My New 2008 Saturn Astra!

The day has finally arrived! After months (what felt like years) of my searching for a new/used vehicle. After months of extensive research, test drives, reading reviews...conducting massive AM800 Newspolls....ok, maybe I didn't go as far as the newspolls...but it was soon coming to that! I have taken delivery of a brand spankin' new 2008 Saturn Astra 5 Door XE. (Exactly like the one in the picture, including colour)

I can't explain how EXCITED I am about this vehicle. The purchase (actually a lease) happened very quickly...it's actually quite a funny story. I've literally been going back and forth....back and forth on purchasing a New vehicle...or simply purchasing a Used vehicle. As anyone who regularly listens to Windsor Now, The Noon Report or simply reads my blog on a regular basis knows, i've been searching for quite a while...had my mind set on a Prius..but the price was too steep....even considered a Honda Civic or Fit...as well as the Ford Focus, many different GM vehicles and the Mazda's or Hyundai's. But after having read about the Saturn Astra I just had to take a look for myself.

It all started last Sunday....I was out with family, and it was one of my "Nope...i'm definitely going to buy a used vehicle" days...got home, started looking in autotrader.ca which was by now in my favorites folder on the computer. Until I saw a ad for the Saturn Astra. Now I had looked at the Astra a couple times online. But never really considered it....that was until I saw all the Standard features, price and interior of the car! Quickly jumped back onto the Saturn Canada website to do some more research....the next morning (Monday) went over to Saturn of Windsor on Tecumseh Rd E. Met with Dave Paliwoda one of Saturns Sales Consultants.

The first thing I noticed....was the fact that I didn't feel the typical "Car Salesperson Pressure" (no offence to any car sales consultants) but I truly felt comfortable. After having asked a few questions about the Astra, I asked Dave if we could take one for a spin...so we did! And from the moment I sat in the car...I was in love. (Don't tell Dave that...I played it off like I was still not sure ;).......I mean........I was still considering a few other vehicles ;) ......But I knew, the second I sat in that car...it was the one I wanted. For those of you not familiar, the Saturn Astra has actually been in Europe with the Opel brand since 1991 sold as the "Opel Astra". So it does have the European feel. If I were to list ALL of the standard features on the car...I would run out of room....you can find the details on the Saturn Website HERE. But among some of the coolest are the Rain-Sensing Wipers! No need to fidget with your wipers while it rains....the car will take care of that for you! OnStar, and then there's the Power Sunroof (not standard but cool none the less).....the original vehicle I test drove didn't have the sunroof...but once Dave sat me in the vehicle next to it which included the sunroof...I had to have it. It's the LARGEST sunroof i've ever seen in my life. I joke with friends and family saying I have an Astra Convertible. Cause the sunroof truly makes you feel that way. Anyhow, I could go on and on about all the standard features....but i'll just say this....the extensive list was the number 1 reason I originally considered the vehicle. The Fuel Mileage was the second while the look Exterior and Interior of the vehicle were third (I do absolutely love the look and feel).

Well needless to say, I left the dealership at about 11am to come straight to the station (boss doesn't like Dead Air all that much for some reason) and I returned after my shift to sign the papers!

Unlucky for me, these cars have been selling like hot cakes....I now know why! So I had to wait a few days for a Silver one with Sunroof) and with the help of everyone over at Saturn of Windsor. I was able to take delivery of my brand new Saturn Astra this past Saturday!! I really can't say enough about everyone over at Saturn of Windsor. My sales consultant Dave Paliwoda....truly made it happen, but he wasn't the only one. A big thanks goes out to Erin Revenberg, you're the best...thanks for everything, Jonathan Cabrera thanks a million...everyone else at Saturn of Windsor. I look forward to a long lasting relationship with all of you. Thanks for making this happen so quickly, what seemed like effortlessly and most importantly painlessly! If the car shopping experience everywhere was like the one I had over at Saturn of Windsor...I would car shop much more often!!! (Ok...that might get expensive)

Thanks again to all of you, you made my experience a great one.

And one last note.....after having spent 2 FULL days driving around town...I'm happy to report I've not even used a quarter tank of gas!!!! My last car would have needed a fill-up by now!!! WHOOOHOOOOOO! Oh...and the top of my head is sunburnt....but it's the price i'm willing to pay for this awesome sunroof!