Astra Priced Starting $15,995

[Z-06]

Astra Pricing

DETROIT — Saturn will price its new Astra compact series from just under $16,000 when the Ion replacement goes on sale this fall.

Equipped with a DOHC 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual gearbox, the 2008 Astra 5-Door XE will carry a suggested sticker of $15,995, while the uplevel Astra 5-Door XR will start at $17,545. The sporty Astra 3-Door XR will be priced from $18,495. An optional four-speed automatic transmission will add $1,325 to the bottom line. All prices include shipping.

A Premium Trim package bundles leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats with manual lumbar and premium door panels for $795 on the 5-Door XR and $745 on the 3-Door XR.

A Sport Handling package, available only on the 5-Door XR, costs $695 and adds 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, stability control, lowered sport suspension and quick-ratio electrohydraulic power steering.

An Advanced Audio package on both XR models includes a six-disc CD/MP3 player, seven speakers and seven-band equalizer for $595.

Among the free-standing options are a dual-panel sunroof ($1,000), stability control ($495; standard on the 3-Door) and cloth heated front seats ($250).

Eighteen-inch wheels and tires are available only on the 3-Door.

[Dsuupr]

The price seems mor reasonable than I expected. They should sell out.

[pow]

Pricing appears competitive. It starts at $390 more than a Civic DX, although it does have a stereo as standard. The XR is $10 less than a Civic LX, and the XR Sport Handling is $780 less than a Mazda 3 Touring.

An XR 3-door is $1065 more than a Rabbit 3-door with 17" wheels and ESP, although an XR 5-door is $605 less than a Rabbit 5-door with 16" alloys.

Edited August 16, 2007 by empowah

[Satty]

$1325 for a 4-speed?

[regfootball]

$1325 for a 4-speed?

yeah its a lot, but its a way of manipulating the base price so they can advertise the cheap base manuals for a lower price.

[pow]

fwiw

Rabbit six-speed Tip: $1075

Civic five-speed auto: $800

3 five-speed auto: $950

[Dragon]

now just waitin on the price of the diesel option

[intrigued]

The options can raise the price fast. You can get the 3 door to a bit over 22 grand with all the listed options (no i didn't screw up and add the 5 door only options) and there could very well be more options not yet listed.

It's not terrible but I expected the redline to top out at this price.

[Northstar]

GM can afford to price these things a bit high. They're only importing ~30k/year and even less of the 3-door.

[Z-06]

GM can afford to price these things a bit high. They're only importing ~30k/year and even less of the 3-door.

And remember that the Euro is Bloated.

[toesuf94]

If it is as good as everything I have heard about it from friends in Europe, it will sell very well.

I would like to see the diesel option on it, but it is a handsome car for not a lot of money.

[G. David Felt]

Why is the 3 door more expensive than the 5 door?

[regfootball]

3 door astra 20+

3 door focus 07 model with closeout pricing -10-14k.

[CaddyXLR-V]

Why is the 3 door more expensive than the 5 door?

It's only ~$900 more. They look better, and there will be less of them sold here.

[Flybrian]

3 door astra 20+

3 door focus 07 model with closeout pricing -10-14k.

Really want a US spec Focus? Yeah, I see how those things last. Or rather, don't.

[regfootball]

Really want a US spec Focus? Yeah, I see how those things last. Or rather, don't.

my sister's 01/02 was fine in almost 100k miles.

the focus has been recommended for reliability/buy for many years now.

astra and focus is almost apples to apples. similar size config and hp. astra has a nicer interior and probably has a small advantage in ride and handling but we don't know for sure how great if any that advantage is yet.

if the real world price gap is 6-10 grand that is very diminishing returns. few choose small cars except for value reasons, then value rules much greater in weight than the minute differences in performance. there is a price threshold where buying a small car of just about any brand is not a good idea because you can upgrade to midsize and come out better.

fine, cuz i know you dislike ford, but c'mon, the astra's got a 4 speed auto and 1.8 litre motor without much power. not the stuff that puts the car in a class as a sleeper competitor with a volvo c30 or a3 or something like that.

