2008 Saturn Astra Consumer Reviews Page 5

Great bang for your buck!

Written by: ex VW owner on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I traded in a 2000 VW Golf TDI for the Astra and haven't looked back. It handles even better than my Golf and when you account for the differences between a diesel and gasoline engine the performance is comparable. My husband is 6'4 and this is the only car of this category that an adult (mind you not one that is also 6'4) can sit comfortably in the back seat behind him. The sunroof is amazing- a definite must have. Before I bought this I test drove all the comparable cars on the market and the Astra absolutely blew them out of the water on comfort and performance, not to mention price.

Favorite Features

Sunroof, suspension, seats, standard transmission (automatic felt really anemic)

Suggested Improvements

The oft-cited awkward cupholders. Weird center panel door lock thing. A sixth gear would be helpful.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great but slightly lost in translation

Written by: avionsvoisin on 06/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Great car! Well balanced. Tons of great features. Gorgeous & exclusive

Favorite Features

Center display (though confusing)

Suggested Improvements

More options: proper GPS, Aux input and USB connection, more 12v outlets, center armrest, keyless ignition, sunroof on 2dr or the skyview windscreen like on the Opel/Vauxhall and more power & gears

4 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Shifting made fun

Written by: liles65 on 06/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Saturn has made shifting fun again with the Astra and despite the small 1.8L engine this car has a surprising amount of pep. I got the basic XE model with 5 speed manual because I went for price versus luxury items. The base model comes with standard equipment like cruise control which you would have to pay extra on other brands. The seats are very comfortable and there is plenty of torque to push you back into your seat. All your controls are literally at your fingertips and there is very limited outside noise. The stock Goodyear Eagles grip the road and provide a surprisingly smooth and quiet ride. Plenty of room for the average driver and good views all around.

Favorite Features

5-speed manual transmission is easy to use and very smooth. Center console computer display. Solidly built with very minimal outside noise. Comfortable seats and all your controls are literally at your finger tips. Most value for the price when compared to Toyota Matrix or Mazda3.

Suggested Improvements

Center arm rest and MP3 player jack. But that is just being nit picky and after a few days of driving you don't really miss them much. Also no temp gauge for the engine. Not a lot of room for improvements other then adding in the MP3 player or satellite radio port. Could also use remote trunk button.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Only the Best Small 5 Door on the Road

Written by: Charley's New Astra on 06/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Only had it now for 2-weeks, but, love it. Makes me feel like I am driving a 318i or 325i BMW. Smooth ride and great handling with great gas mileage, I am getting the first 2-weeks 28 mpg already and only have 430 miles on the odometer. I got my Astra loaded with the works, heated leather seating with adjustable lumbar fullsize moonroof 4- speed automatic. most everything else was standard on the Astra. My advice to you is go drive it. I traded my 2006 V6 Saturn Vuew in the Astra I downsized in cargo space only but what a great trade off. Works for me. Drive on yourself, buy it and write your own review on here...fuel ecomomy is better than the Potiac Vibe or Toyota Matrix.

Favorite Features

Leather heated seating with lumbar, moonroof, onboard computer which is standard. Solid feel closing the doors and driving it. Fuel economy

Suggested Improvements

More cargo area in future designs.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Perfect 10 at $4 per gallon for gas!

Written by: George Saturino on 06/06/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have been getting 35 to 38 mpg on every tank. I have gone 2,000 miles so far mostly in mixed city / highway driving. The 5 speed stick shift has a good feel to it and I am sure it is contributing to the outstanding gas mileage. I am amazed at all of the features on the Astra. The quality is outstanding as well. I love to hear the solid thunk when I close the door. All of the controls and levers have a quality feel and appearance. I have the upgraded sound system. I have a concert on wheels everywhere I go. The sound is superb! This car handles like a sports car. You get an incredible locked to the road feel. I look forward to the twisty roads!

Favorite Features

The fuel economy. The leather seats. The stereo. All of the safety features. The handling. The super cool looks. The exclusivity of owning an Astra. The fun factor! The luxury features at an economy price. Easy to park. The utility of a hatchback. The seating position and tilt/telescopic steering wheel.

Suggested Improvements

On my wish list - 6 speed stick Arm rest / cup holder.

12 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Love my Astra!

