Comments on: Buick to get next-gen Astra in 2011 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: olds307 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455420 olds307 Thu, 07 May 2009 03:41:20 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455420 Johnny, the J-body Buick was a SkyHAWK, the Skylark shared the N-body with the Olds Calais/Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am since 85 or 86 when the FWD N platform replaced X body Citation/Phoenix/Omega/Skylark models. I think Skylark would be a great name for for Buick Astra... or maybe Skyhawk, because no one remembers what a Skyhawk was anymore, as you proved, Johnny. Johnny, the J-body Buick was a SkyHAWK, the Skylark shared the N-body with the Olds Calais/Achieva, and Pontiac Grand Am since 85 or 86 when the FWD N platform replaced X body Citation/Phoenix/Omega/Skylark models.

I think Skylark would be a great name for for Buick Astra… or maybe Skyhawk, because no one remembers what a Skyhawk was anymore, as you proved, Johnny.

]]> By: steve333 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455367 steve333 Thu, 07 May 2009 00:49:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455367 Buick sold small and sporty cars before-skyhawk, skylark, grand national. It wouldn't take long to change perception because Buick cars are known for reliability. Heck, I would rather have a Buick tagged Astra over the Chevy Cruze. Buick sold small and sporty cars before-skyhawk, skylark, grand national. It wouldn’t take long to change perception because Buick cars are known for reliability.
Heck, I would rather have a Buick tagged Astra over the Chevy Cruze.

]]> By: iluvamcars http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455365 iluvamcars Thu, 07 May 2009 00:42:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455365 i saw i saturn astra on the road yesterday and it was the first one i saw on the road ever, so i took a pic of it cause i was so shocked. sales were so slow, that there is no 2009 saturn astra. dealers are still trying to sell 2008s. i saw i saturn astra on the road yesterday and it was the first one i saw on the road ever, so i took a pic of it cause i was so shocked. sales were so slow, that there is no 2009 saturn astra. dealers are still trying to sell 2008s.

]]> By: iluvamcars http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455363 iluvamcars Thu, 07 May 2009 00:37:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455363 let get the gt over here since the sky and solstice are basically gone let get the gt over here since the sky and solstice are basically gone

]]> By: carstuff http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455302 carstuff Wed, 06 May 2009 21:20:25 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455302 Guys, what am I not saying??? Buick old geezer image to take 10-15 years? They already are selling at an average age of 55, just 4 years older than Honda. And only 7 years higher than industry average. All it takes is the right products. The Enclave is selling way below 55. The new LaCrosse will also sell well below. Buick by this time next year will be average of 50, same as Honda. Guys, what am I not saying???

Buick old geezer image to take 10-15 years? They already are selling at an average age of 55, just 4 years older than Honda. And only 7 years higher than industry average.

All it takes is the right products. The Enclave is selling way below 55. The new LaCrosse will also sell well below. Buick by this time next year will be average of 50, same as Honda.

]]> By: murphy1 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455268 murphy1 Wed, 06 May 2009 20:10:49 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455268 of course a buick model will be priced even higher than the overpriced saturn, so what is the point. its going to take another 10-15 years for buick to shake its "old geezer" stigma, so look for the same numbers that saturn sold and gm saying "geee, we really thought it would take off." same old piss poor vision by gm, throwing anything on the wall hoping it will stick. does anyone here truly believe buick is jut going to take off and sell here in the u.s.? of course not, just more of our money thrown out the window, much like the continuing saturn ads that make it seem like all is fine in saturn land. all this after canning the "youth, performance, and excitement division", whats next on the moronic decision list? of course a buick model will be priced even higher than the overpriced saturn, so what is the point. its going to take another 10-15 years for buick to shake its “old geezer” stigma, so look for the same numbers that saturn sold and gm saying “geee, we really thought it would take off.” same old piss poor vision by gm, throwing anything on the wall hoping it will stick. does anyone here truly believe buick is jut going to take off and sell here in the u.s.? of course not, just more of our money thrown out the window, much like the continuing saturn ads that make it seem like all is fine in saturn land. all this after canning the “youth, performance, and excitement division”, whats next on the moronic decision list?

]]> By: anti-believer http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455239 anti-believer Wed, 06 May 2009 18:49:09 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455239 It wouldn't be a Skylark anyway because the Skyhawk was the entry level car/hatchback. Astra is a hatchback. Skyhawk would fit but GM isn't using those names anymore. It will probably be called another weird name like Enclave, Lacrosse, Lucerne..... so it will something weird. It wouldn’t be a Skylark anyway because the Skyhawk was the entry level car/hatchback. Astra is a hatchback. Skyhawk would fit but GM isn’t using those names anymore. It will probably be called another weird name like Enclave, Lacrosse, Lucerne….. so it will something weird.

