Saturn/Opel Astra

[FZ1inNH]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

Almost the same amount of space, but averages $2k - $4k cheaper, better resale value and much better MPG is the new Toyota Yaris 5-Door...

 

[FZ1inNH]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

BTW, the wife owns the 3-Door Std Yaris. It's like a flippin' go-kart! A lot of fun to drive. We drove from Dover, NH to Bristol, CT, drove around for the weekend, then back to Dover, NH and still had 1/8th tank of gas left!!! :rockon:

 

[madmanmaigret]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

I forgot about the new Yaris......... might want to give those a look also.

 

[LERecords]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

inst the yaris the same car in that tv show psyc on usa... seems like a cool ride...

 

[reiobard]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

the Yaris might be worth a look.

The main attraction of the Saturn though is the stupid financing plans that they have now. 0% for 72 months and $0 down... AND $4-$5000 off of MSRP... so, we would have to wait until the others got desperate enough to go the same route, which isn't a big deal, but in true American fashion, we want new and shiny and we want it NOW!!! seriously though, we will go with used if we can;t get the financing options that they are offering.

 

[LERecords]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

cant really argue with those facts.. but do you have any concern about if saturn is no longer a gm brand or if they go out compleatly???

 

[reiobard]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

cant really argue with those facts.. but do you have any concern about if saturn is no longer a gm brand or if they go out compleatly???

Nope, and GM dealership will take care of the warranty for Saturn (If they decide to close) and if GM itself goes under the govt. has already vowed to cover the warranties. Besides i can apparently get parts from Belgium if i need them.

 

[LERecords]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

true... but hey.. if its new, you probably wont need anything for it for at least 2-3 years, hopefully longer..

and really who cares what kinda of car you get.. as long as you still got the bike right

 

[FZ1inNH]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

the Yaris might be worth a look.

The main attraction of the Saturn though is the stupid financing plans that they have now. 0% for 72 months and $0 down... AND $4-$5000 off of MSRP... so, we would have to wait until the others got desperate enough to go the same route, which isn't a big deal, but in true American fashion, we want new and shiny and we want it NOW!!! seriously though, we will go with used if we can;t get the financing options that they are offering.

Try all three and pit them against one another. Let each dealer know they are competing with each other. You'd be surprised what concessions they will make to get you in the door as a customer.

I never feel guilty doing this because it's MY hard earned cash they are toying with, thus I want the absolute BEST deal I can get.

 

[krid80]

a really good friend of mine has a new Astra. VERY VERY NICE CAR! I would highly recommend the Saturn

 

[LERecords]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

Try all three and pit them against one another. Let each dealer know they are competing with each other. You'd be surprised what concessions they will make to get you in the door as a customer.

I never feel guilty doing this because it's MY hard earned cash they are toying with, thus I want the absolute BEST deal I can get.

you know.. i would normally never say to use this idea, but really, why not.. there is no more loyalty from most dealers, so why be loyal to them.. and besides, your right, you can get them to give you a much better deal.. and when they snub their nose and say "well then im not working with you" you can turn around and say "YOUR LOSS!!!' .. good call fz6innh :thumbup:

 

[reiobard]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

Try all three and pit them against one another. Let each dealer know they are competing with each other. You'd be surprised what concessions they will make to get you in the door as a customer.

I never feel guilty doing this because it's MY hard earned cash they are toying with, thus I want the absolute BEST deal I can get.

good plan, i agree that i should just tell them what i am looking for and if they can't give it to me then i just go somewhere else. there are so many similarities that they can't really think that one car is worth a bad deal just to get...

 

[FZ1inNH]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

you know.. i would normally never say to use this idea, but really, why not.. there is no more loyalty from most dealers, so why be loyal to them.. and besides, your right, you can get them to give you a much better deal.. and when they snub their nose and say "well then im not working with you" you can turn around and say "YOUR LOSS!!!' .. good call fz6innh :thumbup:

I did this with the '08 FZ6 and was brutally honest with them all. Freedom Cycle won the bidding war in the end. What it netted them was several returns to the shop for parts and accessories, then a repeat performance with the V Star for the wife where I didn't even have to shop around. I checked other dealers but never had them compete and Freedom came back with an offer we just couldn't refuse!

So, in the end, they've landed a long-time customer but I'll still drive a bidding war in the future if I think I can squeeze them on the price.

I've bought my last 7 Toyota vehicles from the same dealer/saleman. He already knows he's got no option to do anything more than come at me with the rock bottom price. Because he keeps doing so, they keep a customer, but I'll have no problem going to another dealer if I feel my money isn't being spent wisely. :rockon:

 

[wolfc70]

Re: Saturn/Opal Astra

The main attraction of the Saturn though is the stupid financing plans that they have now. 0% for 72 months and $0 down... AND $4-$5000 off of MSRP... so, we would have to wait until the others got desperate enough to go the same route, which isn't a big deal, but in true American fashion, we want new and shiny and we want it NOW!!! seriously though, we will go with used if we can;t get the financing options that they are offering.

A co-worker did just that. She bought a 2009 Astra XE for $11,799 after rebates. She took the 72 months at 0%, so after all the fees and taxes she is paying $173 per month for a new car. She just did the deal on Saturday, it is grey and has the steel wheels, but it looks stealthy in the lighter color. Hard to ignore a new car for $12k. And the Astra is a much nicer car than the typical $12k econoboxes like the Chevy Aveo or the Kia Rio.

The Mazda 3 is a great car, but it can get pricey if you go option crazy. The 2.0l version is kind of a dog, even with the manual, just not enough torque. The 2.3l moved out very nicely, though the manual shifter is rubbery and vague, and when hooked up to the auto box, it seems to be rather thirsty in city driving.

Happy car shopping!!!

 

[reiobard]

very good write up /\
|

 

[keira]

I test-drove a Honda Fit today and was very impressed with that one as well. Unfortunately I don't think it is financially feasible, even though it is the same MSRP as the Saturn would be out the door, there is no $0 down, 0% option on the Honda.

I also am not afraid to tell dealers that I am checking out other cars. It's only fair to them, and frankly I'm not a fan of being dishonest with people, and I feel that honesty with others promotes honesty with me. It also helps that I used to sell cars, and know a lot of the "tricks."

 

[08fz6]

One very important thing you should also check out is the crash test rating!!!!!!

 

[OZXJR]

Very popular car over here,never heard a bad report on them.Sold by Holden,here is a link to the Oz versions.

http://www.holden.com.au/vehicles/Astra

 

[wolfc70]

One very important thing you should also check out is the crash test rating!!!!!!

IIRC the Astra has a good rating from IIHS in the frontal offset crash, and a marginal rating for side impact, an area where most small, narrow cars suffer. The larger cars like the Mazda 3 score better in the side impact tests. Oh and remember, on cars with side curtain airbags to place the car seat in the middle, at all times! The curtain airbags can hit the side of the car seat during a crash.

 

[bluenova]

Oh and remember, on cars with side curtain airbags to place the car seat in the middle, at all times! The curtain airbags can hit the side of the car seat during a crash.

Sorry that isn't true. The side air bags are designed to work with baby seats, you should not put it in the front seat if there is not a way to turn off the front passenger air bag, which in the Opel Astra there is not. You should always try to use the rear side seats because those seats have the ISOFIX security hooks to secure the baby seat firmly to the car which the middle seat does not.