Saturn Astra to Skip 2009

Saturn has decided to forgo producing a 2009 Saturn Astra in favor of allowing 2008 models to sell out before the 2010 model hits dealer lots in the spring.

Given the already rough car-selling climate, Saturn apparently sees no reason to clutter dealership lots with another model name that has few changes from a previous model year. The 2010 Astra will be largely the same car as the 2008 anyway (with some minor tweaks, like different exterior paint options).

The upside of this is that you may be able to score a pretty good deal on an ’08 Astra.

Saturn Astra Goes Away for 2009 (Autoblog)

Comments

I'd be more interested in one if they offered the larger ecotec engine from the Cobalt. The current 1.8 liter engine is too weak. Their prices are too high as well. Good luck!

I have not seen a single one of these on the road. I had to look on their website to see if they were actually on the market. Yep. I guess people aren't very interested.

it's sad, one of the best Saturns ever made isn't selling here, yet it's the number 2 car sold in Europe! They need 2 build it locally so they can lower the price! & add an mp3 jack! Even the Kia Rio has one of those!

GM hasn't done enough to "Americanize" the Astra; from what I've seen of the interior, there's quite a few quirks that we're just not used to, and from the lack of Astras on the road, probably don't want to get used to.

Bummer they're not selling. If I was in the market for a car, I would seriously consider the Astra. It's a very appealing package overall and I like the European quirkiness; it has a lot more character than a Corolla or Civoc

Mazda3 is also agile but with better interior and exterior.
Astra's interior not so good

I about fell out of my chair when I saw the Astra 3-door starts at over $18,000!

I do agree it's got better styling and it's different (in a good way) compared to perennial favorite compact cars, I just feel that for most people (not me), GM didn't do enough to make the conveniences of the Astra more "American".

GM sent the car over virtually unchanged. It has the same "flaws" as the European car including a lack of aux input. The mileage is lacking because in Europe there are far more efficient diesels available that cant be sold here. I have seen fewer than 10 on the road so far. With incentives it would be a nice car to pick up though. The interior materials are a cut above the Corolla and Civic and Cobalt. Its VW like inside.

I saw one today. May be second ever. Opel = junk

The mileage is lacking because in Europe there are far more efficient diesels available that cant be sold here.
-Yes that is why a gasoline engine is lacking, because of diesels. Good reasoning.

Belly,

Thanks. You will find this with most European cars. If you notice mileage on gas powered VWs, MBs and BMWs is never stellar. Why? In Europe those who want efficiency are not choosing gas engines. The C300 gets only 18/26 with a 3L engine and a 7 speed auto. You can bet that in Europe that car is available with a much more efficient engine that needs diesel.

In Europe the Astra has 6 or 7 powertrains. I believe 3 are gas engines including an engine that is smaller and weaker than the 1.8L offered here. If you want an Opel Astra with better efficiency than the Saturn version you have options but those options use diesel. Another issue is that the other gas engines offered in Europe do not have auto trannies. The 1.8L was the only choice for US sales.

"Opel = junk"

Sounds like an informed opinion to me. Thanks for clearing that up.

Yep. The Astra in Europe comes with 1.4 and 1.6 gas engines along with diesels. The smaller gas engines would be considered underpowered over here though.

The biggest problem with the Astra, i think, is pricing. I'm sure people would get used to a slightly different cruise control logo if it was priced competitively. If not, then Americans have bigger problems than we think. But the car is hampered by a high starting price (probably decided upon to restrict the impact of currency fluctuations).

The Astra is a good car (although aged now) and many people would find it preferable to the other mainstream compact cars should they drive it. But when it costs thousands more than competitors, why would they?

"Opel = Junk"
All Opel-based cars in the US so far have been total disaster.

these cars r not "junk" but Europeans r used 2 paying more for their small cars! Americans r not. The only reason they're not selling is price!

has this car sold better in Canada? Cuz i've heard they will get a 2009!

Thanks. You will find this with most European cars. If you notice mileage on gas powered VWs, MBs and BMWs is never stellar. Why? In Europe those who want efficiency are not choosing gas engines. The C300 gets only 18/26 with a 3L engine and a 7 speed auto. You can bet that in Europe that car is available with a much more efficient engine that needs diesel.
-A gas engine gets the same mileage here or in Europe. The reason the Astra doesn't get better mileage is because they thought the smaller engine wouldn't be powerful enough for American tastes. You can also bet that the European model of the C300 has a more efficient gas option as well as plenty diesels. It is not like gasoline is the forgotten fuel in Europe, over there it is split pretty much even between diesels and gasoline.

"Opel = Junk"; bit of a scathing generalisation. Yes it is not really a glory brand here. Even Ford has more kudos than Opel. It is nowhere near as bad as made out to be in these posts though.

Problem is, as mentioned above, if you want economy you can buy it with a 1.9 diesel that can even be mated with an optional 6-speed automatic. Or you can buy a 1.4 that takes between 13 and 14 seconds to reach 62 mph.

