The reasons you won't buy an Astra

8854 Views 80 Replies 57 Participants Last post by mikmak, Jun 20, 2008

Titanic

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2008

The Astra hasn't taken off at the dealer level. But that seems to be par for the course at Saturn.

This isn't a thread to talk about the lack of awareness on the part of the general public, or the lack of advertising. We all know it exists, so that's not an excuse.

So what are the reasons you've crossed the Astra off your list for now?

Here's mine:

Not built in the United States
The power to MPG ratio is terrible
No AUX jack
No leasing or financing deals available
High price (exacerbated by the no-haggling)
4-speed automatic instead of 5+ speeds (we can't have a manual since she isn't comfortable driving one)
That center stack

Your turn!

1 - 20 of 81 Posts

thejokester

· #2 · Apr 17, 2008 (Edited)

Aux port
TO SLOW!
with the acceleration it has, it should have better fuel economy
seats were uncomfortable ( 5'-11", 215 lbs). ** it felt as if there was a bar running down the middle of the seat. in both the 3 door I sat in and the 5 door I test drove.
very expensive
dash wasn't what I was used too
no XM/aux port
no arm rest
small array of color choices
no sedan choice
very loud getting up to speed

PRO ASTRA:
great design
On Star
it's a Saturn
limited quanity being sold (great possibilty of higher resale)
hatch that didn't look like a station wagon

This is why I went with the Mazda 3 sedan
*EDIT: I have driven this for roughly 20 minutes and all I could think about is how it was SO slow...

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Uzzy

· #3 · Apr 17, 2008

I bought a 2004 Silverado Z71 in August and I can't afford both right now. That is the only reason I'm not buying one after actually driving one. Did you drive one?

The 4 speed auto does kind of suck these days and a bit more pep would be nice, but it's not bad. Still better than my 2002 SC1 I just replaced. Not as good as an SC2 though.

Uzzy

· #4 · Apr 17, 2008

thejokester said:
seats were uncomfortable ( 5'-11", 215 lbs).

I'm 6'2" and the reason I got rid of my 2002 Saturn SC1 was the seats were brutal. The Astra's seats (XR) were an absolute joy to sit in for me. :yup:

2648562

· #5 · Apr 17, 2008 (Edited)

*Not built in the United States--Yes, could've & should've, what was gained? Saturn buyers bought Saturns just for that reason. Watch what happens to Buick sales when Buick starts importing Chinese...
*The power to MPG ratio is terrible--What is this car? Is it a sports car? No. Is it an economy car? No.
*4-speed automatic instead of 5+ speeds (we can't have a manual since she isn't comfortable driving one)--Again, what is this car?

*I just don't see the point.

thejokester

· #6 · Apr 17, 2008

Uzzy said:
I'm 6'2" and the reason I got rid of my 2002 Saturn SC1 was the seats were brutal. The Astra's seats (XR) were an absolute joy to sit in for me. :yup:

I was coming from a G6.

tholland

· #7 · Apr 17, 2008

GMCSonoma said:
I think a Saturn issue is that they seemingly have fewer dealers than Toyota or Honda, their alleged & initial competition.

My sister was interested in the Astra, but the nearest dealership was 250km away.

Ttple

· #8 · Apr 17, 2008

The interior looks like a dull, cold, place to be.

mbukukanyau

· #9 · Apr 17, 2008

My corolla is paid off, and I do not want another car payment

prowlerjc

· #10 · Apr 17, 2008

Too expensive
No Haggle
Doesn't this thing have a timing belt instead of a chain? If so, there's another reason.

autofan

· #11 · Apr 17, 2008

I was told by a Saturn salesperson that not having a lease program was hurting the car. That's a big "duh". Why is there no reasonable lease offer?

Beyond that, my biggest complaint is the charcoal or, um, charcoal interior color options. What honestly is so difficult about offering a beige or grey interior????

paul8488

· #12 · Apr 17, 2008

Price. Pricepriceprice. I like the idea of premium small cars, but wouldn't ever buy one. I'm all for a Saab 9-1, or a Volvo C30, or Mini, but am too cheap. The Astra is more affordable than those but still a heck of a lot more than a Cobalt. I'm the kind of person that would be happy in an Aveo, so I couldn't convince myself to spend what they ask for an Astra.

BigAls87Z28

· #13 · Apr 17, 2008

You would think that GM, king of the "gray or tan" interior lay out of teh 90's, could have done that?

