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Saturn Aura

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  • kmausskmauss Member Posts: 72
    Replying to myself here. Ironically for all that, I did NOT end up buying one. Reason being - the seats! I have a policy never ever to buy a car unless I can take one out for a couple of hours and thank God I did. The seats did not fit me and after about half an hour became VERY uncomfortable. My sister who was with me also said she found the seats to be uncomfortable, too small, and too hard on the bottom.

    Everything else about the Aura, I absolutely loved. Were it not for the seats, I would have bought one. :(
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    I agree 100% but I dont doubt that when the new Accord comes out many Aura skeptics will harp on the fact the Accord will have more hp. The Aura XR is very fast and I personally dont need a car thats any faster. Besides, the Altima has more hp and is no faster than the Aura so more hp doesnt even mean much in every case.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    The Accord 07 V6 is 244HP with 0-60 6.6 sec. - Aura 252HP with 0-60 6.5 sec. and the Altima, like you said is slower than the Aura with more HP. Makes you wonder about the value of the CVT transmission. I assume the stick is rocket fast. I too doubt most people will feel too much of a difference in speed, as they are all so close. Even the Fusion V6 is about the same speed. With the 285HP Accord V6, you may feel the extra kick, as the 0-60 is said to be 5.8 seconds. Not sure if that is stick or auto transmission. Aura has good torque, so off the line, with that 3.6V6, and the six speed tranny, it is a good kick in the pants. I would say every bit as impressive as the Japanese competition for engine performance. Have not driven the Camry V6 yet.

    I can find no info. on the Accord Sedan V6 for '08, so who knows how fast it will be, say 0-60 in 6 seconds perhaps. For the coupe, speed may be more important to some. For the sedan, most all of these V6 engined cars seem to be pretty darn quick, and quicker than some sports cars in the 0-60, until more recent times. The coupes, with a stick, may be something GM may wish to match time slips with. Oh why not ;) And yes, I am agreeing with the 0- speeding ticket times, are pretty much all equal these days. No more tens seconds or twelve seconds to get there times. Gone are the days of 140HP 5.0 V8s and all those woes. It's all good now.
    Loren
  • savethelandsavetheland Member Posts: 671
    You can forget high HP engines and even probably V6 engines altogether right now. Accord will not come with more powerful V6, rather less powerful or may be with 1.6L I4. Because congress will soon dramatically increase gas mileage standards .
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    The new Accord is said to have 285, but who knows. Current one is 244HP and is listed as 29 MPG Hwy, which I can easily achieve. The Aura 3.6 is listed at 252HP and 28 MPG freeway, I believe it to be. I assume it can easily hit those numbers. All depends on the individual car and driver of course, and I found that 10% higher than EPA is easy to do.The gas mileage of a V6 is not so bad these days considering the HP is around 100 additional. As for meeting the gas mileage standards, why not just up the standards for those large SUVs, or take the 19 MPG guzzlers off the road? A V6 car is getting near i4 gas mileage. If it came down to i4 engines, I would go Honda. For the V6 engines, that GM 3.6 is a nice one.
    Loren
  • phaetondriverphaetondriver Member Posts: 175
    Just a quick FYI. Saturn has the Aura XR 0-60 in 6.4 and 1/4 mile in 14.9@95
    R&T came up with an average 0-60 in 5.9.
    They also did the 1/4 in 14.5 sec @97.7 mph
    My personal test averages 6.0 0-60 at sea level.

    Just a small nit, makes little difference in the long run.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    You do feel the difference between the XE and XR. I told the salesman, the XR feels more like the rocket. I learned one thing at a stop light, if you see an economy looking car, called the Mitsubishi Lancer, double check to see if it is really the Evolution. Dang, that thing flew off the stop light. It looked plain, but flew like a plane.

    As for the XR Aura, I don't think they need any more HP, as you pointed out, it is plenty fast. Leave the high output 3.6 V6 for the more expensive CTS models.
    Loren
  • phaetondriverphaetondriver Member Posts: 175
    U'r right, got to watch those little buggers. Some are really quick.
    I just love it when the socker mom wants to run with me in her Beeeemer or Merc. Unless they have the big v8 or v12 I'll make them mad cause they can't blow me off like the other Econo sedans in the neighborhood.
    BTW the neighborhood is Palm Springs so there are a lot of Beeeemers, Merc's and Lexus' to play with.

