Saturn Astra: The First 60 Days...Or 3,000 Miles

[Rob]

Here it is, 60 days since delivery and I'm at 3,100 miles. Wow! Guess that's what a 70 mile round trip commute will do to a new car. And that new car being the 2008 Saturn Astra XR 3 door. Or 2 door hatch as some call it. Whatever you want to call it, I call it a really fun car!

When I first saw the Astra at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, I knew that was going to be my next Saturn, after I bought my Sky Red Line of course. I was driving an Ion Red Line and was laying the ground work for the Sky purchase. But seeing the Astra design, the safety features and standard equipment, and of course, the color of blue that was covering it all, I was like "I MUST have this!. Yea, it's the car nut in me. Now if I only had the deep pockets Jay Leno has. And who knew at that time what GM, Saturn and the rest of the auto industry was about to experience so I thought 2009 would be the time to buy the Astra, more likely 2010.

So fast forward to Feb 2009. Here we are in the worst economic times since the 30s, the auto industry literally has hit the skids and talk of Saturn closing up shop is blasted all over the place. WOW! So with all of this in mind, and seeing my gas expense climbing again because the ION was getting a combined mpg of 25, it was time to put some thought into this. Especially since no 2009 Astra was being sent to the US because of inventory levels. URGH! Then finally, cash back or 0% finance was part of the incentives on the Astra. Time to see if the car I want is even around. Some research including help from the Saturn Team (big thanks!) here, one was located in CT. So I met with Gavin @ Saturn of Norwood. Great guy, very helpful, and if anyone has any doubt that the Saturn way of business isn't around, then you need to go see Gavin and Saturn of Norwood (many kudos to them for making this whole transaction take about 3 emails and a total of an hour? doing paperwork from buying order through purchase).

In the middle of a snow storm, I took delivery. Go figure. A car with summer tires being delivered during a snow storm. What, are ya crazy? Well, maybe just a little.

Aside from the exterior design of the Astra, what I love about this car is just about everything. What, just about? Why not completely? Simple. The lack of XM OR and AUX jack for iPod connectivity. Knowing ahead of time these weren't part of the car, I still bought it. The other issue, which for me is more minor as well, summer tires. I'm not completely sure of the logic other than handling but, for what is competing in the economy car market, I would think, even with the 18" wheels, an all season tire would be standard with the summer tire a stand alone option especially since the northern half of this country has snow. But aside from those items, this car is awesome.

The five speed is smooth, very easy to navigate up and down shifts. Engine performance is good once you understand where the torque range is for each gear. For those saying 140 hp isn't enough, remember, the S-Series DOHC was rated at only 124 hp. Part of the other or I should say, main reason I bought the Astra was gas mileage. The Ion required premium fuel. At $0.25 more a gallon than regular, it adds up fast. I have managed to cut my gas expense in half with the Astra. Last fill up was near 31 mpg combined driving, though the majority is highway with some stop and go in evening rush hour. I've heard the more mileage on the odometer, the better the mpg on these cars from other Astra owners postings.

Comfort. Oh man, LOVE these seats. The leather is better than what I had in my 96 SC2. Heated no less, something one would not expect in a compact car. I was worried coming from the Recaro seats of the ION, I wouldn't be as comfortable. Well I find these just as comfortable. Seating position is great too with the adjustable steering fore/aft and up/down. Great feature! The car is quiet too. Very well insulated and sounds so solid, especially closing the door and over rough surfaces. I've had people in the back seat also and they have had plenty of room including leg room even sitting behind me. Kudos to the inclusion of the quick seat release for access to the back seats too.

The steering wheel controls are very easy to use once you learn how to operate them. Lot's of engineering in those babies. The sound system is great. I could do without the bass limiting feature but figure its a way to keep the speakers from blowing out. The A/C system works flawlessly. The safety features: OnStar, ABS 4 wheel disc brakes, StabiliTrak and traction control, 6 airbags, just amazing for a compact car. One other feature I really like is the rain sense wipers. Too cool and in a compact vehicle. I know there are those saying "bring back the low cost S-Series" but look at what you are getting in this car? Granted, the S cars didn't have some of these available but now that they are possible, it really adds value to the vehicle and makes me feel safer on the road. The quality of the interior far exceeds the Toyota and Hondas I've seen of late. The value of the car in my opinion is well worth the money. It really is an under rated vehicle.

Overall, I really am glad I bought this car. Sure, I miss the Ion's power. But I purchase each vehicle to "serve" a purpose. My Sky Red Line is for fun. This car is to commute to work and run errands etc. And it more than serves that purpose well. All in all, I would recommend this car to anyone who asks, and I do. I would even recommend it to the four or five people that have given me the thumbs up on the highway during my commute. And to the Saturn owner I talked with at the grocery store the other day. So all I can ask now is, "How can I buy the white one I want"?

If you have any questions about the Astra, post a comment. Or if you own one too, drop a line on the blog. Honestly, the American public doesn't know what a great little car the Astra is. Thank you Saturn for bringing this car over the pond.

[Joe]

CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR SATURN PURCHASE, and your right the Astra is a GREAT little car.. I love my Astra 5dr. and I tell evryone that!