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Hatchbacks Saturn Astra Saturn Astra
97 messages, Last post on Jul 13, 2009 at 9:58 PM
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i work for saturn and when the astra came out i was greatly disappointed. way too overpriced. the automatics are annoyingly slow. we finally got a 5spd in and it was a lot better. the shifting was so smooth, i was jealous of it in comparison to my 07 kia spectra 5 138hp. then i raced it and was again greatly disappointed in this new saturn astra 138hp. my kia beat it by at least 2 1/2 car lengths each time. ever since saturn has gone with the opel formats, they have strayed away from their roots. the sky redline is fast but the body cant handle the beating and the transmissions suck. the 08 vue (which isnt opel) has a good motor but everything else is cheap mexican crap and was developed in south korea (no wonder it looks like an older model kia). the aura is the best car saturn has, yet the camry beats it in EVERY category. and the astra was supposed to be the answer to the new wave of european style fashion. it fell way short of its mark. i do like the 18 inch rims though on the XR. since the astra has been on sale on Jan 1st, the dealership i work for has only sold 1 astra. thats gotta tell you something
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Replying to: stefen68 (Mar 04, 2008 1:11 pm) Vue was designed in Germany and is based on Opel GTC concept shown in 2005 and on the production Opel Antara. Astra, Vue and Aura have all been widely praised by Automotive Press as great improvements over the models they replaced. Astra is not intended for race use.
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Replying to: moparbad (Mar 06, 2008 4:13 pm) http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/gallery.php?id=250227 How about multi-link independent rear suspension? http://newsletter.autoexpress.co.uk/c/1YVsNU4djk8Da4A " The rest of the line-up is front-wheel drive, although engineers have developed a new multi-link independent rear suspension set-up. That should ensure the Vauxhall delivers handling to match the class-leading Focus. Expect to see the first concept car previewing the new Astra at a major motor show in 2009. UK sales will then start a few months later." That's right! See ya in 2009 
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Replying to: creakid1 (Mar 13, 2008 7:40 pm)
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Replying to: v_d (Mar 14, 2008 1:07 pm) These days, only B-class cars like the Honda Fit, VW Polo & Ford Fiesta (Verve) ride on torsion-beam rear suspension. The Corolla/Matrix is finally offering optional multilink rear suspension in this country. |
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Astra handling is very good. Much better than a Corolla, Focus and IMHO better than a Civic.
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Replying to: moparbad (Mar 17, 2008 2:23 pm) Which Focus did you drive? You can't just grab the Saturn Astra w/ Euro-spec suspension firmness & a basic US-spec Focus w/ a much softer ride & say, "Look, the Astra has better handling." Since dawn, the Focus in its Euro-setting out-handles the Astra while having a comfier ride which Astra's torsion-beam suspension simply can't achieve. Ever wonder why the original Focus suspension engineer(s) got hired to work for the VW group lately? Starting '08, the US-spec Focus may have dived into a period of dark age. But prior to that, it has been available w/ Euro-spec suspension -- 1) 2001 Street Edition sedan/wagon. 2) SVT hatch, which has the identical Euro sport suspension from the ST170. 3) ST sedan, which has ST170 suspension minus the lowered springs. But even the SES Focus w/ mid-level suspension excels in the steering/handling/ride compromise so well that no one else seems to match, per Consumer Reports. CR may have given the highest total score to the Lexus LS sedan, but that car is handicapped in steering feel so typical of Toyota products. |
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creakidWhich Focus did you drive? Starting '08, the US-spec Focus may have dived into a period of dark age. I was comparing the Astra to a Focus that other buyers of a new vehicle would coparison shop against which is a NEW vehicle, not a 2001 or SVT. Astra's competition is 2008 and 2009 vehicles. The Astra offers a European type driving experience at a price range that is found in few competitors limited to Rabbit, Jetta and maybe base Mini.
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Replying to: moparbad (Mar 18, 2008 2:53 pm) By the way, the feel of the electric steering in the '08 American Focus disappoints: See post #1944 http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ee9e813/1943 "...The steering maintains the effortless, light feeling of the old car, but it's less hyperactive. While still precise it feels slightly dulled when going straight ahead, something I'd chalk up to the setup of the electrical power steering to require less inputs when driven at high speeds on the highway and fewer kickbacks from the wheel. The conversion to an electric rack also leaves the wheel mostly devoid of feedback, an area which the old Focus was very strong..." This reminds me of Rabbit's numb electric steering as well when I test drove it!  I guess the Astra rides more like the Mini Cooper, if that's what you want. 
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