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Over the weekend and earlier this week, my girlfriend and I negotiated over and agreed to purchase a new car. No, it isn’t that.
So, let’s play a little game, shall we? I’m not going to tell you what we bought to replace the Astra — at least not straight up. But I’m here if you want to play a game of 20 Questions.
The first hint is a freebie: Yes, it’s a new car.
134 Comments on “Goodbye, Saturn Astra...”
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Honda Civic Turbo?
No.
Darn.
I know I’d be buying a Civic Turbo hatch given the chance. But the hatch isn’t out yet, alas.
I would have considered it, surely, if it was out.
The Astra was one of the best vehicles General Motors ever produced (even if it was really the European GM).
(Damming with faint praise, but it was actually a solid, Teutonic compact that was a much better drive than CorollaCivicElantraSentraEtc)
It would’ve been a great car to own … in Europe. But owning one in N.A., where it shares virtually no components with another model from GM, is a nightmare when it comes to replacing anything.
Yes, many even good (and I really do like the Astra) orphan cars get traded, sold off, or worse because of lack of parts and/or service.
I do like the Astra … a lot … but it’s at 140,000 km and feeling a bit tired. Maintenance of these cars isn’t cheap. The ECU is all Opel. A domestic GM scan tool doesn’t read it (or so I hear).
Based on Jack’s review, a Chrysler 200?
Nope (though I really dig the 200S AWD).
You finally found the right Charger?
I said it wasn’t that.
Oops – didn’t register with me even though I saw it….
Subaru Crosstrek?
Not a chance.
What body style is it?
Hatchback.
AWD?
@FreedMike No, front-wheel drive.
Fiesta ST?
No, we don’t need a _third_ ST in the TTAC fleet.
I think you guys forgot how to play 20 Questions.
Is it bigger than a breadbox?
No.
Hey, you changed your comment!!!
It’s funnier now.
well if it smaller than a breadbox I say a Fit.
Nope.
In all honesty, I changed my comment (in keeping with the spirit of 20 Questions) before seeing your reply. Apologies.
It’s cool :)
Is it a hatchback on stilts or of a height accepted as normal? (i.e. is a hatchback cute-ute?)
Yes.
Crap. All I saw was hatchback. It is not a cute ute.
VW GTI
Newp. (Though we were looking at closeout Beetles before making this purchase.)
Does it have four tires?
(You never know, Mark could have gotten a dualie)
Hah! Good question! Yes, it has four tires … and I believe it has a spare.
Nissan Leaf – killer deal.
Not here it isn’t. No EV incentives in Nova Scotia.
-It will be cheap because he’s a Canadians.
-It will be hatchy because he’s a Mark.
-It will appeal to women because girlfriend.
-It will drive nicely because auto editorz.
Mazda 3 hatch, base model.
Newp … but good observations.
Forte 5! And I’m gonna say this before reading down further.
Mazda CX3
(https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/08/2016-mazda-cx-3-review-nomenclature-be-damned/#more-1141002)
Nope :/
Naturally aspirated?
Nope.
VW Tiguan
Nope.
Can you buy it in the US?
If no…Nissan Micra.
If yes..Mitsubishi Mirage.
I answered the above question wrong. It is not a cute ute, and you can get it in the U.S.
Not either of those cars.
Does it have a manual transmission?
It does.
Do you play Golf?
No, but she does.
VW Golf?
No.
is the car made in North America ?
yes.
Nissan Versa Note or Micra?
Or maybe a Fiesta hatch?
It is one of those.
Yay, I guessed the model name, it’s something.
Does it have an American Brand logo on the grill/hood?
Yes.
Gotta be a Fiesta, then.
You’re not wrong.
If it is a Fiesta hatch with a manual, and it isn’t an ST, and it is not naturally-aspirated, then it’s a Fiesta SFE.
AND WE HAVE A WINNER. Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost hatch. Thanks for playing!
Years of commenting here and knowing the comment nesting system finally pays off!
@ajla Well done, sir!
Nice win, ajla.
Nice
Congratulations. Your prize: a 2008 Saturn Astra!
Ha!
Why didn’t you go after the Forte 5 you likes so much?
