Why would you say that "for all you Reactionaries" in one of your first posts. Do you feel the need to defend yourself for buying an ASTRA. The ASTRA is a nice car, a very nice car. But and I do say but. The turn signal stock is stupid, the A/C controls are contrary to any other car I've owned, and I've had alot of cars 15 SATURNS if you are feeling like one of those reactionaries you speak of. The radio controls are laid out abnormal to most North American cars, and whats up with the DIC? Gearing 3900 rpms at 75mph, thats the way it has to be for the under powered engine to move the car along, and you wonder where your gas mileage went.

It has 14 hp more then an SC,SW,SL2 and 3 ft lbs more torque and weighs 500 lbs more. Power we knew it was not going to have power.

I didn't say a word about the "LOOK" and "FEEL" of the HVAC controls.

Nothing was retooled as the car was rushed to get it here. Big mistake on Bob Lutz part

I'm not accusing you of owning the wrong car, it's a GM car so I guess it's american in many ways, and it sits on the same Delta platform as the ION and many other GM cars.

You would never catch me going to any goofy lube, I'd not let those halfwits touch anything including my lawnmower.

The AUTOBAN is in GERMANY so I guess the people of ENGLAND would not be on it to often.

Turbo 1.4L, 1.6L, 1.8L, I much rather have the ecotec 2.4L 175 hp with 165 lbs of torque without a turbo.

Dandruff, I think the saying is dander, and mines not up.

Facts are facts .... the ASTRA is a nice little car, but things should have been changed for the North American market.

It was you that said this and I quote.

Astra probs

Lemme start by stating I love my Astra, its a brilliant little car. However, I have a few complaints that have got to be fixed.

1. Speed. Serious need of turbocharging
2. Gearing. 3900 rpm at 75 mph in 5th???? What's up with that?
3. MP3 capability. Nuff said.
4. Service. Good luck going to Goofy-Lube for a standard oil change. They don't stock the oil filter for the 1.8L Ecotec and neither does any autopart shop. Have to pay $18!!!!! for a filter at the dealership.

Other than that, a totally amazing car, so much fun to drive. This is not my first Saturn either for all you Reactionaries. My first was a 97 Saturn SL with 5spd. The Astra is WAY, WAY, WAY better

Then in your next post you say this and I quote

I don't feel the engine is underpowered.

How do you like the power of your ASTRA now that you have had it awhile.

the reason for your 3900 rpm in 5th is because the gearbox has no overdrive to save space, weight, and heat gain from the extra set of gears. its not made to do 75 constantly. est. mpg is calculated at or around 55 mph, not 70+