Review of the Saturn Astra

[briandors]

Everyone's overthinking this.

The car has a small-ish four cylinder and a 5 speed manual. 32 mpg just isn't enough economy under the circumstances.

Look at the "new" Cobalt XFE. Bigger engine, 36 mpg. Probably not quite as fast, but let's be real here - how many horsepower junkies will buy an Astra with 138hp?? None.

It's a premium, fun handling, good looking, economy car. Not a stoplight racer.

Fix the gearing on it, get it up to 34-35mpg (the Focus is 35 and the Cobalt is 36; I think consumers could deal with a 1-2 mpg hit for a more premium car), throw in some marketing and it will sell.

[tgagneguam]

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.

I definitely don't buy your argument that European cars sold as American cars won't sell. Others have already pointed out cases where such cars do just fine. The features-or lack thereof-or conditions that place a drag on Saturn Astra sales seem to have nothing to do with its DNA. When GM figures out how to bring over the latest and greatest from Europe, and when it figures out how to price and market those vehicles correctly, GM will see plenty of success.

Clearly, GM has not figured out the Astra recipe at this point. That's sad, as the Astra seemed to have so much potential.

[smokyn454]

Originally Posted by 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...

Great post, and the absolute truth.

In todays world, a car is a piece of junk if it does not have every possible options available. A $14,000 should have every option a $35,000 car does.

[SirRaven]

Originally Posted by 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...

Great post, exactly what I think a lot of the time. If people just wanted to drive rather than do everything but drive while DRIVING thier car then just about all of the complaints people have would not matter at all. Some people may not like the styling but I love it.

Also I like how people want it to be a car its not. It is not intended to be a fuel economic, cheap car. Its ment to be a entry level premium safe car thats fun to drive. Start listing off other compact cars that come standard with 6 airbags and not only has ABS and traction control but stibility control as well. Also where are the Camery, Cobalt and Focus with 4 wheel disk breaks, wait thats only the top of the line models not on all models. Also this car was rated one of the safest cars under $25,000.

[KingElvis]

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.

When they did the reveal in Chicago in 2007, I wondered what all the excitement was about. I asked a Saturn product planner why they though Americans would embrace the hatch...

All she could say was that "We see a lot of excitment on the blogs coming through"

Blogs?

The rationale given during the showy press reveal was that it was one of EUrope's best selling cars.

OK. Then because the Silverado is GM's best selling American vehicle, should we then export them to Germany?

OF COURSE NOT.

I don't get Saturn at all - it's reason for being has long been un-hinged from the original idea of Saturn - and the if they think the Astra will save them, they've got a nasty surprise in store.

[gmhashope]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

the ones in the doors are close to useless though, ok for bottled water.

Well actually I forgot about the 2 in the doors. So there are 2 for waterbottles in the door, one in between the front seats, and two in the back seats that pop out. So that brings the total amount of cupholders in the Astra 3 door to five.