- 119,760
- 222 below average
- 4,995 fair
- Plainville, CT
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- autoshopper.com
- 222 below average 119,760 gasoline black manual
2008 saturn astra review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. New saturn is gm's best small car. introductionthe saturn astra is an all-new car. At least it's new to the american automotive landscape: astra has been offered for years in europe under the opel flag, where it's been giving the vw golf a run for top-seller bragging rights. The new astra is so much better in every respect than the saturn model it replaces that we've forgotten the earlier compact's name. the astra comes in two body styles, both hatchbacks designed for practicality and built on the same chassis. There's a three-door version that is lower in overall height than the five-door version, but otherwise they share the same outside dimensions. This package was developed on european roadways where performance is measured more by balance at speed than how fast it accelerates away from an intersection. Pricing fits that aspect too, running from under $16,000 to about $21,000 for a fully loaded model. it's also a good do-it-all kind of car: cart around a batch of kids, shuttle around town or cover big commuting miles, fill with a lot of school debris, or make a good basis for a pocket rocket like the gti, civic si, or mazdaspeed3. Air conditioning is not standard. Xe options include air conditioning 960), automatic 1,325), alloy wheels 350), stability control 495), two-panel sunroof 1,000) and heated front seats 250). the xr five-door 16,925) adds air conditioning, seven-speaker mp3 stereo with steering-wheel controls, alloy wheels and fog lamps. Except the ac and wheels, single options are the same as xe. Sport seats and upgraded instruments join the other features in the xr five-door sport handling group. Options include the automatic 1,325), 18-inch alloy wheels and performance tires 495), and heated front seats. Package groups are the premium trim 745) and advanced audio from the five-door.\ safety features standard on all astras include frontal, front side-impact, and side curtain airbags, one year of onstar safe & sound with accident notification, active front headrests, abs, traction control, and tire pressure monitors. Electronic stability control is standard on the three-door and optional on five-doors; we recommend opting for it because it can reduce skidding. White parking light bulbs belie the european heritage, as do simple yet stylish side signal repeaters that appear chrome jewelry until switched on when a signal can be seen anywhere on the side of the car, not just ahead of more vulnerable mirror-mounted devices. the lack of visual clutter and cladding should be welcome by all from the rust belt to the southern border; excess chrome is reserved mainly for badges and the horizontal trim front and rear. rear panel styling echoes the front with a recessed panel in the hatch split by trim and the license plate in another recess in the bumper; since they're all hatchbacks, all astras have rear wipers for better wet weather visibility. on the three-door, the window line arcs downward from about two-thirds through the front door; the earlier ford focus hatchback will come to mind as similar. The five-door has a similar look to the ends, although the rear is more upright to make full use of the footprint. The rear-door opening angles up and rearward from the wheel and, instead of reversing direction at the glass line, it keeps going up and aft to the top of the glass. Since the door opening matches the seated position of rear seat riders, this pays big dividends in getting into and out of, and seeing out of, the rear seat. perhaps not as stylish or unique as the saturn sky roadster, the saturn astra is still distinctive and has visual appeal. A lighter headliner and lots of glass keep the cabin fairly light and airy for the primarily dark color scheme. American drivers might have to make two minor adaptations, one using the icon bc, which stands for on-board computer for trip data, the other being electronic controls of wipers and signals that always have the stalk at its default or standard resting position. The back seat is better used for two adults or three children. The five-door will accommodate six-footers front and rear simultaneously. Reading lights and outboard cupholders for back-seat riders com. Cruise Control✔ Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ CD Player✔ MP3 Player✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Air Conditioning✔ Alloy Wheels
4,995 Plainville, CTPlainville, CT at autoshopper.com