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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 5, 2007 - 31 The 2008 Astra Continued from Page 29 some compliancy) were in. Go figure! On the plus side is GM's OnStar system that is standard with the car. Coming back from Napa I realized I was going east instead of south to get back to San Jose. With no map and rain pelting down, I hit the OnStar button because the big plus with OnStar is you get to talk to a real person. Jennifer came on line and I told her my problem hoping she might know how to get me back in right to direction. To my delight and surprise I found the Astra came with OnStar's added Direction and Connections service. Connections is a hands-free cellphone but Directions allows the OnStar person to first locate the driver and then turn-by-turn directions are fed into the system and it guides you there by computerized voice. Better then some after-market GPS devices I've tried, the OnStar gave three prompts leading up to a turn and it did not have that little lag that sometimes tells you to turn after you have passed the corner. The XR with its sport-tuned suspension and provision for up to 18-inch wheels (16-inch standard on the XE) was very adroit at urban city driving during morning driving through tourist towns like Morro Bay and Pismo Beach location for photo locations. Here squirts of power, a substantial feeling gearbox and quick steering made the XR three-door I was driving feel more like a hot hatch then a compact family car. Being nippy is good, not to mention the fuel consumption numbers of 8.5/6.1/7.4L/100 km city/highway/combined for the manual and 8.4/6.6/7.6L/100 km for the automatic. The 2008 Astra should appeal to the younger, hipper demographic Saturn is hoping to plumb. As a replacement for the Ion, the Astra is night and day better in every way. It's responsive, easy on fuel and with a hatchback, a very attractive proposition for the younger driver that all the car companies are trying to attract. Some of its European features may be different, not to mention the name. But with all it offers compared it nearest competitors, Astra looks to become as popular here is it is in the rest of the world. INSTANT REBATE Cars & Vans Assurance TripleTred Three unique tread zones for tricky driving conditions on dry, wet and even snowy roads. INSTANT UP TO $100* Ultra Grip Ice PICK-UPS & SUVS WINTER TIRES Eagle Ultra Grip & Ultra Grip Performance REBATE Premium winter tire that tackles the most severe winter driving Three unique tread zones for tricky conditions including snowy and icy High Performance winter tread design that is excellent in snow, driving conditions on dry, wet and roads. ice and slush even snowy roads. INSTANT REBATE INSTANT INSTANT REBATE REBATE Fortera TripleTred $ ON THE PURCHASE OF 4 TIRES 60 * $ ON THE PURCHASE OF 4 TIRES 100 * $ ON THE PURCHASE OF 4 TIRES 50 * $ ON THE PURCHASE OF 4 TIRES 60* For severe winter driving. $ 1. Lube, change oil and replace oil filter to keep your engine clean. 2. Top up all fluids including brake, transmission, power steering, and radiator. 3. Analyze the electrical charging-system. 4. Tighten all drive belts and hose clamps if required. 5. Inspect cooling system and steering-linkage components. 6. Inspect front and rear brakes. *Offer valid for most passenger vehicles until December 15th, 2007. Additional parts and labour extra. Synthetic oil and disposal fee extra. 38 WINTER CAR CARE PACKAGE FREE TOTAL TIRE CARE PACKAGE WITH THE PURCHASE OF WINTER CAR CARE PACKAGE 1. Four wheel tire rotation. 2. Check tires for cuts and snags. 3. Readjust air pressure. 4. Measure tread depth. 5. Replace missing valve caps. Offer valid for most cars and light trucks until December 15th, 2007. $ RADIATOR SERVICE PACKAGE 69 1. Pressurize cooling system and test for leaks 2. Drain and replace old anti-freeze with up to eight litres of new coolant. 3. Inspect and report on cooling-system hoses. 4. Adjust and lighten all engine drive belts as required *Offer valid for most passenger vehicles until December 15th, 2007. Dexcol coolant extra. EARN 25 BONUS AIR MILES REWARD MILES ON EVERY $100 YOU SPEND ON AUTO SERVICE! Must present coupon at time of purchase. One coupon per customer. Offer ends December 15th, 2007. Visit our website: www.goodyear.ca