This is my 2008 Saturn Astra. His name is Oliver. Yes, from Top Gear. You caught me. For those who are not in the know, this plucky little Saturn is really an Opel with a quick and dirty badge swap and some federalization "enhancements" but kept some of the German-engineered, Belgian-built charm-replete with a 24:00-only clock.
I went with the three-door, offered only in XR guise and told the dealer, "I want every option except the automatic transmission." Drive one, and you'll know why the automatic is akin to next Christmas's re-gifts. I also said that any color was fine as long as it was not blue (my last three cars were blue) and not silver (I just don't like silver). Three cars matched my requirements in the radius they were willing to tap into...all white. Fine. I bought mine in 2009. It had been sitting on another dealer's lot for over a year. The sun-faded window sticker proved that the build date was definitely accurate.
Just to preface, I'm a details kinda guy, so I get excited over the small things. Features include perforated leather sport seats with three-stage heat that are strangely comfortable after hundreds of miles on a trip, Saturn Advanced Audio package which from what I have researched, is really a Blaupunkt system. It really does sound good and as an audiophile, I'm certainly impressed. It even includes a full seven-band equalizer. As an engineering major, I get geeked over things like this. Other thoughtful features include two trip computers including a "gallons used" line item (this really is useful) and the distance to empty indicator actually counts down to zero unlike most GM cars that cut off your information at 40 miles. Not that this is my regular practice, mind you. And the rain-sensing wipers are actually calibrated well. (RainSense was standard equipment on all Saturn Astras, though air conditioning was a $1,000 option on the base model --figure that one out.)
That being said, I now have 57,000 miles on the Astra and I average about 28.6 mpg in mixed driving with a heavy foot on the gas and a driving style leaning toward...aggressive. I really enjoy the car and especially love that hardly anyone else has one. The car has remained squeak and rattle free and still feels as solid as it did when new. When I first got it, people actually asked me if it was a prototype model and wanted to know how soon it would be on the market for them to buy. Ironic, because I bought mine as Saturn was being phased out and the impending death of the car was already imminent.
Enjoy the pics, and I welcome your comments. I certainly enjoy this blog and hope you enjoy my Astra. -- Tyler
If you want to participate in the Readers Rides blog, click here to read the submission guidelines and email your text and photos to submissions@edmunds.com -- Donna
joefrompa says:
03:53 AM, 01/23/12
I admire your choice.
Would you be willing to share the MSRP and buying price of the car itself (leaving out taxes and tags)? I'm guessing you got a helluva deal.
The astra is a wonderful car for someone wanting a sub-compact with flair (and isn't someone who complains about not having cupholders galore). Opel did a bang-up job, and I think if GM really supported it's transformation to U.S.-trim, it would've done superb over here as well.
My family owns/owned ~3 saturns: 2 Ions and 1 SL200 sedan. We sold off one Ion, have been steadily repairing another, and the SL200 was custom-converted to a wagon using sheet metal, rivets, flashing, caulk, plywood, and weatherstripping. It has a flip up/fold down rear glass hatch that serves as a quick access while the fold-down part of the trunk is plywood backed and is a perfect workbench. My BIL has this car, and I praise him for it constantly.
Oh, and I spent yesterday afternoon in 20 degree weather replacing the ignition control module, coil pack, and spark plugs on the 03 Saturn Ion that decided to start misfiring. Took 30 minutes, in the cold, to do all 3. God Bless the simplicity of those designs.
powell_jr says:
05:38 AM, 01/23/12
Isn't this a Vauxhall in Britain also? It is a great looking car. My wife's family and my grandpa had excellent luck with Saturns. Out of all the old GM brands that have been killed over the years it seems Saturn had the most potential. Too bad.
I'm interested in the MSRP also. What are your impressions of the drivetrain? This has the 1.8l that has found a new home in the cruze and sonic if I'm not mistaken. I'd be interested in how it propels the Astra.
I'd really like to read a review of a manual equipped 1.8L sonic. It seems a good value at 15K, I'd just like to know if it drives alright.