    I am hoping that as I get a few more miles on the XR it will loosen up a bit and get even quicker.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Only did a quick run for a test of the XR and found it to be fun. The paddle shifting, I am not familiar with, but it seemed like for down shifting into a turn, it made some sense. Perhaps those country roads. Most of the time, the automatic setting is fine. I like a stick, but around town, the automatic is the best way to go. Too many stop and go signals. I got a Honda with an automatic this time, and use the D3 selection for tight cornering, and mostly the overdrives, as in Drive automatic.

    The XE automatic, while smooth enough and not jerky or hunting so much, is good. That 6 sp. on the XR is just that much better, IMHO. For those who but cruise, or take the family on those Sunday drives, the XE may be the ticket. And dare I say, the handling is good and it can be a fun car as well. But once inside the XR, with the pedal to the metal, the bad boy comes out in most of us, I do believe. Sort of like, yea, that Camaro V6 has a couple hundred ponies, and is almost as quick as the V8 Stang, but I could be driving the V8 with more kick to it, or why stop there, let me at the SS model, and look out world! The XE speed is OK, and feels sort of like the i4 Accord - not sure how the actual numbers compare. Both would be similar performance needs for the buyer targeted.
    Loren
  • savethelandsavetheland Member Posts: 671
    Loren, I still think you do not understand what kind of surprise politician are preparing for us. In CA it may happen any time soon. They want everyone except of rich to drive cars with 1.6L engine as a norm. Higher displacement engines will be taxed heavily so V6 will be a premium. E.g. if you are ready to pay $40,000 for V6 Aura or Accord – go for it. Otherwise buy 1.6 Accord with stick. It is not a fantasy – that’s how it works in all other world for many year even before global warming. I think if Honda comes with 280 hp Accord – it will be politically incorrect to say the least (even if not to take into consideration that it is FWD car). I can hardly believe Honda is so stupid to ruin its reputation by increasing C02 emissions in midst of all that global warming hysteria.
  • m1miatam1miata Member Posts: 4,551
    Global warming? Well that ice age was pretty nasty. Remember that one. ;) The sun seems to be putting out more heat. See no way that driving a i4 engine car vs, say a fuel efficient V6 will change that. If they do tax the displacement, like Europe, I guess GM scores one with the Saab 2.0 turbos.

    Global warming hysteria, guess you summed that up.
    Loren
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    what kind of surprise politician are preparing for us

    Actually they (government) do not know what they are doing. They are all on the bandwagon to give the people what they think the people want and few want to be seen as killing our world. Yes, if the requirements go thru and upheld we will see a huge downsizing in engines. Prices on larger vehicles will go up to pay for the equipment to get the mpg up (aluminum panels, hitech materials, etc.). What the government wants can be done, it will just come at a huge price in both vehicle cost and capabilities.

    Just look at what happened in the early 80's. The big push was for Citation type vehicles after we all drove BIG Impalas and such. But the public, after the scare, found out it was all bull and even with the requirements got around them by buying the huge trucks.

    I'm waiting for the government to get really serious and start making us not use our air conditioning in our homes and business's. Now there is some global warming. We burn coal to make electricity to run our units to suck the hot air out of our abodes into the air.
  • savethelandsavetheland Member Posts: 671
    This time I think there will be no escape because gas mileage for trucks will also dramatically increase. Our government increasingly becomes totalitarian and socialist at the same time. Since Genius (I mean Big Government aka Big Brother) is Out of the Bottle I don’t know if American people can do anything about it. People become too lazy and uninvolved and want just to delegate all their rights to government to continue to watch American Idol or reality TV uninterrupted. Watching TV became more important than having personal freedoms.
  • ttbttb Member Posts: 40
    Dear All:

    Just wondering the rpm of the XE with a 4-speed auto at 60mph and 75 mph.

    Also wondering how the XE's 3.5 V6 compares to the Japanese's 4 cylinders in terms of refinement and smoothness.

