[91 s-10baja]

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages...ale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

 

[johnny smallblock]

There's been a lot of discussion about Detroit bringing their European cars to America in lieu of high gas prices.

I always enjoy words being used incorrectly.

 

[kenman923]

I always enjoy words being used incorrectly.

I know. It's just like saying "irregardless."

 

[johnstarnes]

I saw one of these for the first time yesterday at a traffic light on my way to meet friends at a restaurant...it was facing me, really caught my eyes, then it turned so I got good views of the profile and rear. I found it very attractive and well-proportioned and hope it does well for GM here if they do not dumb it down.

 

[johnstarnes]

I know. It's just like saying "irregardless."

another good one is "I could care less".

 

[hrcslam]

What?! An American News company promoting an AMERIAN car and calling out the American public? Wow, times have changed.

 

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

in lieu of

Correct. Shows how low journalism has dropped, when they can't use the language properly.

But doesn't "in lieu of" mean "in replacement of"?

 

[SRX7697]

Only now they are not making them Detroit like and leaving them European when they get to the US

hahaha, "detroit like".

who is this guy...

 

[osv_alero]

And there is the problem. The public keeps asking GM for something, so GM delivers it. Then no one buys it. It's no wonder they stuck with the SUVs and trucks for so long.

 

[mgescuro]

I always enjoy words being used incorrectly.

My gosh.. that's just BAD english!!

:fall:

 

[bobojay]

And there is the problem. The public keeps asking GM for something, so GM delivers it. Then no one buys it. It's no wonder they stuck with the SUVs and trucks for so long.

Right on.....

 

[SpaceCowboy]

For a televised automotive journalist you'd think he'd have some clue about 1. Showing a clean car and 2. how to film black interiors so that they don't look so cramped and featureless. Of course this may have more to do with the producer of the segment than the presenter, but essentially that was four minutes of wasted film stock that tells you absolutely nothing. Is no one else offended by this?

 

[Rocket 88]

For a televised automotive journalist you'd think he'd have some clue about 1. Showing a clean car and 2. how to film black interiors so that they don't look so cramped and featureless. Of course this may have more to do with the producer of the segment than the presenter, but essentially that was four minutes of wasted film stock that tells you absolutely nothing. Is no one else offended by this?

Offended? I'm thanking the man above that someone had something nice to say for FREE about a Saturn. That wasted four minutes is more air time on the Astra then I've seen from GM.

It's like mana from heaven... so why complain about the flavor?

Irregardless it was a good piece in lieu of advertising; although it sounds like you could care less. (I'm kdding about this last sentence.)

 

[EldoFan]

That wasted four minutes is more air time on the Astra then I've seen from GM.

Which should be a capital crime given the effort GM's gone to, to get that thing over here......

 

[jason4225]

I also saw one of these the other day. I think they are a really sharp car. The interior could take some time to get used to. However the breaking point for me is the drivetrain. I would like to see either a little more horsepower or better gas mileage. I drove a Mazda 3 with the base engine and it really struggled. I couldn't see myself driving a car like this. However, if GM can up the power and drop a six speed in, I would really consider the next generation. I do love the idea of a premium compact hatch and there isn't too much to select from right now, this and the Mazda 3 are about it.

 

[autofan]

That dude's hair is hysterical!!! I bet his own car is a 1999 Town Car with gold badging and a carriage roof!!!

 

[blkwrxsti]

And there is the problem. The public keeps asking GM for something, so GM delivers it. Then no one buys it. It's no wonder they stuck with the SUVs and trucks for so long.

The "public" asked GM to bring over a 4 year old, small, underpowered, ungainly looking, heavy, expensive, inefficient small hatchback available with only one engine? Did my vote get lost? Anybody else here ask for this Astra? How is this different that the Pontiac Vibe?

As far as I remember, nobody thought this was a good idea - the "public" probably told GM loud and clear that the vehicle either needed more fuel economy, more power, or the option for either.

GM's not being punished for listening to the public, this is just bad execution. To the point that it might have been more profitable for GM to throw the money into a hole (seriously, then those engineers could have been working on something worthwhile, instead of adding a vehicle to a market segment GM already had covered.).

 

[prototype66]

Ed..........Dude man, you needs a haircut!
Still love the car! An easy A-/B+

 

[mpsrent]

The "public" asked GM to bring over a 4 year old, small, underpowered, ungainly looking, heavy, expensive, inefficient small hatchback available with only one engine? Did my vote get lost? Anybody else here ask for this Astra? How is this different that the Pontiac Vibe?

As far as I remember, nobody thought this was a good idea - the "public" probably told GM loud and clear that the vehicle either needed more fuel economy, more power, or the option for either.

GM's not being punished for listening to the public, this is just bad execution. To the point that it might have been more profitable for GM to throw the money into a hole (seriously, then those engineers could have been working on something worthwhile, instead of adding a vehicle to a market segment GM already had covered.).

When the public asked for the Astra, they meant the real cars that you can buy in Europe. Why is the Astra so popular in Europe yet a dud in North America? Engine options. In the U.K. you can buy so many configurations of a Vauxhall Astra is is mind boggling. Do you want gas, okay how about a 1.4L or a 1.6L, a 1.8L or even a turbo 2.0L? Diesel choices includes a 1.3CDTI, a 1.7 CDTI and a 1.9 CDTI. I may have even missed a motor or two.

I've driven a number of different Vauxhall products in the U.K. and have always been left impressed by how well the engine.transmission combinations that they offer there work. The point is, a sanitized one size fits all Astra is not the answer to GM's small car issue in North America.

 

[Saturn69]

The "public" asked GM to bring over a 4 year old, small, underpowered, ungainly looking, heavy, expensive, inefficient small hatchback available with only one engine? Did my vote get lost? Anybody else here ask for this Astra? How is this different that the Pontiac Vibe?

As far as I remember, nobody thought this was a good idea - the "public" probably told GM loud and clear that the vehicle either needed more fuel economy, more power, or the option for either.

GM's not being punished for listening to the public, this is just bad execution. To the point that it might have been more profitable for GM to throw the money into a hole (seriously, then those engineers could have been working on something worthwhile, instead of adding a vehicle to a market segment GM already had covered.).

It's very different from a Pontiac Vibe....it isn't a Toyota in Pontiac badges. That's enough for me to like the Astra. Besides, the Vibe is homely.

Again, the Astra compares favorably with many of its competition. The Mazda 3 gets 32mpg highway, just like the Astra; the Lancer gets 29mpg highway; the Rabbit gets 29mpg highway...how is the Astra worse? The Astra has 138hp, the Civic 140hp (a 2hp improvement, which I'm sure you'll swear you can feel). The Astra is competitive price-wise, as well, considering a comparably equipped Civic is $17,355/manual and $18,155/automatic.