Edited August 17, 2007 by regfootball

[Flybrian]

I don't dislike Ford; I'm just thoroughly unimpressed with the Focus. Its a European car that's lauded for its 'dynamics,' but a poor American compact. I know three Focus owners ('01, '05, '05) whose cars are just horrible. Granted, one of them drives about 200 miles a day five or six days a week on the interstate, but these cars just don't seem built to last. I would actually trust a J-body more because it may rattle, squeak, and not corner well, but it'll run longer.

I agree the 1.8's horsepower seems on the threshold of being acceptable for the 3-door, especially because its looks belie a bigger engine - my God, how yummy would a 2.0l DI Turbo'd Ecotec be? - but we'll see when the time comes. Astra hatch also has so many more features vis a vis the Focus, plus keep in mind the Focus hatch is DOA, replaced by a sad-looking Escort coupe.

This generation isn't the volume car; its the 'hey-look-at-me-I'm-an-entry-Saturn-worth-giving-a-damn-about' car. It'll sell every unit imported.

[Satty]

Agreed with Fly, there is a reason you can get a loaded Focus for $11k.

[turbo200]

3 door comes standard with the sport package. i believe that includes 18'' on the XR standard [3-door]. I definitely know I remember reading the press release the 3-door came standard with a sport package that is optional on the 5 door. Pricing looks attractive.

[CaddyXLR-V]

And the Astra is going to be imported in limited numbers. What good is selling them for $12,000, selling every one on the lots in 6 months, then having none for the remaining 6 months of the year? The one thing I'm waiting on is the mileage numbers for the 1.8L, that hasn't been released yet has it?

[regfootball]

i'm just saying the car won't be worth the extra money. despite whether its 'rare' or not.

for 20 grand, get an Aura FCS.

[pow]

3 door comes standard with the sport package. i believe that includes 18'' on the XR standard [3-door]. I definitely know I remember reading the press release the 3-door came standard with a sport package that is optional on the 5 door. Pricing looks attractive.

17s are standard on the 3-door, with 18s optional. Sport suspension and sportier steering are also standard.

[pow]

i'm just saying the car won't be worth the extra money. despite whether its 'rare' or not.

for 20 grand, get an Aura FCS.

It's not any more "extra" than a Civic or 3 or Rabbit or MINI...

[regfootball]

It's not any more "extra" than a Civic or 3 or Rabbit or MINI...

with only a weak 1.8 four pot under the hood.

please don't include the civic with that otherwise excellent bunch.

Edited August 18, 2007 by regfootball

[PurdueGuy]

with only a weak 1.8 four pot under the hood.

please don't include the civic with that otherwise excellent bunch.

You call the MINI excellent, yet it's as much as or more expensive than the Astra, and smaller... why? Because it's a PREMIUM compact. Why is it so hard to believe that the Astra is a premium compact, if slightly less so than the MINI?

If the shopper is looking for most car for the money in terms of interior or engine size, then yes, they should move up to a midsize for the price. There will be more than enough people who want the Astra for the driving dynamic, the semi-rarity, the hot looks, etc. Different shoppers have different values, and at the low numbers that they're importing the Astra, it's a pretty safe bet that enough shoppers will value it & buy, even pushing toward premium compact pricing.

[regfootball]

astra is not premium. its probably not as good as the mazda 3. and the mazda 3 is baseline acceptable mainstream compact. so if the astra cannot outperform the 3 and out value the 3 then its not worth the extra $$$$$. will the astra even outperform a rabbit? it simply depends how many options you get. if you keep the options sheet modest and the price closer to base, then the astra is not a big sin. it is just a delta. its not much more advanced than a cobalt. cobalt with a nice interior. don't buy the hype.

the mini is not really worth what they get for it either. the one thing the mini does have is iconic style the astra does not.

don't get me wrong, i like the astra. i hope they don't try to make this another 9-2x debacle.

when i can go get a mazdaspeed3 for 22 and change it pretty much destroys the value arguments for any other compact/subcompact. where i do see a favorable comparison for the astra is vs. the civic. the civic is dung and the astra is a much nicer package overall. corolla is not a real valid comparo since its just a commuter car.