]]> By: JakeK66 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455238 JakeK66 Wed, 06 May 2009 18:47:09 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455238 ^ Couldn't agree with you any more A4. I think a little bit of me dies when I see a 4-Door GTI or A3 or Astra running around. Sure if you have a family - but then just but the GLI or A4. ^ Couldn’t agree with you any more A4. I think a little bit of me dies when I see a 4-Door GTI or A3 or Astra running around. Sure if you have a family – but then just but the GLI or A4.

]]> By: A4 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455214 A4 Wed, 06 May 2009 17:38:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455214 And the reason the original astra didnt "set the sales charts on fire" is because it was overpriced and undermarketed, and also likely because there was no Redline model. A 200hp+ astra for $19,900 is what they needed. The base astra should have been more in-line with the (gulp) Scion tC. Yes it has similar MSRP but the Scion has much better standard features, all the right features that someone in that price bracket would want, and acceptable performance for a $16-17k car. Not to mention the fact that the 3-Door version of the Astra is the most expensive, starting off at $19k. I love hatchbacks, but i dont want 5-doors if there is a 3-door option (cough cough, A3), and the current Astra's pricing model is simply screwed. And the reason the original astra didnt “set the sales charts on fire” is because it was overpriced and undermarketed, and also likely because there was no Redline model. A 200hp+ astra for $19,900 is what they needed. The base astra should have been more in-line with the (gulp) Scion tC. Yes it has similar MSRP but the Scion has much better standard features, all the right features that someone in that price bracket would want, and acceptable performance for a $16-17k car. Not to mention the fact that the 3-Door version of the Astra is the most expensive, starting off at $19k. I love hatchbacks, but i dont want 5-doors if there is a 3-door option (cough cough, A3), and the current Astra’s pricing model is simply screwed.

]]> By: A4 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455205 A4 Wed, 06 May 2009 17:27:17 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455205 For the love of all that is sacred, please offer an Opel conversion kit through the dealership. For the love of all that is sacred, please offer an Opel conversion kit through the dealership.

]]> By: MasterYoda2005 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455176 MasterYoda2005 Wed, 06 May 2009 16:43:29 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455176 I'm going to have to agree with tripleonefive on this one fellas. GM needs to lower their customer age bracket if they are going to have any kind of serious chance in todays market. The younger segment has grown up and now they have jobs and families but the still want something sporty yet semi luxurious. An entry level Buick like this sounds like it will bring people younger than 58 into buick show rooms. As long as GM doesnt do their usual 'badge engineer the hell out of it' scheme and market it correctly it will sale. I'm all for GM downsizing and utilizing their resources both foreign and domestic. I’m going to have to agree with tripleonefive on this one fellas. GM needs to lower their customer age bracket if they are going to have any kind of serious chance in todays market. The younger segment has grown up and now they have jobs and families but the still want something sporty yet semi luxurious. An entry level Buick like this sounds like it will bring people younger than 58 into buick show rooms. As long as GM doesnt do their usual ‘badge engineer the hell out of it’ scheme and market it correctly it will sale. I’m all for GM downsizing and utilizing their resources both foreign and domestic.

]]> By: Madcapp http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455173 Madcapp Wed, 06 May 2009 16:22:55 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455173 Buick desperately needs a next generation Grand National, and boattail Riviera. Buick desperately needs a next generation Grand National, and boattail Riviera.

]]> By: Fromes http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455170 Fromes Wed, 06 May 2009 16:15:04 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455170 its to bad they are getting rid of Pontiac. The next-gen Astra coupled with the G8 and Solstice would have given GM a nice sporty line to sell along side less exciting buicks and GMCs....oh well. its to bad they are getting rid of Pontiac. The next-gen Astra coupled with the G8 and Solstice would have given GM a nice sporty line to sell along side less exciting buicks and GMCs….oh well.

