Review of the Saturn Astra

[steve333]

The Astra needs the Cobalt 2.2 engine and the SEDAN.

[RedVee8]

[quote=Aprime;1401518]Ugh, I believe he was referring to the ones slightly under the rear back seats. quote]

Ok, happy to stand corrected.
My Aussie spec Astra CDX (5dr) has cupholders in each front door (2) (almost useless), an impression in the glovebox lid to use when stationary (1)(never even tried to use it), and a box at the rearmost spot of the centre console (1) - almost behind the driver for shorties (the best spot).
Nothing under the rear seat, I presume they slide out like a CD tray?

The Saturn must be a higher spec than we get.

[ColinOpseth]

Originally Posted by MrJamesMc

This car never wowed me and it doesn't seem to be wowing the reviewers or the general public. I don't think European cars sold as American really work out that well, ie: Eagle Premier.

I am sure someone might want to quote me and say, "But the Astra is a different segment than the Eagle and blah blah blah."

That isn't my point. The Saturn Astra is too European to be "American," and doesn't have what an American consumer is shopping for. Too expensive for that you get and underpowered. It's a flop no matter how you slice it.

The Ford Focus did just fine in its first generation. You 'do' know it was designed by Ford Europe, right?

[johnd59]

As an owner of a 2002 SL I can tell you why I don't want an Astra. I think it's a nice car and it feels much better than my car but it cost over 6000 dollars more than I paid for my SL. It also uses more gas! I can get up to the low 40 miles per gallon. On my Astra test drive the enigne RPM was 3000 at 65 miles an hour. Hell my SL is only turning 2300 at that speed. The problem isn't that it's from Europe, most Americans have no problem buying a foreign car. I for one do want to buy an American made car. Some of us do worry about America losing all it's manufacturing base!

[dindak]

I have seen a couple on the road but aside from Saturn and some GM fans, does anyone know this car exists? New model needs lots of advertising. So far I have seen almost none.

It could be that Saturn was cautious as the number of cars coming from Belgium is small but I think they went overboard on holding back advertising!

[the_smurf2008]

Too soon to call the Astra a flop, but it needs a bit more power train refinement. More power and better mpg.

Other than that, it is not a bad car. It seems to me that every car GM builds now, everyone demands its a blockbuster. What is wrong with just a good car?
I got the feeling from the review that this writer liked it.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Lets just say that they are about as moved by this thing as I was when I saw it. It looks like it's about 5 years old. At least the Honda Fit looked new even if it wasn't. This thing is boring outside and the interior is not bad in a quality sense, but God awful in style.

The Astra looks ok to me, but just ok. I agree that the styling appears to be "Fresh and Exciting for 2003".

GM really needs to get its small car act together. GM realized with the Malibu that it simply couldn't be "just as good" as the competition ... now it needs to make the best small cars, too.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by the_smurf2008

It seems to me that every car GM builds now, everyone demands its a blockbuster. What is wrong with just a good car?

Just 'good enough' isn't enough in today's market. GM public perception issues can only be corrected by building standard-setting vehicles in each market segment.

If GM makes a car that's "just as good" as a Civic, why would a Civic owner change brands?

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by CmicasatheGreat

Dude where do U get your figures?

In April 909 were sold... for the year since it went on sale in the middle of January it has sold 2,386. Not great but better than the Audi A3 at least... with absolutely no TV Ads to boot. I think if GM advertised the car and didn't hobble it with only one engine choice it would be seriously well thought of... Giving it even the Cobalt's engine choices would be a great thing.

OOPS.

Am I embarrased!

I read the chart too quickly. You are completely correct!!!

I read the April figure as YTD.

(I get the figures at Automotive News.)

[Ttple]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Just 'good enough' isn't enough in today's market. GM public perception issues can only be corrected by building standard-setting vehicles in each market segment.

If GM makes a car that's "just as good" as a Civic, why would a Civic owner change brands?

You've got to crawl before you walk. The perception of GM cars is they are inferior to the Japanese cars. I think many Americans would be glad to look at American cars if they felt they were just as good.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by dindak

I have seen a couple on the road but aside from Saturn and some GM fans, does anyone know this car exists? New model needs lots of advertising. So far I have seen almost none.

It could be that Saturn was cautious as the number of cars coming from Belgium is small but I think they went overboard on holding back advertising!

It's got TV ads in Canada, not on the same level as Mazda does but Saturn doesn't nearly have the dealer network Mazda is benefiting from, either.

Doesn't exactly seem to be getting people in Saturn's showrooms... But I don't think that's the problem, they've been receiving a pretty damn sweet sales boost since they introduction of the new models (not to mention the Astra has been praised by most journalists). I think pricing is the problem here.

[stevecmh]

i really like the 3 door

[GMinTheDriveway]

The problem is most Americans absolutely hate driving and the Astra does not have enough optional distractions to take our minds off the road.

Instead of concentrating on the virtues and the driving experience and the economy without compromise, most reviews both professional and amateur concentrate not on what the vehicle offers, but what it doesn't.
I mean, How could I possibly drive a car without 6 cupholders, bluetooth, multiple interfaces for all of my electronic mental masturbation devices and somewhere to lean my overweight underutilized arms on? Where is my electronic map screen? I can't live without a sunroof in a sporty car because I simply must stare at the friggin sky instead of down the road.
... whatever...

[CharlotteFirebird]

Originally Posted by johnd59

As an owner of a 2002 SL I can tell you why I don't want an Astra. I think it's a nice car and it feels much better than my car but it cost over 6000 dollars more than I paid for my SL. It also uses more gas! I can get up to the low 40 miles per gallon. On my Astra test drive the enigne RPM was 3000 at 65 miles an hour. Hell my SL is only turning 2300 at that speed. The problem isn't that it's from Europe, most Americans have no problem buying a foreign car. I for one do want to buy an American made car. Some of us do worry about America losing all it's manufacturing base!

Those are good points. Saturns have traditionally been cheaper, so GM's moving them upmarket is going to surprise some people. I don't really disagree with GM's decision to do that, but it's just a fact.

The other part is that the Astra is made in Europe. I think part of the slower Vue sales is from its being made in Mexico. It's a turnoff for a lot of people, especially when the previous one was made in Tennessee.

[FBODYRULES]

"...And, I seem to prefer European cars. I suppose that's fair. Everybody has his or her own tastes. I simply prefer superior cars with epic racing and engineering pedigrees, while others prefer Toyotas."
i love this, i dont think european cars are superior though!