CTC Review: 2008 Saturn Astra

[jcon]

And I absolutely agree 2late!

I was referring solely to the quality of the build. I am not forgiving or excusing the terrible service spg received.

[carcrazy]

You hear this type of complaints for virtually ANY car company and their dealers.
Based on the horror stories on the Internet we shouldn't be buying any car in order to avoid the risk to get a lemon and/or bad service.

[Blueprint]

I have only seen an Astra once so far on the streets around Greater Montreal, and in compact-crazy Quebec, that's not a good sign.  People wanting entry-level Euro go VW City, troubles and all, and the Astra lacks a "wow" factor to set it apart.  Still wayyyy better than Ion, but at a price.

[Jules]

Additonal comment today:
What other fwd car offers a 1.8 liter engine that is rated to get 43 mpg hwy. I am guessing that, at 1.8 liters with 2700 or 2800 lbs to move around, this engine is struggling and real world MPG figures will be much lower.
Not unprecendeted, GM could go from 1.8 to 2.2 liters (think J-car of the 80's and 90's) with it's much more modern 2.2 litre ecotec engine first used with the L-series Saturn.
My prediction: it may happen and MPG would be the same or increase, and, real world figures would be closer to the EPA rating.
Just look at the hwy EPA rating for a Camry and Accord with 2.4 liter engines. GM could benefit from a bigger engine in this car alleviating some concerns. Hey, mazda and VW have bigger engines (2.3 and 2.5 litres respectfully) in this market.

[dorin]

What other fwd car offers a 1.8 liter engine that is rated to get 43 mpg hwy. I am guessing that, at 1.8 liters with 2700 or 2800 lbs to move around, this engine is struggling and real world MPG figures will be much lower.

2700-2800 lbs. is a lightweight car nowadays.  Modern cars are serious porkers.

The Honda Civic is 2700-2800 lbs. and it gets low real-world fuel consumption from its 1.8L engine.

[MKII]

Where is it been built? US or EUP?

The current Saturn Astra is imported from a General Motors Europe plant in Antwerp, Belgium.

New designed Astra is expected as MY2010. (expect the new Opel Astra to debut in Geneva in March 2009)

[Huit]

I have only seen an Astra once so far on the streets around Greater Montreal, and in compact-crazy Quebec, that's not a good sign.  People wanting entry-level Euro go VW City, troubles and all, and the Astra lacks a "wow" factor to set it apart.  Still wayyyy better than Ion, but at a price.

I've already seen two of the new 2009 Toyota Matrix on the road, and that's only been released for a few weeks.  Zero Astras on the road - but when I went to the dealer a couple months ago, the Astra stock seems to be coming in extremely slowly.

Whatever the case, I think the Astra's sunroof is really nice.

What other fwd car offers a 1.8 liter engine that is rated to get 43 mpg hwy. I am guessing that, at 1.8 liters with 2700 or 2800 lbs to move around, this engine is struggling and real world MPG figures will be much lower.

2700-2800 lbs. is a lightweight car nowadays.  Modern cars are serious porkers.

The Honda Civic is 2700-2800 lbs. and it gets low real-world fuel consumption from its 1.8L engine.

However much some people might hate the Toyota Corolla, the mileage it gets from its 1.8L is undeniable.  Except the current gen Civic and Corollas are slightly less efficient because of a bit of added weight - from air bags and safety equipment?

[Diesel Advocate]

I'd advise anyone considering purchasing a Saturn product to go elsewhere. 

The Astra may be a fine product, but as an owner of a 2006 Saturn Ion 3, I am appalled at the level of quality and non-existent customer service offered by Saturn/GM Canada. My Ion 3 regularly malfunctions despite regular maintenance by the dealer. In fact I have not had a single day of ownership without something being broken on my vehicle.  GM Canada, doesn't seem to care and when I call their customer service department, their objective seems to be a mix of blaming the dealer for my problems (the car is a piece of junk and its not the dealer's fault) and to get me off the phone as quick as possible.

I purchased a Honda last year, and unfortunately am still stuck with my Ion 3. The difference in quality between my Honda and Saturn is very apparent. Nothing breaks on my Honda either.

If the Astra is a better vehicle than the Ion, Saturn/GM will have to prove it to me. Unfortunately for them, I'm never going to give them the chance to do that. 

Don't tell Barrie this, Saturns are perfect (like all GMs) in his mind!


Seriously, this is an Opel, not a Saturn. They just changed the badge. If you look at the history of this car in Europe, you'll see a long list of positive, long-term reviews.

Yes but his point is still valid. It doesn't matter if its an Opel, Saturn or Seaking Helicopter. GM/Saturn Canada still provides the service/customer service which spg has found terrible.

