Saturn Astra 3-Door XR

DuSpinnst · 01-21-2008, 07:21 PM

So I went over to coaster.n3rd's dealership today to check out an Astra 3-Door. My subject for thrashing was a Red 5-Speed Manual.

First things first, I saw a Black one in the show room and like the Twilight Blue one I sat in at the Autoshow I was impressed by the fit and finish and quality of the car.

So lets start with the drive. As to not get into too much detail of the Metro Detroit road system I'll just say that I took a right out of the dealership down a long straight road (over a few bridges) and I rowed thru the cogs to 4th gear (and about 50 MPH) in no time. The 1.8L Ecotec isn't the "quietest" engine, but that is how I like it so no issue for me. The car is VERY responsive when you keep it over 3000 RPM with a quick blip on the throttle in 2nd I was up to 50 from 20 in no time.

I made a Michigan Left onto another road and ripped the car around the corner of the turnaround at about 30 MPH in 3rd gear, no noticeable roll and no loss of traction. Quite impressed, I then got on the Freeway. Coming on the on-ramp at about 35-40 MPH (Cloverleaf ramp) in 3rd gear allowed me to launch to about 65-70 MPH with relative ease, a quick shift to 4th was required at about 60 to keep things smooth (although I could have kept it in 3rd). 5th Gear was found at 80 MPH and after a few quick lane-shifts I was cruising for a mile or two before I exited the freeway and headed back to the dealership.

I was impressed with the way the 5-speed shifted, it was easy to find the gears and the throw was much better than the 6-speed in my Saab (which is a related transmission of GM Europe's). The Ecotec can get a bit noisy around 5000 RPM, but shifting up still keeps you in the power-band and quiets the engine down. 80-85 MPH in 5th gear was comfortable as well, and the lack of a 6th gear isn't a problem especially when 3000+ RPM is where this engine thrives. Downshifting is a bit harder as the engine does thrash a bit, but that also could be because the clutch was brand new (my Saab did the same thing when I first got it).

On to the interior. As I said after the autoshow I was quite impressed with the fit and finish of the interior. The seats while manual where adjustable forward/aft, up/down, and the back was forward/aft as well. The steering wheel tilts was nice, but I wish it had better telescoping (or telescoping at all as I only tried to pull out and didn't check if it pushed in). The cup-holder which some have complained about seems to me to be in a decent location, my only complaint with the center console was the lack of an armrest. Something I'd have to get use to, but not a big deal.

The 3-Door has ample leg room and hip room for me (I am 6'2" 250 lbs) so just about anyone can fit. The seats hug you, which is nice in the corners. The back seat isn't too shabby either, a person of my size can nearly fit in the back seat with me in the front. So the car for me would seat 3 comfortably, and 4 a little tight (due to leg room behind me). The cargo area is cavernous, it doesn't look big from the outside but you pop the hatch and it is quite impressive.

I didn't play around with the radio too much, but based on my experience in Europe with the same system I won't be disappointed.

Needless to say, this is GM's best small car in a long time, and I will be proud to own one come this fall when I need a winter car to compliment the Corvette.

Overall grade: A

giagastormer · 01-21-2008, 07:34 PM

Great review. Pictures?

DuSpinnst · 01-21-2008, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giagastormer

Great review. Pictures?

No pics of the one I drove, but here are some from the Autoshow:

GMfan1111 · 01-21-2008, 07:42 PM

Nice review and i do agree with you on the armrest issue. i actually did sit in an astra myself over at a local dealer and it did feel kind of awkward not having an armrest there like in my current car. as for the cupholders i have no problem with there location though i won't be putting anything bigger than a waterbottle in those holders ( I'd hate to see what kind of mess you would have if you had a slurpee in one of those)

coaster.n3rd · 01-21-2008, 07:46 PM

What I would love to see added to the car other than the usual (XM etc..) is the addition of a cup holder ala the Sky. It comes out of the center console near the passengers knee. This would be perfect and not impose on the driver.

