2008 Saturn Astra 5-door XR carbuzzard.com RoadSkill Report

[Socal0721]

Keep up the awesome reviews!!!

[ponce6251]

can i get a better reviewer? ;b

[gentle285]

The worst host and review ever.

[bestamerica]

'

what 5 doors,,,

where is 5 doors

[ExcuSexy]

@bestamerica

the bag is +1 door dumpass

[ricardocarey]

I don't see why it's neccesary at all to have an engine any larger than a 1.8 in a car this size. Over here, the engines begin with a 1.3 75hp diesel, with the 1.7diesel or 1.6 petrol probably being the most popular.

[SebastianElf]

what gear was he in, sounded like 3rd.

no wonder they only got 20mpg.

i drove the opel version with the 1.8 with 125hp. it was pretty decent actually. topspeed was approximatly 125mph and fuel consuption slightly better than 30mpg.

[doubtomatic]

He's like a bizarre cross between Richard Dreyfuss and Wilford Brimley.

[GAMER4LIFE7777]

the Astra is pricey because when gm decided to import it from belgium the dollar to euro exchange rate was ok. But the dollar fell, making the car more expensive, but i agree with you that it is a pretty luxury type car. i think gm losses money on each one sold.

[JJ2955]

That was a fine review. I own the 2008 Astra XE manual and everyone that I have allowed to drive my car loves it. This includes people who are used to driving Mercedes and BMW's among other imports. That speaks volumes to me as a customer. The only thing I would like to see is the 6th gear! Aside from that, it is a solid tank like vehicle and loves those turns and stops! Jason and family.

[kurac3000]

i sure as heck do!

[kurac3000]

best overall handling? ur wrong there, there are lots of hatchbacks that handle way better, but if u want the real sporty version u need the OPC or whatever u call it in the states, with 240HP. but still, it's an old peoples car this, like most opels/vauxhalls/saturns

[carbuzzard]

As to relative driving skills, I've driven on both sides of the pond, and while Americans in general aren't as good on winding roads--though I've seen a big UPS truck hustled down a winding road like you wouldn't believe, you haven't lived until you've done 80 mph door-handle-to-door-handle on I-80 west of New York during rush hour--only to have to come to suddenly come to an abrupt halt. Different skills for different venues, my friend.

[carbuzzard]

I believe that the UK gets the 6-sp because there aren't enough to go around, so one market gets and another doesn't. Because relatively speaking the Astra is more down market in the US than in the UK, expectations are lower in a low-price car and that's what the buyer here gets.

[LHR777]

It's a Vauxhall/Opel Astra. Why the Black Forest in Germany? The Astra is made in Antwerp, Belgium....

[typeanoise]

hey turd box, get out of the way and let me see the car.

[ori599gtb]

circutracer150 you're wrong. Since the 80's Vauxhall models are right-hand drive derivatives of GM's Opel brand. And the performance vehicles coming from Opel Performance Center (OPC), and Holden Special Vehicles.

[circutracer150]

Its not from Opel.... its from Vauxhall... and those fuckers get the 2 litre turbo motor with 240 BHP!!!!!!

Still, cool little hatch with lots of tuning potential. I am buying one!

[kurac3000]

it's from opel, duuuuuuuuh, dozy yank

[rocc693]

lol he screwed up like 20 times lol

[meue52]

Great review! This guy definitely knows his stuff!

[vaspider]

Agreed. Not too dry. :)