MyerShift

The prior TL is much better. Much sexier to look at too. Although the new Acura grill is the absolute worst aspect of the cars, it seems like Honda's stylists are dipping into the Dope Stream or something worse. I just can't figure out why after producing a car as advanced and attractive looking as the Civic coupe to turn out the mess the Accord now is as well as these Acura products. Besides, Acura really isn't Honda's premium brand. Honda doesn't have one at all compared with Toyota and Nissan. Acuras are more like Honda Deluxe.

Oh yes I did very much. It's a shame GM waited so long to bring it. It is so incredible.

Last Friday I had set up an appointment for my 10,000 mile service update on my Volkswagen Golf (Rabbit) Having made the appointment at Vordermann Volkswagen in Ft. Wayne, I decided to finally taste one of GM's German delights; the new for the U.S. Saturn (Opel) Astra. The staff at Saturn of Ft. Wayne were very courteous and personal to work with. Having explained my situation of why I ended up with a VW instead of the Astra and wanting to finally experience one, they gladly agreed to offer a test drive. A few short minutes later, a silver Astra XR 3-door pulled up in front of my Volkswagen. Talk about nice looking but subtle versus hot looking and great visual pizazz concerning the Golf against the Astra! This XR had (naturally) the manual transmission and also the available leather seating, and the optional stereo system. In no time I was pulling away with the lovely Heather riding shotgun and onto the Avenue of Autos off from Illinois Road in Ft Wayne. At the turnaround point, I cranked the steering to attain a sense of the steering and general chassis response even though it was at a very sedate 20 mph. The optional 18" wheel and tire setup feels phenomenal with minimal roll, and a very taut; poised sense of control. The steering is sublime. Perhaps a wee bit devoid of actual feel against my VW but it feels stiff and meaty. My idea of perfect assist. More effort is needed than in my VW's rack. As we gently accelerated down the Avenue of Autos to Illinois road, I noticed only two obvious "faults". One regarding the manual gearbox which felt a little more vague and rubbery as opposed to the VW's. However, once one has adapted to the car, this becomes a nonissue. My biggest issue regarded something sort of silly but important. The rear view mirror quivered at idle and low speeds like a bowl of Jell-O hooked up to a paint mixer. It's rather disconcerting especially in regard to the lack of actual vibration penetrating the Astra's cabin. Also, the windows are only one touch down, not up and I don't know about pinch protection and wouldn't want to find out the hard way that's for sure! I loved the fact that the car allows you to have the headlamps "OFF", on AUTO, P, O, and have the foglamps on in any of those settings. The high beams are interesting to turn on and off as there is no real tactile correlation between the lamps changing their setting and any noted "switch" in the signal lever. There is also a small delay as the electronics do their thing to switch between high and low beam. (I observed this in someone's bumper while sitting a one of the looong lights in Ft. Wayne) For anyone concerned about the 138hp output of the Astra's 1.8L ECOTEC, it is acceptable. Initially, yes, it feels (and I'm sure is) more sluggish than my Golf with its 2.5L I-5 and 170hp but it is *just* enough power to ensure safe acceleration onto interstates (some blonde dingbat was actually holding us up in her HHR during the acceleration up the onramp to I-69 North. The trade off for this reduced power is undoubtedly in improved efficiency, but we really need to see the new 1.6L turbo ECOTEC offered here in the states with the manual. More power, better efficiency. More than likely, those who choose the automatic aren't enthusiasts and won't appreciate this car's level of capability. So it could remain the only transmission with the 1.8 in my eyes. The Astra's air conditioning also performed admirably in the 90* F heat and humidity without damping the engines fun, revvy nature/ The stereo setup would take some getting used to and would probably be much easier with the owner's manual, but I managed to toggle through several different computer settings and adjusted the stereo's sound and speaker output location with relative ease. It's not that bad, I promise you. Once underway upon the Interstate, the Astra is more refined and quiet than the Volkswagen Golf with less road and wind noise. The ride is incredible. Very firm but never harsh or uncomfortable and always willing to play. Changing lanes is an adventure though if one is not used to the pinched sightlines induced by that rakish greenhouse, but made easier through the one-touch-for-three blinks and auto-returning signal lever. One item I was not able to figure out while underway was the electronic speed control. I would have to check the owner's manual for that one. My verdict overall? This is the BEST small car currently available for the money no question. All it needs is a bit more power. Bring the CDTi's! I am very glad that I was able to experience the Astra and its class leading attributes. It truly is an amazing car and should actually be the hottest seller on the market. I loved it!

I would take an Audi A4 over a BMW 3. I would take a Cadillac CTS over a BMW 3. However, I do prefer Ingolstadt's metal to Cadillac's despite the monster grill.

No. I don't believe in these things. Strange stuff happens. Big deal.

Well, if this is the name then I guess I won't be considering a new, small Chevrolet afterall. I don't care how good it is. With a name this bad, I don't care how good or perfect the car may be.

And I drive a VW. But I still love my home team! Also, speculation blows. (pardon lack of eloquence)

I hope they pull through. They are my favourite. Plus, they have the guts to put out their rear drive muscle coupe way before GM seems to have theirs ready. Chrysler is bold. If they innovate as they have in the past, all may not be lost.

Poor Chrysler. I guess they really do need a modern K Car!

