Looking at getting a new car

[jin1481]

Been thinking about getting the Saturn Astra for awhile, and now that is starting to become more a of reality, so I started to look at a couple of other cars in the same class. Heres what I got:

All cars are 5sp Manual, have yet to drive any of them

2008 Saturn Astra XR 3dr - $19,850 - Pros: 28/32mpg, GM, fresh new look for the US, tried and true in Europe, good stereo and heated seats, sporty suspension; Cons: weak sounding 138hp 1.8l Eco-tech

2009 Mitsu Lancer GTS 4dr - $20,665 - Pros: Sportiest at 170hp and tuned suspension, kick butt 650watt stereo, good looking; Cons: highest price, 21/28mpg, import, ricer boy image

2009 Subie Impreza 2.5i 5dr - $19,640 - Pros: Most space and cargo, subie all wheel drive, lowest price; Cons: 20/27mpg, looks aren't that great, import, weak stereo

Just fishing for thoughts here and suggestions, I here great things about the HHR but it has no apeal to me at all, I'm 23 so things like stereos and looks matter, but they don't beat out praticality.

Thanks for staying with me this long, all comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated

[jims69camaro]

i have one word for you: HHR.

(deja vu all over again... :D )

[GP99GT]

i'd go with the astra.

btw, the fact that its an import shouldnt be on the cons list...

stereos can be upgraded fairly cheap and sound better than any factory "650 watt" stereo

if you dont need the extra size of the mitsu or subie, go with the saturn...saturn has come a long way

[jin1481]

i would prefer to buy an american car, also don't want to mod the car as it will probably just be a lease. i really like the saturn hopefully its not a weak little car and will be able to scoot around a little

[Tsar]

Ferrari F430? :shrug:
I didn't read your post, just saw that you wanted to buy a new car.

[jin1481]

only if i can get the scuderia version

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

08-09 Turbocharged Cobalt SS ftw :drool:

[procamaroz28]

my friend got the impreza your right about it but that car is soo fun to drive it hugs the road well for a baseline car

[79CamaroDiva]

I was in the EXACT same spot as you like a week and a half ago. I really liked the Astra, especially all the reviews about it, but there were a few things I didn't like once I test drove it. The motor is weak, the shifter feels a little spongy, and the radio and DIC are completely unmarked. It took me and paul a good amount of time to figure out how to work it.

I too didn't like the look of the HHR up til probably 2 weeks ago. I went and test drove one just for the hell of it, and lo and behold, I boguht one this weekend. Just go test one, even if the one you test is an automatic, it will give you the feel of what the cars about.

[BigAls87Z28]

Astra. The only reason I didnt put a gun to Melissa's head was because she needs to haul around dead boddies or something.
Astra 3dr, the hottest compact on the market.
Astra is America...via Germany, but all comes back to Renn Center.

138hp motor is average with what everyone else has. Cobalt's 2.2 is a bit more torquey but I enjoyed my little thrashing of an XR 3dr with sport package and 5spd.

[jims69camaro]

HHR SS...

[jin1481]

I'm goin out tomorrow to hopefully thrash all three cars, but at least the Astra. I'm really hoping the Astra makes me happy.

[BigAls87Z28]

Astra will, as long as you arent expecting neck snapping power.

Only other car I can think of that ccan match Astra XR 3dr is the Mazda3 2.3.

[SteveR]

HHR or Subaru. HHR is awesome, and the Subaru handles great. HHR is a lot cheaper right now though.

[jin1481]

Just signed a 3 yr lease on the Impreza, $311 a month $500 down. I pick it up on monday.

[Tru2Chevy]

Leasing FTL.....

- Justin

[Rich189]

Just signed a 3 yr lease on the Impreza, $311 a month $500 down. I pick it up on monday.

Just so you know youll get better mpg then the sticker says if your easy on it with the subie i average around 25 with my flat 6 and got 31 driving up to mass.

[Tsar]

Leasing FTL.....

