Lets talk saturn astra ;)
 

Okay, so finally set on a car >.<
no more kia soul... or nissan cube... or scion XB

what do you guys think about the saturn astra?

They have 7k discount now, and potentially an extra 2k based on your situation (if you own another gm car $1000 loyalty discount for down payment, First 2 finance payments paid for if you are a recent high school graduate) so around 1800 off so almost 9k!

Went in to richmond dealer today, great service, holy crap were they friendly. Test drove the car, feels way better and more solid than any of the imports I test drove recently (sx4, impreza, scion, cube, soul)

Power is somewhat sluggish, but definitely enough for city use, I test drove the 4 spd auto btw, they're sending over a 5spd manual from alberta for me which should be over in about a week.

compared to the auto corolla, power doesn't feel as agile and light, but then again the car i drove was almost 2900lbs with 3 grown men in it...

So basically the price we were looking at for a manual with a/c and all the discounts included was about 13k before tax.

The interest rate for finance was a little high at about 6% but then again you're saving a lot, and nothing of a similar price for a new car comes near.

Car feels 100% german, heavy steering, stiff solid suspension, clunky doors, passing turn signals, and overall substantial feel :thumbsup:

Definitely a heck of a lot safer than driving around in an 88 z car...:rolleyes:

I think they're nice cars... should feel the same as the Corolla power-wise though, the share the same engine

nah the astra has a 1.8L opel-gm family engine with 138 hp a bit more than the corolla, but the corolla is way lighter

:haha: opel badges or vauxhall badges? >.<

I like it... too bad it only had a short run. :(

It's a nice little car! The design I find more attractive than any other small compact on the market.

^the design, the way it drives, the price!!!

only deppreciation to worry about, especially if opel decides they want to come to canada

I like the value of the Astra if your quotes are correct.

For me, the Saturn nameplate will always stick. After much development and planning in the 80's, Saturn finally introduced the 1990 SC1. I can recall it did very well but unfortunately it was never able make any money at all. Reasons included startup costs for marketing, capital for factory setup, high wages, and expensive parts (eg. exclusive plastic body panels).

Nonetheless, its success undoubtedly hinged on the fact that for the consumer it represented individuality. In a positive business sense, there was no cannibalization effect on other gm products. It was created as a fighter brand, built to directly go head to head against the competition, not with itself.

For me Astra represented Saturn's need for help.

With the Chevy Volt getting a $5000 government rebate, why not save Saturn while your at it? I have a feeling the shakedown while continue at GM. On who's back seems to be the touchy question.

I don't know anyone that owns one and I don't have any personal experience with it, but I love the way it looks! Then again, I like most hatchbacks.

i don't know if anyone should be buying anything saturn right now. the few saturn dealerships left locally are trying to dump stock before the brand disappears, now that penske is no longer buying the brand. and i'm doubtful opel will ever come here, despite the magna corporation being canadian... i think it's some sort of internal GM thing, and opel has it's own problems in it's own markets overseas.

^because the brand is dead doesn't mean you shouldn't buy the car, the parts are just as easily sourced as any other euro import car, and the GM dealerships will respect the warranty and service the car.

ilvtofu...i think if you get an astra...you should invest some money into getting full opel/vauxhall badge...looks mean :)

http://www.pistonheads.com/pics/news...stra_VXR-L.jpg
and you can say...i drive an opel/vauxhayy ;D
http://www.arabam.com/fuar/2004/pari..._astra_gtc.jpg

so, when saturn goes away, all the other GM dealerships will take over parts/service?

^yup yup,

LOL I thought about the vauxhall badging when I was looking at the car too! >.<

opel/vauxhall definitely looks meaner than ... SATURN... haha maybe some VXR badges, but that'd be a little rice

Does anyone on RS even drive a saturn?

haha if after buying the car you got a little extra moolah...you should def buy a VXR kit to go with it...OMG SO COOL! one of a kind :haha:

If only Saturn, or GM or whoever would import the VXR/OPC version with 240hp, I might go for it as well :D
http://www.astraforum.ro/forums/stor...a-opc-4991.jpg

BTW, are the "Saturn" Astras made in Germany? or South Africa or in the US?

They're made in belgium I believe

The saturn ones have been selling like hot cakes since they came up with this 7k discount! thats why my manual one has to be ordered from alberta :cry: They said they don't even care about the deposit that much cos they'll definitely sell it.

Richmond dealership said they had close to 90 earlier this year and now they only have 10 left...
Only autos left, but selection is not too bad for autos

^ Where is the Richmond Saturn dealership??

I know it was right next to ICBC, but it became LEXUS now?

if u get it you'll need the vauxhaul badges and maybe even do a engine swap lol

It's at the new dueck, since saturn is gone after 09, saab is gonna be open there too, on the same lot, but they will have a seperate building, apparantly koenigsegg has some good plans for saab.

im surprised! i thought the astra was made in UK lol...

i think it would be pretty hard to find local sale of that body kit...as for engine swap..................................

I've been looking at one as a daily as well! I love the 3dr styling. The cheapest I've been quoted for with the premium package was about $16k. :(

I test drove it before. to me it was average. if you are paying cash it probably has good value rather than financing. i dont like the seats though. cant recline it fast enough :D

For me it was well above average, mainly cos of how solid the doors and suspension felt, and also how the steering wheel felt connected, as opposed to the "average" japanese import which often feels like a video game...

lol...they play too much GT5...and theyre like "hey...i rike this feering...we should make honda shibiku feeru just rike this!"

good car for the money

After 15 years you can put on collector's plate.

Who doesn't want a "sidekick" of a car for when your main heart and soul car is down? Perfect.