Q: I'm just curious. The Saturn dealer tried to talk us into a new Astra when we went to look at a used Ion that had been sold. The Ion is more like a compact Toyota Corolla, where the Astra seems to resemble the Toyota Matrix hatchback. Apparently Saturn dropped the US-built Ion (after five years) in favor of the European-built Astra. I'm wondering if they regret that decision now. I actually don't like the looks of the hatchback and am glad I got the Ion, a regualr sedan w/ a spoiler. So that's why I'm curious to see if these new cars about which they're brangging so are even selling. P.S. We got the Ion from a Chevy dealer, because Saturn isn't even pricing their used cars competetively.

A: I have seen it on the road. The Saturn Astra is known as the Opel Astra and Vauxhall Astra in Europe and is one of Europes most popular cars and has been for many years. It is also more expensive in Europe than in America. It is not popular here because it is a European design and it is $5000 overpriced and not so great on gas because it has a bigger engine. Also, very few people know it exists in America.