It's good to hear the 5dr XR with sport package handles well, I was worried that such comments had come from tests of the 2-door with the lowered suspension.
Yours looks like the exact model I'd choose. I've yet to try the sunroof to make sure I have enough headroom but I know the kids would love it. The panorama windshield in the European 2-door is quite appealing but isn't very practical on these shores - I'd never had top replace a windshield or struts living in England but it seems to be a common occurrence here due to the bad conditions of the road surface. It's not just the stone chips, potholes ruin struts and crack windshields.
Came across this photo again today, which I thought I'd share. The Vauxhall Astra Nurburgring
