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Automotive News & Views Saturn gets Opel Astra
154 messages, Last post on Feb 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
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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.
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Replying to: stickguy (Jan 11, 2008 7:27 am) 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. |
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Replying to: iamz (Jan 11, 2008 7:14 am)
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Replying to: mr215 (Jan 11, 2008 12:44 pm) |
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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.
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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.
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| did you all read the Astra road test on IL? the handling was impressive even though the car is slow. | |
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Replying to: meatycheesyboy (Jan 12, 2008 7:16 pm) I will just wait until the Philly Auto show in February to check them out.
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Replying to: stickguy (Jan 11, 2008 7:21 pm) Equipment wise it is a pretty close match to the Rabbit ( I own a three door ). The Astra has a lot of standard safety features ( airs bags galore ). I personally think it is a more stylish vehicle than the Rabbit and compares well with the Mazda, perhaps looking a little more up market, having a better quality interior and simply being a fresher face. The big sticking point is the Saturn branding. There seems to be a mismatch between the quality of smaller Saturn product and the pretentions and actual quality of this model. It is too good to be a Saturn. The problem for GM is that they don't have a brand synonymous with quality in a compact car. They might get customers who already would drive a Saturn to look at the car but buyers who are looking at Honda, VW, Mazda, Scion etc will hesitate to be seen in a Saturn. There's no easy solution to this so I suppose this is an attempt to elevate the Saturn brand and that will take a little time. The nail in the coffin though is going to be the engine. The VW is up to 170 horses and more importantly ( although nobody seems to ever realize it ), 177 ft-lbs of torque. The Astra is rated at 125 ft-lbs which is way off the pace. The Mazda 3 wagon is at about 150 for both HP and torque which is enough to make it not a factor when comparing to the Rabbit. I just got back from the UK and I did look at a few Astras. The interior looks very VW ( well that is all I can compare it too as the only non-luxury European brand sold in the US ) and it is a sharp vehicle. I hope they have plans to tweak the motor in the next six months. Mind you, I have owned a '96 Saturn SL2 since '99 and it is far an away the worst engine I have ever driven so the 1.8 is maintaining the tradition ( although I do have 165k miles on it so I can't complain too loudly ).
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Replying to: guss (Jan 14, 2008 9:44 am)
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