2008 Saturn Astra XR 3 door

[Chevy_Rules]

We went by to my local Saturn dealer and drove the Astra 3 door. I must say the Astra is a better quality vehicle then the Aura.

Exterior: 5 door: Overall it has a nice stance. But, not a fan of the squared C- Pillar and the duller tail lights. It does have better visibility then the 3 door.

3 door: This is the one I would buy. I like the swooping design of the B-Pillar back. The tail lights have a bit more flare to them then the 5 door.

Interior: Easy to get in the rear seats in the 3 door. The shifter quality of both the stick and auto have a nice feel to it. Better then the Aura's shifter. The quality of the lower dash plastics is much better then the hard and harsh plastics of the Aura's. The steering wheel had a nice grip at 9 and 3. The radio/ DIC controls are a bit confusing at first, but at the end of the test drive when my dad was driving it, I had begun to figure out the controls. The cloth seats hold me in place pretty well. Again, better then the Aura.

Handling/Suspension: Due to the smaller size of the Astra vs the Aura, the Astra was nimbler. It is much easier to throw around the Astra and it doesn't complain. The suspension is also better then the Aura's. The Astra's suspension is firm like the Aura, but it absorbs the bumps much better. It is almost BMW like. That is why the car can handle the Autobahn unlike my Opelized G6.

Acceleration/braking: I agree with Du with this one. The engine loves to go at 3K RPM. It is the sweet spot for the car. Anything under 2500 RPM is too weak. The engine is louder then the American Ecotec, but it is a good loud. It sounds far nicer then the American Ecotec. Braking is fairly good too. The brake feel is nice and firm unlike the Aura which is a bit softer. The brakes are responsive. Overall, the 1.8 Ecotec moves the Astra nicely. But, it could use a bit more power to compensate for the poor low end power.

Conclusion: Would buy this car in a heartbeat. It drives better then the Civic. Both cars are well planted in the corners, but the Civic's steering is number then the Astra's and a bit over boosted as well. Bringing over the Astra nearly untouched maybe one of GM's smartest moves when it comes to the small car market and maybe even one of the best overall decisions they have ever made. They just need to put a bit bigger engine in it and bring the sedan over to appeal to the American consumer( I would buy the hatch though). My dad said this on the way home, " It is pretty amazing how Saturn has improved over the past 10 years. They used to be cheap junk, but they have come a long way lately and putting out some nice cars."

[SaturnSdn]

You smoke crack hey..............

[RedL300]

Thanks for an in depth review...
I thought the Astra looked great,but the interior seemed bleak and I can't get around the fact that it's underpowered..at least for mountain terrain.
Aura? Love the handling..looks great..the right car for me.
Sounds like you have some major buyers remorse though..a shame you shelled out the bucks for the Aura XR when you could have waited and spent thousands less on a car you really like.

[Chevy_Rules]

Originally Posted by RedL300

Thanks for an in depth review...
I thought the Astra looked great,but the interior seemed bleak and I can't get around the fact that it's underpowered..at least for mountain terrain.
Aura? Love the handling..looks great..the right car for me.
Sounds like you have some major buyers remorse though..a shame you shelled out the bucks for the Aura XR when you could have waited and spent thousands less on a car you really like.

Oh don't get me wrong, I still love my Aura. I love the V6 power. If it was Astra vs Aura I would have a hard time choosing. I think it would come down to practicality. While I do like the Astra's ride better, the Aura would be more practical. They're both great cars. Now the G8 may cause some major buyers remorse.

[SaturnSdn]

Just think you coulda had a G8 ... when does anyone think they'll hear that.

[rmlimage]

Originally Posted by RedL300

Thanks for an in depth review...
I thought the Astra looked great,but the interior seemed bleak and I can't get around the fact that it's underpowered..at least for mountain terrain.
Aura? Love the handling..looks great..the right car for me.
Sounds like you have some major buyers remorse though..a shame you shelled out the bucks for the Aura XR when you could have waited and spent thousands less on a car you really like.

Just wondering, but have you drove the Astra in a mountain terrain setting? I keep hearing everyone jump on this band wagon of the Astra being under power. Like the guy, above I test drove a 5 door version and I think its has enough power and I live very close to the mountain in Colorado Springs, CO.

I'm not going to pull a trailer or go offroading in it, but the power in the Astra is fine for normal city and hwy driving. It actually seem to have more power than my '96 SC2 coupe.

