MyerShift

Yeah, I have seen this happening on a lot of 9-3's as well.

I love cars from the 1980's (especially Chrysler's products, and of course, the Buick Skyhawk) and don't believe FWD is evil. I guess those would be my guilty pleasures.

Really Great, but it needs to have a bit more pizazz without coming close to looking like that new GXP appearance package for the G6, or whatever it is. That is ugly and garish. The Commodore itself is very handsome, but bland. The G8's modifications help make it much better, but I really believe that it's the profile that doesn't do it for me, otherwise, I love it. So, it was that tiny little "but" that led me to not vote top marks for the G8. I also wish that it was called Grand Prix, or Bonneville, but who knows why GM (or Ford, for that matter) does the things they do regarding names and some of the worse styling executions (like the Aztek or Taurus in the mid-`90's). This car ought to be a winner in every way. What would I change? 1.) Profile styling 2.) Lose the dumb-ass hood vents (it's not a screaming performance coupe) 3.) Give the V6 a stickshift 4.) THE NAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. That's craziness! Bet it would be entertaining one way or the other, and just think of the surprises people would get to be stompped by a GA! So, basically, if I had the money and ambition, I could get the PT Cruiser's 2.4L Intercooled Turbo and 4-speed auto installed into my Breeze too! Lol.

But, the GM'ers don't look very good.

Lol! You make me laugh 68. Talking about these complicated cars like the Golf TSi and the Toyota Prius, and then list off "basic" Mopars, then basic and plain Hyundais and Kias. They aren't complicated at all! Just not well thought out- that's why they stop working. Hehe, just seemed like a diamonds agains graphite sort of comparison. Sure, both have basic similarities, but couldn't be more different in perception and overall assembly. But, I do understand what you are saying, the manner in which it was said made me chuckle.

Baah. The Edge should have placed higher than the ancient Highlander. But, I have to be honest with you all. I hate these vehicles, period. Either give me a real wagon, a minivan, a car, or a trucky (real) SUV. Not some lame all things to all people that can't really do anything one thing well as another one of these vechicle types could. They are multitaskers, and multitasking never gets anything done as well as doing one thing at a time in a dedicated manner.

Kerkorian

Oh, undoubtedly. But everyone has different preferences and automakers have cost constraints to deal with.

Why isn't the Astra on Saturn's website yet?

Well, Chrysler had several states of tune for the 2.2L engine (I'll go fuel injected and on): 2.2L TBI SOHC 8V I-4 (90-99hp; it varied through the years) 2.2L MPI SOHC 8V I-4 TURBO I (142-146 hp) 2.2L MPI SOHC 8V I-4 Intercooled TURBO II (174hp) 2.2L MPI SOHC 8V I-4 Variable Nozzle Turbo (VNT) Intercooled TURBO IV (174hp, but quicker spooling than TURBO II. Featured moveable stainless steel vanes instead of a wastegate to regulate exhaust gasses. Dropped due to issues cited with variable nozzle technology, rare) 2.2L MPI DOHC 16V I-4 Intercooled TURBO III (225hp. Features Lotus designed heads and balance shafts. From what I gather, the Shadows never had the TURBO III engine, but did feature all other versions. The TURBO III was relegated to the Spirit R/T and Daytona IROC R/T with manual transmissions.

Looks alone should be enough to sway you to an Astra over the stodgy old Golf. Hehe. You know, I got to thinking, why didn't GM just replace the L-Series with the actual Vectra instead of re-inventing the wheel? They imported the Astra initially, so why not the Vectra too? Gotta get to market sooner, or what?

Oh, I just meant "going corporate" as being too much like any other GM brand. Saab needs to be as unique as possible, rather like Cadillac. I do admit that GM's latest introductions are stunning compared to their immediate predecessors, and I just can't wait till GM gives SAAB it's full chance.

Indeed! Isn't supposed to have 300 horsepower, and be capable of at least 155 mph with no lift issues? If I could have any older Chrysler turbo car, I would like the Dodge Daytona IROC R/T that has the same drivetrain as the Spirit R/T, but in a much sexier shape. But, I guess I had better have a beater for a spare car should the occasional head gasket (or, more likely) or timing belt bust loose. Make mine emerald green please with Infinity Sound.

Hehe. Say what you will of the method behind my madness, but I don't care about sports in the least, but I was for the Colts because Jenn (one of my closest) lives in Indy now and was all for them winning.

It does look pretty great, too bad the interior is going corporate. Hopefully after GM revolutionizes and renews the rest of the American affiliates, they will turn their attention to SAAB.

Ick. Chrysler used to have better interiors than GM or even Ford in the mid to late `90's, and I wish I could figure out what is going on with Chrysler. It's like they're stepping back to before the 1980's, because most of their cars (even the basic K's) had or eventually had a soft-touch dash. I agree that GM and Ford have moved far beyond Chrysler when it comes to mainstream products. The LX cars are competetive, but the Pacifica is the best. If all Chrysler interiors were as well assembled and used as high-quality materials as the Pacifica, no one would be complaining. It's world class.

You know, I guess that I would have to disagree with all of you that said it is a "direct translation" because, let's face it, even though it LOOKS like it, we still don't have the Caravan, TwinTop, or new sedan, along with missing out on many engine and transmission combimations. Where is the turbo? Where is the diesel (I know, too dirty... but still!)? What about the panoramic glass roof *I'm honestly not sure about either of these* or the xenon lamps? My personal choice would be the GTC style (3-door) with the 150 bhp variant of the 1.9L CDTi, 6-speed manual, xenon lamps, and black leather interior, and Digital Green exterior, but I don't think they offer the Digital Green on any model except the TwinTop now.

Please. 15* is nothing to complain about. We are hovering between -4* and like 5* here.

Weird that it doesn't get the same trim levels of the other new Saturns- XE and XR, even if they do correspond.

Wow! I am so happy the interior was not North Americanized.

Only the 1.8L?! I am soo glad to have the Astra, but a wider (and better) selection of powertrains needs to be available. I'll be the happiest when this is available with diesels and the 2.0L Turbo.

The interior of the NA Civic is the reason that I really wouldn't consider one. I absolutely love the cab-forward design of the coupe. Chrysler prematurely abandoned this styling theme in my opinion. What's shocking to me is that even though this Type-R's interior is a disaster (mainly from colouration), I just find it hard to believe that the overall interior styling (though obviously related) somehow seems more cohesive than the North American Civic. However, there still seem to be too many random, jutting, and (based on perception) ill-fitting pieces because of their various sizes. It's like the person styling it said, let's add another line there, make this random circle a button, ooh, let's place a new arc over here, and then, let's make sure to assemble it from ten million different pieces of plastic that are sure to rattle or squeak somehow in the future. Yuck.

Hey! One of those is as big as the engine in my car!

Well, the previous car (wasn't it sold in the U.S. as the Verona?) wasn't available with the manual transmission, so if this new version were to be, then that's what I was getting at. Seems like the NA U.S. market would typically only offer an automatic.