What took Astra off my list?
Camaro. No Camaro, Id probably get a 3dr. Not amazing performance, but I thought it was ok. Gas milage isnt mega stellar.
I dont have an iPod, so no need for aux jack. I have XM, though not currently activated.
Gas milage would be better then my Caprice, and probably better then the Malibu. A 2LT Malibu with the 2.4/6spd auto MIGHT be in a close running. I know, they are 2 different cars, but both are very cool to me, and would be in the running. The Malibu would be much more expensive.

I would be upset that it doesnt have a better engine or trans, but IMO...the Astra looks 100x better then Cobalt, G5 or Vibe ever will. And if Astra was available in 2004 whenI got my Maxx, Id probaby be finishing off payments.

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atomicshark

· #14 · Apr 17, 2008

Buick61 said:
The Astra hasn't taken off at the dealer level. But that seems to be par for the course at Saturn.

This isn't a thread to talk about the lack of awareness on the part of the general public, or the lack of advertising. We all know it exists, so that's not an excuse.

So what are the reasons you've crossed the Astra off your list for now?

Here's mine:

Not built in the United States

The power to MPG ratio is terrible

No AUX jack

No leasing or financing deals available

High price (exacerbated by the no-haggling)

4-speed automatic instead of 5+ speeds (we can't have a manual since she isn't comfortable driving one)

That center stack

Your turn!

My list is the same:

Not built in the United States (but if it was the only gripe, I could live with it)
The power to MPG ratio is terrible-(they may as well drop in the enhanced 2.2L EcoTec)
No AUX jack (Big No-No)
No leasing or financing deals available
High price (exacerbated by the no-haggling)
4-speed automatic instead of 5+ speeds
That center stack (Piano black anyone?)

theantigeist

· #15 · Apr 17, 2008

I would agree with the low-mileage-low-power. Either be sporty or fuel efficient.

Also, (maybe because of the weak dollar?), it is priced like a premium subcompact, without the features. No XM, no climate control, no heated seats, no HID. Since the Mazda3 came out, these are realistic features to expect for this class. Don't say "What do you want, it's not a Cadillac". Look at what features the Lancer and Mazda3 offer.

If I was going to buy new right now, it would probably be a Mazda3 loaded to the gills. If any American company made anything comparable, I'd buy it, even if it didn't quite measure up in every way. But I'd just be disappointed to take on a car payment without heated seats and climate, when I can buy a used full-size for much cheaper and have those.

mgescuro

· #16 · Apr 17, 2008 (Edited)

I was looking at a Saturn Astra last Saturday:

I can deal with the funky seat adjustments...
I can deal without the AUX port...
I don't care where the car is built...
I like the center stack...
I don't mind the strange DIC...
I don't care about the clock...
I don't mind the 4-spd automatic...
I don't find the $21,000 price all that expensive...
I can live without an armrest
I love the way the dash feels and the fit and finish, the switchgear...

The one major problem with the Astra that is actually a deal-breaker.... is the lack of sunroof in the 3-door model.

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drew630

· #17 · Apr 17, 2008

First, I would never buy an Astra. I hate small cars. But, what I feel the reason most people don't like it is:

No AUX port
Where it was built (but I highly doubt this is something that anyone besides us would care about)
Weird center stack
24-hour clock
The weird location of the DIC and the fact thats its old yellow looking
Ugly color interior combo (dark gray with gray accents)

big swede

· #18 · Apr 17, 2008

* The interior is too plain
* I would only buy a redline version unless the mileage difference was a lot more
* No AUX jack (Big No-No)
* No cup holders
* No armrests
* Military clock only?
* 4-speed automatic instead of 5+ speeds

Uzzy

· #19 · Apr 17, 2008

mgescuro said:
The one major problem with the Astra that is actually a deal-breaker.... is the lack of sunroof in the 3-door model.

You could do what this guy did (post#9).

Old Dood

· #20 · Apr 17, 2008

My first thought on ANY car anymore is: What is the Crash Rating?

I like this car far more so then the Ion. (I love the name ION though)

I do not think this is a bad car by any means.
Sure it could use a few more tweaks.
I am sure that will change faily soon.

As for the AUX Jack...that is important now a days but, you can get around that.
You can either swap out your sound system or buy an adapter to the existing one through the Antenna for a Sat-Radio.

4 speed automatic is not as bad as *I* use to think.
I explained this in another thread alread as to why.

The styling on this car I happen to like.
I doubt I would buy one because for one there are many others in that class that I like...
And Two...I like a Bigger Ride all together...

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1 - 20 of 81 Posts

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