automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback
automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

GM’s Saturn brand spent the first part of the 2000s shifting over to vehicles on global corporate platforms, then spent the second half of the decade increasingly flailing for relevance as The General itself struggled to stay upright. By 2008, prospects for Saturn— and the American economy in general— didn’t look so great, but that was the first model year for the Saturn-badged Opel Astra in North America. The announcement that the axe would be falling on Saturn came the following year, soon after GM declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and so 2009 became the final year for the Saturn Astra. Some MY2010 Saturns were sold (the Sky, Outlook, and Aura), but the Astra shares the dubious honor of the shortest Saturn sales run with the long-forgotten Saturn Relay minivan. For this reason, I keep my junkyard eye open for discarded Astras, and finally found this very clean ’08 three-door in a Denver self-service yard last week.

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

The Astra could be purchased with three doors or five, in two very similar trim levels. This car is the three-door, which was available only in semi-high-zoot XR trim.

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

I’m not sure if the Opel Astra got these GM “Mark of Excellence” fender badges, but all American-market 2005-2009 GM vehicles have them (not counting stuff bearing the crypto-GM Suzuki badge). I’ve got dozens of these badges glued to my garage wall, because why not?

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

Just one engine was available in the Saturn Astra: a 1.8-liter Ecotec four rated at 138 horsepower. The Ecotec has proven to be an unusually reliable engine, but I suspect that this one died in some expensive manner (because the rest of the car looks so nice) and that’s why the car is here now.

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

The base transmission in the Astra was a five-on-the-floor manual, and that’s what this car has. The four-speed automatic cost an extra $1,325 on an $18,375 car (that’s about  $1,765 on a $24,475 car in 2022 dollars), so either the original purchaser of this car preferred three-pedal driving or was just a cheapskate.

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

I haven’t seen enough junkyard Astras to know if the manual transmission is very rare in these cars; the five-door I found a few years back had the automatic. Presumably, an American car shopper looking for the European-style driving experience of an Opel might prefer the manual.

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

Built in Antwerp, Belgium!

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

As this was just a rebadged Opel, the Astra did not have the standard GM radio faceplate found in everything from the Chevrolet Equinox to the Saab 9-3. They are a bit weird, as the center stack buttons controlled the tiny, yellow-tinged display above. 

The Astra XR did come with a pretty good seven-speaker audio system with MP3 playback. Remember playing data discs loaded with MP3 files in cars? Seems like just yesterday.

automotive history, autos, cars, saturn, classics, hatchback, junkyard, junkyard gem, junkyard gems, opel, opel astra, junkyard gem: 2008 saturn astra xr 3-door hatchback

American car buyers never did care much for the rebadged Opel Omega B, and the rebadged Opel Astra didn’t fare a lot better a decade hence.

Maybe Saturn just didn’t rethink American hard enough.

Yes, there was a Vauxhall version.

And when there was a Vauxhall version of an Opel, you know a Holden version must exist.

In Brazil, this car got Chevrolet Vectra badges (and was available as a sedan).

This ad for the left-hand-drive Opel Astra hatch features English-language music and street signs, plus American landscapes. I’m guessing it was intended for the Low Countries.

Keyword: Junkyard Gem: 2008 Saturn Astra XR 3-Door Hatchback

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

2002 Saturn Sky Concept

This concept vehicle features a supercharged 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission, that generates 180 horsepower. The headlights and taillights are powered by LED technology to give the Sky a distinctive lighting signature. The LED lamps are configured in cubes, and are smaller, lighter and require less ...

View more: 2002 Saturn Sky Concept

2004 Saturn Curve Concept

2004 Saturn Curve Concept DETROIT-Jan. 4, 2004, 12:00 a.m. EST : The Curve signifies Saturn’s evolution, both in styling and product. Saturn is growing its portfolio, planning new vehicles and exploring dynamic, refined designs. General Motors introduced the Saturn Curve at the North American International Auto Show. It was one ...

View more: 2004 Saturn Curve Concept

2007 Saturn Sky Roadster

2007 Saturn Sky Roadster Detroit, Michigan – The Sky, introduced at the North American International Auto Show and slated for production in 2006, is the first vehicle to feature a new look that will influence Saturn’s entire future product lineup. The Sky roadster was inspired by the Vauxhall VX Lightning ...

View more: 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster

2001 Saturn SC2 Concept

2001 Saturn SC2 Concept In Detail submitted by Richard Owen valvetrain DOHC displacement 1900 cc / 115.9 in³ power 92.5 kw / 124.0 bhp @ 5600 rpm specific output 65.26 bhp per litre bhp/weight bhp per tonne torque 165.41 nm / 122.0 ft lbs @ 4800 rpm driven wheels Front ...

View more: 2001 Saturn SC2 Concept

2001 Saturn SCX Concept

2001 Saturn SCX Concept The SCX’s 1.9-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine was modified by Saturn Motorsports of San Diego to yield an estimated 300 hp, more than double the engines normal output in the Saturn SC2. Along with its hot engine, the SCX boasts a high level of handling and sporty ...

View more: 2001 Saturn SCX Concept

Junkyard Gem: 1998 Volvo S90

Volvo began selling squared-off, rear-drive-equipped sedans and wagons here starting with the 140 in the 1968 model year, and continued selling those safe and sensible bricks all the way through 1998. The very last Swedish Brick models sold new in the United States were the 960 sedans and wagons, ...

View more: Junkyard Gem: 1998 Volvo S90

Junkyard Gem: 1983 Saab 900 Turbo 4-Door Hatchback

I’ve been finding quite a few interesting Saabs in Colorado car graveyards lately, including a 96 and a 99 (sadly, a discarded example of a Saab 92 has eluded me — at least in the United States — so far), and now it’s the turn of the factory-hot-rod Saab ...

View more: Junkyard Gem: 1983 Saab 900 Turbo 4-Door Hatchback

1988 BMW M5 Retro Review | The E28 is where it all began

Welcome to our latest series of Retro Reviews that take us back in time through the BMW M performance division’s history. This review of a 1988 BMW M5 will be the first of several classic BMW M car reviews to hit our little slice of the internet in the ...

View more: 1988 BMW M5 Retro Review | The E28 is where it all began

Junkyard Gem: 1953 Chevrolet 210 Sawzall Roadster Conversion

2011-2016 Honda CR-Z | Used vehicle spotlight

VW has been trying to resurrect the Bus for over 20 years

Mini marks International Women's Day with Pat Moss Edition

Junkyard Gem: 1973 Dodge Coronet Custom Sedan

Junkyard Gem: 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Conversion

Bubba Wallace: A NASCAR Trailblazer

Junkyard Gem: 1990 Chrysler New Yorker Landau Mark Cross Edition

Junkyard Gem: 2005 Mazda6 Wagon with Manual Transmission

Junkyard Gem: 1987 Chevrolet Turbo Sprint

Junkyard Gem: 1995 Mercury Tracer Trio

Junkyard Gem: 1976 Jeep Cherokee

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