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2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
New Opel Astra Teaser Images Appear, Blurrier Than A Sasquatch
2011 Saturn Astra

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If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
Am I the only one who doesn't like little wing windows in the A pillars? They make me feel like I'm driving a Lumiina APV - not a good thing.
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Six Flags Over Tomsk
02/10/09

@FromaBuick6: Oh, come on. The Dustbusters weren't the worst things GM has produced; just in the top 5.
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Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
I rented an Opel Astra a few years ago. It was pretty good, and never rubbed your nose in its limitations, unless you tried to push it a bit too hard. A couple of folks even made some nice comments about it. But even driving moderately, it never turned in more than 30 mpg, which I thought was pretty thirsty. Too bad GM waited to long to think about importing it here.
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
Another piece of irony, speaking to layabout's comments, is that our Saturn dealer shares real estate with our VW dealer (and a Volvo shop, I believe).

The Astra and Golf are right there, almost side-by-side. But while I see 5+ Golfs each day (and 20+ Jettas), I've only seen two Astras in the 2-3 years they've been available.
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layabout
02/10/09

@Ash78: I wish i could only see two Astra's every 2-3 years,every 3rd or 4th car here is an Astra. Usually a diesel finished in Silver with a baby seat in the back & a breakdown truck parked infront of it.
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layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power: Yeah, the VXR was allegedly slated to hit our shores (as the Saturn Astra Redline), but it was dependent on the sales of the regular Astra. So, no.
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aSoundofSleep-less nights
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
It needs a direct injected turbo 4cyl, limited slip, and close ratio 6-spd. It would be perfect with about 210hp 190 torque.

Did I just unknowingly describe the GTI's current powertrain?

Anyone know the current engine spec?
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layabout
02/10/09

@aSoundofSleep: VXR is 237bhp & been around for a few years. Keep up ;)
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aSoundofSleep-less nights
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power:

Being from outisde the states you should know that us Americans don't pay any attention to anything going on outside our own country :)

That's actually a really good looking car and with those specs it would be a nice sell over here ... but we never get anything cool like that.
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layabout
02/10/09

@aSoundofSleep: Well if you'd just start sharing your Vettes with Europe,i'm sure some kind of exchange programme can be arranged.
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Nickyboy - cruising the Autobahn and listening to the Scorpions
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
I'm surprised this hasn't been a bigger seller for Saturn, but then again, nothing with a Saturn badge seems to sell. Nevertheless, it's a good looking ride.
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layabout
02/10/09

@nickyboy: Astra's seel well in Europe,so i'd guess it's aimed more for that market.
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six
02/10/09

@nickyboy: Well they've been begging people to rethink American with a German car...
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layabout
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power: Sell,not seel. Doh!
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layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
02/10/09

@six: Yep. Completely re-did the entire lineup in the span of only 2 years, using 100% Opel/Vauxhall models. Talk about flushing your brand down the toilet. And the ironic part is that the lineup is now technically better than it ever has been before, but sales are dying because of the consumer confusion (plus this recession thingy).
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TurboWeasel
02/10/09

@nickyboy: @nickyboy:

Saturn is still seen as a sensible brand for people who can't afford a boring Toyota. Until they change that image they will struggle to sell a sporty car. And they can't exactly afford a major advertising blitz right now.
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
02/10/09

@nickyboy:

It's too "expensive" for the class. Basically, it is too nice of a car to be a Saturn compact. People come in looking for an Ion style crapbox for sub 15K, but find the excellent Astra, but with a sticker north of 18K.

However, it's a shame as they go for 23 K EURO in Germany I believe, making them a down right steal here. They drive like a much nicer car and the switchgear feels very German/costly. Overall if in the market for a nicer small car (which everyone claims is what people want/need since the gas spike) I couldn't think of a better option.
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GM-MAKE-GUD-CARS
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power: Pretty much. It was aimed at the young VW buyer yet it lacked an MP3 jack, Arm Rest and sensible cup holder and an engine with more power than a Briggs & Stratton.

I sold these things for a whole model year and only moved 5 the entire time.
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Jono
02/10/09

@TurboWeasel:

Sporty? Astras are about as sporty as Serena Williams in 20 years.
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layabout
02/10/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: As i said before i found the new Astra an improvement over previos models,but still a class below the Golf & Focus,i still found the interior to be cheap & handling only average,yet still an improvement over the old one.
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layabout
02/10/09

@jono794: 237 bhp from the VXR not sporty? Have you driven one? I have & found it plenty quick enough,the traction was completely shit though.
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six
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power: Fighting torque steer gives you strong biceps and, in many ways, MAKES YOU A MAN.
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layabout
02/10/09

@six: Fine for me,but i don't want my gf looking like a man ;)

@jono794: I doubt Saturn will do the VXR,i agree average Astra's are pretty dull.
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RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power:

Well, I don't know much about the Golf other than they too get pricey for a compact.

Here in the US, we're comparing this to the C170 Focus, so this blows that away. I think the C1 is better than the Astra (at least from looks/interior dept as I've only seen never driven) but we don't have that option here. So, for US customers it is still great bang for the buck. Now, if they would just bring over the OPC version as a "Redline" I'd be more excited.
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Das ASHloch (achtundsiebzig)
02/10/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: Well, I don't know much about the Golf other than they too get pricey for a compact.

No doubt. Comparing an R32 (~$34k) to a base Golf/Rabbit ($16k) can be eye-opening, but lots of manufacturers have a 2:1 ratio from the top-end to the base models. I still think it's a great value in base trim, doubly so if you don't mind turning some wrenches to save on maintenance. For under $18k, I can't think of anything else I'd rather have except maybe a Mazda3 (or Euro Focus, when available).
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layabout
02/10/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: I agree the Golf is pricey,i also hope Ford see sense & give you the Euro spec Focus. Although i fear the Focus name could already be beyond repair in America. (based on the bad things said about Focus' on Jalop)
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Six Flags Over Tomsk
02/10/09

@GM-MAKE-GUD-CARS: Don't forget the 24-hour clock; that thing probably (un)sealed the deal for a whole slew of potential buyers (members of the armed forces excepted).
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engineerd
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
I had an Opel Astra rental car when I was in Germany c. 2004. Not bad. It was a decent traffic cruiser until you hit the "Sport" button. Then it got a little more peppy and hogged gas.

I think more cars should have a "Sport" button.
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layabout
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
The new one looks good...

but prefer the current version...

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layabout was starred layabout was unstarred

RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
02/10/09

@layabout now with V8 power:

You're comparing (in those pics anyways) an OPC Nurbergring edition vs a run of the mill next gen.

I'm guessing the new OPC will improve upon the looks similarly.
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layabout
02/10/09

@rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: Not atall,they are both VXR's the bottom one is the Nurburgring edition which is just avaliable in white with the graphics.
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layabout
02/10/09

In reply to 2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing
I've never been a Vauxhall fan,but can't deny i found the most recent Astra quite impressive,not as good as the Focus or Golf,but a big improvement over previous Astra's.
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2010 Opel/Vauxhall Astra Spotted Sans Clothing

New Opel Astra Teaser Images Appear, Blurrier Than A Sasquatch

2011 Saturn Astra

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