Written by: John on 06/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

"That's a Saturn?" I have heard that ten times in the 1 week since I brought the car home. People look at it. It feels solid. It takes an adjustment to get used to at first, sure, but once you do it is a daily joy. I love this car, black sapphire with the leather and 18" wheels. It has its quirks, and my gas mileage seems to be locked at only 22mpg but still better than the 15 I was getting in my SUV. When all is said and done, I am glad that I bought it, totally on a whim I might add.

Favorite Features

The windows roll down from the key fob, great here in Florida to cool down for a minute before I get in.

Suggested Improvements

I bought the dealer armrest with cupholder, great investment. If this car had XM and an IPOD jack, I would ask it to marry me. Ok, so a little more power and an extra gear wouldn't hurt, sure enough, but you really don't need either for your commute or pleasure drive. The keyless has no range.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great idea, hope it is here to stay

Written by: vksandsek on 05/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The car is a domesticated version of the Opel Astra, made in Belgium. The amenities are too many to list and most are found exclusively on much more expensive autos. I don't know of any other vehicle that you can get with every option in the book at MSRP of 21965, including leather seats, giant sunroof, 6-disc changer, 6 airbags, 4-wheel disk brakes with ABS, sport suspension, stabilitrak, traction control, alloy wheels, computer, remote locks, windows and mirrors, steering wheel controls, cargo cover, theft deterrent system, fog lamps and so many more. I hope Saturn perseveres with this car because it is the only vehicle by GM that has the potential to become a Honda and Toyota slayer.

Favorite Features

Great interior, head-turning exterior, adequate power, value for the money.

Suggested Improvements

Must-do improvements: Put a normal 4 or 5 speed automatic and junk the current transmission that has the unique feature to downshift to neutral when the car is about to stop. This unfortunate decision has cost Saturn tens of thousands of sales. Center console/armrest. Jack for MP3 player

27 out 30 people found this review helpful

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Great vehicle (XR3 Manual)

Written by: Hector on 05/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Every car has its cons and pros which is why it took me three months to decide between the Astra, Mazda3, and a Civic. I'm glad I chose this vehicle. It's a great, stiff drive that grips to the ground. Standard safety features give one less thing to worry about. The interior has nice qualities and the sound of the door closing is nicer (by a lot) than most. It's not perfect, an aux jack would be nice, and a six gear would be cool, but they're not necessary. The one cup holder for the driver pushes me from not drinking while I drive. There's no armrest which I thought would bother me, but having both hands on the wheel instead makes up for it.

Favorite Features

Handling, great door slam, the standard safety features, heated side-view mirrors, simple climate control, lift-gate, comfortable seats with lumbar!

Suggested Improvements

Aux input and satellite radio, maybe a sixth gear, a better place for the baby chair anchors.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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The best car ever

Written by: Steven on 05/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We looked at all the competitors in its class and the Astra by far was #1 in all the areas we looked at. Once I got in it and drove it, I was totally hooked. The feel of the interior is like sitting in a Volvo. High quality in and out. Just close the doors and hear the solid "thud". The shift of the 5 speed is solid and smooth! We have already put 3000 miles, over the mountains in Phoenix and love the way it handles! The sun roof is a big plus! Don't get one without it.

Favorite Features

The sunroof, the way it drives, the feel of the 5 speed transmission, the high quality interior.

Suggested Improvements

I had to pay $175 extra for the middle arm rest. The cup holder needs to be relocated.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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1,000 Mile Update

Written by: Joseph Astra on 05/18/2008

Vehicle

2008 Saturn Astra XR 2dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The good - I consistently get 35 to 36 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. The car is as tight as a car can be. No squeaks, no rattles and a nice kerthunk when you close the doors. When you own an Astra, you are driving a very exclusive car. Not too many on the road as of yet. This car handles like a sports car. Positive comments from everyone who sees it. I like the utility the hatchback provides. The onboard computer is excellent. The rain sensing wipers are great. The leather seats are very comfortable and supportive. The upgraded stereo

Favorite Features

Overall satisfaction rating - 10! Bang for the buck quotient - 10! Fun for the money factor - 10! Getting 35 to 36 mpg when gas is $3.79 per gallon gotta love it rating - 10! Way to go, Saturn! We finally have a full feature compact GM car that can compete with the best in the world.

Suggested Improvements

The not so good - The cup holder needs to be moved to the front of the gear shift. The remote door opener has the shortest range of any car I have driven. You have to be within about ten feet of the car for it to receive the signal.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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