- Justin
you get a new car every 3 years :shrug:

[jin1481]

don't have $580 to spend a month on a new car

[79CamaroDiva]

whats your credit like? I was looking at under $300 a month for both HHR and Astra

[Tsar]

Speaking of Suabru, what have they done with the STI? it's the ugliest STI to date... Who thought making it into a wagon would be a good idea?


Not to hijack the tread or anything :)

[jin1481]

my credit was 630, and its a loaded impreza. i thought the new impreza were uglier then sin but it looks really good in person.

[12secondv6]

I like the look of the saturn.

My mom has an 03 5 speed wrx.
Pro's: her confidence in snow rain, held up VERY well considering her sporadic maintenance. She drives the car all over vermont in the winter and she has all season tires and it has never let her down
Cons: stereo is horrible, doors sound "tinny" when closed etc, difficult to work on engine

Its peppy but needs a bit more oomph and a 6th gear would be nice.... but I'd get one if I had the money

congrats

[SteveR]

Just signed a 3 yr lease on the Impreza, $311 a month $500 down. I pick it up on monday.

Congrats! The Sub's handle and drive really good. I took out an Impreza last year and loved it. Did you get a stick or auto?

[BigAls87Z28]

Damn...Astra loses again.
Saturn cant sell these things at all!! Cobalt factory is on over time with 3 shifts and weekends with a 16 day average sitting on dealer lots while the Astra is 306 day average....

[jin1481]

i got the manual subie, and the astra was nice but the subie is a lot more car for a little less...i'm not proud for leaving the general behind on this one but i couldnt pass up the deal.

Still don't have the car, but it should have left Doylestown 12 minutes ago, 10am.

[79CamaroDiva]

Damn...Astra loses again.
Saturn cant sell these things at all!! Cobalt factory is on over time with 3 shifts and weekends with a 16 day average sitting on dealer lots while the Astra is 306 day average....

they should start selling better soon, i just saw the first commercial with one in it. ebfore that the only reason i knew about them was walking around a lot.

[Tsar]

they should start selling better soon, i just saw the first commercial with one in it. ebfore that the only reason i knew about them was walking around a lot.
:werd: The only reason I knew about Astra is from Al. I do not really look at Saturns when I go car shopping or recommend someone a new car. They should invest in some marketing...

In other news, I went to a dodge dealer to look at the challenger, I went on Sunday so no one bothers me. Well they had none but I did sit around in SRT4 Caliber, god at first I hated the look of it, and the shifter location; however, that things was roomy and comfy and at 24k it has everything anyone would need. The seats were fantastic! :lol: It's getting put in the "possible car to buy" list in the summer of 09. Anyone know anything about these 4 bangers, besides good gas mileage?

[SteveR]

:werd: The only reason I knew about Astra is from Al. I do not really look at Saturns when I go car shopping or recommend someone a new car. They should invest in some marketing...

In other news, I went to a dodge dealer to look at the challenger, I went on Sunday so no one bothers me. Well they had none but I did sit around in SRT4 Caliber, god at first I hated the look of it, and the shifter location; however, that things was roomy and comfy and at 24k it has everything anyone would need. The seats were fantastic! :lol: It's getting put in the "possible car to buy" list in the summer of 09. Anyone know anything about these 4 bangers, besides good gas mileage?

I drove a base model Caliber last November and the thing I noticed most was how cheap the interior was. The dash and everything is all cheap plastic with no real taste in the design. Just drove it around the lot a bit so never got a good feel on the handling.

[BigAls87Z28]

I see them too, have for a bit, but they just didnt equip it to sell.
In Europe, this car has every option in the book. Hell, there is a hard top convertable version in Europe. Diesel, turbo 4cyls, and performance trims, navigation, large windshield, push button starts, 6spd autos, every option available has made this car one of the best selling cars in Europe.
There is also a sedan version that isnt here either, and since America dont care for hatchbacks, thats what they should have brought over.
What we got was a small taste of thier line up.