Yes I'm going to buy it soon. I have no interest in the Mazda 3 or VW Rabbit. BTW, I can't stand the Aura. It big and awkward remind me of my father Buick LeSabre before he traded it in for a Vue.

Happy Shopping.

[MidnightVue07]

I still don't understand why they don't offer a the 2.5 ecotec, there dropping in the Cobalt,Vibe,G5..

Also if they had "Cooler" Option's such as Nav., HID's etc.. I understand they wanted to do as little as possible when bringing it over to America but this are things We are spoiled with. Technology,Power,"Coolness."


I know alot Talk abot the Cup Holder's being hard to get to.. I like that idea, Keeps my fiancee from eating/drinking in the car.

[Chevy_Rules]

The reason why the 2.4 isn't in it is because A) The Astra is built on the same line as the Opel Astra. Wouldn't be cost effective to ship the 2.4 to Belgium and ship the car back. B) It won't physically fit into the Astra's engine bay.

[OPEL Blitz]

And question C, why you dont get the cool stuff, also has an equally simple answer. It'd make the car too expensive. GM is allready selling the Saturn version at a loss.

[SaturnSdn]

At a loss you say : sounds like a bad move to scrap the ION to me along with many others things people do not like about the car. I still think it'll be a good seller on looks alone.

[saturn_69]

Originally Posted by Chevy_Rules

The reason why the 2.4 isn't in it is because A) The Astra is built on the same line as the Opel Astra. Wouldn't be cost effective to ship the 2.4 to Belgium and ship the car back. B) It won't physically fit into the Astra's engine bay.

Yes, it will fit. The Holden Astra - Australia's version - gets a DI 2.2L Ecotec, which is the same thing that's in the Ion, dimensionally anyway. The 2.4 would be no different. Besides, the Astra engine compartment is 90% the same as the Cobalt/Ion/HHR/G5 engine compartment.

[RedL300]

Originally Posted by rmlimage

Just wondering, but have you drove the Astra in a mountain terrain setting? I keep hearing everyone jump on this band wagon of the Astra being under power. Like the guy, above I test drove a 5 door version and I think its has enough power and I live very close to the mountain in Colorado Springs, CO.

I'm not going to pull a trailer or go offroading in it, but the power in the Astra is fine for normal city and hwy driving. It actually seem to have more power than my '96 SC2 coupe.

Yes I'm going to buy it soon. I have no interest in the Mazda 3 or VW Rabbit. BTW, I can't stand the Aura. It big and awkward remind me of my father Buick LeSabre before he traded it in for a Vue.

Happy Shopping.

Big and Awkward? Buick LaSabre?? Wow.. Not feelin ya there at all.
You make a good point though..I need to correct my name..I actually have a 2007 XE and live at the base of RTE 50,leading to Spooner Summit,that takes you down to Tahoe..I haven't driven the Astra,so could be blowing smoke,but the grades going up to the Sierra's are really steep..The Aura seems just powerful enough to keep me from being the leader of a really angry procession..4 bangers just tend to be sluggish on the way up. I'd like to be wrong though.
To test,I'd have to drive 45 miles to Reno and see if they'd let me drive all the way back!
BTW..Lived in Denver for a long time.. Colo. Springs is a great town.

[GR898SL2]

Chevy Rules, I prefer the 3-door Astra XR to the 5-door models. In many ways, it reminds me of my old Escort LX hatchback, only with a sporty, European flair. If the Astra was available at the time of my accident, it would have been a tossup between that and the Maxima.

No buyers remorse here, just bummed about the cost of the premium fuel the VQ35DE requires. Otherwise, the Maxima is a pleasure to drive. The Saturn I'd really like to get my hands on down the road is the 2001 silver/black 10th Anniversary SL2. They're even more rare than the '94 & '99 Homecoming SL2s. I just hope I'm not upside down on the Maxima loan if the opportunity ever presents itself.

[ruley73]

Originally Posted by Chevy_Rules

The reason why the 2.4 isn't in it is because A) The Astra is built on the same line as the Opel Astra. Wouldn't be cost effective to ship the 2.4 to Belgium and ship the car back. B) It won't physically fit into the Astra's engine bay.

I don't think this is entirely true. The Astra is built off the same Delta platfrom as the current Chevy Cobalt and late Saturn Ion so the engine should fit with little or no adjustments. I do agree that it would be costly to use the 2.4L. But the 2.2L on the other hand is already used in the Opel Speedster (Saturn Sky's Euro-twin) and would provide more than adequate power.

