I disagree. The Astra is priced in premium-trim well below the Honda Civic or the VW Jetta, and the numbers are on par with a Nissan Sentra or a Toyota Corolla. I love the Saturn's styling. It's easily the prettiest car in its class. But I don't care for the equipment. The cabin isn't as plush as I hoped for, but that's a deal-breaker. In fact, the Astra XR's standard equipment is a considerable grade.

I've looked at the Astra in comparison to the frugal Focus and the edgier Lancer as a prospective purchase. The Lancer GTS is a bit high with the option I want, but the 2.4 L engine and the 6 spd. CVT are a big step ahead of the Astra XR's equipment. I'll wait to see if Saturn produced a beefier Red Line edition (which I would then opt for the 5 spd. manual), or at least a better I-4.

• Fri, 02/15/2008 - 15:47
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Big deal guys. This car is the Colbalt GM should have made. You can get a Civic or a Colbalt for 2-3G's Less. Plus, this car is probably pirced so high becuase GM does not want to cannablize their Colbalt sales. Like they probably would say on Top Gear, if they had to comment on thi car. "To buy this car at this price point you would be:"

1. Saying No to the Mazda-3.
2. Saying Yes to blind American Patriotism.
3. Saying No to the Matrix.
4. Saying No to the Elantra.
5. Saying No to the Focus.
6. Saying No to the Civic.

Then they probably would follow up by saying, "The American Version is overpriced rubbish." The Vauxhall Astra would go a long way to helping GM to comply with the new CAFE standard just passed. Did that they go that version? Hell no, they pandered to the American Horsepower idiots.

• Fri, 02/15/2008 - 21:39
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[...] said the growth will come from the new Aura, Outlook, and Astra models. John Pitre, general manager of Motor City Auto Center in Bakersfield, Calif., said, [...]

• Fri, 02/22/2008 - 13:58
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