Edited August 18, 2007 by regfootball

[A Horse With No Name]

I don't dislike Ford; I'm just thoroughly unimpressed with the Focus. Its a European car that's lauded for its 'dynamics,' but a poor American compact. I know three Focus owners ('01, '05, '05) whose cars are just horrible. Granted, one of them drives about 200 miles a day five or six days a week on the interstate, but these cars just don't seem built to last. I would actually trust a J-body more because it may rattle, squeak, and not corner well, but it'll run longer.

I agree the 1.8's horsepower seems on the threshold of being acceptable for the 3-door, especially because its looks belie a bigger engine - my God, how yummy would a 2.0l DI Turbo'd Ecotec be? - but we'll see when the time comes. Astra hatch also has so many more features vis a vis the Focus, plus keep in mind the Focus hatch is DOA, replaced by a sad-looking Escort coupe.

This generation isn't the volume car; its the 'hey-look-at-me-I'm-an-entry-Saturn-worth-giving-a-damn-about' car. It'll sell every unit imported.

The focus does have its share of problems, but the SVT of a few years ago was kind of a cool car.

The Astra is a nice car. I will look at one seriously next year when it is time to replace my wife's car. Hopefully your right and it is a sales success.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

It's not any more "extra" than a Civic or 3 or Rabbit or MINI...

Exactly. Which is where it needs to be priced for a premium small car. With a few grand down and good credit it is only about 300 per mo in payment.

Chris

[Newbiewar]

umm...

let me think about this...

i dont know the origin of the astra, but it looks very similar to the aveo... but i know its being imported from europe...

so i'm wondering if this is a GMDAT design manufactured in europe... if this is true... GM should be making a killing of they can sell this thing for 15,9...

thats the price of a loaded aveo...

[Satty]

Its based on an Opel, I believe is built in Germany. I doubt they're going to be making a killing. Still a pretty good price, all things considered.

[CaddyXLR-V]

It doesn't need a powerful engine. What about the people who want a nice car, but want 30+ mpg? I'd take the Astra over an Aura, or a Focus.

I already have my 400hp car if I want to go fast.

Edited August 19, 2007 by CaddyXLR-V

[pow]

I'd take the Astra over an Aura, or a Focus.

Agreed... the trend is quality over quantity now.

[regfootball]

trend? hahahahaha.

that's a not a trend. i don't see people buying premium compacts in droves.

example? why does a new volvo 40 have to be advertised in the paper (like i saw yesterday)

list 26995, buy for 20995?

around here.....as far as sedans and cars in general go, the midsizers rule. no one buys coupes, small cars are not big sellers here anyways. maybe its different in other parts of the country.

i would buy a base mustang before a 20k compact.

as people adjust to 3+ dollar gas, they will adjust their expectation on how much to spend on gas and the cycle will repeat itself. fashion conscious shallow folks will buy the small compacts because that's the only way they can still afford a 'name brand' right now. one cycle of that, and you will have folks saying, damn i wish i had a bigger car.

one example....a work buddy's wife insisted they get a new car when they got pregnant for the first time. So they did get a volvo 40 wagon and it was a 30k transaction. Then, they found out she was pregnant with TWINS. Now they have to take his ten year old pathfinder when they go anywhere where they need lots of space to tote the two kids and lots of cargo. He is kicking himself for letting her talk him into the Volvo and he realizes the garden variety minivan would have been a much better solution for them. She was stuck on needing a euro brand though and they couldn't afford the XC90's of the world. She is too much of a princess to settle for a grand caravan.