Honda, Ford, GM all have creap customer service from time to time. A Honda dealer I went into didn't even bother to come over and speak with me. Thankfully, they did that and I walked away and purchased a Kia Sedona instead. Honda's loss!

[Wolfe]

You hear this type of complaints for virtually ANY car company and their dealers.
Based on the horror stories on the Internet we shouldn't be buying any car in order to avoid the risk to get a lemon and/or bad service.

All car companies are equal but some are more equal than others.

[Seafoam]

Additonal comment today:
What other fwd car offers a 1.8 liter engine that is rated to get 43 mpg hwy. I am guessing that, at 1.8 liters with 2700 or 2800 lbs to move around, this engine is struggling and real world MPG figures will be much lower.
Not unprecendeted, GM could go from 1.8 to 2.2 liters (think J-car of the 80's and 90's) with it's much more modern 2.2 litre ecotec engine first used with the L-series Saturn.
My prediction: it may happen and MPG would be the same or increase, and, real world figures would be closer to the EPA rating.
Just look at the hwy EPA rating for a Camry and Accord with 2.4 liter engines. GM could benefit from a bigger engine in this car alleviating some concerns. Hey, mazda and VW have bigger engines (2.3 and 2.5 litres respectfully) in this market.

I thought the 1.8 was from the ecotec family?It should  be a good engine.I think it was said elsewhere on here the car is geared so that it revs quite high on the highway.This is what hurts fuel economy.Stuffing a bigger engine in there is not going to help much. The Mazda 2.3 and VW 2.5 aren't noted for the best fuel economy either even though they are indeed more powerful.

[vdk]

You know what's really funny. The only things that feels cheap inside is the Saturn badge on the steering wheel. And I'm not kidding you....

[Zombie]

I am sorry, but this Saturn is not complete and needs more work.

1) Saturn made their reputation selling cars with plastic panels. Not available with an Astra.
2) Saturn made their reputation selling cars for which it's engine had a timing chain: timing belt with the Astra.
3) Saturn made their reputation selling cars with modern engines: Astra's engine has a cast iron block with an aluminum head.

Ummmm that stuff wasn't working for them so they went another way. Does Saturn even sell cars with plastic panels anymore?

[Wolfe]

Nope.

[coopershawk]

I was told this week that it would be about 2 months for the car that I wanted to be delivered...can't wait GM...moved on to Subaru.

[carcrazy]

Why is there a chime for the hatch? No hatch should have a chime if left open, I leave mine open when carrying large items all the time.

I find this a good safety feature for the situations when you leave the hatch opened by accident. Other cars only give you a visual indication on the instrument cluster, which you could easily overlook and drive off with the hatch/tailgate opened.
I'm sure, if you read the manual, you can disable the chime for those particular times when you carry large items.

"This really is the only detriment to the Astra — it just feels extremely slow and requires effort to keep the speeds up while on the highway if you are not using cruise control. But while on the highway you will cruise in comfort;..."

Slow is a relative term. How does it compare to the Civic and Corolla in particular which have the same engine size and around the same HP rating? This is something what I'd like to hear. I know you didn't drive them back to back to get a good idea, but I thought you may have an educated opinion...

No point to compare to Mazda3 2.3L and Rabbit 2.5L; it's obvious that the Astra it's just not in the same league when it comes to power.

[Cortina]

These cars are built for a Diesel engines IMO. Most Astras I think you fine would be sold in Euroland would have a Diesel in them.

[Blueprint]

Just to complete Cortina's comment, we're only getting the 1.8 gas engine 'cause that's the only one mated to an automatic tranny.  IIRC, less than 10% of cars on Euro roads have automatics, so demand is just not there.

[Cortina]

Just to complete Cortina's comment, we're only getting the 1.8 gas engine 'cause that's the only one mated to an automatic tranny.  IIRC, less than 10% of cars on Euro roads have automatics, so demand is just not there.

I guess this would explain a lot about how the Astra runs. The car was not design with autobox in mine.

Wing: I think a trip to a local Saturn dealer maybe in order. go and try the astra in a manual.

[airbalancer]

Why is there a chime for the hatch? No hatch should have a chime if left open, I leave mine open when carrying large items all the time.

Have you check in the manual, to see if it indicates that driving with the rear hatch open may cause exhaust fumes to enter the car
 I have seen this written, for vans with rear opening windows

[wing]

I'm sure it says that -- whatever it drove me bonkers.  The light is good enough for me.  Of course fumes would enter I smell them when I drive my mazda3 with the hatch open, but I don't call Mazda and complain I just deal with it.