The problem is that small cars in Europe are mostly sold with a manual gearbox. Opel, like a lot of other 'non-exporting-to-the-US' brands, therefore never had the need to develop a good auto box for their engines. This means that they still stick to 4 speed auto's.

At the end of the day you need to make a choice. Mass = inertia, no one can change physics. If you want a big car you need to use more fuel. If you want to drive faster you need more fuel.

I used to run an '04 Corolla with a 97hp 1.4l engine. This was an engine which was quite sluggish unless you revved the nuts of it. I did and I used more petrol than most people did who drive a bigger engined car...

Anyway, the Astra is not brilliant but definately deserves more praise than it gets here. It is in the same league as the Mazda 3, Civic, Golf/Rabbit, Corolla , etc.

UK,

You are making a lot of sense. Prepare to be "corrected" or attacked. Unfortunately some of the people you are attempting to inform dont know much about cars in Europe or the US.

" You can also bet that the European model of the C300 has a more efficient gas option as well as plenty diesels. "

newsflash: The C has two more powerful gas engines right here in the US. The 3.5L makes 368hp and the V8 makes well over 300hp.

"All Opel-based cars in the US so far have been total disaster."

How many OPels have been sold here in the US? The Astra is the first Opel model that I know of that was sold here virtually unchanged. The Catera was based on an exising Opel that was already a few years old when it came to the US. The Saturn LS was based on the Vectra but was not the exact same car. The Astra hasnt sold here because of price, lack of advertising and to some extent lack of efficiency. If you actually read some reviews you would note the car was generally praised by the press. It's handling is rivaled only by the 3. Its on a higher level than Corolla and Civic.

Mart,

With recent incentives I think the Astra is a little more comparable to other compacts. Also, its not that expensive compared to the 3. Its standard equipment shames cheaper cars such as Corolla and Civic. Things like 4 wheel discs and stability are standard.

So if it isn't price then why isn't it selling? I refuse to accept that it is some unusual graphics on the cruise control button. People are taking test drives to find that out.

If it isn't price, i tmust be lack of awareness as it is a much better car than many on sale here.

I have seen maybe 3 or 4 total here in Chicago, and they are ALWAYS base models with ugly plastic wheel trims.

newsflash: The C has two more powerful gas engines right here in the US. The 3.5L makes 368hp and the V8 makes well over 300hp.
-Dang you are really smart Shet! Now what does that have to with a comment on fuel efficiency? Don't try to associate yourself with those who actually provide information because they actually know something.

Mart,

I agree the interior issues arent a major factor. Its all about awareness and the hatch body style. Dont forget the top sellers in this class are not hatches. In Europe hatches are very popular.

"-Dang you are really smart Shet! Now what does that have to with a comment on fuel efficiency? "

I was responding to your comment about the C class having more powerful gas engine options in Europe. It has them here in the US too. My original point was that it lacks the fuel efficient engines available in Europe just like the Astra and virtually every other European car exported here.

I was responding to your comment about the C class having more powerful gas engine options in Europe.
-I never said this. I said more efficient.

Why can't I get a front armrest in a car costing 18 grand?

Original Sheth
you've sad aplenty but the fact that "All Opel-based cars in the US so far have been total disaster" remains.
May be Astra is the best of them. But there is no proven record of Opel reliability here in US. And in Europe it was below average until 2006. Still I predict longevity of Opels not to the Civic standards. Drives good? Ok. But for how much? Still, for < 18K I can get Sonata base with all the features one needs. Sunroof, leather, etc. are not essential. Stability control, etc are. And mileage of the large car will be same as well as small Astra. Whats the sence? It is not BMW vs Honda. Its Saturn vs Hyundai. Same league, better deal.

Tony:

Hyundai always offers more for your money. Hyundai products are better values that Hondas, Saturns, Toyotas, etc. Comparing the Sonata to the Astra is pointless. You can also get a Sonata for the price of a loaded up Civic. You are not going to win "bang for your buck" comparisons with Hyundai.

I'm thinking that those who remember the car's namesake (Pontiac "Astre") may be scared away of this one.Astre afterall was a rebadged and renosed version of the Chevrolet Vega.

I own an 08 Astra and I LOVE it! I didn't pay full price however, nor would I. I got my car like new with 2800 miles on it and fully loaded for 14950! I'm happy with my purchase! =]

I purchased an New Astra fully loaded. I have the 3 door XR with the premium interior (leather, heated seats, etc) and audio. The XR comes with nice 17 inch alloys standard and not "plastic wheels". All of this for $14,745!!! Love my car, handles and feels so much better than my Civic. Great deals are to be had if you do your homework and haggle well. The feel is decidedly "European". It has stiff handeling and loves corners. I really like the feel of the seats and that the car has lots of little quirks ( rain sensing windshield wipers, heated outdoor mirrors). Stuff you just don't get for the price I paid. Love it!

These Astra's have superior build quality and silk like smooth handling characteristics. They handle and feel like a BMW or Benz behind the wheel.

