Holden Astra Problems

You appear to have been given the run-around. Take the car back to the dealer and ask for a meeting with the service manager. Ask him for an explanation of what has happened and why, and then try to get a commitment to fix it, at their expense. You could also complain to the Motor Trade Association of WA about the work that has been done, they might be able to help you. You could also seek the advice of the WA Consumer Affairs Department, and as a last resort seek legal advice.

Yes, it can be rebuilt or replaced and an automatic transmission specialist would be able to do that for you. Cost for the job would be around $2000 to rebuild or replace the transmission on a changeover basis.

There are no fundamental problems to be concerned about, but it is getting on in age and things do tend to go wrong as the kilometres climb and the years pass. Check that it has been serviced as per Holden's recommendation, that the timing belt has been changed, and that the automatic transmission is working as it should.

If you are not sure about the van you're buying then back out of the deal while you have the chance. The next time you decide on a van have it checked by a mechanic.

You will get great value and a classy car in the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The CR-V also goes well and is slightly better value than a RAV4.

The VE sounds like a good car that's been well looked after and would be a good car for a growing family such as yours. I will assume it's a V6, in which case the main thing to be concerned about is wear to the camshaft timing chains. They're a known problem and cost $2000 or so to replace if they do wear. You can tell if they're worn as the engine runs poorly because the cam timing is thrown out. Other than that the VE is quite sound.

When it loses power like you describe it’s usually because it has gone into limp-home mode due to some problem related to the car’s computer or associated sensors. By turning the ignition off and on again you are, in effect, rebooting the computer. The only way to find out what is causing it is to have a mechanic use his diagnostic equipment to identify the fault.

I doubt that you would be given a roadworthy if you can't open the boot. It's very difficult to put a value on it, but I wouldn't pay more than $1000-$1200 given its current condition. You'd be better off getting it repaired, so the roof does work and the boot opens.

Putting Premium unleaded in it won't help. The problem is likely to be partially blocked fuel-injectors and I would suggest you have them cleaned.

Based on your mechanic's diagnosis it would seem that the oxygen (02) sensor is probably faulty and needs replacing. There is no connection with the car's heater. If there is a problem with the heater it's different one.