Comments on: GM: “Currency shift stalled Astra” http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:54:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: jplew138 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-788122 jplew138 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:00:37 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-788122 Ah, whither GM...they FINALLY get a decent small car over here...and they proceed to kill it with absolutely NO advertising. I drove an Astra...and found myself liking it except for the just adequate power (needs about 15-20 more HP) and the...ummm...curiously styled interior, although that in itself isn't a deal breaker. Why is there no ad play for this car...a car that totally puts the Focus on the trailer, and handles and rides better than the Civic??? Just another example of GM and Mr. Lutz's chronic half-assedness... Ah, whither GM…they FINALLY get a decent small car over here…and they proceed to kill it with absolutely NO advertising. I drove an Astra…and found myself liking it except for the just adequate power (needs about 15-20 more HP) and the…ummm…curiously styled interior, although that in itself isn’t a deal breaker. Why is there no ad play for this car…a car that totally puts the Focus on the trailer, and handles and rides better than the Civic??? Just another example of GM and Mr. Lutz’s chronic half-assedness…

]]> By: design89 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753601 design89 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:32:26 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753601 JuniorMint, Yes, well said. You will enjoy it's uniqueness for thousands less. I got the silver sand color, apparently hard to get. Enjoy! JuniorMint,
Yes, well said. You will enjoy it’s uniqueness for thousands less.
I got the silver sand color, apparently hard to get.
Enjoy!

]]> By: JuniorMint http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753542 JuniorMint Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:07:29 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753542 As it happens, my brother and I just test-drove one of these this very evening. And I had to ask the dealership guy: why don't I see these things everywhere? Rides like a 30,000 car, costs half as much. Safety features out the wazoo, respectable mileage, lots of upscale features you'd need to drop an extra $5000 to even talk about on your Corrivic 3s. And it's actually unique enough to pick out in a parking lot! With 11th-hour desperation "employee financing," why WOULDN'T you buy? Like I said, for 16,000, you get a hell of a lot of car. We're going back tomorrow to finance. This is a great novelty to me: I have an xB and a Lancer in my household, two great-for-the-money foreign economobiles, and I'm actually excited to purchase a DOMESTIC (sortof) SMALL CAR. Whoda thunk it? As it happens, my brother and I just test-drove one of these this very evening. And I had to ask the dealership guy: why don’t I see these things everywhere?

Rides like a 30,000 car, costs half as much. Safety features out the wazoo, respectable mileage, lots of upscale features you’d need to drop an extra $5000 to even talk about on your Corrivic 3s. And it’s actually unique enough to pick out in a parking lot!

With 11th-hour desperation “employee financing,” why WOULDN’T you buy? Like I said, for 16,000, you get a hell of a lot of car. We’re going back tomorrow to finance.

This is a great novelty to me: I have an xB and a Lancer in my household, two great-for-the-money foreign economobiles, and I’m actually excited to purchase a DOMESTIC (sortof) SMALL CAR. Whoda thunk it?

]]> By: Flipper http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753482 Flipper Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:36:20 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753482 For me its the ugly dashboard that sinks the ship. Whats up with the tiny screen in a really big recess? For me its the ugly dashboard that sinks the ship. Whats up with the tiny screen in a really big recess?

]]> By: Facebook User http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753462 Facebook User Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:24:08 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753462 Gm doesn't make stripped down models because that kills profits. It's easier to make money on lots of options like a $2,000 GPS unit, or whatever gizmo that is way overpriced. GM has been doing this for years. The suburban in the 90's lost the base model for instance. All in an effort to make people to buy more high margin gizmos. Someone has got to hit the reset button on this company. The Chevy brand may have history but it's still aligned with the crap they made 20 years ago. They may make a better car than those days but so does the competition. I can't accept buying a chevy when they've been shit in the past. Then again my Buick is lasting quite long. I just wish the Enclave wasn't a mini-van pretending to be an SUV and came down several thousand as it has the best looking sheet metal of the quadruplets. Gm doesn’t make stripped down models because that kills profits. It’s easier to make money on lots of options like a $2,000 GPS unit, or whatever gizmo that is way overpriced.

GM has been doing this for years. The suburban in the 90’s lost the base model for instance. All in an effort to make people to buy more high margin gizmos.

