Alright, save me before it's too late. General consensus is that the car will suit my needs well, and will hold up for the 5+ years that I require. I just want a reasonably fun daily driver that isn't constantly in the shop. I talked the wife into a 5-speed because the dealerships are very low on stock of them, and the automatics have sold somewhat well.

I'll be getting a $21,000 car for just a little over $12,000. The car I drove had just about every option available. Leather, sport suspension, awesome moonroof, 5-speed. The car feels pretty solid, like just about every other Euro car I've driven.

So, I've found that most people think the car is a little boring, but otherwise fits my needs perfectly. On my testdrive, I didn't find the car too boring, no more boring than the Kia Soul that I test drove.

What do you guys have to say about the car? Let me know, good and bad.

Thanks

Posted by wannabeotaku Alright, save me before it's too late. General consensus is that the car will suit my needs well, and will hold up for the 5+ years that I require. I just want a reasonably fun daily driver that isn't constantly in the shop. I talked the wife into a 5-speed because the dealerships are very low on stock of them, and the automatics have sold somewhat well. I'll be getting a $21,000 car for just a little over $12,000. The car I drove had just about every option available. Leather, sport suspension, awesome moonroof, 5-speed. The car feels pretty solid, like just about every other Euro car I've driven. So, I've found that most people think the car is a little boring, but otherwise fits my needs perfectly. On my testdrive, I didn't find the car too boring, no more boring than the Kia Soul that I test drove. What do you guys have to say about the car? Let me know, good and bad. Thanks

the Saturn Astra is the same car as the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5 and Saturn Ion it replaces. The car is based on the GM global platform known as "Delta". Primary differences between the Astra and the rest of the Delta cars is that the Astra is built in Europe, Belgium I believe, and uses a 1.8L Ecotec variant. Overall build quality is good, but American testers found that the 1.8L was not as gutsy as the 2.2L standard engine that comes in the North American-built Delta cars. This car, the Astra, is almost identical to the Vauxhall/Opel Astra sold in Europe.

Personally, I drove one and found it a neat little ride. The engine was definitely lacking from displacement, but exceptional in fuel economy. It was just a little better on fuel than the 2.2L I had in my 2005 Cobalt base coupe.

Also, even though the Saturn brand is being sold, ANY GM dealer is obligated to service and honor your warranty.

I've got the Astra once for a rental car for work and I was impressed. I especially loved how good the steering was and I'm very picky about steering. The fuel economy was amazing. I was able to go to Seattle and back on a single tank!

Posted by Samurai the Saturn Astra is the same car as the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5 and Saturn Ion it replaces. The car is based on the GM global platform known as "Delta". Primary differences between the Astra and the rest of the Delta cars is that the Astra is built in Europe, Belgium I believe, and uses a 1.8L Ecotec variant. Overall build quality is good, but American testers found that the 1.8L was not as gutsy as the 2.2L standard engine that comes in the North American-built Delta cars. This car, the Astra, is almost identical to the Vauxhall/Opel Astra sold in Europe. Personally, I drove one and found it a neat little ride. The engine was definitely lacking from displacement, but exceptional in fuel economy. It was just a little better on fuel than the 2.2L I had in my 2005 Cobalt base coupe. Also, even though the Saturn brand is being sold, ANY GM dealer is obligated to service and honor your warranty.

Sam's daily copy and paste.

Posted by big dave Sam's daily copy and paste.

oh why, cuz he didn't go buy a Nissan so you can fap and blow your wad all over the topic?
i gave the guy an honest answer to his question.

maybe you just can't accept that something sold with a big GM on it is any good?
boo hoo.

Astra is totally different than the Cobalt... I don't think it shares any bits.

It's by far the most european car in the GM lineup, even has wheel bolts instead of studs.

They seem to be one of the better cars we have.

Astra's not bad... well put together but little (esp. for someone over 6' tall) and kinda gimpy off the line. Once you're going 70 and are looking to overtake someone on the highway, you have to stomp the piss out of the gas pedal to go fast enough to pass.

Good to see that the responses I've gotten here are consistent with the responses I've gotten on other forums, such as Grassroots Motorsports' forum. A couple of people complaining about power, but otherwise a general agreeance that it's a solid car and will suit my DD needs well.

I was doing my math a little weird in my head, and the total is closer to $13,000 than $12,000. Still a good deal, and the cheapest car I'm going to find that has a leather interior.

By the way, I've driven both the Nissan Cube and the Nissan Versa. I have to say that the Astra drives better and feels a little faster. I've also driven the Honda Fit, the Pontiac Vibe, and the Kia Soul. None of them had both the solid feel and the pseudo-sportiness that the Astra has been blessed with.

Since all of those cars are Delta Platform cars, does that mean that things like dampers and antiroll bars would fit the Astra? The only thing that I felt the Astra needing was a little more bar in the rear. Whiteline makes one, but I'd like more options.

Posted by bandi Astra is totally different than the Cobalt... I don't think it shares any bits. It's by far the most european car in the GM lineup, even has wheel bolts instead of studs. They seem to be one of the better cars we have.

It's built on an Opel platform isn't it?

http://en.wikipedi.../GM_Delta_platform

I just wonder how many parts swap between them.

Posted by bandi Astra is totally different than the Cobalt... I don't think it shares any bits. It's by far the most european car in the GM lineup, even has wheel bolts instead of studs. They seem to be one of the better cars we have.

i beg to differ.
there are some differences, of course, but the Astra is 100% delta chassis, chummer.

We bought it. Pics to come.

Posted by wannabeotaku http://img.photobu...Astra/IMG_0795.jpg http://img.photobu...Astra/IMG_0796.jpg http://img.photobu...Astra/IMG_0797.jpg http://img.photobu...Astra/IMG_0798.jpg

options/ package?

cool

a Penske Astra

Heh...


Like a koenigsegg 93 aero?

ha
precisely!

Everything but the CD stacker and power seats. I'm not even sure we got power seats in the states.

Leather, 5 speed, heated seats, glass roof, sports suspension package. Those are the big things. There are a million small things that are included in those packages, though.