and the oil pump sprocket falling off. Otherswise, the Astra G van is a bloody good motor, watch for broken springs, and play in the steering arms. The joy is, they keep their value, and look quite smart.

[Rocket88]

Buy Mr M'Coli's estate!

[Danblez]

Make sure you check out the local tip that they will take vans. None of ours do now (without applying for a permit) and so an estate car may be a better option!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yeah you need a permit to bring a van to our tip as well, but the permit is easy to get hold of.

[cort16]

I recon a safer bet might a Mk3 Astra van. The 1.7 tdi lumps in them have none of the 16v, 18 Ecu nonsense the new ones seem to have and they shift along alright and do good mpg. They're pretty comfy and a similiar size to a mk4. You could probably put cough mixtures into one of these and it would run it.

 

Like this.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/1998-r-reg-astra-van-for-sale-reduced--bargain-500-ono--mot-aug-short-tax/1006625792#gallery-item-full-3

[Cavcraft]

I had a high mileage 2.0DTi which was no bother but even I'd be wary of an Astra diesel as the 1.7s could also be a bit fragile in the fuel pump dep't.

My money fwiw would go on an early Berlingo with an XUD as they're roomier (certainly more height) and dare I say it more reliable?

[HillmanImp]

AWL VOXALLS R SHIT! etc etc.

 

The Astra G is great to drive though. I just had my fingers burned by electrical problems so would never touch one again as it cost me a sodding fortune (bird I was seeing at the time was all "why do you drive all these old cars, why don't you get a modern one......"). However they are so cheap now, who cares. You can get one for peanuts. Chap across the road got a van for £500 about a year and a half ago, had it for a year until the electrics started to go and still sold it for £375 or thereabouts even with it running like Oscar Pistorius before he got the carbon fibre legs.

[Lankytim]

How much do you think the Xsara is going to be? I might be interested! Alsager is nice and great VALU for the area. What area are you moving to?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I recon a safer bet might a Mk3 Astra van. The 1.7 tdi lumps in them have none of the 16v, 18 Ecu nonsense the new ones seem to have and they shift along alright and do good mpg. They're pretty comfy and a similiar size to a mk4.

 

He's not wrong Men.

 

A mate had one (1.7 Izuzuzu lump?) and it was very okay. If you bought an Astra van, you would need to change your name to Jason, get some tattoos done and do a course in bricklaying as well as buying a VXR innit and some tight fitting white power vests.

[Ben_L]

1.7TD and Di are Okay.

 

Avoid the "GM" engine which states "Diesel" on the rocker cover. Slow and uneconomical. Isuzu engined oned are better options, especially in the MK3 (The GM LoBlo will kill your soul etc etc).

 

Older the better, avoid S-T reg shitters tho as the first of the bunch were apparently all dogs. Up to around a Y-Plate all was good, then it all went to shit for another few years*.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Astra-Van-/330858214600

 

Van had fitted in August 2012 4 new injectors, 2 new tyres, cambelt, rear shock absorber, new battery, then 7 days later the turbo decided to quit, so although the engine runs, is now not in the best of conditions.

 

The van is good enough to have recon engine fitted or will be good for spares as approx £1500 was spent on it a few days before turbo went wrong

 

unlucky

[worldofceri]

Forget vans altogether. What you need is an Orion.

[Albert Ross]

You need misery in your life. This should do. Impressively brief write up too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIat-Marea-/1 ... 2579b2a255

[chaseracer]

+1000 on Billy's Blingo suggestion.

 

I bought mine at 2.5 years and 8500 miles in September '06; 85000 miles later, it remains utterly reliable (that's fecked it..!) at the cost - over & above consumables/servicing - of two springs, a headlight and a cambelt*

 

Don't be afraid of the 2.0HDi unless you need something that runs on chip fat...

 

 

 

* I have chosen not to repair the results of a lost argument with a Birmingham multi-storey car park...

[Station]

I say yes on the mk3 van, the Isuzu 1.7TD is rapid as well.

[andrew e]

I did a lot of miles in various mark 3 Astra van/s and above a certain mileage everyone tried to stick me in a ditch as the rear suspension gave up they used to steam up like a bugger with a kipping passenger...

 

I will add,completely irrelevantly I toured ellsemere port last year and the guide pointed out the last of the Astra H vans were effectively hand made to order to the best quality scores in the plant.

[Albert Ross]

We have one of those hand finished vans at work, yes, one of the last 600 Astra vans built. I believe it's Dark Grey, and a 1.7..... I hope it finds a knowledgeable owner. Chances are it will get hammered to death by a brickie who likes fishing and quad biking.

[andrew e]

Albert I can't help thinking GM is flushing a huge captive market away there, plenty of trades who don't fancy a noddy van or a L200 Devildog special edition.

[Cavcraft]

We have one of those hand finished vans at work, yes, one of the last 600 Astra vans built. I believe it's Dark Grey, and a 1.7..... I hope it finds a knowledgeable owner. Chances are it will get hammered to death by a brickie who likes fishing and quad biking.

 

 

Is it for sale and if so how much? Ta.

[Mr Lobster]

I've always rather liked Astra vans and agree with above in that there nothing much thats a proper car derived van. Berlingos and Kangoos are ok but Astras do feel a bit less van like.

[Albert Ross]

Not certain this is the one.... I'm sure we have a grey unregistered one, turned up over Christmas.....

http://www.perrys.co.uk/vauxhall-astrav ... 0-22624210

 

Just Doovla'd the plate. Not the one..... but the only one listed other than a silly picture.

[oman5]

Those 1.7td astra vans are fuggin ace. we had one as a works hack, they go like stink and economical too. ours got replaced with a berlingo. I wanted a berlingo until I actually drove one. non-turbo diesel and a piece of cack after the astra.

[vulgalour]

I've got a tatty old Maestro that might do the trick, it's not very expensive, super reliable (so far) and not too bad on fuel. back Seats are easy to remove completely and there's nothing to really break or damage in the back so could prove handy. Petrol though, so maybe not cheap enough compared to a dizzler.

[Cavcraft]

Not certain this is the one.... I'm sure we have a grey unregistered one, turned up over Christmas.....

http://www.perrys.co.uk/vauxhall-astrav ... 0-22624210

 

Just Doovla'd the plate. Not the one..... but the only one listed other than a silly picture.

 

Cheers, that'll be SRSLY out of my price range then, sorry. For some reason I thought you meant an old Mk3 that'd be used at E. Port as a site vehicle then punted out to a dealer!

[Albert Ross]

If that were the case, it would be mine!

[Lukas]

My wife owns a 2002 Opel Astra 2.0DTI. Not a van, but it should be compareable. It´s done 100.000km only in the city of Vienna, so it had a hard life. Runs nice, has always been reliable despite needing a new steering-box some years ago. I would say they are good cars but I hate the firm seats without any comfort, the firm suspension, the nervous steering, it´s not comfortable to sit and drive in.