Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Automotive News & Views Saturn gets Opel Astra
154 messages, Last post on Feb 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
|
Replying to: iamz (Jan 11, 2008 7:14 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: mr215 (Jan 11, 2008 12:44 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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
| did you all read the Astra road test on IL? the handling was impressive even though the car is slow. | |
|
Replying to: meatycheesyboy (Jan 12, 2008 7:16 pm) I will just wait until the Philly Auto show in February to check them out.
|
|
|
|
|
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 ).
|
|
|
Replying to: guss (Jan 14, 2008 9:44 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: bumpy (Jan 14, 2008 10:17 am)
|
|
|
Replying to: guss (Jan 14, 2008 10:54 am) |
|
You are here:
Forums
Automotive News & Views Saturn gets Opel Astra
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2008 Saturn Astra
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
