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Saturn gets Opel Astra

154 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn Astra, Hatchback

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#134 of 154 Re: Astra availability [mr215] by michaell Jan 10, 2008 (12:18 pm)
Replying to: mr215 (Jan 10, 2008 12:09 pm) Yeah, that makes sense. I knew the Astra was due for a redesign soon, at which point they will probably start manufacturing them in the US as well. I'm hoping for some more engine choices at that time.   Isn't 2010 when we'll also see the new Corsa sold here?
#135 of 154 Just keep screwing up GM by iamz Jan 11, 2008 (7:14 am)
How stupid can a car company get. How many people are going to want to spend $20,000 for a 3 door car that gets 25 mpg? Bring us a stripped down 3 door for under $15k with a economical little engine that gets at least 35 mpg highway. Replies to this message: mr215 (Jan 11, 2008 12:44 pm) iamz (Jan 11, 2008 4:33 pm)
#136 of 154 strippo by stickguy Jan 11, 2008 (7:27 am)
sounds like the Aveo. Do they still make that?   I thought the Astra got pretty good mileage? They could make a cheaper model but cutting out features (although I doubt they will), but I don't see how they can improve mileage much without cutting performance back to an unacceptable level. Replies to this message: helmutvonkopf (Jan 11, 2008 7:53 am)
#137 of 154 Performance Tradeoffs by helmutvonkopf Jan 11, 2008 (7:53 am)
Replying to: stickguy (Jan 11, 2008 7:27 am) This discussion highlights why it is just not that easy to bring a car to the US from Europe. Economic performance is achieved in Europe using the turbodiesel and there is a premium for that of about US$3k. I think US emissions laws make it impossible to bring a Euro spec diesel over with the exception of the new "clean" diesels which Mercedes/Audi/VW have.   Does anybody know if there is parity for diesels versus hybrids as regards tax breaks. I have never understood why diesels have been ignored here when they have been providing hybrid level economy with performance for at least 20 years.   Europeans drive manuals and I would love to see a chart of weight distributions for the average European and American families. I am sure a car in the US is much more likely to be loaded up with a 300lb Pa, 200lb Ma and two 150lb kids than in Europe and so engine performance levels needed to guarantee safe on road behaviour are necessarily higher. Add an auto transmission into the mix and the market segment for the Astra just shrunk to those who are slim, drive stick, have no kids and don't like to put their foot down.   Basically, they need to put a turbo in that baby if it is their only engine choice.
#138 of 154 Re: Just keep screwing up GM [iamz] by mr215 Jan 11, 2008 (12:44 pm)
Replying to: iamz (Jan 11, 2008 7:14 am) not realistic at all. The engines in Europe that are more efficient than the 1.8L are either too weak to be taken seriously here or diesels. You arent going to find many cars that make 140hp and get 35mpg on the highway beyond the civic. The Astra is a premium compact so its not meant to be stripped down and sold at rock bottom prices like the Ion. People want european cars and in europe compacts are not necessarily "cheap" cars. Replies to this message: iamz (Jan 11, 2008 4:33 pm)
#139 of 154 Re: Just keep screwing up GM [mr215] by iamz Jan 11, 2008 (4:33 pm)
Replying to: mr215 (Jan 11, 2008 12:44 pm) My old VW scirocco had 74 hp and was a blast to drive. My VW Corrado had a super-charged 160 hp engine and got 34 mpg hwy. The biggest problem is weight. I think the Scirocco weighed in at less than 1900 lbs. You are right though that the Astra is a "premium" compact. A stupid move on GM's part. Too bad. I come from a family that owned 4 Opel Manta's and I was looking forward to something similar in the Astra but I guess not.
#140 of 154 mpg by stickguy Jan 11, 2008 (7:21 pm)
Well, my 5 speed Accord can get 34 on the highway, without even trying to maximize mileage.   I bet in the real word a 5 speed Astra can do the same. Replies to this message: helmutvonkopf (Jan 14, 2008 9:49 am) dtownfb (Jan 14, 2008 7:35 pm) helmutvonkopf (Jan 16, 2008 10:14 am)
#141 of 154 Where are they? by meatycheesyboy Jan 12, 2008 (7:16 pm)
Has anyone seen one on lots yet? I've drove through my local Saturn dealership today to see if I could get a look at a 3 door but they didn't have any... ahh well, maybe next week. Replies to this message: guss (Jan 14, 2008 9:44 am) bumpy (Jan 14, 2008 10:17 am) guss (Jan 14, 2008 10:54 am) and 1 more...
#142 of 154 test drive by mr215 Jan 14, 2008 (6:09 am)
did you all read the Astra road test on IL? the handling was impressive even though the car is slow.
#143 of 154 Re: Where are they? [meatycheesyboy] by guss Jan 14, 2008 (9:44 am)
Replying to: meatycheesyboy (Jan 12, 2008 7:16 pm) I drove the Saturn lot yesterday (closed on Sunday's so it's a good time to window shop) and there they did not have any Astra's.   I will just wait until the Philly Auto show in February to check them out. Replies to this message: bumpy (Jan 14, 2008 10:17 am) guss (Jan 14, 2008 10:54 am) bumpy (Jan 14, 2008 11:30 am)

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