I’ll tell you guys tomorrow.
1.0L Engine. Well at least if it breaks out of warranty, you can always swap in a John Deere riding lawnmower engine.
“you can always swap in a John Deere riding lawnmower engine.”
I would suggest not, I cringe every time I see someone looking at those piles, they’re not made to last past warranty, it’s lower quality than the normal crap John Deere pukes out.
http://m.kubota.com/#/Product/Index/6/series
That’s the best bang for your buck, and you can rest assured it will outlive you.
Bonus points on the 25.5HP model with the 1L 3 cylinder diesel.
Is it a GM Brand logo?
Nope.
Is that supposed to be “parked” in the picture?
No problem, we can walk to the curb from here. ;-)
The missus was dropping me off at the airport at 5 a.m. She can park as far away from the curb at that time of the morning as she wants.
+1 to PrincipalDan for the Annie Hall reference.
I think we have a winner, but to play the game would Bark approve of your choice with his blue oval heart?
He would!
So far we have:
New Car
Hatchback (not CUV)
Manual Trans
American Brand
Made in North America
Available in America
I’m going for either a Ford Focus or a Chevy Corvette
Edit: Looks like its a Fiesta, but not the ST. oh well…
No to both of those, but close on the first.
Is the model spelled with a capital R and a capital S?
Neither.
Ok, why dump the Saturn ?
For many, many reasons, which I will get into at a later date.
Congrats on your Fiesta purchase.
Buying Fords seems to be in the water. Thanks partly to Jack’s article a few days ago, I signed the papers on a stupid cheap lease of a red C-Max Energi today. (Like his, 303A + sunroof.)
Anyone wanna buy a 2013 Forester XT in excellent condition?
Thank you! And I just had a C-Max Hybrid on test. If we needed that much room, I would totally get one.
Congrats, Dal! And Mark.
(Yes, Id still say congrats if it was a Prius V and a Yaris, respectively.)
Welcome to the C-Max family Dal!
Thank you! Drove home through stupid awful traffic, the indirect way because the C-Max doesn’t yet have a toll transponder, about 20 miles of mostly stop and go. Got 45 mpg, starting with an empty battery. The mileage gauge was over 50 until I had to climb a long freeway hill near the end of the trip.
I told Tres the other day that I sometimes feel like a C-Max evangelist. It’s the best car that I’ve ever owned and it’s a perfect urban commuter. I find it superior to an equivalent Escape in almost every way, especially if you don’t tow anything. The current lease deals are amazing.
[deleted by F-85 for failure to read preceding posts, thereby making himself look like an idiot]
Oh no! Its a Ford! Now every article you write will be picked apart by DW for things not wrong with it (at least, not wrong according to any sane individual).
A celebrity dies and you relate a personal story involving your contact with said celebrity?
U RONG FO DAT, GURL!
You rent a good car and tell us its a good car?
AAWWW NAWW, HELL NAWW!
That’s your punishment for not clearing your purchase beforehand with His Angry-ness.
Hah! Wait ’til you read about the purchase. If DW has anything bad to say then, well, we will know some things.
Now if you need to replace the engine, you can just buy it online and carry it in your suitcase on the plane and save shipping charges
Funny, I was looking to buy an Astra myself.
Coming from someone who owns one (until tomorrow): don’t.
thanks for the advice, how about a used Fiesta 1.3T?
As someone who has a 2009 Astra which has only required new brakes and oil changes, I’m eager to hear your story……(I’d also note I owned the original fiesta that came to North America, so you’re obviously buying your cars in the wrong order……)
All the Astras on the market now at approaching 100,000 km. They have weird things that go wrong with them. For us it was the dreaded intake tuning valve issue that requires you to replace the entire intake manifold. The cost of a new one? $900, plus labor and tax.
Don’t kiss his Astra.
Seriously though, congrats on your choice and enjoy many miles ahead in safety.
Thank you!
Only an airport or a hospital would let you park that thing in front. Briefly.
Oops! 1.0 not 1.3 I am not well.
I will let you know over the next few years that we have it!
Nice choice. I like both the Focus and Fiesta.
