Hello guys and gals

My name's Simon and I currently drive an Astra.

I'm rather skint at the mo' and am trying to sell it and buy something a little cheaper to free up a bit of cash. One option of car I've been looking at is a used ST, so I'm here with a few questions!

1. How many differences are there between the facelift and the previous model? I've spotted lights (F&R) and interior dials so far.

2. Do all facelifts have the coloured dash top? Don't like that much!

3. Which has the better headlamps (for seeing with)?

4. Having a little read through this forum (and others) it seems that some cars don't have the poke of others. Is this a common problem? Should I be test driving a few back to back to compare them?

5. Anyone wanna buy an Astra?

Hi and welcome to the site,

1: Thats about it tbh, apart from the mpg meter on the computer and things, not much just think is mostly cosmetic i.e. lights

2: Nope, you can get a grey dash in the facelift model

3: I should imagine theres no difference at all, ford wouldnt make a car with crap headlights

4: I suggest a few test drives anyway, since it is a big investment you need to know exactly what your buying, but there shudnt be a difference between cars?

5: and nope got my

Hope this helps,

correct me if im wrong

Is the dash an option thing?

Most of the ones I've seen are blue except in black cars.

Externally the only difference is the lights as Tony said - apart from looking different the new rear lights also have two reversing lights as opposed to only one side on the pre-facelift.

A few other changes:
Dials now include analogue fuel and temp guages rather than digital ones; onboard computer which has outside temp, mpg, miles left, average speed and other settings; 1 touch down electric window; gear lever surround and interior door handles are now shiney not matt; vents for side windows have been moved onto the dash; sidelights switch on when unlocked (home safe lights); new style cdplayer; steering wheel airbag reshaped; lane change indicators (1 touch 3 flashes).

New optional extras:
Bluetooth hands free phone with voice control system; portable music connection socket(standard for 2007 models); electric folding mirrors; rain sensor including auto headlights activation; EATC - Electronic Auto Temperature control; second remote key.

With regards to the dash it is an option as to what dash you have.

The options are:

Red ST - full leather seats, grey dash; half-leather red seats, grey dash.
White, silver or black ST - full leather seats, choice of grey or blue dash; half-leather red seats, grey dash; half-leather blue seats, blue dash.
Blue ST - full leather seats, choice of grey or blue dash; half-leather blue seats, blue dash.

As I'm buying used, I'd better do my shopping carefully then, as I don't want a blue dash!

agree with babyboo - when I got my car I didn;t realise it was going to have a blue dash and didn't really like it, after a few weeks though it has grown on me and doesn't look at all out of place, its quite a nice feature

Hi,

I had a pre-facelift colardo red ST, now have a performance blue facelift ST. When I first saw pics of the blue dash, I thought it looked like it was made of play doh, it is completely different in the flesh. It's hardly noticeable. Even people who have never been in an ST, hardly notice the blue dash.

Hope that helps!

Don't wish to be picky here Chris but I'm so sad that I have to be: the home safe lights are actually the headlights which stay on after the engine has been turned off. If you have had your headlights on, or the auto lights have been on. when you turn the engine off and the lights off, if you turn them back to on again and then straight back to off the headlights stay on as long as the car is left unlocked and then once the car is locked stay on for 30 seconds or so.

Sorry, had to be done

I'll have to try and see one for real then! My local dealer has 2 05 plate pre-facelifts in at the moment, but there's no point going to have a drive until I sell me Astra.

Sure no-one wants to buy it?!

welcome to the site x

welcome to the site.

welcome matey

welcome dude

welcome to the site

Thanks for all the welcomes.

Another question: Are there any "official" tuning outlets or parts for Ford cars? Something along the lines of the Vauxhall Performance Centre. Milltek and Remus exhausts, AP brakes and various other bits can be fitted there without VX dealers kicking off about warranty nullification!

Welcome to the site

To be honest mate. If your looking for a used then Warranty won't be too much of an issue to you.

If you wish to tune then there is LOADS of places that you could get it done including Pumaspeed... and no the dealers don't like mods, from any place.

if you get a fast ford mag theres loads of places listed in there.

Good Luck with selling the Astra and looking for your next car... the wouldn't let you down; running, performance or looks... it will always make you love it.