What do you think of this roof?
- Thread starter Clocker
- Start date
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
I would be quite worried about its sturdiness in case the vehicle turns upside down. It's probably been tested, but still, I would have some concerns.
On the positive side, it could be great for visibility, especially with an aquapel treatment or something similar. I don't see anything to block sunlight when it's either dusk or damn tough.
On the positive side, it could be great for visibility, especially with an aquapel treatment or something similar. I don't see anything to block sunlight when it's either dusk or damn tough.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
Nevermind my last sentence.
Can you imagine what truckers might get the chance to see. LOL
ddrueding
Fixture
I would love that. I hate convertibles because they are heavy, noisy, consume space, and generally annoying. I do, however, love the added visibility.
Hell, give me that car and I'll take it right now
Hell, give me that car and I'll take it right now
I would love that. I hate convertibles because they are heavy, noisy, consume space, and generally annoying. I do, however, love the added visibility.
Hell, give me that car and I'll take it right now
An Opel (GM Euro subsidiary) Astra isn't it? Is it available or a mock up?
It looks like a cheap POS vehicle. Visibility looks to be mediocre like most current vehicles with high side panels. Maybe it is just me, but accidents mostly happen from the sides and rarely from above.
I guess it will nice and comfortable at 115 °F in the summer at noon. I also wonder how well it performs in the full rollover tests. I would not want broken glass causing lacerations, etc.
I guess it will nice and comfortable at 115 °F in the summer at noon.
I also wonder how well it performs in the full rollover tests. I would not want broken glass causing lacerations, etc.
ddrueding
Fixture
It says in the picture that it is a 2007 Opel Astra. It doesn't look bad considering it is an entry-level hatchback. Rearward visibility doesn't look great, but "What is behind you is not important!". High side panels prevent you from looking down, but that isn't really an issue considering how low this car is and that I live in a world of SUVs.
I would love that. I hate convertibles because they are heavy, noisy, consume space, and generally annoying. I do, however, love the added visibility.
Hell, give me that car and I'll take it right now
DD- You will be able to buy that car (in Saturn guise) in late 2007:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/08/making-it-official-saturn-astra-confirmed-by-gm/
The panoramic view roof is optional.
C
ddrueding
Fixture
Erm, the second picture is a much less flattering angle. And the Saturn badge doesn't help, either. Oh, and I need something that I can get Clean Air Vehicle Stickers for and can also handle 110+ mph comfortably.
Tea
Storage? I am Storage!
The only sort of accident that our car has happens from above, Lunar.
(Hint: it's white and comes out of birds' bottoms.)
(Hint: it's white and comes out of birds' bottoms.)
Ha a Saturn! Perfect for that crowd. I rest my case.
So I guess you'd never buy a car with a sunroof, either. Also, sounds like you're kind of clueless about Saturn and their vehicles too, I'd guess. You might want to checkout the Outlook, the Aura, and the Sky.
Nonetheless, thanks for your feedback about the roof, guys.
BTW, the Astra GTC version will do 138mph, so I think 110 is no problem. not sure about that sticker stuff. Must be a CA thing.
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/opel/opel-astra-ar17269.html
Of course my auto has a sunroof. The mfrs. have conspired such that it is not optional anymore. However, it is not the entire roof. I recall it opening partway once when I accidentally pushed one of the buttons.
However, it is not the entire roof. I recall it opening partway once when I accidentally pushed one of the buttons.
CougTek
Hairy Aussie
Saturn used to sell very bland and technology-retarded vehicles, but now it has changed. The Aura is probably the best mid-size american car and the Sky is a Solstice, but with an improved design. Contrarily to DD, I don't find the Saturn Astra's picture unflatering. But I judge a car by its specifications and road-handling a lot more than by its look. According to the reviews I've read, Saturn's lineup is probably the most competitive among american brands.
fb
Storage is cool
The Saturn Aura is the same car as the Cadillac BLS/Saab 9-3/Opel Vectra and so on... It's not necessarily a bad thing though as I really like the Saab 9-3 (haven't tried the rest.) But it's a little boring that they haven't even bothered to change steering wheels in the new models.
fb
Storage is cool
I am sure they are different products in regards to engine and chassis characteristics and so on. But I still wish that GM would make their brands stand out a bit more from each other.
Stereodude
Not really a
If GM knew how to do that, they'd be selling a lot more cars. They've had this problem for a long time where the same basic car was sold by Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, and Olds. The bean counters assumed that counted as 4 unique models where as the car buying public viewed it more like 1.4 different models.
ddrueding
Fixture
But the trick is, there are only so many form factors that need to be represented. A super-mini, compact, mid-size, full-size, 1/4-ton, 1/2-ton, and a full-ton. On top of that is drivetrain, body style and cosmetic differences. If each brand sells one of each form factor and body style, with cosmetics that appeal to their target audience, what more do you need?
Mercedes has been doing this forever. Pick your size, pick your engine, and you're off...
Mercedes has been doing this forever. Pick your size, pick your engine, and you're off...
Stereodude
Not really a
GM has some good cars but they're too spread out. A few for each "brand". That's why GM needs to take their few good models and keep Saturn and Cadillac or Chevy and Cadillac for cars and use GMC for their trucks and get rid of Pontiac, Buick, and whatever other brands they have. The Japanese have all been very successful with this strategy. They have one up-level brand, and their main-line brand.
ddrueding
Fixture
Sounds good to me. I just wich they were more clear with their product placement (like Merc and BMW). Even if you've never seen the line before, you know about where you stand and what you are looking for.
Stereodude
Not really a
I agree with you about BMW. I don't agree about Mercedes. I have no idea if a C class is higher end than a S, or if a S55 is better than a CLK320, etc... That one is not intuitive IMHO.
ddrueding
Fixture
Mercedes is more complex than BMW, but they have more variants to sell as well.
Sedans:
C < E < S
Coupes:
CLK < CLS < CL
Convertibles:
SLK < SL
....yeah, it is pretty complex. But I like their product lineup better than I like BMW's.
(Click on "See all models")
Sedans:
C < E < S
Coupes:
CLK < CLS < CL
Convertibles:
SLK < SL
....yeah, it is pretty complex. But I like their product lineup better than I like BMW's.
(Click on "See all models")
Pradeep
Storage? I am Storage!
What I found interesting when I've visited Germany is that none of the BMWs or Mercs had their model number displayed on the trunk. So it's difficult to tell if it's a 7 series or 5 series etc, except by visuals. No idea what engine is in each. Keep in mind that almost all taxis are Mercs, so it's not really a large status symbol.
ddrueding
Fixture
Were I to get a BMW or Merc (on any new car, really) I'd rather not have the markings all over. Were I to get a WRX STi, I would want it to look as much like a stock Impreza as I could. That way I could park it wherever, and the cops wouldn't be hunting me down.
Pradeep
Storage? I am Storage!
Hard to get rid of that large hood scoop
ddrueding
Fixture
The Spoiler is easy to get rid of, but IIRC, there actually is a reason for the hood scoop, so you can't just put an Impreza hood on without breaking stuff and reducing airflow to the engine
ddrueding
Fixture
Another note: I got a guy in a Prius to keep up with me on a nice stretch of 101. He couldn't manage the acceleration, but 110-ish wasn't a problem. Good to know.
ddrueding
Fixture
I don't bother turning on my GPS anymore for commutes, but I don't remember the spedo being that far off before...
Corvair
Learning Storage Performance
>> It has a retractible sun-shade.
It better have a good one, otherwise this car could be the most unpopular car in Arizona history.