I read these cars were popular in Europe as the Opel Astra. I didn’t have one but I never understood why they weren’t ate up here. I had a friend with one and he loved it. He was from Eastern Europe though and knew what it was. I suppose the masses didn’t know what a unicorn it was.
Then when Saturn died, Buick got all of the euro cars. The 2010-13 Regal was a direct import Vectra, the Cascada is European, and the Verano was a US built newer Astra.
The Regal is a European Vauxhall/Opel Insignia,which replaced the Vectra. The Saturn Aura was based on the last gen Vauxhall/Opel Vectra,although built in North America. The more recent Regal wagon is German built.
@@markhealey9409 Ah, okay. I forgot about that. I just remember the next generation Aura became the regal. I remember the techs at Buick being confused about the Regals coming from Germany being in “transport mode”. They didn’t know what the hell to do about that! 😂 I was saddened when I heard they stopped producing the Regal in Oshawa and ultimately closed the plant. That was one of their best assembly plants. I’ve seen what comes out of Fairfax (Malibu, etc), not impressed.
@@JohnEvans-ct6mz I've had two Oshawa W-bodies, I was surprised that they closed that plant as well after having spent so much money on it and it being such a top tier GM plant for so long. Actually I'm driving an Oshawa Buick LaCrosse right now. My mom has one of the imported German Regals.
I think the other reason is little bit of extra engineering should have done for USA market because this car is just 99% copy and paste from Opel version
No,the Astra is built in Europe,sold here as a Vauxhall in Britain,& Opel in continental Europe. It was also sold as a Holden Astra in Australia & New Zealand...I think South Africa & maybe Latin America it was badged as a Chevy Astra( but not 100% sure if it was sold as a Chevy as well) The Pontiac Vibe was a joint development between GM & Toyota...the Matrix is basically the same. Built in California,I think.
Someone already answered but the Opel Astra is also related to the Chevy Cobalt/HHR/Saturn Ion/Pontiac G5, but you could say it's their posh European cousin that was meant to go toe-to-toe with VW in its home market. Later versions became the Buick Verano.
I've only seen maybe 2 or 3 of these in my life. Really rare
I almost bought one. Got a Toyota Corolla instead
I have one
Cuz, it was a flop!
they were very popular here in BC Canada, I even owned a manual XR 3dr
I have the 3 door 5 sp Astra
that little trance beat in background is nice
Tech Now by Jean-Paul Merkel.
I bought a 3 door XR w/manual gearbox in early 2008, all black, loved it, wish I'd have kept it.
I read these cars were popular in Europe as the Opel Astra. I didn’t have one but I never understood why they weren’t ate up here. I had a friend with one and he loved it. He was from Eastern Europe though and knew what it was. I suppose the masses didn’t know what a unicorn it was.
It's sport version would've done good in USA
These were so cute I always wanted one
thanks for posting
Best compact Saturn BTW.
Then when Saturn died, Buick got all of the euro cars. The 2010-13 Regal was a direct import Vectra, the Cascada is European, and the Verano was a US built newer Astra.
The Regal is a European Vauxhall/Opel Insignia,which replaced the Vectra. The Saturn Aura was based on the last gen Vauxhall/Opel Vectra,although built in North America. The more recent Regal wagon is German built.
@@markhealey9409 Ah, okay. I forgot about that. I just remember the next generation Aura became the regal. I remember the techs at Buick being confused about the Regals coming from Germany being in “transport mode”. They didn’t know what the hell to do about that! 😂 I was saddened when I heard they stopped producing the Regal in Oshawa and ultimately closed the plant. That was one of their best assembly plants. I’ve seen what comes out of Fairfax (Malibu, etc), not impressed.
@@JohnEvans-ct6mz I've had two Oshawa W-bodies, I was surprised that they closed that plant as well after having spent so much money on it and it being such a top tier GM plant for so long. Actually I'm driving an Oshawa Buick LaCrosse right now. My mom has one of the imported German Regals.
I think the other reason is little bit of extra engineering should have done for USA market because this car is just 99% copy and paste from Opel version
Someone drives an Aura sedan at my work.
would have been a much better option than the Ion. Saturn should have sourced from Opel much earlier than they did.
Use to see them on the highway very rarely years ago. Now disappeared like so many do.
I’ve always thought these looked fantastic for a little hatchback. They aged well to be honest
Saw one for sale for $600. I wanted to get it but know nothing about saturn & the only saturn car that actually looks decent.
I wanted one so bad
There’s no way this was filmed on honey springs rd that’s crazy
Is this the same thing as the face-lifted Pontiac Vibe that survived for like, one model year?
No,the Astra is built in Europe,sold here as a Vauxhall in Britain,& Opel in continental Europe. It was also sold as a Holden Astra in Australia & New Zealand...I think South Africa & maybe Latin America it was badged as a Chevy Astra( but not 100% sure if it was sold as a Chevy as well) The Pontiac Vibe was a joint development between GM & Toyota...the Matrix is basically the same. Built in California,I think.
@@markhealey9409 Hey, thanks for the info. I learned something new today.
@@KartKing4everyou're welcome
Someone already answered but the Opel Astra is also related to the Chevy Cobalt/HHR/Saturn Ion/Pontiac G5, but you could say it's their posh European cousin that was meant to go toe-to-toe with VW in its home market. Later versions became the Buick Verano.