First kid on the block
I’ve never been the first kid on my block to own anything. But according to the folks at Saturn of Metairie, my wife and I are the first kids in the New Orleans area to own a Saturn Astra. This little puppy is actually made in Belgium, and though I’m not acquainted with European cars, it feels and rides as I imagine a European car would. This car is for my wife; it replaces her 1997 Saturn SL1, which ran fine but, on the inside, looked every day of its 11 years. Me, I’ll continue driving my 2002 VUE. (Yes, we’re an unabashed Saturn family; have been since 1994.)
Do I see a dent in the passenger door already?
Posted by: ashley | February 16, 2008 at 06:19 PM
No, I think that's a reflection of something across the street.
Posted by: Ray Ward | February 16, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Ray,
Beautiful car. After a while, please ask your wife to post a review. I am especially interested in the ride and quiet, in light of NOLA's rough roads. MPG and sprintiness. And of course we know you are interested in the sound system.
Can you believe Josh Howard's dunks?
Posted by: Alan Childress | February 16, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Oops, Dwight Howard.
Posted by: Alan Childress | February 16, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Thanks, Alan. I didn't see the slam-dunk competition. "Letters from Iwo Jima" was on AMC, so we watched that.
The car is quieter than other Saturns I've experienced. Historically one drawback of Saturns has been cabin noise, but this one: all I hear (so far) is the purr or growl of the engine. And yes, the sound system is excellent -- 7 speakers in a little bitty car, it's like driving around inside a big set of Koss headphones.
Posted by: Ray Ward | February 16, 2008 at 09:55 PM