Before pulling the trigger on an xD I am holding off to test drive the Saturn Astra (made by Opel) which will be new for the Saturn (GM) line. It comes out in a month or three. The Opel Astra has been out for a while in Europe and appears to match-up with the xD. Any thoughts?

 

Looks pretty nice. Reliability and such is another thing. Hopefully Opel fessed up a bit under GM ownership. When I lived in Europe Opel was considered a "disgrace of German automakers". They do make pretty interesting looking cars, though.

 

Here's the price spread for the Astra:

5-Door XE -- $15,995 (manual 5 speed)
5-Door XE -- $17,320 (automatic 4 speed)

5-Door XR -- $17,545 (manual 5 speed)
5-Door XR -- $18,870 (automatic 4 speed)

3-Door XR -- $18,495 (manual 5 speed)
3-Door XR -- $19,820 (automatic 4 speed)

* All prices include shipping.

As you can see, the optional transmission is $1325. There's a bunch of other options such as the sunroof ($1000) that Edmunds list. I haven't seen the 5-Door photos yet, but the 3-door XR looks nice. Really pricey for the 3-door XR automatic -- that's getting close to over $20K if you get some of the options.

 

The headlights remind of me the xA/iSt. Top Gear blasted the 2.0L turbo Astra for being too slow and can't handle the corners as well as other "hot hatches" from Peugeot and VW.

I think the MSRP prices are so high because GM has to compensate for the weak US Dollar vs. higher Euro.

 

There is a ton of 5-door photos on car and driver site. It's a direct Matrix competitor and might even be a worthy opponent to the current MY, but with Matrix redesign for the next MY it will be tough for Saturn.

 

So which car did you choose to go with? Hopefully the Xd.

 

Damn the 3-door looks dope as hell-

 

I still need to drive this baby (Astra) first before deciding on my next car. But I may wait to see what used xD's sell as to get an idea of re-sale value. The price spread of the Astra above is very helpful...those prices may drive me to the xD. Got to like the body style of the Astra at this point also.

 

oh are u serious that saturn looks like crap

 

Good 5-door pic off saturn.com

"Rethink American" also known as "Buy German".

 

Deadduck - have you test driven a Nissan Versa?

I had been looking at the xD but the Versa won me over. I don't have a link handy, but search this forum for Versa to see my personal take between the two.

It all depends on your tastes, but the Versa is much cheaper than the Astra, if those prices above are correct, and is comparable to the xD in many ways (but to me, the Versa SL has a nicer interior and more interesting options.)

 

booo saturns booo

 

The Astra 5 door looks like a knock off of the Mazda 3 hatchback. Saturn might be turnng a new leaf but... I doubt it.

Versa is nice, I sat in it only, but the xD won out for me.

 

I'll look at the Versa...but the Suzuki SX4 will need a test drive too:
http://www.suzukiauto.com/sr_07/sx4/
Great price and features...not sure about reliability.
Gracias!!!

 

I looked at SX4. Gas mileage of an average V6 turned me off. And that was '07MY, for '08 the numbers will be even lower.

 

As far as the SX4 goes, I don't know if the MPG is measured with 4wd turned on or not... If I understand correctly, the AWD can be in Off, Auto, or On.

 

You guys who are cross-shopping xD and Versa...
They are similar on pricing, fuel economy, engine size/power, height and curb weight.
However, I see Versa as a closer match to the new xB in wheelbase, overall length, interior noise levels and spaciousness and ride quality.

 

I'd get the Astra. Heck if GM didn't take its sweet a$$ time releaseing this thing I would be driving one of them. Very sweet ride, wish I can say the same about the xD.

 

thank you... im not feelin it either.... GM will find some f'n way toruin this..... the car may be decent overall versus a focus, aveo,accent or something and will probably be a good seller but it wont be in my driveway ....

 

The Astra is nothign new; it's been around for a bit in Europe. I had one for a rental car when I was in Germany in 2006. It was a 1.6 liter w/manual transmission. IT was a great car. Good driving dymaics, very nice interior, etc. If I had a bit more cash to spend on a car, I would've looked at the Astra instead of getting my Yaris.