2008 Saturn Astra Consumer Reviews

PROS: Mpg though it rides higher than ground-scraping Japanese fuel-efficient compact cars the Saturn Astra also provides more vehicle surround for crash safety. Better windows/blind spots visibility than modern bigger dashboards. Easier parking size too. Convenient hatchback with self-lifting removable cover inside. And more, making my 2008 4-door my fave in my long lifetime. Garaged under 50,000 miles, it will outlast parts availability from globalist Left putting USA patriot Saturn out of biz passed to GM my shop in 2023 estimates only a few years left to still be able to get parts. If it gets totalled, I'd buy another, cheap now, for its remaining few years! Shoulda had tires filled with nitrogen long, as nitro eliminates checking/refilling air in these tires good-sized for a compact car (green valve stem cap indicates nitrogen). I bought a little adapter for dashboard porthole for MP3 thumb player to play through the radio. Cons: Replacing wiper blades doesn't improve functionality. Catalytic Converter including sensor and recent years Check Engine Light fluctuate needs shop to clear at most annual inspections. (I will wipe gas cap/opening with 91% alcohol; and pour in Marvel Mystery fuel cleaning additive before fillup to try to help its hypersensitivity.)

i really like it a lot, not fast but reliable and cool asf 100% would recommend, gets super good gas mileage, awesome car

I have the 2008 automatic XR. Fun car to drive. The car is quick not fast. I am sure the XRs with manual transmissions are far more spirited to drive. I bought this car in 2019 with 54K miles on it. Whomever the previous owner was, they were quite sloppy in their maintenance of the vehicle and while I haven’t had any serious performance issues with car, I since started using synthetic oil, 93 octane gas and I’ve replace the rear shocks and front struts as well as the 02 sensor and the head gasket. I get lots of looks from folks and most mechanics responding with “ we don’t’ see many of these often”. Most of my maintenance follow-up has not been because of mechanical failure but rather to be able to get at least 150K or more from the car since I paid next to nothing for it. The color is a dark amethyst metallic and it has 5 star 18 in alloys. I’ll keep the car for a while if only because I missed the opportunity to acquire a Pontiac G8 when they were available and while the Astra is no G8, it is one of the more favorable concluding sagas of GM’s attempt to set Saturn apart from it stablemates in the at-the-time portfolios of GM brands.

I bought this vehicle new and have had virtually no problems, doing only routine maintenance, oil chg, batteries, rear brakes etc. Amazingly after 88k it still has the original factory front brakes. Fun to drive, handles as well as my BMW 3 series but without the power ( or cost). The manual stick shifts well and makes it a blast to drive on twisty roads. Hatch is practical for large articles. Good MPG too. People still tell me 10 years later, thats a sharp looking car, what is it.

Ive owned this vehicle since it was new and it has been extremely reliable through 85K. It still looks almost new, with the metallic black paint holding up extremely well. Besides the mileage, the best part of the vehicle is the handling on a back country road. The 4 wheel disc brakes & ABS stop the car on a dime. Incredibly, the original brake discs are still on the front and the rear needed changing only recently. Handles like a small Bimmer just without the power. The 5 speed manual gives it a sporty feel. The interior materials are of high quality and have held up well. The Saturn Astra is actually a German designed Opel Astra whose looks have held up over time. If you are looking for an inexpensive, yet a bit quirky but sporty attractive vehicle, consider the XR Hatchback.

I have had nothing but problem from the day I bought this car 2 years ago. I have put several thousand dollars in it as yet. Coil pack, exhaust issues, multiple sensors. Terrible in snow without snow tires and even then, not great.Driving is incredible in clear weather. Handles turns like no other car. Lots of bells and whistles. Not sure if this is standard but mine has panoramic sunroof, 6-disc CD changer, heated mirrors, rain-sense wipers, heated seats.

overall this car is a good vehicle for short and long hauls and now for every day commutes.Had some minor repairs and maintenance done that are typical for this vehicle.

This is by far my favorite Saturn having had three others. The car is 8 years old and still gets 34 miles per gallon. Some difficulty in getting replacement parts these past couple of years but otherwise the car is a pleasure to drive - and I am a women who thoroughly enjoys a 5-speed transmission. It is too bad the American public is fixated on SUVs.