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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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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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Saturn's Hip Little Hatchback Saturn Astra almost stellar Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Mini Cooper S, Saturn Astra, Volvo C30 GM's Astra a great performer, inside and out
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Replying to: moparbad (Mar 21, 2008 9:19 am) http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08073/864709-28.stm I think this one seems to be reviewed by some hick who has been driving only Ion, Pinto & Chevette all his life  Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Mini Cooper S, Saturn Astra, Volvo C30 http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2008/03/carscom-faceoff.html But Astra's more steering feel than Volvo's numb helm doesn't necessarily meant good enoough. Let's take a look at the high standard in ride & steering feel set by some Europeans, as they found Astra's "steering feels so remote" & the "ride...": http://newsletter.autoexpress.co.uk/c/111PMlVz6J7Krdmq Volvo http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/218688/volvo_c30.html "The spongy brakes don’t add to the driving appeal, and the Volvo is not as sharp as the Vauxhall through corners. There’s ample grip, but body control could be better and it’s the least agile car here. The steering is short on feel, and over broken surfaces there’s excessive kickback. Still, the ride and refinement are good, making the C30 the best choice for motorway miles." Astra http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/218697/vauxhall_astra.html "The surging engine, slick gearbox and tight handling make the Astra great fun on country lanes. Grip levels are good, too, so it’s a pity that the nicely weighted steering feels so remote. Even that doesn’t prevent it from being the most entertaining to drive, though, with sharp turn-in and a well balanced chassis. It’s easily the sportiest and most involving of the three. The trade-off is that the ride is the least forgiving; there’s kickback through the steering over rough surfaces, and neither rival is as tiring on long trips." Kia http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/218694/kia_pro_ceed.html "But this doesn’t detract from the decent handling – the steering is nicely weighted, offers reasonable feedback and turns in precisely, with strong grip. Although the Kia is not quite as sure-footed and confidence-inspiring as the Vauxhall, body control is good. The ride suffers a little, but it’s preferable to the overly firm Astra." (post #1347) creakid1, "Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si" #1347, 9 Mar 2008 5:10 pm Of all cars in this group (including Honda, Nissan, etc.), only the steering feel of the C-1 Euro Focus (even with just the larger engine's electro-hydraulic steering) didn't get bashed, but wasn't really complimented, either. (post #67) creakid1, "Ford Focus 2005 release date" #67, 25 Dec 2004 12:39 pm That's because, compare to the old C-170 Focus, which America also have prior to '08, "the steering (of the C-1 MkII Euro Focus): although this car uses a conventional hydraulic system, it falls short of the previous car's excellent rack"! Even the V8 BMW M3 sedan's steering feel gets bashed:  http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/218721/bmw_m3.html "Purists will moan that its steering should offer more feel, but the result is a fabulously capable grand tourer that can also cover twisty roads at an enormous rate." |
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Replying to: creakid1 (Mar 19, 2008 9:43 am)
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Replying to: donwilson2 (Mar 25, 2008 7:08 pm)
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Replying to: creakid1 (Mar 26, 2008 4:58 pm) And I'd hardly call it an American car. Rather, it's an American-badged car. Everyone compares the Astra to the Focus. Granted, the Astra is superior. However, the Focus far outsells it. (The Focus is the one bright spot at Ford.) You can get a Focus for thousands less than an Astra and it's almost as good. In this economy, 'almost' is good enough. |
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Replying to: walterquint (Mar 27, 2008 5:18 am) |
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