Comments on: Astra re-badge saved GM millions in development

By: livelyjay

livelyjay — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:33:02 +0000

I love the Astra, but the price is too high for the small car market. A diesel and hybrid version would be cool though.

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:50:09 +0000

johnnyc: Honda GL!

1115: I’m not an import-hater. Put away your broad brush.

cousin, or twin brother?

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:25:10 +0000

The reason that I say that is bc I made a statement about Honda having the highest resale value of any car according to the govt used KBB.
I was wrong bc I cited the Honda Civic as being that car and it ended up being the Acura TSX.
I was still correct bc it was Honda, the Civic had to bow down to its cousin.
Even when Im wrong I am right.
Maybe one day GM ’s can have high resales ….nevermind they wont
Haha ha

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:34:32 +0000

“Even when Im wrong Im still right”

Aw, disjointed megalomaniacal narcissism. How cute.

By: tripleonefive

tripleonefive — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:51:14 +0000

Pedrohead
just admit I was right and you were wrong along with jimjack Commo and all the other import haters
I took this board by storm. I dont even have time to post on here and you are still talking my name (four digit let
No one has been able to prove me wrong on anything and its because Im right in what I say. Even when Im wrong Im still right
Its stubborn ignorant american pride that made you dare disagree with the truth but Im glad that you are no longer in denial

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:39:53 +0000

…sorry, last 30 years. And it does pain me to glorify anything Honda.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:26:50 +0000

CA36, what’s really frustrating is that the initial Saturn concept was a good one. I’m still not quite sure why they had to create a whole distinct division rather than just attempt to build better small cars under the Chevrolet umbrella. And why they had to push the plastic body panel thing…. What drives me nuts is that they’ve had the blueprint sitting right there in front of them for the last 40 years- the Civic.

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:50:53 +0000

J-canuck, it probably has something to do with Opel/Vauxhall and Holden being that one extra step removed from the bean-counting bigwigs at North American HQ, while the domestic guys feel them breathing down their necks.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:52:02 +0000

At least GM is finally admitting they can’t design and build a small car on their home soil. How long has Saturn been with us: almost 2 decades and the best they could come up with was the Ion? You couldn’t change enough body panels on that POS to make it look good.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:25:48 +0000

Yeah CA36GTP, It would make a good Red Line, if they did just that. Seeing that they are being imported and as of right now Saturn is offering it with an 1.8L VVT with 138hp, I’ll be curious to see what other power-plants they offer and if the 260hp 2.0L Turbo does find its way into the Astra. As for weight Saturn.com’s specs says it weighs in at 2768 and the Cobalt/G5 and HHR weigh in 100-200lbs more so it would be a fast one. Hopefully they come out with the redline.

By: A4

A4 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:34:22 +0000

HAHAHAHA YOU SUCK DEANSTER YOU HOMO

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:21:50 +0000

Throw the transverse 2.0L direct injected turbo ECOTEC I4 under the hood, equip a front LSD, firm up the suspension, throw a Red Line badge on, and good day sir.

Stuart, I’m sorry, but NOTHING is outclassed by the base Golf/Rabbit.

By: SS4LIFE

SS4LIFE — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:55:34 +0000

Haha I agree with yea meanpants555. They could throw in a 6 pack of Blue Moon and I’d be happy. Well it’s a nice car. I saw the re-badged Saturn engineering vehicle driving outside of Detroit and I liked it. Although it’s not my first time seeing one, I’ve been traveling to Europe for a couple weeks every year for the past couple years and I’ve seen plenty of them driving around.

Hmmm can you say Astra Red Line???

By: Stuart

Stuart — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:41:55 +0000

This is totally OUTCLASSED by the Volkwagen Golf/Rabbit and the euro standard setter the Ford Focus. Not bad comparde to the american cars you have available but not that good compared to the euro equivilant

By: zoomzoomr

zoomzoomr — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:33:39 +0000

I give GM kudos for aborting the Ion (unfortunately a few years too late), but considering the Ion, Cobalt and Astra are based on the same platform and share many common components, why couldn’t they just build the Astra in the existing US Cobalt or Ion plants instead of outsourcing to Belgium? Seems it would make it a much more price-competitive player in the US market.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:22:44 +0000

Autonut, I routinely give endorsements to Asian car manufacturers. I simply actively reject the hatred of the GM/Ford that the import-only types pull (like our friend, the four-digit word).