**nsap** · 01-21-2008, 08:47 PM

Great review. Actually, you're review has made me want to test drive one....which I wasn't sure of prior to reading this.

Is the information screen really 6.5"? I read that it was, but in the photos it does not look like it is that big. Oh, and is that extremely long antenna on the production car?

DuSpinnst · 01-21-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsap

Great review. Actually, you're review has made me want to test drive one....which I wasn't sure of prior to reading this.

Is the information screen really 6.5"? I read that it was, but in the photos it does not look like it is that big. Oh, and is that extremely long antenna on the production car?

The antenna is on the production car. The screen size I am not sure of, but it is large enough and very easy to read.

Andonis · 01-22-2008, 03:18 AM

its a hit in europe
great car!

i like the one with panoramic roof. its stunning

**nsap** · 01-22-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

The antenna is on the production car. The screen size I am not sure of, but it is large enough and very easy to read.

Why does it have such a ridiculously large antenna? It looks funny.

SirRaven · 01-22-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsap

Why does it have such a ridiculously large antenna? It looks funny.

I guess I kinda like that long antenna, just gives it a different kinda look, its like the car has a tail.

**nsap** · 01-22-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirRaven

I guess I kinda like that long antenna, just gives it a different kinda look, its like the car has a tail.

I guess it gives the car an attitude. I suppose I could live with it.

montrealvue · 01-22-2008, 09:05 AM

I love the rear end of the Astra....does that make me an ass man?......damn, I need that plate.....

Htay7500 · 01-22-2008, 11:59 AM

I also like the rear end of this car, kinda sleek.

Toto · 01-22-2008, 02:56 PM

Great review, DuSpinnst.

Yes, the Astra is nearly 4 years old. But damn, i think the GTC look hot like on the first day.

DuSpinnst · 01-23-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsap

I guess it gives the car an attitude. I suppose I could live with it.

On the 3 Door it looks quite bad ass.

01-21-2008, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
DuSpinnst Starship Enterpise Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17,209	Saturn Astra 3-Door XR So I went over to coaster.n3rd's dealership today to check out an Astra 3-Door. My subject for thrashing was a Red 5-Speed Manual. First things first, I saw a Black one in the show room and like the Twilight Blue one I sat in at the Autoshow I was impressed by the fit and finish and quality of the car. So lets start with the drive. As to not get into too much detail of the Metro Detroit road system I'll just say that I took a right out of the dealership down a long straight road (over a few bridges) and I rowed thru the cogs to 4th gear (and about 50 MPH) in no time. The 1.8L Ecotec isn't the "quietest" engine, but that is how I like it so no issue for me. The car is VERY responsive when you keep it over 3000 RPM with a quick blip on the throttle in 2nd I was up to 50 from 20 in no time. I made a Michigan Left onto another road and ripped the car around the corner of the turnaround at about 30 MPH in 3rd gear, no noticeable roll and no loss of traction. Quite impressed, I then got on the Freeway. Coming on the on-ramp at about 35-40 MPH (Cloverleaf ramp) in 3rd gear allowed me to launch to about 65-70 MPH with relative ease, a quick shift to 4th was required at about 60 to keep things smooth (although I could have kept it in 3rd). 5th Gear was found at 80 MPH and after a few quick lane-shifts I was cruising for a mile or two before I exited the freeway and headed back to the dealership. I was impressed with the way the 5-speed shifted, it was easy to find the gears and the throw was much better than the 6-speed in my Saab (which is a related transmission of GM Europe's). The Ecotec can get a bit noisy around 5000 RPM, but shifting up still keeps you in the power-band and quiets the engine down. 80-85 MPH in 5th gear was comfortable as well, and the lack of a 6th gear isn't a problem especially when 3000+ RPM is where this engine thrives. Downshifting is a bit harder as the engine does thrash a bit, but that also could be because the clutch was brand new (my Saab did the same thing when I first got it). On to the interior. As I said after the autoshow I was quite impressed with the fit and finish of the interior. The seats while manual where adjustable forward/aft, up/down, and the back was forward/aft as well. The steering wheel tilts was nice, but I wish it had better telescoping (or telescoping at all as I only tried to pull out and didn't check if it pushed in). The cup-holder which some have complained about seems to me to be in a decent location, my only complaint with the center console was the lack of an armrest. Something I'd have to get use to, but not a big deal. The 3-Door has ample leg room and hip room for me (I am 6'2" 250 lbs) so just about anyone can fit. The seats hug you, which is nice in the corners. The back seat isn't too shabby either, a person of my size can nearly fit in the back seat with me in the front. So the car for me would seat 3 comfortably, and 4 a little tight (due to leg room behind me). The cargo area is cavernous, it doesn't look big from the outside but you pop the hatch and it is quite impressive. I didn't play around with the radio too much, but based on my experience in Europe with the same system I won't be disappointed. Needless to say, this is GM's best small car in a long time, and I will be proud to own one come this fall when I need a winter car to compliment the Corvette. Overall grade: A __________________ The moderation here gets an F for FAILURE.

