This isn’t my normal unicorn, and yet I’m sure this car appeals to somebody, somewhere. It does something for me. First it’s extinct, as all Saturns are. Second, it’s a one year wonder, in that Saturn imported these Astras only in 2008. Third, and I kinda gave it away, it’s a German Saturn, a European GM Opel, which makes it unique in its own right. The Opel Astra was the second biggest selling hatchback in Europe (after the VW Golf).
And this one has a manual transmission! And it’s been driven only 4,000 miles yearly in California, and in Havre de Grace, Maryland near my home town! And normally I wouldn’t recommend the MaxCare extended warranty for a car this simple, but did I mention this car is A) extinct, and B) German? And yet I always think there’s something nifty about owning a car under warranty through it’s 17th year, and for another 100,000 miles, without worrying about repairs. This little Saturn Asta gets decent gas mileage (that will matter again one day, I promise) and would make a great commuter car. The reviews are mixed – yes it’s a nimble German hatch with a more refined interior than most Saturn, although it has those wacky German cup holders I’ve come to loathe and despise. When I lived in Stuttgart I complained about cup holders to my 911 owning German neighbor, who said “Vell, vee don’t zink people should be drinking coffee vile driving”, or something like that. To which I said, “I don’t think I should be driving if I’m NOT drinking coffee!” He wasn’t amused.
Anyway, the reviews are mixed but mostly take issue with the lack of power from the 1.8l, 138 hp four banger. Motor Trend’s review thought the Astra to be a great value and good looking but lacking in firepower. NewCarTestDrive has the most thorough review ever, and called the Saturn Astra “the best small car ever to roll out of a Saturn dealership and well worth considering.” Consider it for your kids, or your commute, or just because you want something a little different, although a little less, than a Mazda 3 or VW GTi. There aren’t many left. Find this adorable little German GM Opel Saturn Astra here in Fredericksburg, Virginia. 
I appreciate your posts in general, and I too, appreciate what this car was – a very popular Opel – that GM tried and failed to sell in the USA.
Hey Pete. Will admit I am biased. When I’m in Germany, it seems like every rental car is four cylinder, manual transmission, high revving hatchback that’ll do 100mph all day long on the autobahn. Hell I even owned two 70’s era Ford Fiestas. Loved them. And yet here…just an economy car!