]]> By: JakeK66 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455162 JakeK66 Wed, 06 May 2009 15:45:09 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455162 Problem with the Aveo idea is that the Astra is more in line with the VW Golf and Mazda3, so it's priced way out of the Aveo line - althought he Corsa is a good Aveo replacement (Could even call it the Corsica - get it?). I agree it shouldn't be a Buick and knowing this was going to happen like I mentioned before is why I had the most problem with GM getting rid of the Pontiac division. Strip it to just the G8 and Solstice - but you need the youthness to that brand to make these Opel products successful in the US. Actually, that's the best news I've heard from GM for a long time. I'm happy this the Astra is coming back - the next gen is going to be a great car no matter the name on it - which still should be Pontiac and the Insignia still will come (hopefully). Some other questions this brings up: Where's the Insignia going to go? WTF is Adam Opel vs. GME Europe AG? Are all they doing is selling the name and dealer network then? Problem with the Aveo idea is that the Astra is more in line with the VW Golf and Mazda3, so it’s priced way out of the Aveo line – althought he Corsa is a good Aveo replacement (Could even call it the Corsica – get it?). I agree it shouldn’t be a Buick and knowing this was going to happen like I mentioned before is why I had the most problem with GM getting rid of the Pontiac division. Strip it to just the G8 and Solstice – but you need the youthness to that brand to make these Opel products successful in the US.

Actually, that’s the best news I’ve heard from GM for a long time. I’m happy this the Astra is coming back – the next gen is going to be a great car no matter the name on it – which still should be Pontiac and the Insignia still will come (hopefully).

Some other questions this brings up:

Where’s the Insignia going to go?

WTF is Adam Opel vs. GME Europe AG? Are all they doing is selling the name and dealer network then?

]]> By: redbullet750 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455160 redbullet750 Wed, 06 May 2009 15:39:05 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455160 Everything Buick does is embarrassing. The Astra rendering looks pretty slick. IF GM is going to bring the Astra here, keep the Opel name plate like Toyota-Scion. Everything Buick does is embarrassing. The Astra rendering looks pretty slick. IF GM is going to bring the Astra here, keep the Opel name plate like Toyota-Scion.

]]> By: eal2009 http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455158 eal2009 Wed, 06 May 2009 15:31:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455158 GM should replace the Chevy Aveo with the ASTRA. It would sell much better in a Chevy showroom, and the Aveo needs to be replaced. GM should replace the Chevy Aveo with the ASTRA. It would sell much better in a Chevy showroom,
and the Aveo needs to be replaced.

]]> By: 2TellUTheTruth http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455149 2TellUTheTruth Wed, 06 May 2009 15:07:02 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455149 Buick w/ a 3-door 'hatchback', r u serious?! The next-gen astra needs to end up as the a rebadged aveo replacement in the form of 3/5-door hatches. Buick only needs the basics: some nicely designed mid & full-sized luxury, or "semi-luxury" ,-), crossovers and sedans along w/ a mid-sized coupe/convertible or foldable hardtop convertible. Anything else would be too far a stretch for the Buick brand! Buick w/ a 3-door ‘hatchback’, r u serious?! The next-gen astra needs to end up as the a rebadged aveo replacement in the form of 3/5-door hatches. Buick only needs the basics: some nicely designed mid & full-sized luxury, or “semi-luxury” ,-), crossovers and sedans along w/ a mid-sized coupe/convertible or foldable hardtop convertible. Anything else would be too far a stretch for the Buick brand!

]]> By: tripleonefive http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455148 tripleonefive Wed, 06 May 2009 15:06:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455148 JJT -"Bad idea" I dont see how. Buick needs smaller more youthful cars in the US. As long as its sold as a 4 door and a coupe with a trunk this will fall nicely into the entry level spot at Buick JJT -”Bad idea”
I dont see how. Buick needs smaller more youthful cars in the US. As long as its sold as a 4 door and a coupe with a trunk this will fall nicely into the entry level spot at Buick

]]> By: johnnycanuck http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455147 johnnycanuck Wed, 06 May 2009 14:59:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455147 gerhardt, they can't. Burned that bridge with the last two (remember those, the Cavalier clone in the 80's and the Achieva twin in the 90's). Although if anyone is arrogant enough to try and pull it off it's GM. Too bad, I always liked the name Skylark. My grandfather had a '69 2 door. gerhardt, they can’t. Burned that bridge with the last two (remember those, the Cavalier clone in the 80′s and the Achieva twin in the 90′s). Although if anyone is arrogant enough to try and pull it off it’s GM. Too bad, I always liked the name Skylark. My grandfather had a ’69 2 door.

]]> By: gehrhardt http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455146 gehrhardt Wed, 06 May 2009 14:51:40 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455146 Please Buick, don't call it a Skylark. Please Buick, don’t call it a Skylark.

]]> By: jackjimturkey http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455145 jackjimturkey Wed, 06 May 2009 14:50:20 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455145 Bad idea Bad idea

]]> By: Borat http://www.leftlanenews.com/buick-to-get-next-gen-astra-in-2011.html#comment-455140 Borat Wed, 06 May 2009 14:13:36 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=17680#comment-455140 Very profound predictions: will Buick be around in 2011 to receive Opel? Very profound predictions: will Buick be around in 2011 to receive Opel?

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