the only folks i know that gravitate towards small cars are young singles and urbanites and liberals, cuz they are the only ones crazy enough to blow 30-40k on function compromised compacts, or they have a small parking stall behind their small cramped condo. and that's a not big group even though they like to think they are vocal. for every smug leftie that buys a fit or yaris there is still more confident gun toting suburbanites who drives a suburban loaded with 6 kids and battle gear to hockey games.

midsizers still represent the best value solution out there for dignified transportation. spending more than 20k for a mainstream compact is nothing more than a fashion statement.

Edited August 19, 2007 by regfootball

[CaddyXLR-V]

I could see the Astra being used as a commuter car for people who still want something nice, or college students that don't want to be seen in a cheap car(Cobalt, Focus, Aveo, Corolla, Kias and Hyundais), and girls don't care what engine is under the hood. The Astra might even steal some sales from the Mustang.

[CaddyXLR-V]

midsizers still represent the best value solution out there for dignified transportation. spending more than 20k for a mainstream compact is nothing more than a fashion statement.

GM would be smart to cash in on that fashion statement.

Personally, I don't need a big car. I would rather have a nicer compact, than a not as nice midsize.

People are spending as much on Golfs, and Civics as GM's midsizers cost. GM needs to offer cars to lure those buyers in. Especially if that's the direction Saturn is supposed to be going. If you want a cheap economy car, that's what Chevy is for, get a Cobalt.

[Satty]

How is a V40 not big enough for twins? Even if I double the amount of stuff I have in the car when I take Alex somewhere there is plenty of room left over. Then again, I dont insist on taking my son's entire bedroom to go to St. Louis for a couple of days. Oh, and the V50 (didn't feel like looking up the 40) is almost the same length as a 97 Pathfinder, and is wider than a 97 Pathfinder, its very likely that there is more useable space in the Volvo. Some people just need to be smart enough to know what to take and how to pack it.

[regfootball]

PACK N PLAY FOR TWO + STROLLERS + XMAS PRESENTS + LUGGAGE FOR FOUR + TOYS + CAMCORDER BAG + ETC...........

WE'VE HAD TIMES IN THE PAST WHEN THE AZTEK HAS BEEN JAMMED FULL AND I'D WISHED WE GOTTEN THE FULL ON MINIVAN.

I REALIZE FOR SINGLES AND DINK COUPLES THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM, BUT IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW SOMETIMES YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO PUT STUFF IN YOUR CAR AND QUITE HONESTLY MANY COMPACTS ARE PRETTY USELESS FUNCTIONALLY. TWO LOVERS AND A WEEKEND TRIP WITH LUGGAGE AND COOLER AND CAMP CHAIRS AND RIFLES AND YOUR ARE GETTING CREATIVE TO FIND PLACES FOR STUFF.

EVEN AN ASTRA 5 DR WITH THE REAR SEAT FOLDED IS GONNA BE TAXED.

I CAN AT LEAST GET A BICYCLE INSIDE MY 500 I THINK WITHOUT TAKING OFF A WHEEL. NEVER TRIED BUT I'M PRETTY SURE I COULD. VERY FEW COMPACTS COULD YOU DO THAT. I THINK A MIDSIZER LIKE FUSION YOU PROB COULD. IT'S ANNOYING TO USE A BIKE RACK.

Edited August 19, 2007 by regfootball

[Flybrian]

TWO LOVERS AND A WEEKEND TRIP WITH LUGGAGE AND COOLER AND CAMP CHAIRS AND RIFLES AND YOUR ARE GETTING CREATIVE TO FIND PLACES FOR STUFF.

Sounds like someone's going to involuntarily donate an organ...

[ocnblu]

Depends on how much beer is in that cooler...