Someone has got to hit the reset button on this company. The Chevy brand may have history but it’s still aligned with the crap they made 20 years ago.
They may make a better car than those days but so does the competition. I can’t accept buying a chevy when they’ve been shit in the past. Then again my Buick is lasting quite long. I just wish the Enclave wasn’t a mini-van pretending to be an SUV and came down several thousand as it has the best looking sheet metal of the quadruplets.

]]> By: Nemphre http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753422 Nemphre Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:20:19 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753422 "Why is that?" Base price increases ($1500). Option package and trim level rejigging. Cruise will only be available in a $750 "technology package". A portable navigation unit is going to be a standard feature now. Kind of weird. I'm not as interested in the SX4 after I read an Edmunds review where they said that when they turned up the stereo, every interior panel buzzed and rattled. “Why is that?”

Base price increases ($1500). Option package and trim level rejigging. Cruise will only be available in a $750 “technology package”. A portable navigation unit is going to be a standard feature now. Kind of weird. I’m not as interested in the SX4 after I read an Edmunds review where they said that when they turned up the stereo, every interior panel buzzed and rattled.

]]> By: srclontz http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753411 srclontz Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:13:27 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753411 If only GM had given the Aztec as little time to be successful, the world would be a better, and more beautiful, place. If only GM had given the Aztec as little time to be successful, the world would be a better, and more beautiful, place.

]]> By: Dave M. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753371 Dave M. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:11:24 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753371 <em>SX4 15500 (09s are going to be a lot more expensive)</em> Why is that? <em>The Yaris, SX4, Corolla and Fit look and feel less expensive. Same with the Focus</em> I had a new (<2k miles rental Focus). I was rather impressed with the handling and content at price point. And 38 mpg on the highway (65). Not bad at all; if only they'd make a wagon version again.... SX4 15500 (09s are going to be a lot more expensive)

Why is that?

The Yaris, SX4, Corolla and Fit look and feel less expensive. Same with the Focus

I had a new (<2k miles rental Focus). I was rather impressed with the handling and content at price point. And 38 mpg on the highway (65). Not bad at all; if only they’d make a wagon version again….

]]> By: design89 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753202 design89 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:34:46 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753202 I can't believe all the negative comments here. You all said" bring the European cars to NA and don't change a thing"! Voila, here it is! Ding, Ding, Ding, come and get it! I got one just over 3 months now and just LOVE this car. The whole interior is easy to look at and solid built , the ride is firm and on the hwy goes straight as an arrow. The exterior is clean cut with no chintzy plastic tack ons like most of its competition. I got the base XR for just under $20K Canadian and it is loaded except w/o roof and it's a 5 speed. A Honda Civic... give me a break, the base model dosen't even have a 60/40 split seat and the interior is butt ugly! I am reminded each day of the standard features it comes with and it's a blast too drive. In my research this was the most bang for the buck car out there. I can’t believe all the negative comments here.
You all said” bring the European cars to NA and don’t change a thing”!
Voila, here it is! Ding, Ding, Ding, come and get it!
I got one just over 3 months now and just LOVE this car.
The whole interior is easy to look at and solid built , the ride is firm and on the hwy goes straight as an arrow. The exterior is clean cut with no chintzy plastic tack ons like most of its competition.
I got the base XR for just under $20K Canadian and it is loaded except w/o roof and it’s a 5 speed.
A Honda Civic… give me a break, the base model dosen’t even have a 60/40 split seat and the interior is butt ugly!
I am reminded each day of the standard features it comes with and it’s a blast too drive.
In my research this was the most bang for the buck car out there.

]]> By: John Horner http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-753151 John Horner Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:22:05 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-753151 " ... the ION sold over 100K units per year. Hardly poor numbers. " And in the late 1990s the Saturn S-series sold well over 200,000 units per year. I should have said that the Ion sold worse that the car line it replaced. Heck, the universally maligned Saturn L-series hit nearly 100k units per year. http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/general_motors/saturn/saturn5.htm ” … the ION sold over 100K units per year. Hardly poor numbers. ”

And in the late 1990s the Saturn S-series sold well over 200,000 units per year. I should have said that the Ion sold worse that the car line it replaced. Heck, the universally maligned Saturn L-series hit nearly 100k units per year.