From Triumphs to tractors, I’m a fan of triples. I find that triples make nice sounds and pleasant vibes. To think that Fiesta has an engine just a hair larger than the one in my Sprint ST is still tough to comprehend.
Driving a 1.0 EcoBoost w/ three pedals is one of this year’s resolutions. Owning one? We shall see after the drive.
Oh no, I remember the article you wrote when you bought the Astra, but almost ended up with an Aveo.
Judging by your tone, maybe you should’ve gone with the Aveo after all.
Our 2008 Aveo is still running strong and with 88k miles, hasn’t had any issues aside from a burnt-out A/C wire. Many can say what they say about the Aveo, but it’s been a reliable, solid little car.
As far as the Astra, it’s sad to see it go. It’s a quirky, little hatch that has a fun demeanor, speaks with a German accent, and (since it was only sold for one year on these shores) increasingly rare.
Sadly the Aveo had more usable interior room than the Brand X Malibu in both the previous generation and the one before. Aveos may not be great, but my knees were not buried in the driver’s seat when my 6 foot 2 inch brother in law was driving.
Anyone who bought that Saturn will buy anything.
Are you capable of writing something nice?
Only if it involves ancient Escorts just as decrepit as the pictured Saturn.
Ancient escorts, huh? Well, someone has to like the old hookers, I suppose.
If y’all followed Mark on Twitter, you would have known it was a Fiesta 1.0T.
Thanks for keeping quiet ;)
What’s a Twintter’s?
The Astra was a good deal better than the execrable Ion with it’s hard to read center gauge cluster and tupperware on space frame construction, slam the door on one and you’ll know.
It seems like some of the GM’s “captive imports” from the Opel Manta/1900/GT to the Pontiac G8 were a cut above a similar US designed and built vehicle.
Astra on black steelies and snow tires looks the business Mark. I was always impressed with the great ground clearance these had. I’m sure these resist rust very well too.
Yeah, they aren’t bad. We have a set of 17-inch wheels from an XR that we use in the summer. I just bought new summer tires too. Oh well.
I’m thinking another hatch, Kia Rio or Scion
A friend in Manchester, England has a Vauxhall Astra. He swears he’ll buy another one when this one’s finished. I’ve had a few rides in it, and I was really impressed. The suspension worked really well over the potholed streets, and it was super peppy with the standard transmission.
All those things are true. It does drive wonderfully, but we’ve had some weird things fail on it. One of the rear doors is electrically dead (power windows, locks don’t work). The other is this ongoing intake manifold issue, and to replace it costs $900 + labor. No thanks.
Mark,
What a cool choice.
What’s the service interval on the timing belt and your take on this part of the little mechanical marvel ice?
Thank you!
Service interval on the timing belt is 150,000 miles/240,000 km. The engine is fantastic. I want a little more power, but that will come with spending a little more money later on.
Ahhhh….the plan emerges…
Well, I’m late to the game, but after hearing hatch, turbo, manual, and given the already eliminated options, I was leaning towards Veloster Turbo. Congrats on the Fiesta though.
I thought Astras were kind of cool, at least the coupes. And I had had a good experience with my SC1. But the coupes couldn’t have the sunroof, and the 4-doors were kind of frumpy. So screw ’em.
No self respecting person, let alone an automotive journalist, would either own a Saturn…or admit to owning a Saturn.
Either you were young and foolish, or….well lets just say, you’re smarter now. Especially since you didn’t get the problematic 6 speed auto on the Fiesta. I have heard from Fords own employee’s just how awful the automatic 6 is.
The Astra was the right choice at the time. My budget dictated a subcompact, but my needs dictated a compact. On the surface, an Astra was a Golf for half the coin. It probably has one of the best manual transmissions in a compact in the last 10 years. And if GM had engineered it with the same EcoTec motor and electrics as the Cobalt, I’d be holding on to it. However, the Astra is the most European vehicle GM has brought here in 25 years, and it shares virtually nothing parts wise with its cohorts.
Congratulations on your new ride.
And thank you for using “my girlfriend and I negotiated”, rather than “me and my girlfriend negotiated”.
Looking forward to your impressions on your latest purchase.