When I heard this I was quite surprised. I've only seen some of his work, but his work was genius. "...Everybody else's stuff is $h! but your $h! is stuff?"

HaHa.

Nifty! Buick was my grandma's car too (A Skyhawk) And then it was my, a 16 year old's, first car too. I like that crazy "Love Shack" song because of the "I got me a Chrysler; It's a big as a whale And it's about to set Sail!"

I don't think the mass of car buyers would miss ANY brand if it disappeared. Also, the G3 idea sucks. Opel Corsa for the States baby!

I absolutely love the 159. I wish Alfa would hurry up and either get to the States, or stay away and quit saying that they will be back; 8C excepted since it was so limited. The MiTo needs a better name, and tweaked styling. One simply can't adapt supercar styling to a dinky hatch.

And yet the Camry and Accord continue to sell in droves. I am not saying that these are the most reliable cars, they just have the best reputations for reliability. Statement quoted is true. I don't question that. I usually preferred the Accord to the Camry as far as the top selling Japanese midsizers went, but then the new Accord was launched, and it is just vomit filled mess as far as the styling is concerned. Now I'd definitely consider neither one of these cars. Now, I guess the Volskwagen Passat, Mazda6, Mercury Milan, or even the Nissan Altima would be my choice for a midsize sedan because I'd want a manual transmission. Ford is the only domestic automaker that makes a mainstream, midsize sedan available with a manual transmission.

The best fuel efficiency I have seen out of mine is 30.5 U.S. mpg, so nearly 31 U.S. mpg. Peanuts compared to the potential of VW's TDI engines or the CDTi engines in the Astra, but fairly good by what Americans are used to. I would like some insight though as to why Volkswagen doesn't offer a decent petrol 4 cylinder in its North American products. Sure, the 2.0T is offered, but only in the Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, and available as an option in the Jetta and so I don't count this engine. I am anxious for Volkswagen's new Blutech TDI engines. One may be sure that I would have gotten a TDI over the 5-cylinder engine if I could. However, I must say, it does have an interesting sound as it cycles up the tach, and with 170hp and what, 170 lb-ft of torque, it is quite punchy. I've never had quite so much fun passing even in this, but would love to attain a GTI or such. I actually was going to purchase an Astra, but was not available in time. Sure the design has aged, but it still looks absolutely fantastic in my eyes, and aside from the crazy stereo setup, love the interior as well. I just feel that the Astra would have been better off introduced with the 1.6L Turbo ECOTEC. However, to suit lazy American tastes, only the 1.8L was available with the automatic, and so that's what we have.

Oh wait. We just need the Opel Corsa, Ford Fiesta, or Volkswagen Polo instead. At least we will get at least one of those three.

Saturn to me has the least relevance as a brand. Since it is now Opel anyway, get rid of the name, change it to Opel. Sales couldn't possibly be any worse than they are now with the cars badged as Saturns. Without proper rear drive product, Pontiac is essentially useless. SAAB is a great centre for research and development especially in the fields of safety and turbocharging engines. They are perhaps a bit more noted in Europe than here, but GM would be foolish to kill SAAB. It would be better to sell it for the potential profit. Buick has fantastic upcoming product even sans rear drive, and that's where Cadillac would come in above it; plus the Chinese market and desirability of Buicks there helps keep it safe. Any sort of truck rebadge could be redundant. Fewer truck models, better CAFE, right? As gas prices rise, all the wannabes will be ditching their truck based vehicles as they realize they don't need them and can't afford them. Most people that drive SUV's should be driving minivans anyway. Oh wait. GM doesn't have any. OK, instead of minivans, let's just get them into slightly more fuel efficient station wagons on stilts that are ridiculously called "Crossovers". Bah!

That's not too respectful, but hey, GM fan. I was a Chrysler fan, still technically am, but I will not defend something if I know that it's not any good (like the Chrysler 2.7L V6). In doing so, I have come to appreciate the advancements and good qualities of all automotive consortiums. As well as the recognition of inferior products from all as well. I'll always like the American brands best because of being American(my heart reason in a way as well), for the entreprenuers that they stand for, employment for the people, innovation, and even all of the memories as a child riding in American cars; whether it be from my mom's long disposed 1981 Camaro; to my grandparents' 1987 Chrysler New Yorker (K-Based- E-Platform) with all of its leather, turbo four, crazy digital everything including talking voice (ETA: Electronic Voice Alert), chrome and glitzy bits, the opera style window on its vinyl C-pillar, and comfortable ride along with that chrystal Chrysler pentastar, they left an impression. A Good one. Those are my reasons for preferring the domestics versus others. Detroit cars can make an impression. A memorable one that makes people want to attain your products. That New Yorker; remembering it makes me think that American cars can speak louder than any others for their individuality and identity. Done Right, Detroit Cars Are Unbeatable.

I still prefer the cleaner look of Audis in addition to their unbeatable interiors, quattro, and other innovations.

This is great! I love it!

I do find it ugly. I love the interior. Take the Kia Rio's exterior, and the Aveo's interior, Toyota's high mileage engine, the Honda's joie de vivre, and that would be about the best compact thing I can imagine.

Lmao! My girlfriend seems to dig the one and only one that I have and wants me to wear it, but I usually don't.

Yes, indeed. I had forgotten about that at the time, but the Colt is a nifty looking little bugger. I like the 3-door!

LOL @ This thread!