Looking at getting a new car

[jin1481]

Been thinking about getting the Saturn Astra for awhile, and now that is starting to become more a of reality, so I started to look at a couple of other cars in the same class. Heres what I got:

All cars are 5sp Manual, have yet to drive any of them

2008 Saturn Astra XR 3dr - $19,850 - Pros: 28/32mpg, GM, fresh new look for the US, tried and true in Europe, good stereo and heated seats, sporty suspension; Cons: weak sounding 138hp 1.8l Eco-tech

2009 Mitsu Lancer GTS 4dr - $20,665 - Pros: Sportiest at 170hp and tuned suspension, kick butt 650watt stereo, good looking; Cons: highest price, 21/28mpg, import, ricer boy image

2009 Subie Impreza 2.5i 5dr - $19,640 - Pros: Most space and cargo, subie all wheel drive, lowest price; Cons: 20/27mpg, looks aren't that great, import, weak stereo

Just fishing for thoughts here and suggestions, I here great things about the HHR but it has no apeal to me at all, I'm 23 so things like stereos and looks matter, but they don't beat out praticality.

Thanks for staying with me this long, all comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated

[jims69camaro]

i have one word for you: HHR.

(deja vu all over again... )

[GP99GT]

i'd go with the astra.

btw, the fact that its an import shouldnt be on the cons list...

stereos can be upgraded fairly cheap and sound better than any factory "650 watt" stereo

if you dont need the extra size of the mitsu or subie, go with the saturn...saturn has come a long way

[jin1481]

i would prefer to buy an american car, also don't want to mod the car as it will probably just be a lease. i really like the saturn hopefully its not a weak little car and will be able to scoot around a little

[Tsar]

Ferrari F430?
I didn't read your post, just saw that you wanted to buy a new car.

[jin1481]

only if i can get the scuderia version

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

08-09 Turbocharged Cobalt SS ftw

[procamaroz28]

my friend got the impreza your right about it but that car is soo fun to drive it hugs the road well for a baseline car

[79CamaroDiva]

I was in the EXACT same spot as you like a week and a half ago. I really liked the Astra, especially all the reviews about it, but there were a few things I didn't like once I test drove it. The motor is weak, the shifter feels a little spongy, and the radio and DIC are completely unmarked. It took me and paul a good amount of time to figure out how to work it.

I too didn't like the look of the HHR up til probably 2 weeks ago. I went and test drove one just for the hell of it, and lo and behold, I boguht one this weekend. Just go test one, even if the one you test is an automatic, it will give you the feel of what the cars about.

[BigAls87Z28]

Astra. The only reason I didnt put a gun to Melissa's head was because she needs to haul around dead boddies or something.
Astra 3dr, the hottest compact on the market.
Astra is America...via Germany, but all comes back to Renn Center.

138hp motor is average with what everyone else has. Cobalt's 2.2 is a bit more torquey but I enjoyed my little thrashing of an XR 3dr with sport package and 5spd.

[jims69camaro]

HHR SS...

[jin1481]

I'm goin out tomorrow to hopefully thrash all three cars, but at least the Astra. I'm really hoping the Astra makes me happy.

[BigAls87Z28]

Astra will, as long as you arent expecting neck snapping power.

Only other car I can think of that ccan match Astra XR 3dr is the Mazda3 2.3.

[SteveR]

HHR or Subaru. HHR is awesome, and the Subaru handles great. HHR is a lot cheaper right now though.

[jin1481]

Just signed a 3 yr lease on the Impreza, $311 a month $500 down. I pick it up on monday.

[Tru2Chevy]

Leasing FTL.....

- Justin

[Rich189]

Originally Posted by jin1481

Just signed a 3 yr lease on the Impreza, $311 a month $500 down. I pick it up on monday.

Just so you know youll get better mpg then the sticker says if your easy on it with the subie i average around 25 with my flat 6 and got 31 driving up to mass.

[Tsar]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Leasing FTL.....

- Justin

you get a new car every 3 years

[jin1481]

don't have $580 to spend a month on a new car

[79CamaroDiva]

whats your credit like? I was looking at under $300 a month for both HHR and Astra

[Tsar]

Speaking of Suabru, what have they done with the STI? it's the ugliest STI to date... Who thought making it into a wagon would be a good idea?


Not to hijack the tread or anything

[jin1481]

my credit was 630, and its a loaded impreza. i thought the new impreza were uglier then sin but it looks really good in person.

[12secondv6]

I like the look of the saturn.

My mom has an 03 5 speed wrx.
Pro's: her confidence in snow rain, held up VERY well considering her sporadic maintenance. She drives the car all over vermont in the winter and she has all season tires and it has never let her down
Cons: stereo is horrible, doors sound "tinny" when closed etc, difficult to work on engine

Its peppy but needs a bit more oomph and a 6th gear would be nice.... but I'd get one if I had the money

congrats

[SteveR]

Originally Posted by jin1481

Just signed a 3 yr lease on the Impreza, $311 a month $500 down. I pick it up on monday.

Congrats! The Sub's handle and drive really good. I took out an Impreza last year and loved it. Did you get a stick or auto?

[BigAls87Z28]

Damn...Astra loses again.
Saturn cant sell these things at all!! Cobalt factory is on over time with 3 shifts and weekends with a 16 day average sitting on dealer lots while the Astra is 306 day average....