Holden Astra 2007 Problems

On the basis of what you have described here it doesn’t sound as though the car is unsafe, and I wouldn’t be reluctant to drive it. I can, of course, understand that you feel frustrated at not being able to get a satisfactory explanation of the cause of the noise. I would suggest that you go back to the dealer and ask for a meeting with the service manager to discuss your concerns. Have the manager talk you through what they have found wrong with your car and what they have done to fix it, and ask them to justify to your satisfaction that it is indeed fixed. If you’re still not satisfied ask them to have a Holden factory technician assess the noise and give you a report on it. Further to that you could have an independent mechanic assess it for you.

Phew, where to start! It's always a good idea to read the warranty before you buy a car so you understand what it covers and what it doesn't. The new car warranty is provided by Holden, the extended warranty is not, that is provided by an insurance company and sold to you by the dealer. Again you need to read it and understand what it covers and what it doesn't cover before you buy it. Personally I wouldn't buy one, I don't believe they are good value for money. Like every profession there are good mechanics and dud ones, ones that treat their customers well and others that don't. It's a good idea to find a mechanic you can trust, one that treats you with respect, and stick with them. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and don't be fobbed off. If you aren't satisfied persist until you are satisfied with the answers, it's not a bad idea to ask to see any parts that have been replaced and get an explanation of why they needed replacing. A good mechanic will be happy to take the time to explain to you what has gone wrong and what they have done to repair your car. With regard to Holdens breaking down shortly after the warranty runs out, I don't believe there is any evidence that they do, certainly none that says they breakdown more frequently than other makes. As for the extras charged during a service; you are perfectly entitled to get a quote before the car goes in, and Holden would be able to tell you how much each service will cost you; if there is anything else they find during the inspection they must get your approval before going ahead with the work. It is not uncommon to find faults during the service inspection; that is why they inspect cars when they come in for service, I don't think that's unreasonable. Cars do breakdown, that's a fact of life, and it's not restricted to Holdens.

There is no set distance and it is usually only done when the engine starts to run a little roughly or loses power. It sounds to me like your dealer is trying to sell you up to something you don't really need.

THERE have been, and are, other means used to drive the camshaft. Holden, for instance, used gears to drive the camshaft on its early six-cylinder engines. Chains have also been used. Chains last longer, but can be noisy. Most carmakers moved to belts because they were cheaper than chains and quieter. And you might think they also reckoned their dealers could make some money through regularly replacing them.

MOST cars now have electronic throttles, replacing the cable connection that existed in the past. It's linked to the electronics, which tell the engine what you, the driver, want to do. It's a more efficient system. The Astra auto will drop into neutral when you're at rest with your foot on the brake; it does that to save fuel. When you hit the accelerator it automatically engages Drive and you move off.