MyerShift

But... Ford wasn't going to have the Fiesta stateside, but they did it.

Hmm. I suppose PSA wouldn't be a bad option at all for Saturn to be purchased, but if they were spun-off independently, then what? Get more Opels? They couldn't though I suppose due to Buick and Opel being aligned. Aye, such massive headaches.

I myself feel that the Aura and New Malibu are closer to being the same car with different styling than the Saab 9-3/previous Vectra are to their North American stablemates. It's as though GM started with the Vectra (which looked dumpy and dowdy until the facelift); Continued with the Saab 9-3 (very distinct and unique against the other Epsilons); Then the North American market saw the previous Malibu (which looked dumpy, awkward, and cheap to my eyes); Then improvement came with the Pontiac G6 but the interior and powertrain still seemed to be lacking; Vectra got a facelift and eventually we saw the Saturn Aura but it was a further continuation and refinement of the Epsilon chassis in North America and is rather like a G6 attempting to speak German but couldn't. Finally, so far, the best looking and highest quality Epsilons have just now come to market with the new Chevrolet Malibu and Vauxhall/Opel/Buick Insignia/Regal. It's been at least seven years to see these improvements which I feel was far too long. However, I have nothing but commendation for GM's distinction among the Epsilon cars. Sure, I consider the Malibu and Aura the "sisters" but if one were to park all of the Epsilon cars next to each other, I guarantee that it's basically impossible to distinguish that these cars share basic architecture. Back to Saturn sinking after going "Euro" it's because it was exceptionally limited and half-assed as we seem to like saying around here versus the effort and marketing that should have gone into it. If the facelifted Vectra in sedan, wagon, and hatch forms; God knows even the Signum (Vectum? hehe) had been imported to the U.S. and kept the name Vectra, it probably would have done no worse than the Aura from a sales performance aspect but been better to drive being the genuine German product AND had the traditional Saturn wagon. Take an Astra versus a Cobalt. There is an out of this world difference between the two despite sharing very, very basic chassis componentry. Then, even with limited sales, it could have helped to boost Opel by winding down production of the Vectra and sending them to the U.S. while the Insignia was being tooled up. Whether or not the Vectra took could have been determined by marketing and outlets of sale but GM could have figured out Saturn wouldn't have worked a lot sooner. Considering though that most denizens of North America have bitched about the Astra's control layout, I'm sure the Vectra would have fared no better for that. Powertrains though surely would have been another headache what with many small petrol and diesel four cylinders, manual transmissions, and the 2.8L V6 being the same as in the Saab 9-3 AERO of slightly later vintage. Plus, we never saw the Corsa. At all. But Ford is bringing the Fiesta Stateside when it wasn't originally planning on doing so. Thanks GM. The Astra was late and had VERY limited options, features, and powertrain availability. We weren't offered xenon directional headlamps, auxillary jack, the 1.6L turbo, Panoramic Roof, and much more. Compounding the issue of no marketing, and the sedan didn't arrive which would have been very U.S. friendly, no wagon to tempt previous Saturn owners. Aside from lack of funding and foresight, all of this obviousness makes it all the more indignifying that the great Mr. Robert Lutz can't understand why Saturn failed. Well Bob, I guess you can't see it because it's partly your fault as well as everyone else's up the clouds of GM's upper ranking management. Congratulations you guys for running a great and once proud establishment into the ground. Same goes for the bastards at Daimler-Benz for raping out Chrysler. For God's sake! Have you heard?! Daimler is STILL BLAMING CHRYSLER FOR THEIR 65% DROP IN PROFIT**. How ignorant can these people be? Well, I guess as society and everything around us comes crashing down into fiery anarchy we shall see. **as read in USA Today *Please don't take these as me spouting facts and absolutes. It's just my opinions based on observations, readings, and to an extent, experiences. I find what has been happening to our passion and our joy to be very stressful, and I need to vent. I appreciate being a member of C&G and find it an enjoyable site with excellent information. Afterall, I'm not claiming the sun is made of liquid gold (although I'm sure all that hydrogen could be valuable) and I am not saying that the Audi A8 is rear-drive with a gear change lever in the headliner.

Sad, sad day. At least perfomance ought to return someday. It always does as things go from swing to swing.