Great car.
drburke says:
09:03 AM, 01/23/12
I'm waiting for turdball "tonystarks22" to chime and and tell us what a "boring" car this is.
He did it with someone else's '08 Astra not long ago. Compared it to a toaster. What a Numb nuts.
Nice car, BTW
finn4723 says:
01:46 PM, 01/23/12
Hey guys, thanks for the remarks. I do really enjoy the car. Actually, I learned from some folks at GM that the 1.8 in this car is not the same as the 1.8 in the Sonic and Cruze and only coincidentally share power figures and displacement. I had asked about it because after driving the other two cars with the 1.8, I was a bit underwhelmed at the lack of refinement compared to this engine, so my hunch was correct. I found the Cruze and Sonic to be quite buzzy compared to this as this engine and transmission combo are quite sonorous for a small displacement four-banger. Very smooth revving.
Sticker price on the car was about $22K I believe, and before tax and all that sort of thing, I believe I paid about $19K (it has every option except the automatic trans). Not a killer deal, but I forewent cash back in favor of 0% financing which turned out to be a bit better of a deal. I've always been a big fan of Saturn, not necessarily every one of the products, but certainly as a company, it's neat to research and learn about all of its unique idiosyncrasies. Any other questions, hit me up.
boxermike says:
03:10 PM, 01/23/12
This is a great little car. Loved it when we had them in with the right (manual) trans. Too bad GM didn't support it. Nice buy!
-mm
explorerx4 says:
04:00 PM, 01/23/12
Check to see when it was built. I bought a 2007 Fusion in March '08, that was built 12/06.
finn4723 says:
05:29 PM, 01/23/12
@explorerx4, build date=04.2008, purchase date was 05.23.2009.
cz_75 says:
06:06 PM, 01/23/12
I thought the Astra looked pretty good, but everything I ever read indicated it needed a large infusion of vitamin H to make it interesting, even with a stick.
noburgers says:
08:17 AM, 01/24/12
looks good in white, and nice photography. Deja-vu all over again--we just had a 2008 Astra reader's ride on 12/14
markiv_paul says:
08:20 AM, 01/24/12
It's a beautiful car. I almost bought my son one. I love it in white. Hope you get years of enjoyment out of it.
iainb says:
08:46 AM, 01/24/12
Saturn's the cars that wont die. We had a 95 SL2 that lasted for ever. By the end i had stopped doing maint. work on it and just topping up the oil. It traveled coast to coast across the country full of boxes 3 times. I hated it after a while though because the seats were so uncomfortable.
I test drove the Astra (the same set up you have) when it first came out and loved it. Being a Euro the styling reminds me of friends cars back home. It was comfortable to sit in and the inside was well done.
I think Saturn failed because most saturn users were looking for econo-boxes at a good price. So when saturn started bring out more expensive models people moved over to other cars.
Good luck with it and i hope it ends up like our old one still off driving off into the sunset with a new happy owner. Good for another 150k
farvy says:
09:47 AM, 01/24/12
Hello, Tyler.
I recognized that first downtown photo since that is where I grew up (graduated from high school there in 1987). Are you from there too or just visiting?
Nice car by the way. I was curious how the Opel re-badging would work for Saturn. And congrats on getting a stick.
On the other hand, hearing the name Astra reminds of the Pontiac Astra my brother had in high school. Ugh.
finn4723 says:
01:39 PM, 01/24/12
@noburgers, deja-vu indeed! I submitted this entry the day I saw that one get posted. I was so sure that mine would be the first Astra since hardly anyone owns one. Oh well. Fun to technically have the most popular car on here since I think it's the only car featured on here more than once, though I could be wrong.
@farvy, not from Fenton, but I go to college nearby.
