NMNA.. 2008 Saturn Astra XR $1699

https://tallahassee.craigslist.org/ctd/6138791735.html

It's at a local pick n pull yard, and dang if it isn't tempting. Anyone know about parts availability for these?

I have the same car in 5-door XE trim. They all have the 1.8L engine which can found in the Cruze. Not common in the US, but the Astra is one of the best-selling cars in Europe, so parts are actually pretty easy to find. Overall I like it, for a slow little hatchback.

I've actually wanted one of these for a long time. Unfortunately the stable is full since I completed my Infiniti G20 project. If I bring this home I might be sleeping in it..

I liked these when they came out. Reminds me of a Volvo C30. I've only ever seen one in the wild and that was inside a mall at a display.

Great time to buy one, awful time to sell. I've seen their values plummet hard over the last few years, even in great shape. Perfect "recession" orphan, because no one wants to buy Saturns and they're greatly overshadowed by Golf and other hatches. Not that they are anything special. Almost boring actually. I've had mine for 85k trouble-free miles.

Also, they changed almost nothing from the European models when they brought it over, including the surprisingly firm suspension. It has a very solid "German" feel to it. It was engineered by Opel and put together in Belgium.

I have always liked the look of those. All you need is a turbo motor out of a Cruze.

The one I drove felt vague. Felt like you could "slap" the gas pedal with your foot and it would go to the floor. steering also felt vague. Granted this was around the parking lot at an event moving a friends car. YMMV