The bumpy road to newastra

[newastra]

The short story: I pick up my new Star Silver XR 5-door with leather, sunroof, Advanced Audio and Sport Handling in less than 2 weeks. Thanks to all for the valuable information found here which formed part of my research.

The much longer story: Like several others here my short list came down to the Subaru Impreza, Mazda 3 and the Astra. (I also liked the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, but my wife said without heated seats it was not a finalist.) I was intrigued by the Astra after a brief drive in February at the auto show, but it was no easy search for a suitable one locally. Without exception every Saturn retailer pushed me towards the Aura. Most had at best 2 or 3 Astras on their lots, almost always base XE models. Their salespeople did not speak highly of the Astra, with one even complaining bitterly about it bringing the demise of the Ion which had sold very well for them. No one could find a well-equipped Astra and orders for the 2008 had closed several months earlier. I resorted to the excellent search tools on the GM Canada website (recently “dumbed-down” considerably due to dealer complaints) and found my car at a dealership in a small town about 2 hours away. I contacted them and found a salesman willing to investigate further. He discovered there were more than 400 Astras sitting on the dock at Halifax harbor awaiting inspection, including the object of my search. He confirmed that they would be getting the Star Silver XR 5-door with all the toys someday, but in the meantime I should consider an Aura. I almost gave up and set about looking at the other cars. The Mazda 3 similarly equipped to the loaded Astra was more expensive and lacked both traction control and a stability package, but drove nicely. The Subaru was a great drive, but suffered from a poor interior and terrible gas mileage compared to the others. The decision wasn’t getting any easier until the day the out-of-town dealer called to say the missing Astra had arrived. Off we drove to take a look at it. I had not expected my wife to like it as she is used to an SUV and wanted something like a Chevy Malibu to replace our second vehicle. However, she immediately liked the Astra and the deal was done. Now it sits in the dealer’s lot awaiting the Boomerang armrest (backordered) and a replacement lower front grill due to the factory-installed XE one that is masking the fog light on one side. Price was Saturn list (of course) less the current $750 Canadian rebate, 0% financing and the GM 2500 litre gas card.

[BobbyP]

Thanks for your story!

IMO most all the Saturn sales consultants are bitter to a certain degree because the slow Astra sales are hurting them in their wallets.

[cschmidt1956]

I shopped many of the vehicles that you did too. I am very Glad I wound up with the Astra. Each day proves to me that I made the right choice. In the large parking lot where I park in Downtown, there are always duplication in the cars folks drive. But my Astra sticks out and is unique with out the price tag of being unique.

I hope that Saturn does well with the Astra, but for now I'm happy not seeing myself coming and going.

[davidsky]

Originally Posted by BobbyP

Thanks for your story!

IMO most all the Saturn sales consultants are bitter to a certain degree because the slow Astra sales are hurting them in their wallets.

They probably shouldn't be telling customers this.

[newastra]

It's here! Shiny silver XR 5-door with all the toys. It was definitely worth the wait. You certainly get lots of looks when out driving it and several neighbors have been over to check it out - including the owner of the brand new loaded Mazda 3, who thought I'd bought the hatch version of her car.

[PortCityShawn]

Originally Posted by newastra

It's here! Shiny silver XR 5-door with all the toys. It was definitely worth the wait. You certainly get lots of looks when out driving it and several neighbors have been over to check it out - including the owner of the brand new loaded Mazda 3, who thought I'd bought the hatch version of her car.

Congrats on the new Astra, newastra... try not to let everyone see the giant grin you'll be sporting while you drive around town.

[amartin003]

Originally Posted by cschmidt1956

In the large parking lot where I park in Downtown, there are always duplication in the cars folks drive. But my Astra sticks out and is unique with out the price tag of being unique.

No kidding! When I was first researching for my next car, I was looking at the Mazda3. Then I decided to take a drive and count all the Mazda3's I saw in a short amount of time. I gave up after 10 or 12. But I have only seen one Astra on the road in my area, so it's nice to be unique.

BTW, picked up my Astra last weekend and love it!!! So happy with the choice I made. The same day I picked it up, I stopped over at my brothers place, and someone walking down street came over to check out the car since he hadn't seen any yet. How many Mazda3 owners can say that?

[newastra]

And here it is...

[SaturnRaycer]

Sweet! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[Twitch]

Originally Posted by newastra

And here it is...

I like how the aftermarket arm rest blends into the interior perfectly, as if it was stock.

[ftruscot]

Originally Posted by Twitch

I like how the aftermarket arm rest blends into the interior perfectly, as if it was stock.

It's a very nice product. I just haven't convinced myself that I need it yet. Been a car at the dealership with this installed and it fits the interior perfectly. I'll probably break down at some point and get it.

[Twitch]

Originally Posted by ftruscot

It's a very nice product. I just haven't convinced myself that I need it yet. Been a car at the dealership with this installed and it fits the interior perfectly. I'll probably break down at some point and get it.

The only thing I don't like is the slide out cup holder. It's perfect for an auto but when you drive stick, any bottles that is placed there might bother the shifting.

I drive an 01 Mustang GT and the cup holder is right under the shifter and I'm unable to put any bottles there (I never have drinks in cups, messy spills) without bothering me, I usually just jam it between the seat and console.

I was just doing on a test drive(shotgun) tonight with my cousin and I never notice the lack of arm rest.

[ftruscot]

It's actually the slide-out cupholder that has me on the fence about the armrest. I, too, don't like having cups in the car, but if I did, I can at least use the current cupholder behind the e-brake, if I wanted to. But that slide out isn't practical for the manual.

I'll be taking it on a road trip in a couple weeks. If I don't find myself wishing I had an arm rest, I'll probably forget it totally.

Still a nice product.

[PortCityShawn]

Originally Posted by ftruscot

It's actually the slide-out cupholder that has me on the fence about the armrest. I, too, don't like having cups in the car, but if I did, I can at least use the current cupholder behind the e-brake, if I wanted to. But that slide out isn't practical for the manual.

I'll be taking it on a road trip in a couple weeks. If I don't find myself wishing I had an arm rest, I'll probably forget it totally.

Still a nice product.

You know... I just don't miss the armrest in the Astra when I drive one. There's something about the ergonomics that just work.