[Tsar]

I drove a base model Caliber last November and the thing I noticed most was how cheap the interior was. The dash and everything is all cheap plastic with no real taste in the design. Just drove it around the lot a bit so never got a good feel on the handling.
I sat in the regular Caliber and it was night and day. I would not buy the base model if it was 5k, it was horrendous, but SRT4 was awesome in my opinion. I'm not in any way shape or form considering the base caliber, SRT4 only.

[SteveR]

I see them too, have for a bit, but they just didnt equip it to sell.
In Europe, this car has every option in the book. Hell, there is a hard top convertable version in Europe. Diesel, turbo 4cyls, and performance trims, navigation, large windshield, push button starts, 6spd autos, every option available has made this car one of the best selling cars in Europe.
There is also a sedan version that isnt here either, and since America dont care for hatchbacks, thats what they should have brought over.
What we got was a small taste of thier line up.

I think those options would help it sell better for sure. What GM car in Europe is the diesel hybrid? I read about it last night, 70mpg average ftw.

[BigAls87Z28]

It was a concept, and it was an Astra Diesel Hybrid.

[SteveR]

It was a concept, and it was an Astra Diesel Hybrid.

I hope they make it, that would be nice. I was looking up diesel cars and saw the VW Jetta TDIs, but I hear they have crap customer service and half the cars are ok and the other half fall apart.

[jin1481]

the saturn aura is pretty much the astra sedan, but they need to bring over the vxr's if they want to step into the sporty part of the hatch market

[BigAls87Z28]

Aura is much bigger then Astra. Aura is a mid sized sized car

[redbanditZ28]

I am sure most people hate or don't trust Hyundais on here, but if you are looking for a cheap, best bang for your buck, fuel efficient car, the Accents or Elantras are pretty good. That is if you are only looking for a good fuel economy car. Outside of Honda and Toyota, Hyundai is the next best auto manufacturer in terms of making vehicles that get as close to mpg as Honda and Toyota. Unless I've missed certain models of other auto manufacturers out there, which I may have.

I was skeptical myself since its a hyundai, but I brought an 03 Accent sedan 2 years ago for an A to B commuter car, and it averages 34 mpg highway (The way I drive it at least) and about 26 city. Since I've bought it, I haven't had to fix a thing on it, and it runs as good as the day I bought it. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I understand if people are still skeptical about them though. But like Saturn, I think Hyundais have come a long way too.

[Knipps]

GM advertising FTL. I've barely seen a GM commercial lately, nevermind a saturn one.

[Frosty]

GM advertising FTL. I've barely seen a GM commercial lately, nevermind a saturn one.

:werd:

[79CamaroDiva]

:werd:

yeah. saturns new ad campaign is "rethink." when i saw that on the astra pamphlet i picked up i was like oh, thats cute. then i realized it was their new campaign... except i haven't seen any ads until, well, yesterday.

[SteveR]

It was a concept, and it was an Astra Diesel Hybrid.

speaking of diesel concepts, I just got the new issue of Diesel Power, and they are talking about a new GM V6 diesel motor slated to come out next year and makes 250hp/406tq. Thats pretty nice!

[Tru2Chevy]

speaking of diesel concepts, I just got the new issue of Diesel Power, and they are talking about a new GM V6 diesel motor slated to come out next year and makes 250hp/406tq. Thats pretty nice!

General Motors has debuted a new 2.9-liter V6 turbo-diesel engine, destined to find its way into the 2009 Cadillac CTS. Indicating that it will be "sold mainly in Europe", GM have signalled their intentions to go after Europe's finest in the hotly contested executive saloon market with the powerful new engine.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/06/geneva-motor-show-cadillac-unveils-powerful-new-v6-clean-diesel/

I wonder if the automakers will ever actually try to sell diesels here again? :sadface:

- Justin

[SteveR]

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03/06/geneva-motor-show-cadillac-unveils-powerful-new-v6-clean-diesel/

I wonder if the automakers will ever actually try to sell diesels here again? :sadface:

- Justin

why arent they marketing them here? Oh yeaaaa, oil companies dont really like the whole efficiency thing, kinda bad for business.