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.

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?

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

: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.

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!

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/03...-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.