| Vancouver Auto Chat 2016 VAC Community Head Moderator: Raid3n |
 | | 
10-17-2009, 02:20 PM
|
#1 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
| 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 
Definitely a heck of a lot safer than driving around in an 88 z car...  | 
|  | |
10-17-2009, 02:51 PM
|
#2 | | Performance Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Richmond
Posts: 15,302
Thanked 15,397 Times in 5,090 Posts
|
I think they're nice cars... should feel the same as the Corolla power-wise though, the share the same engine
| 
| | |
10-17-2009, 02:52 PM
|
#3 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
|
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  opel badges or vauxhall badges? >.<
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 03:18 PM
|
#4 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,120
Thanked 2,775 Times in 1,171 Posts
|
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.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by HollyZ32  i look so damn white in all the pics! lol
fml | | |
| | |
10-17-2009, 03:21 PM
|
#5 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
|
^the design, the way it drives, the price!!!
only deppreciation to worry about, especially if opel decides they want to come to canada
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 03:56 PM
|
#6 | | No Titles Given
Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,570
Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts
|
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.
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 04:31 PM
|
#7 | | RS controls my life!
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: B.C., Canada
Posts: 759
Thanked 83 Times in 26 Posts
|
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.
__________________
07 TW Civic Si - Injen CAI, DCRH, Megan Racing catback, TWM SS, Cobb AccessPORT
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 04:42 PM
|
#8 | | Witness protection
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: GVRD
Posts: 14,427
Thanked 5,343 Times in 2,222 Posts
|
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.
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 05:34 PM
|
#9 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
|
^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.
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 06:02 PM
|
#10 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Richmond, BC
Posts: 1,017
Thanked 138 Times in 75 Posts
|
ilvtofu...i think if you get an astra...you should invest some money into getting full opel/vauxhall badge...looks mean  
and you can say...i drive an opel/vauxhayy ;D  | |
| | |
10-17-2009, 06:02 PM
|
#11 | | Witness protection
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: GVRD
Posts: 14,427
Thanked 5,343 Times in 2,222 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilvtofu ^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. | so, when saturn goes away, all the other GM dealerships will take over parts/service?
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 07:56 PM
|
#12 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
|
^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?
Last edited by ilvtofu; 10-17-2009 at 08:05 PM.
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 09:39 PM
|
#13 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Richmond, BC
Posts: 1,017
Thanked 138 Times in 75 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilvtofu ^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 | |
| | |
10-17-2009, 10:22 PM
|
#14 | | WOAH! i think Vtec just kicked in!
Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Van
Posts: 1,664
Thanked 413 Times in 101 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilvtofu ^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? | If only Saturn, or GM or whoever would import the VXR/OPC version with 240hp, I might go for it as well  
BTW, are the "Saturn" Astras made in Germany? or South Africa or in the US?
Last edited by cococly; 10-17-2009 at 10:35 PM.
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 10:31 PM
|
#15 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
|
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  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
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 10:37 PM
|
#16 | | WOAH! i think Vtec just kicked in!
Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Van
Posts: 1,664
Thanked 413 Times in 101 Posts
|
^ Where is the Richmond Saturn dealership??
I know it was right next to ICBC, but it became LEXUS now?
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 10:58 PM
|
#17 | | Media Officer / MOD
Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: vancouver
Posts: 28,073
Thanked 5,751 Times in 1,724 Posts
|
if u get it you'll need the vauxhaul badges and maybe even do a engine swap lol
| |
| | |
10-17-2009, 11:22 PM
|
#18 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by cococly ^ Where is the Richmond Saturn dealership??
I know it was right next to ICBC, but it became LEXUS now? | 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.
| |
| | |
10-18-2009, 12:10 AM
|
#19 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Richmond, BC
Posts: 1,017
Thanked 138 Times in 75 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilvtofu 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 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 | 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..................................
| |
| | |
10-18-2009, 07:26 AM
|
#20 | | I *heart* Revscene.net very Muchie
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3,963
Thanked 362 Times in 161 Posts
|
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.
__________________
2011 VW Tiguan Highline 4Motion (Canada)
2013 Lexus IS350 F-Sport (Melbourne) | |
| | |
10-18-2009, 01:15 PM
|
#21 | | Rs has made me the woman i am today!
Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Here! n There!
Posts: 4,149
Thanked 498 Times in 222 Posts
|
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
__________________
Go Canucks Go!
| |
| | |
10-18-2009, 01:29 PM
|
#22 | | F**K YOUR HEAD
Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: vancouver
Posts: 8,718
Thanked 8,153 Times in 1,251 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by JesseBlue 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 | 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...
| |
| | |
10-18-2009, 03:46 PM
|
#23 | | Need to Seek Professional Help
Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Richmond, BC
Posts: 1,017
Thanked 138 Times in 75 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ilvtofu 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!"
| |
| | |
10-18-2009, 05:09 PM
|
#24 | | I am on the internets
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 4,991
Thanked 184 Times in 80 Posts
|
good car for the money
__________________
"As Sir Francis Bacon once said, 'There is no beauty which hath not some strangeness about its proportions'.
And he's right, who ever he is. I mean, look at Keira Knightley.
She's just an ironing board with a face. And she works." - JC on the Alfa 8C
| |
| | |
10-18-2009, 06:19 PM
|
#25 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Richmond
Posts: 8,645
Thanked 1,357 Times in 508 Posts
|
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.
__________________ ⇐ If I bothered replying, that's the face I made while I typed.
- 2017 Alfa Romeo Giula Q4
- 1999 Nissan Stagea 260RS 1 of 748
- 1998 Nissan Laurel Medallion Club S drift boi
- 1991 Lexus LS400 mint boi
- 1989 Nissan S-Cargo cute boi
| |
| | | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:50 AM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
