Goodbye, Saturn Astra

by Mark Stevenson

April 26th, 2016 4:13 PM

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.

#Goodbye #New #NewCar #SaturnAstra

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7 of 134 comments

Ravenchris on Apr 26, 2016

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?

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- Mark Stevenson on Apr 26, 2016
  
  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.
  
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- FreedMike on Apr 27, 2016
  
  @Mark Stevenson Ahhhh....the plan emerges...
  
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TMA1 on Apr 26, 2016

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.

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Kmars2009 on Apr 26, 2016

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.

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- Mark Stevenson on Apr 27, 2016
  
  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.
  
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DweezilSFV on Apr 27, 2016

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.

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