http://www.autointell.com/nao_companies/general_motors/saturn/saturn5.htm

]]> By: davey49 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752792 davey49 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:12:08 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752792 JohnHorner- the ION sold over 100K units per year. Hardly poor numbers. Nemphre- you've got some of the idea, it's really a nicer car in person than "spec'ed out" The Yaris, SX4, Corolla and Fit look and feel less expensive. Same with the Focus and Cobalt. The 3, Civic and Impreza are closer in look and feel but are also closer in price. JB- Any numbers on the Versa Sedan outselling the hatch? In my local area I see a lot more of the hatch. GM claims they are going to build the next Astra in the US. I'm guessing it will be a Cruze hatchback. JohnHorner- the ION sold over 100K units per year. Hardly poor numbers.
Nemphre- you’ve got some of the idea, it’s really a nicer car in person than “spec’ed out” The Yaris, SX4, Corolla and Fit look and feel less expensive. Same with the Focus and Cobalt. The 3, Civic and Impreza are closer in look and feel but are also closer in price.
JB- Any numbers on the Versa Sedan outselling the hatch? In my local area I see a lot more of the hatch.
GM claims they are going to build the next Astra in the US. I’m guessing it will be a Cruze hatchback.

]]> By: Nemphre http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752622 Nemphre Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:11:47 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752622 The base Astra is useless because it doesn't come with AC. When I speced one out with AC it was well over 18k and out of my price range. The only options I want are AC and cruise; when I priced out the models that I'm interested in, they came out like this: Yaris 14900 SX4 15500 (09s are going to be a lot more expensive) Corolla 16669 Fit 16700 Maz3 17465 Impreza 17640 Civic 17800 The base Astra is useless because it doesn’t come with AC. When I speced one out with AC it was well over 18k and out of my price range. The only options I want are AC and cruise; when I priced out the models that I’m interested in, they came out like this:

Yaris 14900
SX4 15500 (09s are going to be a lot more expensive)
Corolla 16669
Fit 16700
Maz3 17465
Impreza 17640
Civic 17800

]]> By: John Horner http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752542 John Horner Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:41:06 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752542 The original Saturn was replaced by the "Ion", which sold poorly ... only to be replaced by the Astra, which sells even worse. Saturn is so dead. As has been said here a zillion times, GM doesn't have the marketing and distribution muscle to support a bazzilion brands in the US. Chevrolet and Cadillac ... Everything Else is Noise [tm :)]. The original Saturn was replaced by the “Ion”, which sold poorly … only to be replaced by the Astra, which sells even worse.

Saturn is so dead. As has been said here a zillion times, GM doesn’t have the marketing and distribution muscle to support a bazzilion brands in the US. Chevrolet and Cadillac … Everything Else is Noise [tm :)].

]]> By: thetopdog http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752501 thetopdog Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:12:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752501 On the subject of advertising: A few months back I remember playing a pretty fun slot-car type game online. You could design your own track, and race an Astra around it using the keyboard. I believe it was some kind of online Astra advertising. I guess I'm the only one that played that game though (and I'm not interested in an Astra at all, I just had time to kill), which makes sense when looking at Astra's sales On the subject of advertising:

A few months back I remember playing a pretty fun slot-car type game online. You could design your own track, and race an Astra around it using the keyboard. I believe it was some kind of online Astra advertising. I guess I’m the only one that played that game though (and I’m not interested in an Astra at all, I just had time to kill), which makes sense when looking at Astra’s sales

]]> By: the duke http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752392 the duke Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:49:50 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752392 I bought a new Mazda 3 hatch in June. The hatch wasn't the problem - in fact I insisted my car have it. I'm also an enthusiast. I wanted more than Civic-level power, and in the chassis department, I appreciated that the 3 has IRS whereas the Astra has a torsion beam setup. Not a big deal to most, but I wanted IRS. I was willing to pay a little more for the Mazda. I bought a new Mazda 3 hatch in June. The hatch wasn’t the problem – in fact I insisted my car have it. I’m also an enthusiast. I wanted more than Civic-level power, and in the chassis department, I appreciated that the 3 has IRS whereas the Astra has a torsion beam setup. Not a big deal to most, but I wanted IRS. I was willing to pay a little more for the Mazda.

]]> By: cgd http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752321 cgd Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:35:17 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752321 It looks nice, but for the MPG and price, I'll take a Civic anyday. It has the same HP. It will hold resale value, and I'm guessing the Saturn won't as much. It looks nice, but for the MPG and price, I’ll take a Civic anyday. It has the same HP. It will hold resale value, and I’m guessing the Saturn won’t as much.

