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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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Recently there appeared on a Phoenix area dealer's website inventory several Astra XE's..the 5-door model with automatic transmission. These were priced at around 16K. A/C was not listed in the detailed description of the vehicle. Another dealer provided the initial test drive, which I commented on earlier, had a similar model then priced at 19K without A/C. The salesman stated that the cars then in stock, without A/C, would most likely have to go to buyers up in the much cooler areas of Arizona as there was no dealer installed factory A/C available. at that time. Heaven help those during a Phoenix summer, where temperatures can reach 115, who would be so unwise as to buy a vehicle without A/C. Something akin to buying a car in Alaska with no heater. |
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Replying to: walterquint (Mar 27, 2008 5:18 am) & no one should be surprised to see how superior it is compare to the Ion, Caliber, etc. But with only torsion-beam rear suspension, the suspension technology of this (soon to-be outmoded) current Astra is only playing in the field of B-class little cars like the upcoming Euro-designed Ford Verve/Fiesta (as well as the VW Polo & Honda Fit): http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/219219/ford_fiesta.html By the time the next-generation Astra appears, it will really join the Focus/Rabbit/Civic in the C-class w/ the multilink rear suspension. & the dorky American Focus (2008-2010?) will soon switch to the Euro design (Focus III) again!
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Replying to: creakid1 (Mar 31, 2008 5:06 pm) Astra had the best roadholding of eight compact cars it tested in May 2008 issue. Overall the Astra finished in 4th place with VW Rabbit in 1st and Ford Focus in last place.
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Replying to: moparbad (Mar 31, 2008 8:38 pm) Focus had the best lane-change speed of eight compact cars it tested in May 2008 issue (Car & Driver). & this is w/ a "smooth ride" suspension set up. Astra's highest lateral g-force (roadholding) of .84g w/ only 61.8mph lane-change speed to match can make drivers over confident & therefore dangerous to handle in swerving situations. & this is w/ the "crisp-ride" optional sport suspension. Vehicle: roadholding/lane-change speed Focus: .79g/64.8mph Astra: .84g/61.8mph Scion xD: .79g/63.5mph Corolla: .79g/60.5mpg Consumer Guide did test the Astra w/ the base soft suspension in addition to the uncomfortable sport suspension. When both the Focus & Astra are equipped w/ soft suspension, they both got a "6" (Astra sport got a "4") in ride rating, but Focus had a slightly higher handling rating of "6" while Astra only got "5". Anyway, C&D was appalled (& so did I) by the only disgusting (domestic style) interior in this group & therefore just had to give last place to this domestic-design '08 Ford riding on the original Euro-designed Focus platform b/c this is not a real Focus, just like the domestic-design Ion/Cobalt riding on Astra platform are not real Astra's either. As this Focus doesn't even exist around the world. Don't get the name confused over the next couple yrs. Now is the good time for GM to import the Astra to make the "Focus" in America look bad, as it'll be another 2 years before the new real Focus comes back. Per this C&D test, Astra's tinny 1.8 engine still looks bad against the American '08 Focus w/ Mazda-developed engine. Astra accelerates way slower & still consumes a tiny bit more fuel. It was only months ago when I test drove the Rabbit 2.5 (the repeat winner in this C&D small-car comparison test). Guess what? By comparison, I found the '07 Focus 2.3 ST so superior in handling & steering feel w/ only some sacrifice in ride comfort that I just had to get the Focus ST, which has similar suspension set up as the Euro-spec Focus ST170. This time when C&D gave even lower "steering feel" rating than Rabbit's already-mediocre helm to rest of the group -- Astra/Impreza/Lancer/Suzuki SX4/ (& even worse to) Corolla/Scion xD/('08 American imposter)Focus, that means they're all just plain boring to steer. Besides, my (real) Focus' level of steering feedback is only OK -- no match for the old Miata or any of my other cars now: '99 E36 BMW, '90 Protege twin cam, & MkI '84 Jetta w/ manual steering. In other words, only some older cars rule for now. 
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Astra was not offered as a 2007 model. Comparing it to a 2007 Focus is not helpful.
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Replying to: moparbad (Apr 05, 2008 7:54 am) Perhaps the Astra should look into another GM-badge product -- the Pontiac Vibe -- & start using Toyota powerplant for efficiency. American drivers use more gallons of fuel per day than drivers in any foreign country. The Americanized Focus may not be sporty, but sure is comfy & quiet enough to substitute mid-size cars for comfort w/o the fuel bill. This Astra has been out all over the world years before the 2008 model year. Why was GM afraid to bring it here to compete w/ the (exciting-to-drive Euro-designed) Focus over the last few years? That was my point! 
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This may assist some of you, see the below press release. PRESS RELEASE: GM REWARD CARDS Expands Options to Include Saturn Vehicles GM Card and the GM Flexible Earnings Card now offer customers even more choices when redeeming Earnings DETROIT - Consumers who want to use their GM Card or GM Flexible Earnings Card toward the purchase of an eligible, new GM vehicle now have the option to purchase or lease a new Saturn under expanded program guidelines. The GM Card and the GM Flexible Earnings Card allows Cardmembers to earn toward an eligible new GM vehicle with every credit card purchase. In the past, these Earnings could be applied toward eligible new vehicle purchases or leases offered by Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Hummer. Effective April 15, 2008 Saturn vehicles will be added to the expanded program. "We're very excited to be able to offer potential Saturn customers another valuable tool when making their purchase decision," said Jill Lajdziak, general manager, Saturn. "Our Cardmembers have asked for this and we're responding." Saturn has the freshest line-up in the industry, having launched five all-new products in the past 24 months. A GM Flexible Earning Cardmember's redemption options include: 3 percent Earnings on eligible, new GM vehicles or 1 percent cash back. "This reward card allows Cardmembers to choose the right reward for them and triples the base Earnings to 3 percent when you redeem on a GM vehicle," said Jody Stidham, director, GM Lifecycle Management. All GM reward card Earnings can be used in conjunction with most national promotional offers. |
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Replying to: creakid1 (Apr 05, 2008 1:38 pm)
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Replying to: moparbad (Apr 16, 2008 9:00 am) Anyway, I was one of the lucky US residents that gets to travel overseas each year. Last summer I was riding in a brand-new Astra 5-dr diesel over some bumpy city streets & found the ride comfort of this torsion-beam car quite firm -- no match for the multi-link Focus' (both the local C-1 MkII Focus & the old-design C-170 MkI Focus sold in the USA). & I'm pretty sure that this Astra wasn't even equipped w/ the firmer sport suspension, as it's a diesel model w/o large wheel rims. No wonder I confidently took delivery of my '07 Focus 2.3 ST last autumn. I'm hoping that the Saturn Astra, sold at made-in-Europe price, will survive long enough in the dealer show room. So I will get to see some interesting comparison b/t the next Astra w/ multi-link & the Euro-design MkIII Focus here.
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Replying to: creakid1 (Apr 16, 2008 6:54 pm)
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