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:15:02 +0000

bauer: we like boring, but there’s a limit on how much ugly we can take.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:39:00 +0000

I understand too well about the currency. Still is a lame excuse because other offerings from other makes (basically Asian) offer better value. I’m not one to pay more for a European brand because, like I say about BMWs, it is not worth more money because it was screwed together by a turk on a german assembly line.

By: autonut

autonut — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:32:35 +0000

This will be expensive car: it is made in Belgium, where labor is expensive compare to So. Korea or Mexico. In Europe people don’t wince at price of cars and Opel sold more Astras in Europe then Toyota Camrys in US.
The crash requirements in US are not that different as in Europe, even testing is about the same. The money went on adopting engine to US spec: GM has very little expertise in small engine development for US market and all problems have been solved with larger displacement, which is not an option for a small European car.
Rotman, excitement on this end of the pond mean different things then on yours. Our gas is still 1/2 price of yours even as USD is cheap. Also, price of cars is about 40-50% less then in UK and if you throw in taxes on pollution and insurance it is closer to 50-60%

By: cookie4me

cookie4me — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:59:06 +0000

I can’t believe they spent almost $100 million just to adapt it to North America. If they spent that much money, the car should have On-Star and an MP3 jack. The high MSRP is probably a reflection in the change of currency exchange seeing how the euro has appreciated on the dollar by over 30% since they announced the plans to import the car.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:15:03 +0000

No Bauer, the up model is the XR4Ti

By: CA36GTP

CA36GTP — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:06:33 +0000

Rotman, are you intimating that the Golf has even the slightest shred of exciting driving dynamics? Because if you are, I think we must have a totally different Golf.

As for the Astra, I’ve already had the chance to take one for a spin at a local GM event. Aside from the fact that the center stack is a little out there, it’s a fun ride, which I never thought I’d say about anything with a 1.8L 4-banger that’s not a Lotus.

By: bauer100

bauer100 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:58:23 +0000

Americans like boring and ugly, just as Toyota and Honda. Personally its not bad looking. I like the up model version, XR i believe.

By: Rotman

Rotman — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:50:36 +0000

Don’t get too excited my American friends. At this side of the big blue pond this car is considered as the ugly, boring inbred nephew of the VW Golf. Exciting and Opel/Vauxhall usually do not come along in one sentence, without some form of negative presenting itself..

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:36:35 +0000

I’m sure GM has saved BILLIONS in development when it comes to engine technology and interior design by just not spending anything on it.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:36:13 +0000

It’s a fine enough car, but I think it’s a bit pricey at MSRP given Saturn’s bull**** no haggle rules (which are the main reason I wouldn’t buy a Saturn even if I like the car, as in teh case of the Aura).

By: RSPINAJR

RSPINAJR — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:33:52 +0000

WAKE UP FORD!! – do the same thing!!

By: meanpants555

meanpants555 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:30:34 +0000

Belgian car should be sold with a case of Belgian beer.

By: V2

V2 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:14:02 +0000

This is a great car for simply going from A to B. There is no reason why this car shouldnt sell well in the US. The finishes of the car are pretty good for a mass produced car. Its a winner here in europe.

By: peter g

peter g — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:06:18 +0000

So GM might make a profit for once?

By: MikeFX

MikeFX — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:04:56 +0000

This just in from the Beat a Dead Horse Department…why can GM do this but Ford can’t?

By: DeansterTJ

DeansterTJ — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:59:37 +0000

1st post? SHYEAH!

I like the Astra – drove one in Greece, it’s a sweet little ride. Will probably be a fat slow porker by the time N. American crash standards sodomize it though

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:57:40 +0000

900 Million!