The issues that the public has with this car are laughable. If you look it up people complain about the one cupholder up front, the 24 hour clock and the lack on engine choice? It is too bad real pity that the far superior Astra gets buried by the foolish preferences of a undereducated public. This car kicks the pants off the Matrix Versa or Mazda 3.

Part of the reason for the 32MPG is the stoutness of the Astra. The doors are heavy like a Mercedes, it is well built. The car has a strong feeling. The Honda has a plastic feel like it will be blasted off the road in a fender bender, there is more to these things than numbers.

The interior of the Atra is indeed first rate. No other compact feels as sturdy inside. The car has the same standard hp as the Civic (well almost) and isnt even that slow. I believe MT got a 8.7 sec 0-60 time with the manual which is very close to the class average. The lack of an MP3 jack is an issue for many but 90% of the cars on the road today dont have that feature since its only been added recently to most models. For those who care about handling and build quality the Astra merits consideration.

Sheth don't know nothin. Opels were sold in the USA under their own name in Buick dealers in the 1960s and 1970s and it was a disaster for GM and the folks who bought that junk. Why don't you just move to Europe shet? You can live in your fool's paradise of underpowered diesel cars of questionable quality that couldn't cut it in the US.

I bought an '08 astra 3 door in april and I've been very happy with it so far. With the 1.8 and AT I've been getting about 30 mpg average, not the best on the market but still good. Engine power is decent but could be better. The build quality is what really sold me on the car, the interior materials are mostly fabrics or soft plastics, as opposed to the squeaky hard ABS plastic that most cars have. It rides and drives like a car should, the ride is quiet, the seats are comfortable on long trips and the styling is well thought out. Some of the buttons have unusual logos on them but they do make sense, if learning 3 new logos stops you from buying this car you're missing out. Upon a test drive most people would have to agree that it feels much more solid and well built than other "comparable" compact cars. Overall I'd say its a great car, a little expensive but hey, you get what you pay for.

I just bought an Astra today. I looked at the Toyota Corolla and Yaris, and although they are great cars, the overall quality and styling sold me on Astra. I think the fit and finish was better than the two Toyotas. Slam Astra's door and it gives off a solid sound.
Will Astra be as reliable as Toyota? I don't know, guess time will tell.

Yes, the Astra is more expensive than the Corolla. But after visiting a couple of Toyota dealerships, I found many Corollas priced anywhere from $16k to $20K. Not really a big savings compared to the Astra. Heck, the Ford dealership was selling a Focus for 22 grand!

I had a brand new Toyota yaris for a year before it started giving me serious engine problems.The dealer wouldn't take it back so I traded it for the Saturn Astra and it's definately a hell of a lot more car for your money. It comes with a lot more features than some of the other cars in its class.

Also, the Astra now has a software upgrade that allows you to change the time to a 12 hour format. Just ask take it into the service department at a local Saturn dealer most of them have the software upgrade.

I have had my 5-dr Astra XR since Sept. Very happy with it except for a few minor things. It took a while to get used to the controls, especially the radio. Added the arm rest, but should be std. I had to add one in my '91 Saturn too. What has Saturn got against armrests? Seat reclining & lumbar knobs are next to impossible to turn mostly because they are hard to reach. On the plus side, I really like the opt leather seats,the rain sense wipers, and huge sunroof. Handles great. 5sp trans and 1.8L engine work well together, shifts smoothly and plenty of power even in 5th. Hwy mileage is right on the mark at 32mpg. Fit and finish excellent as Opel does a really nice job, but I would still like to see it being built in the USA. How about a 12-hr clock?

Thanks Meghan, I did indeed ask my Saturn dealer and they were able to re-program the clock, Cost was $42, but it was really bugging me. Note: Only the upgraded display can be re-programmed. The Std display has to be replaced.

I bought a basic Saturn Astra 5 door XE back in November 2008. Besides the cup holder being so far back(in Europe it's illegal to eat or drink on the Autobon) I absolutely love this car! 29 mpg in the CITY! I haven't gone on a long trip yet to see what the highway mileage would be. The rain sensor windshield, side mirror defrost and remote entry come standard. The upgraded version does come with MP on the radio but bought a remote for my iPod that plays through the radio for $50. Had a Honda Civic Wagon a long time ago and this car beats it hands down and that was a 5 speed also. Paid only $12,000.00 with cash back and business discount along with a $2,000 trade in. Couldn't get near a Honda with that and this car beats a Honda hands down.

I own one. I got it for 14 200 out of door. It was technically used, but with 70 miles on it, just a formal title transfer.

This car is meant to be driven in manual. Europe is not a continent where the people drive auto, so the manual transmission goes much further than the 4 speed piece of crap opel put it. I got a sweet deal, and it was the car of my dreams being that I always craved one in EU. Saturn should keep importing cars from EU, I also have a Saturn Vue (which is the Opel Antara), and I love it. Saturn should make their whole line Opel, bring the Vectra and everything, but bring the diesel engines as well.

well im lucky in uk i have a 07 1.9 cdti diesel that produces 15bhp as standard, but chip the engine and youve got 200bhp!! and im getting up to 65mpg out of it!