Something little I noticed about the '09 Astra

[saturnd00d]

So I was at my local dealership getting my oil life monitor recall taken care of, and I decided to check out the showroom, chat up the salespeople and such.

Checked out the interior of an '09 Astra 5 door, and although a minor change, they changed the interior plastic from silver to graphite grey. I thought it made the interior look more upscale. Not to say I don't like the silver in the 08's, however the graphite look is more understated and the dash doesn't have that plasticky look to it anymore.

In fact, they changed it to the same color as found on the center stack of my vue. Still no Aux jack though, which was disappointing.

[gm4life]

I hate to say it but I could care less. Saturn is gone.

Edited March 30, 2009 by gm4life

[Intrepidation]

I hate to say it but I could care less. Saturn is gone.

With Pontiac not far behind.

[Satty]

And no '09 Astras in the States, just leftover '08s.

[PurdueGuy]

And no '09 Astras in the States, just leftover '08s.

I was gonna say... what '09 Astras? lol

[saturnd00d]

And no '09 Astras in the States, just leftover '08s.

I am not in the States

[daves87rs]

Pics?

[GMTruckGuy74]

Does anyone know what's going on with the Astra in the States? I'd like to consider an Astra XR 5-door, but I'm not thrilled about buying a "2008" model this far into 2009!!

[PurdueGuy]

Does anyone know what's going on with the Astra in the States? I'd like to consider an Astra XR 5-door, but I'm not thrilled about buying a "2008" model this far into 2009!!

They cancelled the 2009 model for the US, because there were so many 2008's on the lots still. They do plan to have a '10 model, which of course will be out partway through '09, cuz model years are silly like that.

[G. David Felt]

GM is probably saving money by not shipping in the 09 versions.

[saturnd00d]

ok I'm dumb, I found out that the base XE models have the graphit gray look on the center stack, whereas the XR versions have the silver.

Here's a pic of the XE model

[GMTruckGuy74]

Any idea of the changes being made for 2010, and when they will go on sale???

[saturnd00d]

I doubt we'll see the '10 Astra under any brand here in NA.

GM was dumb with the Astra in the first place. They wanted to save millions by importing it here from Europe, and due to that lack of vision, they ended up losing money on each one sold because of the high cost of importing. At the same time, they weren't able to lower MSRP on them due to the relatively high cost of importing either, so similarly equipped cars in the segment were beating it out on price alone, and incentives to boot.

I have a feeling it would have done ten-fold better if they offered powertrain choices and a sedan variant, and if it were built in NA. North Americans (more US than Canada though) do not prefer hatchbacks so a sedan might have drawn in more people. I suspect GM didn't bring over the sedan because it would have jeopardized cobalt sales. Maybe it was GM's attempt at not overlapping product.

[Intrepidation]

I agree. The Astra could have been a real success had GM not half assed it like so many other products/launches.

[gm4life]

With Pontiac not far behind.

I hope not.

[regfootball]

the silver is nicer than the graphite gray. the lower XE versions for 08 had the graphite gray.

in europe you can get piano black and colored trim and even wood i think

010 saturn astra was supposed to have tan seat option.

[saturnd00d]

I hope not.

It's becoming more and more a reality, get used to it