]]> By: nevets248 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752222 nevets248 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:05:04 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752222 Same old song-and-dance routine. Didn't Bob state one of the reasons that the GTO flopped was it was overpriced? Well that and having Bob (I'm at Pizza Hut now) Kraut as brand manager? Same old song-and-dance routine. Didn’t Bob state one of the reasons that the GTO flopped was it was overpriced?
Well that and having Bob (I’m at Pizza Hut now) Kraut as brand manager?

]]> By: akitadog http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752191 akitadog Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:58:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752191 8rings: Am I the only one screaming for an Astra “Red Line”. I am right there with you. If I didn't need to get a car so soon, I would not have bought my GTI, but would have waited for an Astra Red Line. The 3-door Astra has some good looks, and the Red Line, if they brought it over unchanged (maybe more hp) would be badass. Of course, GM fulfilled their own prophecy and the car's sales stink. So the chance of an Astra Red Line are slim to none. 8rings: Am I the only one screaming for an Astra “Red Line”.

I am right there with you. If I didn’t need to get a car so soon, I would not have bought my GTI, but would have waited for an Astra Red Line. The 3-door Astra has some good looks, and the Red Line, if they brought it over unchanged (maybe more hp) would be badass. Of course, GM fulfilled their own prophecy and the car’s sales stink. So the chance of an Astra Red Line are slim to none.

]]> By: BlueEr03 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-752001 BlueEr03 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:17:26 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-752001 For all you saying the HP "isn't bad," if you consider the MPGs it is terrible. For all you saying the HP “isn’t bad,” if you consider the MPGs it is terrible.

]]> By: Guzzi http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-751941 Guzzi Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:11:21 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-751941 What killed it for me was charging another $1000 for air conditioning on the base model. Plus $350 for wheels and you're automatically in the base XR model price range. They are really trying not to sell these. Oh, mpg for the manual is EPA est 24/32 What killed it for me was charging another $1000 for air conditioning on the base model. Plus $350 for wheels and you’re automatically in the base XR model price range. They are really trying not to sell these.

Oh, mpg for the manual is EPA est 24/32

]]> By: davey49 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-751931 davey49 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:10:42 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-751931 The Astra reminds me of the old ad; "Try it you'll like it" I'd love a Corsa 1.4L 3 door The Astra reminds me of the old ad;
“Try it you’ll like it”
I’d love a Corsa 1.4L 3 door

]]> By: 66Nova http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-751901 66Nova Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:02:24 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-751901 No advertising. Outside of car geeks, who even knows this thing exists? No advertising. Outside of car geeks, who even knows this thing exists?

]]> By: Diewaldo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-751751 Diewaldo Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:47:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-751751 To European standards 138 hp is quite a lot. My everyday car is an Opel Corsa. It has 58 hp, top speed is 97.5 mph, fuel consumption is 48 mpg. The perfect car to drive to work and back. To European standards 138 hp is quite a lot. My everyday car is an Opel Corsa. It has 58 hp, top speed is 97.5 mph, fuel consumption is 48 mpg.

The perfect car to drive to work and back.

]]> By: joeaverage http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-751712 joeaverage Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:32:30 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-751712 138HP isn't THAT little. My 2800lb VW Cabrio only has 115 HP and my 3300lb CR-V AWD only has 146HP (at the redline so I'm driving around with much less than 146HP). I think a person has to drive a car to see how the powerband matches the shift points and the weight of the vehicle. I have been in some really low power cars (40HP, 65HP, 90HP) that did just great in traffic and the open road. My 90HP VW Rabbit (GTI) would run 123 mph flatout, and 100 mph for hours at a time (US spec car being driven on the Autostrada in Italy). 138HP isn’t THAT little. My 2800lb VW Cabrio only has 115 HP and my 3300lb CR-V AWD only has 146HP (at the redline so I’m driving around with much less than 146HP).

I think a person has to drive a car to see how the powerband matches the shift points and the weight of the vehicle. I have been in some really low power cars (40HP, 65HP, 90HP) that did just great in traffic and the open road. My 90HP VW Rabbit (GTI) would run 123 mph flatout, and 100 mph for hours at a time (US spec car being driven on the Autostrada in Italy).

]]> By: Ingvar http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/gm-currency-shift-stalled-astra/comment-page-1/#comment-751692 Ingvar Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:30:15 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=72921#comment-751692 Another fact vs Fiction: <strong>Truth:</strong> Corporate mismanagement stalled Astra. Another fact vs Fiction:

Truth: Corporate mismanagement stalled Astra.

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