01-21-2008, 07:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
giagastormer 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 6,170	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR Great review. Pictures? __________________ -Your Type-R has never beaten JL W7 in any contest. -Your eD is not louder than a Stroker -You dont know what 160.0dB is like -You wont bully a multi-million dollar company via Internet -No one cares who You are, how many amp's You've installed, nor what "Your Buddy" can hit "in the kick". -You are a consumer. Shut the up and gobble up the products that You think are worth Your meager funds.

01-21-2008, 07:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
GMfan1111 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in a undisclosed location somewhere in the metro detroit area Drives: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS Posts: 1,566	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR Nice review and i do agree with you on the armrest issue. i actually did sit in an astra myself over at a local dealer and it did feel kind of awkward not having an armrest there like in my current car. as for the cupholders i have no problem with there location though i won't be putting anything bigger than a waterbottle in those holders ( I'd hate to see what kind of mess you would have if you had a slurpee in one of those) __________________ The 100 Mpg Prius is Vaporware “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 95,000 miles )

01-21-2008, 07:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
coaster.n3rd 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 5,059 Miles SE of Dutch Harbor Drives: 2008 Saturn Aura XE 2.4 I-4 Posts: 3,860	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR What I would love to see added to the car other than the usual (XM etc..) is the addition of a cup holder ala the Sky. It comes out of the center console near the passengers knee. This would be perfect and not impose on the driver. __________________ 'I've seen the next Cadillac STS replacement and it looks damn good... like a ****ing Bentley.' - Unclassified GM exec. 'I had no respect for the 55 mph limit and I took great delight in breaking the limit I can assure you.' www.32hours7minutes.com

01-21-2008, 08:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 2009 Ford Focus SEL Posts: 14,965	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR Great review. Actually, you're review has made me want to test drive one....which I wasn't sure of prior to reading this. Is the information screen really 6.5"? I read that it was, but in the photos it does not look like it is that big. Oh, and is that extremely long antenna on the production car? __________________ E-Mail Me Engine Guide Updated!! -- Revised layout, more info., up-to-date

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01-22-2008, 03:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
Andonis 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Home is where the heart is Drives: Volvo 480 Turbo Posts: 942	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR its a hit in europe great car! i like the one with panoramic roof. its stunning __________________ Nemo regat vitam meam

01-22-2008, 09:05 AM	#12 (permalink)
montrealvue 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal,PQ - 2006 Saturn Vue V6 ! Posts: 1,892	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR I love the rear end of the Astra....does that make me an ass man?......damn, I need that plate..... __________________ '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

01-22-2008, 11:59 AM	#13 (permalink)
Htay7500 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 525	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR I also like the rear end of this car, kinda sleek.

01-22-2008, 02:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
Toto 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Germany Drives: Opel Astra X16XEL Posts: 1,138	Re: Saturn Astra 3-Door XR Great review, DuSpinnst. Yes, the Astra is nearly 4 years old. But damn, i think the GTC look hot like on the first day.

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