Article Comments - 2008 Saturn Astra First Drive and Full Test

15 messages, Last post on Feb 26, 2008 at 9:43 AM

You are in the Saturn Astra Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Saturn Astra, Hatchback, Sedan

First Drive: 2008 Saturn Astra - Flat-out on the autobahn just west of Frankfurt, the Saturn's speedometer needle is creeping past 110 mph. Jon J. Lauckner, GM's vice president of global program management, told us we would be impressed with the Astra's high-speed stability, and we are. The road is smoother than I-70 just outside Frankfort, but the Astra is undeniably locked in. (more)

Full Test: 2008 Saturn Astra XR Three-Door - The '08 Saturn Astra doesn't change the game; instead, it just plays it very, very well. (more)

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#3 of 15 No Diesel, No Wagon, No Redline, No Astra! by moparbad Sep 27, 2007 (2:14 pm)
After reading the first drive, my conclusion is that Saturn is leaving the best of the Astra in Europe. There will be no Redline version. Scion TC to VW GTI and others offer better sporty 2 door than the Astra 3 door with the 1.8L. There will be no Wagon Astra. Hyundai Elantra Wagon may satisfy small wagon buyers. There will be no diesel Astra. VW Wabbit is expected to have a Tdi option in 2008 calendar year. Saturn could have offered Green Line Astra with the diesel....but did not. There is nothing compelling about the Astra. Rabbit offers Euro with better interior and is LESS expensive. Mazda3 offers better small car overall and is less expensive. Corolla/Matix/Vibe will be all new, Civic is excellent, Elantra is a bargain.......where does this leave the Astra?
#4 of 15 Re: No Astra Contest Winner Link? [saturn_comm] by KarenS HOST Sep 28, 2007 (8:00 am)
Replying to: saturn_comm (Sep 28, 2007 7:34 am) The winner of the Saturn Astra Frankfurt contest did cover the event and the Astra in our Straigthline blog. You can find Eric's coverage here: http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/category/cat.SaturnAstra-FrankfurtShowCont- est
#6 of 15 Not the worst American car ever... not even close by rustyshepherd Sep 30, 2007 (5:10 pm)
So you think the Saturn Ion is the worst American car ever? Boy, have you guys been leading a sheltered life! Until you can get out more, here's a list: Chevrolet Vega and Pontiac Astre whose linerless aluminum engines self-destructed about the same time as the bodies rusted out. Ford Pinto,Chevrolet Corvair, Plymouth Volare/Dodge Aspen,Plymouth Reliant K/Dodge Aries K, any 1980's GM car with the diesel V-8, any 1980's Cadillac with the HT4100 aluminum engine and plastic-filled 200 series transmission. The Ion, while far from the best American car ever made was nowhere near the worst and had most of its initial shorcomings fixed a couple of years into production. The Ion was a big improvement over the awful, buzzy first generation Saturns that every automotive writer knew were not nearly as good as the dealerships that sold them.
#7 of 15 Don't wanna wait for Redline by usmcva98 Nov 01, 2007 (5:30 am)
As soon as this Astra comes out I'm getting it but I wanna know how do I go about get the European parts for the car because I am not waiting another year for the Redline to come out in the U.S. No way. Help.
#8 of 15 That Saturn-ized grill looks ugly by creakid1 Nov 05, 2007 (11:16 pm)
compare to the original styling. Even the Opel zig-zag emblem looks cool! http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_chicago/0612_2008_saturn_astra/phot- - - - - - - - - - o_04.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Opel_Astra_H.jpg http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/1series/1series/2004/introduction.html You might as well have a body shop changing it to the BMW 1-series front end & pretend to be the only 5-dr BMW 1-series in America http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BMW_E87_facelift_rear.JPG http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Opel_astra_H_Frankfurt.jpg http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/2007_chicago/0612_2008_saturn_astra/phot- - - - - - - - - - o_02.html & how many people in America can tell the difference b/t them?
#9 of 15 Not good enough by iamz Dec 05, 2007 (9:36 am)
30 mpg highway? Sorry GM, you'll have to do better than that. What a shame. Nice looking car.
#10 of 15 Full Test Available! by KarenS HOST Jan 11, 2008 (8:30 am)
Full Test: 2008 Saturn Astra XR Three-Door
#11 of 15 Does anyone by kreuzer Jan 23, 2008 (8:23 am)
know if the 4 door Astra has a flat loading floor in the back? Thanks. Replies to this message: duncan36 (Feb 05, 2008 9:43 pm) irismg (Feb 07, 2008 9:47 am)
#12 of 15 Re: Does anyone [kreuzer] by duncan36 Feb 05, 2008 (9:43 pm)
Replying to: kreuzer (Jan 23, 2008 8:23 am) I'm sorry you cant compare this car to say a Corolla, look at the quality of the sheetmetal and the overall quality of the car. Its way ahead of the bargain basement corolla. Even the Mazda 3 doesnt look as high quality inside or out. This car is being underestimated. Replies to this message: irismg (Feb 07, 2008 9:47 am)