Today I spent some time driving a new 2008 silver Astra XE automatic while
my ION is in the shop. I haven't really had the chance to open one up on the
highway or hit a corner hard in the country. I am pretty impressed with the
speed and especially the handling. of course, this is really a German-built
Opel and the way it handles shows. The car loves to be beat on and rewards
you for it. Unlike my ION, it feels like a mid-size real car. I am curious
how the Astra would hold up to a year of my "sporty" driving. My '07 ION.3
does have 6 more horsepower and much more torque, I know the ION could take
the Astra in a stop light race but the Astra does quite well once under way.
I still think my ION gets better mileage and power but the Astra comes
really close.

If you have not driven an Astra yet or are thinking of a small car,
especially an import, the Astra is worth a test drive. According to Motor
Trend magazine, the Astra has a quicker 0-60 time than it's compact
competitors, which is contrary to what others are saying. If this is the new
direction Saturn is headed in, German-engineered Saturns, it definitely is
the right direction.
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marx404
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"marx404" <404 (AT) 404 (DOT) com> wrote

Astra is a nice car BUT, they don't have front cup holders because, in
typical German fashion,
Germans decided that you don't need cup holders, that you shouldn't drive
and drink our coffee at the same time.
WE WANT OUR CUP HOLDERS, DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is one in the center console conveniently located between the front
seats and there is a two cup holder that pops out of the rear seat. . Also
there is a center armrest accessory that has a slideable cupholder. It could
be in a better place though. At least the cupholders aren't blocking off the
AC controls like the ION.

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marx404
<all gmail posts blocked>

This is how Google Translator deciphered that: (funny)

The arm out the window,
fully to the radio,
outside hangs a foxtail off
sit barrow in every four men
The Bulls just in the city suspended,
with 110 a Ford scorched
and a Fiat being.
We have new silt on top
and bought us rally stripes.

We are the boys of the Opel Gang,
We have all left.
We are the boys of the Opel Gang,
We have all left.
Opel Gang!

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marx404
<all gmail posts blocked>

HeHe - I work for a German operation. Needed a translation of a technical
document from German to English. Tried Babelfish.altavaisa.com and the
Google translator. Neither quite got what I needed so I asked the Big Boss'
sons (VPs...) if they could translate it. What the heck they were born in
the USA but went to German school. They couldn't make sense of the document
either and suggested I ask their father. I go the president's office and ask
him. He looks down his nose at me and says that "you've worked here for 26
years and don't speak German yet?" I loved the look on his face when I told
him his sons couldn't make sense of it either. Perhaps he should send me to
Germany for a year for total immersion. <BEG>


"marx404" <404 (AT) 404 (DOT) com> wrote