Picked up the Astra - 1 Year Review (1/22/09)

SirRaven · 01-21-2008, 04:17 PM

Well I finally picked up my Astra today, the first one driven off the Saturn of Troy lot

. This car is light years better then the car I had before (Thread). Few things I have noticed on my drive/talk with the salesman. The car does currently have the military clock. The car has plenty of pep, and will hold its own in traffic, and handles very well. The rear seats do not fold completely flat, but they are at around 15 degrees or less, so its not horrible. The advanced audio package is confusing at first, but with a few minutes of playing with it you realize that you can really do a lot and fairly easy to do it. It has a full equalizer that you can adjust, I was surprised at that. The sunroof is SWEET and HUGE! Im still disappointed in not having a temp gauge. The stalks for the blinker and wipers will take me a little bit to get used to, but nice features. I now just have to get used to the clutch and shifter because mine was really old and loose, and these are much firmer and solid feeling.

5dr XR Manual
Twilight Blue
Advanced Audio
Sport Handling
Dual Panel Sunroof

I have to go get ready because I am leaving to go snowboarding here in a little while. I have a few pics, but haven't had time to load them, if there are some people want let me know and Ill try to get them. Or if you have questions, I can just go out to my car quick and let you know.
I LOVE MY NEW CAR!

unkillsam · 01-21-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirRaven

Well I finally picked up my Astra today, the first one driven off the Saturn of Troy lot

. This car is light years better then the car I had before (Thread). Few things I have noticed on my drive/talk with the salesman. The car does currently have the military clock. The car has plenty of pep, and will hold its own in traffic, and handles very well. The rear seats do not fold completely flat, but they are at around 15 degrees or less, so its not horrible. The advanced audio package is confusing at first, but with a few minutes of playing with it you realize that you can really do a lot and fairly easy to do it. It has a full equalizer that you can adjust, I was surprised at that. The sunroof is SWEET and HUGE! Im still disappointed in not having a temp gauge. The stalks for the blinker and wipers will take me a little bit to get used to, but nice features. I now just have to get used to the clutch and shifter because mine was really old and loose, and these are much firmer and solid feeling.

5dr XR Manual
Twilight Blue
Advanced Audio
Sport Handling
Dual Panel Sunroof

I have to go get ready because I am leaving to go snowboarding here in a little while. I have a few pics, but haven't had time to load them, if there are some people want let me know and Ill try to get them. Or if you have questions, I can just go out to my car quick and let you know.
I LOVE MY NEW CAR!

Most GM compacts don't have a temp guage anymore.

I remember in my camaro the temp guage was a dummy anyway. It stayed at exactly the same point unless the engine overheated. GM did this because Camaro owners wanted the temp guage but it was still exatly the same as having a dummy light on the dash.

j_granlund · 01-21-2008, 05:08 PM

powervette · 01-21-2008, 05:22 PM

welcome to Astra owners club, You took a five door one, so I will still own a nicer car (mine is a 3-door hatch)

montrealvue · 01-21-2008, 05:32 PM

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

CrunkedRL · 01-21-2008, 05:52 PM

Wow I'm sure this is a serious upgrade from your Tracer. Congrats on the new wheels.

montrealvue · 01-21-2008, 06:26 PM

I still miss my old Tracer....

. I hope to get my wife an Astra this year, looks like a great car!

DuSpinnst · 01-21-2008, 06:46 PM

I drove an Astra today, loved it.

But you have to keep it over 3000 RPM to get a nice amount of power, which is fine for me since I will be getting the stick.

coaster.n3rd · 01-21-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I drove an Astra today, loved it.

But you have to keep it over 3000 RPM to get a nice amount of power, which is fine for me since I will be getting the stick.

I really wanted to get more ffedback from you today Du. Do you plan on writing a mini review of your own?

By the way, nice to meet you and the family. My offer still stands to bring cars out to you and your folks for a real test drive.

DuSpinnst · 01-21-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

I really wanted to get more ffedback from you today Du. Do you plan on writing a mini review of your own?

By the way, nice to meet you and the family. My offer still stands to bring cars out to you and your folks for a real test drive.

Yea, review is forthcoming, and I'll probably have to take you up on the offer of opening one up around here.

Minnesota Nice · 01-21-2008, 07:13 PM

Pictures or fail.

Just playing. Glad you enjoy the car. If I did buy an Astra, I'd probably do the 5 door just like yours. Still...the center stack looks cheap to me. But I know better than to trust pictures for how good a car is. I have to see it in real life! good color choice.

GMfan1111 · 01-21-2008, 07:49 PM

i'm sure there is a way to change the clock settings to (civilian time) but if you have an army buddy that knows military time go for it

FenwickHockey65 · 01-21-2008, 10:36 PM

HINT: When the time goes over 12:59, just subtract 12 from the hours...
Haha. Congrats on the Astra.

chakis24 · 01-21-2008, 11:27 PM

how could a car not have a temp gauge? that seems ludicrous to me.

knightfan26917 · 01-21-2008, 11:47 PM

SR,

CONGRATS on your new Astra!!!

Lookin' forward to seeing pictures

.

Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
CDshowcase=www.WRMN1410.com*SATURDAY.january26*2p-5p.and.8p-11p.CENTRAL
"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy" ... Eagles ... 'Take It Easy'

01-21-2008, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
SirRaven 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Body in Detroit, Heart in WISCONSIN Drives: 08 Saturn Astra 5dr XR Posts: 1,270	Picked up the Astra - 1 Year Review (1/22/09) Well I finally picked up my Astra today, the first one driven off the Saturn of Troy lot . This car is light years better then the car I had before (Thread). Few things I have noticed on my drive/talk with the salesman. The car does currently have the military clock. The car has plenty of pep, and will hold its own in traffic, and handles very well. The rear seats do not fold completely flat, but they are at around 15 degrees or less, so its not horrible. The advanced audio package is confusing at first, but with a few minutes of playing with it you realize that you can really do a lot and fairly easy to do it. It has a full equalizer that you can adjust, I was surprised at that. The sunroof is SWEET and HUGE! Im still disappointed in not having a temp gauge. The stalks for the blinker and wipers will take me a little bit to get used to, but nice features. I now just have to get used to the clutch and shifter because mine was really old and loose, and these are much firmer and solid feeling. 5dr XR Manual Twilight Blue Advanced Audio Sport Handling Dual Panel Sunroof I have to go get ready because I am leaving to go snowboarding here in a little while. I have a few pics, but haven't had time to load them, if there are some people want let me know and Ill try to get them. Or if you have questions, I can just go out to my car quick and let you know. I LOVE MY NEW CAR! Last edited by SirRaven : 01-22-2009 at 11:10 AM.

01-21-2008, 05:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
j_granlund 3.0 Liter SIDI V6 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Olmsted Falls,OH Drives: parents 05 cobalt base sedan with auto,spoiler,and Posts: 688	Re: Picked up the Astra __________________ those big flying thingies knocked my picture off the wall. Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65 I don't know if that worked. I did, however, teach her that prius = litter box...

01-21-2008, 05:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
powervette 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of Europe Posts: 2,335	Re: Picked up the Astra welcome to Astra owners club, You took a five door one, so I will still own a nicer car (mine is a 3-door hatch) __________________

01-21-2008, 05:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
montrealvue 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal,PQ Posts: 1,992	Re: Picked up the Astra Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! __________________ '87 Merc Tracer '88 Toyota Tercel '89 VW Golf '94 Saturn SL '97 Pontiac Grand Am '00 Olds Silhouette '02 Dodge Intrepid '04 Chev Malibu '06 Saturn Vue '08 Toyota Sienna

01-21-2008, 05:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
CrunkedRL 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Columbus,OH Drives: 1998 Saturn SL2 2004 Saturn Vue RL Posts: 1,269	Re: Picked up the Astra Wow I'm sure this is a serious upgrade from your Tracer. Congrats on the new wheels. __________________ Current Fleet: 04' Saturn Vue RL 3.5L Honda V6 98' Saturn SL2 1.9L 16 Valve DOHC I4

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01-21-2008, 06:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
montrealvue 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal,PQ Posts: 1,992	Re: Picked up the Astra I still miss my old Tracer..... I hope to get my wife an Astra this year, looks like a great car! __________________ '87 Merc Tracer '88 Toyota Tercel '89 VW Golf '94 Saturn SL '97 Pontiac Grand Am '00 Olds Silhouette '02 Dodge Intrepid '04 Chev Malibu '06 Saturn Vue '08 Toyota Sienna

01-21-2008, 06:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
DuSpinnst Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Unemployment Hell Drives: '08 Corvette '08 Grand Cherokee Posts: 17,587	Re: Picked up the Astra I drove an Astra today, loved it. But you have to keep it over 3000 RPM to get a nice amount of power, which is fine for me since I will be getting the stick.

01-21-2008, 07:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
Minnesota Nice 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minneapolis Drives: 2006 Honda Civic Si Posts: 1,667	Re: Picked up the Astra Pictures or fail. Just playing. Glad you enjoy the car. If I did buy an Astra, I'd probably do the 5 door just like yours. Still...the center stack looks cheap to me. But I know better than to trust pictures for how good a car is. I have to see it in real life! good color choice. __________________

01-21-2008, 07:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
GMfan1111 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in a undisclosed bunker somewhere in the metro detroit area Drives: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS Posts: 2,284	Re: Picked up the Astra i'm sure there is a way to change the clock settings to (civilian time) but if you have an army buddy that knows military time go for it __________________ “The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair” "A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools". - Douglas Adams - Current ride: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS (happy 99,000 miles )

01-21-2008, 10:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 News Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 9,272	Re: Picked up the Astra HINT: When the time goes over 12:59, just subtract 12 from the hours... Haha. Congrats on the Astra. __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS: 3.6L SIDI High-Feature V6

01-21-2008, 11:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
chakis24 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: CT Drives: 2005 chevy silverado 1500 5.3 EC LB Z-71 Posts: 4,154	Re: Picked up the Astra how could a car not have a temp gauge? that seems ludicrous to me. __________________ My Ride: 2005 Chevy Silverado Z71 3" PA Body lift 34" Nitto Terra Grapplers 17x9Pro Comp Wheels Halo HID Projector headlights w LED halo projector fog lights Pace Edward toneau cover Fire&Ice LED bar Patriot window decal black LED bumper lights black&red grille emblem iPOD jack My Toy: 2009 Arctic Cat 700 Mud Pro Snorkel 28" Outlaw MSTs 14" ground clearance 10" travel locked rear selectable 4x4 & front locker winch hitch IFS/IRS

01-21-2008, 11:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
knightfan26917 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Elgin IL Drives: '72 MC, '76 MC, '79 MC, '81 MC SC & '87 MC LS Posts: 4,099	Re: Picked up the Astra SR, CONGRATS on your new Astra!!! Lookin' forward to seeing pictures . Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker CDshowcase=www.WRMN1410.comSATURDAY.january262p-5p.and.8p-11p.CENTRAL "Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy" ... Eagles ... 'Take It Easy'

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