Test drove an Astra XR 3-door earlier this week. What a nice ride. The one I drove had 18" wheels, leather seats, and a 5-speed manual. My sister has a Cobalt, and the difference was amazing. The Astra is just so tight and buttoned down, you think you're driving something much bigger and more expensive. It also helps that it's possibly the best looking compact I've ever seen (the 5-door is not quite as attractive).

The engine wasn't necessarily bad for a compact, but with one of the hot-rod motors that sell in Europe, this thing would be exceptional. I bet it would really catch on and do for Saturn what the Integra/RSX did for Acura - give it a fanatic, upwardly mobile fanbase.

Any news on how likely we are to get some of the stronger stuff on this side of the pond?

 

I heard that the Astra "red line" won't come out until the next generation hits, which is around 2010 or 2011. Apparently getting another drivetrain through the certification process is cost prohibitive on this one.

Sucks, because it is a sweet little car.

 

I like these too. What sort of pisses me off is that ugly *** orange monochrome display they put in there (While the Opel version has a nice color display that is nearly twice the size). I think that 1980 looking display is enough to make me not want to buy one. Unfortunate becuase the rest of the car is totally sweet (and would be sweeter in redline trim).

 

I didn't even notice the display, but have no doubt that the overall interior absolutely kills that of most compacts on the American market. If you want a really disturbing display, try spending time in the Civic.

I really want to take this car out for a longer drive now -- without the salesman.

 

You know, we have had more problems with our Ion Redline. At this point, I dont think I could go back.

 

It's an ecotec... you could mod it.


It's a completely different car. It's wrong of you to project your Ion's problems onto the car that replaces it.

 

True, but theres principals involved. So far, the stick shift fell off in traffic, the windshield wiper transmission shattered, the windshield split in two when I turned on the defroster, the timing chain tensioner failed, the power steering motor failed, the coolant resevoir split open, the intercooler pump failed, the cruise control never worked, and the check engine light is always blinking on and off. All of this in the first 40K miles. Saturn is not real high on my list.

 

The Astra isn't really a Saturn. Where does Opel sit on your list?

 

The only Euro Astra's that have the color display are ones that have the optional navigation . Otherwise the base display in europe is the same screen as the US . They ALL are exact same size . This car is total comprimise to get Saturn a small car to tide it over until the next gen Astra . We only got the 1.8 because thats the only engine over there that offers a automatic trans and it was too costly to offer engine options . The turbo 1.9 with a 6speed would been cool little package and the VXR woulda been so expensive if just imported , no one would have paid for it .

The next Astra should be much more complete .

 

why don't you just get rid of it?

 

It's perfectly natural of him to project his problems with his current car onto a potential replacement by the same manufacturer (and that's just completely hypothetical and assuming saturn could bring the astra to the US). If I had a terrible experience with buying a brand new Trans Am, I would not have been able to look at a GTO without a certain level of disgust, regardless of the fact that the GTO was a completely different car made thousands of miles from the Firebird.

Just take a look around. Most people who had a Cavalier and hated it hate Cobalts just because they equate it as being the current Cavalier.

I'm not saying it's right, but it is natural to not reward a company who made a product you bought and hated with your business, regardless of how good the new product might be.

 

Well, there would be another problem, no resale value. We did smart buy and have been $4K+ upside down on it ever since. We've got 10 months left untill GM buys it back

 

The Ions were not a good car. Sorry to hear about your troubles. These guys are correct the Astra is a completely different animal and it comes at a time when GM has a higher emphasis on quality. I agree to the trans am/gto post, I did not buy a grand prix four years ago when I was car shopping because of all the problems on my Trans Am. I didn't ban GM from my stable forever but I did try out my maxima and its been hit and miss on quality too.

I like the astra but it seems like a 3 year too late answer to the madza3, they are quite similar. The display in the center dash is the ONLY problem I see on the car. It looks so cheaply designed and its front and center. I'd still consider one but the dash makes me never want to pay what they want for it. A 1.4T or 1.8T could change that.

 

Thats because it is 4.5 model years old .

 

I would be all for an Astra Redline. The styling is pretty decent, but the engine specs just look anemic. If I were buying it, I'd want more like 160-180 hp stock, or at least an option for something like 180-200hp alongside the current 138 hp engine.