[Oracle of Delphi]

TWO LOVERS AND A WEEKEND TRIP WITH LUGGAGE AND COOLER AND CAMP CHAIRS AND RIFLES AND YOUR ARE GETTING CREATIVE TO FIND PLACES FOR STUFF.

You know it's not even two legged deer season! Put your gun back in your pants!

[Fletch Radford]

But still, only a FOUR speed automatic, come on GM step up, everyone else is eating your lunch.

Edited August 19, 2007 by Fletch Radford

[daves87rs]

Sounds like someone's going to involuntarily donate an organ...

That's exactly what I was thinking.....

[daves87rs]

But still, only a FOUR speed automatic, come on GM step up, everyone else is eating your lunch.

Since this current gen of Astra is almost done-it really doesn't matter...

[daves87rs]

I don't dislike Ford; I'm just thoroughly unimpressed with the Focus. Its a European car that's lauded for its 'dynamics,' but a poor American compact. I know three Focus owners ('01, '05, '05) whose cars are just horrible. Granted, one of them drives about 200 miles a day five or six days a week on the interstate, but these cars just don't seem built to last. I would actually trust a J-body more because it may rattle, squeak, and not corner well, but it'll run longer.

I agree the 1.8's horsepower seems on the threshold of being acceptable for the 3-door, especially because its looks belie a bigger engine - my God, how yummy would a 2.0l DI Turbo'd Ecotec be? - but we'll see when the time comes. Astra hatch also has so many more features vis a vis the Focus, plus keep in mind the Focus hatch is DOA, replaced by a sad-looking Escort coupe.

This generation isn't the volume car; its the 'hey-look-at-me-I'm-an-entry-Saturn-worth-giving-a-damn-about' car. It'll sell every unit imported.

Yep, the engine tends to be the saving grace of the J-body....

I've noticed a decent number already of early 00s Focus in the 'yard-most with engines toasted.

While it's not a bad car-it won't hold up as well as a Civic or J-body....

[Cory Wolfe]

Astra, et. all > Focus.

[Guest YellowJacket894]

Looks like I can't afford one. It maxes out at two-grand more than my limit on another car if I do end up buying one new.

Used high-mileage Cobalt SS where art thou?

[sciguy_0504]

Pricing looks very attractive. These should fly off lots.

[91z4me]

But still, only a FOUR speed automatic, come on GM step up, everyone else is eating your lunch.

I believe if you will check that the ONLY compact sedan/wagon w/ a 5 speed auto is the Civic. Which means everyone else is using FOUR speed automatics. Which means GM is w/ the game but not ahead of it.

So instead of complaining b/c GM is using its universally praised for smoothness 4 speed auto be thankful they are using it over the 5 speed parallel shift auto it used in the early IONs, which was way ahead of the game.

Edited August 20, 2007 by 91z4me

[RJB]

I believe if you will check that the ONLY compact sedan/wagon w/ a 5 speed auto is the Civic. Which means everyone else is using FOUR speed automatics. Which means GM is w/ the game but not ahead of it.

So instead of complaining b/c GM is using its universally praised for smoothness 4 speed auto be thankful they are using it over the 5 speed parallel shift auto it used in the early IONs, which was way ahead of the game.

The Malibu is eventually getting a 6-speed trans with a 4 cylinder. Why not all the other GM compact cars, this would be a HUGE boost sales wise, mileage wise, and bragging rights wise...so wise up GM!!

[91z4me]

The Malibu is eventually getting a 6-speed trans with a 4 cylinder. Why not all the other GM compact cars, this would be a HUGE boost sales wise, mileage wise, and bragging rights wise...so wise up GM!!

I believe if you examine the plans for the 6 speed autos you will see that the Cobalt et al will get the 6 speed eventually. It is just a matter of time, money, and priority. The large sized Malibu needs a 6 speed auto moreso than the smaller Cobalt in order to achieve the same fuel economy. Also consider that the midsized cars are a much more competitive segment, and much larger in terms of profits than the smaller compact cars.