    Thanks.
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    I drove it and found it to be refined and quiet. I didnt get it up to 75mph though.
  • bob919344bob919344 Member Posts: 29
    My new Aura XR now has 1000 miles on it...

    I took it to AC and drove over 2 hrs at between 65-70 MPH and the car drives unbelievably Smooth and Quiet !! ALso.. I got a average on the highway with the cruise set of 25 MPG and thats not bad at all !!!

    Great driving car and very quiet and smooth !
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Per Total Vision Aura #1 in total quality over all other midsize cars. OK it ties the Maxima but it beat out Camry and Accord!
    http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/BUSINESS01/706040370/1002
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    Anyone know if 2008 Malibu production has started yet? I need to see the Bu before making any decisions.

    I noticed today that Aura in Canada now has 0.9% financing for up to 60 months and 0.9% lease for up to 48. Not bad, tempting.
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    it has not started yet and will not for at least 3 months or so.
  • striker4striker4 Member Posts: 2
    Would like to purchase a new Aura XR but dvd navigation is a must on my next car. Does anyone know whether it might be an option on the 2008 models?
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    it will not be. I once read it wont be on this generation period. Have no idea why.
  • bob919344bob919344 Member Posts: 29
    Do yourself a big favor !!!!

    Average Navigation cost you about $2000 on a car.. Once you pay for it its GONE for good and always stays with the car. If you Lease the car its gone at the end, if you sell it, it stays with the car and your $2000 is GONE !!!!!

    Go do what I did.....BUY a TOM TOM portable Nav and you can take it from Car to Car and when you sell or your lease is up, you still have it !! It does everything any other NAV does for about $300-399 Tops now....Prices on portable NAV systems have some way way down now...

    You will save a Ton of $$ and always have it !!!!! and best, if you use another car or someone else is driving, you can bring it in their car !!!! Cant do that if its part of the car right ????

    ***************************
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    Actually I was reading in Business Week that pre-production has begun, I think it will start sooner.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    Plant built cars (pre-production) should have been built last year and continually built in stages since then.
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    They are getting a long term Aura XR.
  • bob919344bob919344 Member Posts: 29
    WHATS THAT MEAN ?????

    never heard that term in my life...... Whats a

    " Long term Aura XR " ?????
    *****************************
  • npgmbrnpgmbr Member Posts: 248
    I was wondering the same thing.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    A long term vehicle in the auto parlance is when a car tester tests a vehicle for a long time. You know, more than a week. They actually live with the car and put some miles oni it.
  • phaetondriverphaetondriver Member Posts: 175
    Save your money. Buy the XR. It comes with a year of OnStar for free and they give you turn-by-turn navigation for free....
    So wait till the year is up and buy a nav system or use a laptop and DeLourm GPS /program. Way way better than any nav systems for under a $1000, plus you have a laptop too.
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    NAV systems are a waste of money. Buy an external one for $200-$300 and you can use it in any car. Personally I have very little need for one but the other than looking cool, the OEMs are way over priced.
  • cowbellcowbell Member Posts: 125
    Probably 80% of things we buy are wastes of money. If you want the Nav system integrated, buy it. If your concern is wasting money, you probably shouldn't even be buying a car that offers Navigation as an option.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    We went on a driving vacation and there was a nav unit in the dash. No doubt my next car will have one. I in no way thought I would ever get one but 2 weeks with it changed my mind.
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    with the recent growth in aftermarket nav systems I am starting to think GM isnt really that stupid for not offering it in their cheaper cars. First of all, most affordable midsize cars sold do NOT have nav. That makes sense because most people looking to spend less than $25k on a family car are not going to ante up $2000 for one option. The price gap between the aftermarket systems and factory systems is so large that I just dont see nav taking off on non luxury vehicles unless prices come down. At this point in time I would never pay for a factory nav system.
  • cowbellcowbell Member Posts: 125
    I was at the Saturn dealership yesterday, and the salesman said GM is discontinuing the Panoramic roof which means the Aura will not be getting it. Has anyone else heard anything about this? THe option is still listed on the saturn home page, so I'm not sure what to think.
  • npgmbrnpgmbr Member Posts: 248
    Well my guess would be that its still listed as a option on the website because those models with the panoramic roof are sitting on the lots. So, until they exhaust those models it will continue to be offered as an option to help clear out those models but it won't be offered as an option on newer models if infact GM does discontinue it.