[Chevy_Rules]

Originally Posted by ruley73

I don't think this is entirely true. The Astra is built off the same Delta platfrom as the current Chevy Cobalt and late Saturn Ion so the engine should fit with little or no adjustments. I do agree that it would be costly to use the 2.4L. But the 2.2L on the other hand is already used in the Opel Speedster (Saturn Sky's Euro-twin) and would provide more than adequate power.

The Astra-Cobalt relation is just like the Vectra-Aura/G6/Malibu-9-3 relation. They may share the same platform name and some basic structure, but they're really radically different. Delta II and Epsilon II will rectify this.

[SaturnSdn]

The 2.4L will fit

the 2.0 is already in the car

the 2.2 is already in the car

go spread your urban rumors on a chevy site

[saturn_69]

Originally Posted by ruley73

I don't think this is entirely true. The Astra is built off the same Delta platfrom as the current Chevy Cobalt and late Saturn Ion so the engine should fit with little or no adjustments. I do agree that it would be costly to use the 2.4L. But the 2.2L on the other hand is already used in the Opel Speedster (Saturn Sky's Euro-twin) and would provide more than adequate power.

They don't make the Opel Speedster (mid-engine, 2.2L, based on Lotus Elise) anymore, they make the Opel GT, that's the one that's the Sky's twin.


Speedster


GT

[rmlimage]

Originally Posted by RedL300

Big and Awkward? Buick LaSabre?? Wow.. Not feelin ya there at all.
You make a good point though..I need to correct my name..I actually have a 2007 XE and live at the base of RTE 50,leading to Spooner Summit,that takes you down to Tahoe..I haven't driven the Astra,so could be blowing smoke,but the grades going up to the Sierra's are really steep..The Aura seems just powerful enough to keep me from being the leader of a really angry procession..4 bangers just tend to be sluggish on the way up. I'd like to be wrong though.
To test,I'd have to drive 45 miles to Reno and see if they'd let me drive all the way back!
BTW..Lived in Denver for a long time.. Colo. Springs is a great town.

One of my co-workers bought an AURA last year and to this day, it feels big. I was hoping when it would be more the size of a BMW 3 series or Lexus IS. Just a little to long for my taste.
I have never taken my 4 banger SC2 to Calif, but I have taken it to Arizona a few times and New Mexico, it never felt slugglish to me even go through Wolf Creek Pass. And after test driving the Astra, I do feel it has a little more get than my aging SC2.
I know the area around Tahoe a little. The amount of snow you got this year, I would trade it in for a VUE.
BTW I do enjoy the area you live in, but only in the summer. Have a good one.

[saturn_69]

Originally Posted by rmlimage

One of my co-workers bought an AURA last year and to this day, it feels big. I was hoping when it would be more the size of a BMW 3 series or Lexus IS. Just a little to long for my taste.
I have never taken my 4 banger SC2 to Calif, but I have taken it to Arizona a few times and New Mexico, it never felt slugglish to me even go through Wolf Creek Pass. And after test driving the Astra, I do feel it has a little more get than my aging SC2.
I know the area around Tahoe a little. The amount of snow you got this year, I would trade it in for a VUE.
BTW I do enjoy the area you live in, but only in the summer. Have a good one.

Lexus IS:

183.5 L / 71.5 W / 55.7 H / 3780 lbs.

BMW 3-series sedan:

178.2 L / 79.3 W / 55.9 H / 3340 lbs.

Aura XE

190.2 L / 70.3 W / 57.6 H / 3446 lbs.

It can't feel much bigger than a BMW (which is almost a foot wider) or Lexus IS...especially since the Lexus since it's 334 lbs. heavier and almost the same size! But it's nice that you're comparing an Aura to an overpriced Toyota and the Ultimate Driving Machine. Saturn thanks you.

[Nat Whilk]

Originally Posted by saturn_69

BMW 3-series sedan:

178.2 L / 79.3 W / 55.9 H / 3340 lbs.

Aura XE

190.2 L / 70.3 W / 57.6 H / 3446 lbs.

It can't feel much bigger than a BMW (which is almost a foot wider)

The diagram on the BMW website seems to indicate that the 79.3 inch width counts the mirrors. Wheels.ca indicates that if measurements ignore the mirrors, the 3-series sedan is 71.5 inches wide (vs. 70.3 for the Aura).