I love the CTS coupe myself as well.

Maybe since they realized that there was no way in hell they could save themselves from themselves; so ditched Chrysler in some way of the hopes they could right their wrongs. Yeah, there's my crazy spin to why their interiors are bad (and why Chrysler's are as well). Sorry all. I was up for some humour!

Hmm. With that cut rear glass pane (in order for it to retract into the body work I'm sure) the rear glasshouse looks positively Audi-esque!

Sorry. I'm just a youngin'.

Ah, yes, I see and would have to agree. I have only ever seen two, possible three Astras out on the road ever. I rarely see the Mk V Golf, but I do see many Mk V Jettas. However, in Chicago, Golfs were EVERYWHERE.

You're welcome. Gosh, considering, my favourite Astra wouldn't even be a firebreather OPC/VXR but rather the 5-door Cosmo with 1.9L CDTi, 6-speed manual, leather, xenons, and climate control in dark green. I was (and am) disappointed.

Oh, I do disagree here on this (well, at least for the Astra). As a product overall, it is light years ahead of anything from GMNA and even better to drive and more special feeling than Volkswagen's cars of the same class.

Seriously? A no excuses line up, top to bottom? I'm sorry Mr. Robert Lutz but Saturn had no where near a "no excuses" lineup. The Astra was late and had pitiful engines/options choices and availability. Aura was not a Vectra but a G6 in drag. Corsa never came. Outlook was a distraction from what the rest of the lineup was to represent. I guess that I must say I am glad they are finally eliminating Saturn. I had a feeling they could never move the cheap plastic car brand upmarket with some half-hearted Euros and wannabe's.

In what car? The Neon SRT-4 or Caliber SRT-4?

I am not particularly excited about this especially considering that Chrysler was the first American automaker to produce a small, exciting and fun to drive, profitable small car even if it did have its own issues like headgaskets and air conditioning and general refinement which improved in second generations. The Neon was and is in my opinion, a mile stone small American car.

Chrysler-FIAT at Allpar.com Enjoy.

What a lovely Buick!

Phoenix Engine Program at Allpar.Com Check it out!

Ugh! No, no, no. I absolutely hate the rear of the greenhouse. It's all Mazda3, Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Impreza ME TOO!

As a side point, it seems that the dash vents in the Mk V Golf/Jetta are simply terrible. All of mine but one has broken off (the knob) and pulled out like a child's milk tooth. With the Astra, the sedan definitely would have helped but even more so, if Americans are so desperate for an auto trans, they should have had the 1.8 automatic only and the new 1.6L turbo with the manual, auxillary jack, XM, and more of the special "Euro" features. I myself am quite surprised at the fragility of Volkswagens even after barely one year of ownership. My Rabbit (Golf V) has eaten its transmission, had a sub replaced, wing mirror replaced to fix the repeater signal, and the vents of course are just infuriating that they are breaking apart in the manner that they are.

Best statement concerning GM I have read.

Congratulations to Chrysler!

I do like the styling of the front. It's sharp, attractive, rakish, and I could even imagine (from front view only) a VW badge on the nose.

I must say, I do find the Bravo to be a sharp car. I wonder if there'll be an Abarth version of this one. FIAT seems to be on a roll with its small cars which is what it purportedly does best.

Wow! Hyundai is getting exceptionally impressive and moving along so fast it's nearly hard to imagine what may come next. I'd guess a cabrio of something but I do not know. I wish GM/Ford/Chrysler could turn themselves around and advance as swiftly.

It boggles me as to why VW can't do a nice, smooth, efficient, naturally aspirated and reasonably powerful modern four cylinder engine like GM's ECOTEC series. Oh, wait, I forgot to throw in "reliable". All of those goals are probably too much for VW despite my appreciation of the marque, company, and its engineering. In truth, I could handle the five pot's rather poor efficiency (I attain around 25 mpg combined) if it had a better sound to it. It's rather quiet at idle until you step outside and then it's rather clickety and whirry. At engine speeds up to 3,000 RPM, it's all industrial fan sounding, begins to find its voice north of three grand, and then the party's over at around 5,000 RPM. There is virtually nothing from five grand to redline although I visit it here and there anyway.