Saturn Astra Ride and Drive - 56K No...

[rueben44]

-Sorry for the bad phone pictures-


Ok so let me start by saying that I will be buying the Astra over the Saab. Why is because I really want another hatch back and I want a premium one. For 19.5K equipped with the 18 inch wheels, leather, and cd changer it is a steal in my book. After sitting in the Volvo C30, Audi A3, and Vw Golf it is safe to say that the Astra matches or best them all.
To say for 19K you can get:

6 Airbags
Leather (German luxury car quality)
18 inch wheels
Stability control
Onstar
Cd changer
Rain sensing Wipers
All Power except for seat which are sport seats
Power rear hatch that has a touch pad like the Vette and XLR
Projector head lights

Plus many more things. I mean it really felt quality and had a lot of detail. So much so that I feel that if Opel could do this 4 years ago GM has really been shafting us in the US.

Anyway I just think that in pictures it looks like it is not a quality product but in person it is really great. I drove it and all the competition they had on hand.

Civic, Golf, and Mazda 3.

The Civic felt like trash and shocking for Honda the engine was buzzy sounding. I have owned a Mazda 3 and it is a nice car but really a class below. Now while the Astra does best the Golf the Golf seats are more comfortable and the Golf looks better at night by far. Still the Astra looks nice and has better materials.

If you do buy one it has to be with the stick for two reasons. It looks higher quality than the gate for the Automatic. I mean it is not bad but it screams economy car. Second with the stick it does not feel underpowered. Don’t listen to people who say “Oh my it only has…..” in real world terms it felt plenty powerful enough. It does ride a little rougher than the Golf also but when you stand outside and look at it damn it is worth it in 3 doors. The 5 door to me looks good but is not exciting at all. Also I love the little lever on the stick shift to put it into reverse. It was so Saab like I really liked it. Oh and one final thing. I brought my own Cd and played it in the tent area. WOW it sounded so good and high quality!!!!! Anyway the car was and is great the event was not.

It was at 6PM way out side of the center of the city, hello Reliant Park people, and no one showed up but about 8-10 of us and maybe 3-4 more once I was leaving. They did serve food which was nice but people why at night, during rush hour, and on the outer part of the city?

[genjy]

I like the car's exterior. It would look great lowered by 1.3" or so.

I am sure it's fun to drive as with most hatchbacks in its class.

The large amount of silver plastic sort of turns me off. It seems a bit too much... reminds me of the new Focus' interior.

[Phoenix]

I'm not a hatchback guy, but I love the Astra XR 3-door. Thanks for the pics.

[ronald mcretard]

It's a great car, I hope you enjoy it. What color are you getting?

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by genjy

I like the car's exterior. It would look great lowered by 1.3" or so.

I am sure it's fun to drive as with most hatchbacks in its class.

The large amount of silver plastic sort of turns me off. It seems a bit too much... reminds me of the new Focus' interior.

Check out the Astra interior in person as soon as you can. It really looks good and that "shiny plastic" does not stick out, it's like the rest of the interior darkens it up.

[nsap]

The blue one is EXACTLY what I want as a cummuter car! I love that color! I want a 3-door XR with manual to cummute with.

How was the manual? I have heard the shift feel is bad?

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Look at that console, perfect. If only more cars had such thing.

[SirRaven]

Cant wait for mine, 5dr XR Manual, Blue, Sunroof, Handling & Audio Pkg.

Here is a pic I have.

[SirRaven]

Another

[rueben44]

I like the blue and red and get the one that I find available first. The silver looks good in person and is not an issue. The Key is a flip key and is very nice also. Oh Oh and the lock button is on the dash like in a Benz along with the seat heater button. finally the signal light is cool....all you have to do is tap it and it blinks a few times for you to change lanes then goes off.

[DuSpinnst]

I wonder what a 2 year least one one of these suckers would cost.

Coaster, you and me might be having a talk next year. I like this for a Winter Car...

[drew630]

Originally Posted by rueben44

I see the time is at least able to be changed into 12 hour intervals now, but is the instant fuel consumption still only in gph? I remember someone in another thread saying it couldn't be changed into mpg. Not a huge deal, but still something that would be annoying (at least to me).

[plane]

Originally Posted by nsap

The blue one is EXACTLY what I want as a cummuter car! I love that color! I want a 3-door XR with manual to cummute with.

How was the manual? I have heard the shift feel is bad?

Some spelling errors are more flagrant than others.

Otherwise, totally agreed.

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by nsap

The blue one is EXACTLY what I want as a cummuter car! I love that color! I want a 3-door XR with manual to cummute with.

How was the manual? I have heard the shift feel is bad?

Not bad, but typical GM 5 speed manual.. It's loose and even though there is nothing wrong with the transmission, it feels old & used.. just not very precise.

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

I wonder what a 2 year least one one of these suckers would cost.

Coaster, you and me might be having a talk next year. I like this for a Winter Car...

$275 or higher would be my guess once residuals and rates are announced. GMS probably $250.. XE 5-door 2yr/12K nothing down. Just a guess though, I could be way off.

Originally Posted by drew630

I see the time is at least able to be changed into 12 hour intervals now, but is the fuel consumption still only in gph? I remember someone in another thread saying it couldn't be changed into mpg. Not a huge deal, but still something that would be annoying (at least to me).

None of the clocks were set on any of the models when I drove, it could be just reading 4:05 am. The trainer did mention that the engineers were working on this. Its' going to be difficult explaining the radio and Board Computer (DIC).. The corporate radio never looked so good.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by plane

Some spelling errors are more flagrant than others.

Otherwise, totally agreed.