Thanks everyone for the nice comments about the car and photos, as I said, I love the car and I hope I get a lot of miles out of it.
tonystarks22 says:
06:19 PM, 01/24/12
drburke actually i called the beige camry that was "featured" in readers rides the "toaster". That was before I was scolded by an editor on the site for making an unflattering remark. Little did I know that this blog treats its readers/commenters like a 2nd grade class "everyone is a winner" mentality.
me47452 says:
08:32 PM, 01/24/12
I sold Saturns from early 2007 until the very end in late 2009. I purchased a twilight blue 5 door XR optioned just like yours with "everything except the automatic" on April 23 2009. Like you, I payed about $19,500 after employee discount (msrp was $21500) and financed at 0% for 72 months (you could choose a $2500 rebate in lieu of the 0% interest rate). Mine had the panoramic moonroof that was not available on the 3 door model, however, the 18" wheels with Pirelli summer tires were only available on coupes. This is a very underrated vehicle with great dynamics and I loved it. I averaged 29.8 mpg over 35,500 miles.
Traded it in last month on an Acura TL type S after 2.5 years of ownership. Replaced one cam phaser under warranty and had absolutely no other problems. I have a 2009 Astra brochure from the dealership showing that a tan interior would be available. Too bad GM pulled the plug.
This car DOES have the same 1.8 offered in Sonic and Cruze (takes a lot of money to get an engine through US emissions testing) so don't believe your GM guys. I now work for a chevrolet dealership. Be prepared to wait 2-3 weeks if you need to order a part. I had my clock reset to 12 hour time, your GM dealer may be able to do this with a Tech II programmer.
Thanks for sharing, glad to know someone else appreciates the Astra!
noburgers says:
09:40 AM, 01/25/12
@finn: the same day yours was posted Donna put up a Nissan Sentra SE-R; but taht was a different model year from the first post. And there are two reader's rides of a Mustang touring Europe--the same guy's car on the trip. But as unlikely as it seems that she would post your entries, it made it. Could be your skillful photography.
lcqvenyc says:
09:56 AM, 01/25/12
Woot! Another Astra. 28.6 MPG is better than mine. I think I am at 27-ish over the lifetime of the car (20K miles), but probably I do more city. Nice rims!
hooklyn says:
12:31 PM, 01/25/12
Not a fan of the car in any way, shape, or form (sorry) but I do like the pictures. What city is that?
finn4723 says:
01:48 PM, 01/25/12
@me47452, actually they are from the same family (Family1 Gen3 1.8L L4). The Opel/Saturn has the engine from the same basic family but with more premium components and content.
@lcqvenyc, I like the rims a lot too. They are very expensive to replace however, as a couple of mine have gotten bent on Midwest roads...over $900 a piece including the tire. I bought the 5/60 wheel and tire road hazard warranty when I got the car, $300, so it has more than paid for itself.
@hooklyn, no worries, not everyone has the same taste in cars. Pics are from three different places. The big one is from downtown Fenton, MI, the black and white one is downtown Birmingham, MI and the other one is in my parking garage at work.
hooklyn says:
11:00 AM, 01/26/12
@ finn4723
Well fancy that. I live in Plymouth and work in Troy and didn't recognize that Birmingham pic. That must be in front of Mitchells/Camerons, right? Nicely done.
Check out my GTI with a pic in Detroit...
noburgers says:
06:49 AM, 01/28/12
That's Fenton, MI
noburgers says:
06:49 AM, 01/28/12
That's Fenton, MI
hooklyn says:
08:53 AM, 01/30/12
^^
The B&W picture was the one I was talking about.
pontiaksolsice says:
10:57 AM, 02/13/12
Nice car, I've got a Black XR-3, optioned very similar..I'll have to do one of these sometime...
Weird fact about my car, I've got the 5 spoke 17's, but my sticker says I should have 18's on my car. I prefer the 17's but I still wonder what ever happened to the 18s (I bought the car used with almost no miles on it).
finn4723 says:
10:16 PM, 02/21/12
That's bizarre...the 17's were an exclusive option to the 5-door. I bet the old owner had to replace the 18's for whatever reason and figured the 17's looked similar enough. Black was the color I was hoping to get in the back of my head, if I remember correctly, it's a metallic black, no? Looks good on every Astra I have seen. But I do like the white too...