Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Euro, Hatchbacks, GM, Saturn
Saturn Astra pricing hits the net
The Saturn Astra may be the most exciting all-new small car to hit US shores in some time. The Opel version of the Astra is one of the most popular compacts in Europe, which is saying something when you consider all the great small cars available overseas. While Europeans are OK with paying a premium for smaller vehicles, we in the US tend to equate value with size or performance, so price point is key.
To see if the Astra is priced right for you, go no further than the Saturn website, where a mini-brochure awaits your perusal. While priced higher than entry vehicles from Honda, Toyota, and Ford, the Astra will focus on refinement and features instead of volume. The base XE five-door will sell for $15,995, the upscale XR five-door retails for $17,545, and the option-rich three-door stickers at $18,495. Options include 18' rims (three door only), stability control, and a dual panel sunroof. The entry price is still a little higher than the competition, but with gas prices affecting buyer's decisions, now is as good a time as any for the General to unleash the Astra on the buying public. From everything we've heard, the Astra should be far superior to any small car GM has ever produced for US consumption, and that's a good thing.
[Source: Saturn]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Calebe 10:18AM (8/23/2007)
That's not bad really, I was afraid it was going to start in the Jetta price range.
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DriftPunch 10:19AM (8/23/2007)
I'm going to take a serious look...
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Don 5:00PM (8/23/2007)
Me too. Especially seeing as the General is leaving everything intact...just swapping badges.
I've heard the interior rivals that of the Rabbit and tops it!
Bevill 10:19AM (8/23/2007)
This is a clear competitor to the Mazda3 if you only judge on the exterior. When you factor in everything else there's no chance this can compete. There's no alternate engine and it's slightly less powerful than the base 3i engine. Don't even get me started on that interior.
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Mr. Oak 10:41AM (8/23/2007)
That is, if you don't factor in people who once owned Mazdas. I would never buy another one and I know that I am not alone.
This may well be my daughter's car when she leaves for college next year.
Don 5:02PM (8/23/2007)
If we manage to snag that great Euro-spec 1.6L turbo Ecotec...that would be nice.
Don 5:03PM (8/23/2007)
And Bevill...the interior is supposed to be made up of first rate materials.
PiCASSO 10:03AM (8/26/2007)
I've had a Mazda3 for nearly 3-years... Hatchback version with the 2.3L engine. Nothing but problems, and the 2.3L averaged around 10.3L/100km (or 23MPG) with 50-city and 50-hwy driving. It will be a while before I purchased another Mazda product. It was my first, and most likely my last Mazda.
BLS 10:23AM (8/23/2007)
Question? Would you cross shop this against the Volvo C30.
I might.
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Calebe 10:39AM (8/23/2007)
I doubt i would take this over the C30. There are a lot of ways to build out a C30. Check out the interior options etc...The only way i would pick the Astra is if money was an issue. Also, they were have to be a more powerful engine option. Just my opinion.When I built the C30 like i wanted it at the Volvo site. Fun times! $$$$ chachang. About 34K.
Bevill 10:39AM (8/23/2007)
Hell no. The C30 starts around $24k and it's main competitors would be the WRX and Mazdaspeed3. All three have similar pricing and have 225+HP.
djSyndrome 10:26AM (8/23/2007)
I'm sorry, *how* much for the four-speed automatic? $1325? What a joke.
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Dave 10:27AM (8/23/2007)
So $17,320 is the base price for an automatic. It's a Saturn so it's not negotiable. It doesn't come with A/C, so add another $960. That's 18,280, which is way too expensive for this class and that's just the base model with A/C.
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AlexP 10:31AM (8/23/2007)
This is why you get the XR?
Dave 10:34AM (8/23/2007)
The XR is almost $19,000 and all it adds is A/C and 16" wheels?
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Vega 10:34AM (8/23/2007)
If you want to do GM a favour, don't buy one. They are produced in Europe, so considering shipping costs and the current Euro/Dollar rate, my bet is GM is losing money on every Astra sold in the US.
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Dave 10:35AM (8/23/2007)
(not the same Dave as above)
Pricing it above the Corolla and Focus is reasonable - they are outdated, relatively weak offerings.
Pricing the Astra higher than a Civic is gonna be interesting. Makes me wonder how many they plan to sell.
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Mr. Fletcher Esq. 11:03AM (8/23/2007)
I read GM is planning to sell only 30 to 40 thousand Astras here in the US. In comparison the current, much unloved Ion sells around 100,000 units still.
I believe GM's plan is to have this as a stopgap offering to show Saturn is serious about improving their image. Meanwhile GM is planning to release their Delta II small cars all at the same time worldwide for 2010 (or MY2010).
This current Astra is a short timer here, but will likely be available in hatch, sedan, and possibly wagon configurations as the next generation.
geo.stewart 11:43AM (8/23/2007)
with one engine and one interior level, its really one model not two.
and it is priced way too high. loaded out at 19 or so.
compared to a Civic Si at 19-20 base...
140hp vs 200hp
hmmm.
CH 6:23PM (8/23/2007)
Geo.stewart, the Civic Si starts at $21,290.
The Civic DX manual starts at $15,604 versus $15,995 for the base Astra. Both prices include destination.
"Standard features on all Astras include:
- 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and traction control
- Six standard air bags, including dual-stage frontal air bags; roof rail head curtain air bags and seat-mounted thorax/pelvic air bags (for front-seat passengers)
- Active head restraints
- Pedal Release System
- OnStar with one year of Safe & Sound service
- Standard tire pressure monitoring
- Rain sensing wiper system
- Remote keyless entry
- Cruise control
- Express-down power windows
- Driver Information Center
- Steering wheel controls
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."
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=34&docid=38734
Many of the Astra's standard features are not available on the Civic DX. You have to move up to the LX ($17,555 base) or the EX with a base price of $19,305.
Bottom line: The Astra is actually less expensive than the the Civic.