    It just wouldn't make sense to delist the option before you have sold as many of those models as possible.
  • noles200noles200 Member Posts: 49
    on October 15th. I spoke with Chad in their customer service center and he informed me that once production begins on October 15th we can expect to see the new Malibu in showrooms within the next 4 to 8 weeks (I guess it depends on how far you are from the plant in Kansas).

    That's not really the news I was looking for, as I was hoping the car would be in showrooms by September or so. I am thinking of the Malibu or the Saturn Aura but I like the styling of the Malibu a bit better, not to mention I'm thinking it will be better equipped in the LTZ model (as compared to the Aura XR model) but I don't know that for sure. I test drove the Aura and loved the ride and think the Malibu will be the same. I just can't stand the Saturn dealers here in NJ as they won't budge off MSRP unless there's an incentive on the vehicle. I've also noticed the 2008 model is $500 more but I don't think they've done anything different with the car.

    How do others feel about not being able to test drive or see the Malibu when comparing it to the Aura until November or December of this year?
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    From what I understand, you will not see any Malibus until year end and probably not big numbers until early spring. It's a very slow roll out, I thought it was suppose to be out in September? If you need a car now (or this year for that matter), the Aura is the way to go
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    I read in the new Motor Trend there will be an XE-4 and an XE-6, anyone know for sure if this is true? My understanding is the 2.4L was only available with the hybrid system. I was thinking it could just be a misprint.
  • guy1974guy1974 Member Posts: 119
    It is not just Saturn dealers in NJ. Saturn dealers do not budge from MSRP - that is a unique Saturn selling point so you had better get used to it. To soften the blow Saturn have upto $2250 of rebates/incentives on the 07 Aura to help shift the backlog.
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    this wont be happening for MY08, but perhaps it will happen for the 2009MY. All of the detials on the 2008 model have already been released.
  • noles200noles200 Member Posts: 49
    guy1974 wrote: To soften the blow Saturn have upto $2250 of rebates/incentives on the 07 Aura to help shift the backlog.

    Where do I get $2,250 of rebates/incentives! I just talked to the dealership and they acted like I was nuts. They said the only thing they'd give me is $500 for some conquest incentive because I'm trading in another car. $500 is crap. Tell me how to get the other $1750 and I'll buy the Aura today, otherwise I'll have to wait and upgrade to another Accord or maybe buy the '08 Malibu. I just don't understand why Saturn doesn't deal. No wonder they've only sold 9 of 128 Aura's over the past 3 weeks. That's right, they had 128 Aura's on thier lot on the 9th of this month. I don't know how they stay in business without turning inventory. The longer something sits, the worse off they are, no?
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    CAmry has $700 incentive right now and the Aura has $1000.
  • savethelandsavetheland Member Posts: 671
    noles, what incentives there are on Honda Accord? I guess there should be a lot. When redesigned Camry came out my friend bought new 4-cylinder Camry for the same price as certified used one with 30K miles on it. Initially he wanted to buy certified used Camry, but every one we tested had some defect or issue and dealer did not want to deal - never saw such an arrogant bunch of idiots. So we went and bought new Camry for the same price (16,500 w.o. taxes) without any haggling.

    So I guess you can get great deal on Accord without much effort. But Aura is a new model so do not expect give back here. Saturn will not deal - period. It is how they got highest customer satisfaction in industry. If you do not like it - just don't buy Saturn - wait for Malibu (better looking car IMHO inside and outside, at least at photos).
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    go to GMbuypower.com for incentives on Aura. Its definitely more than $500. Until recently you could get $1750 in rebates as long as you didnt finance through GMAC.
  • saturn_commsaturn_comm Member Posts: 27
    Yes, the Aura will have a 4-cylinder available in the 2008 model year. Details will be released today.
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    where can we see these details?
  • saturn_commsaturn_comm Member Posts: 27
    Here's a link to the press release.

    http://media.gm.com/us/saturn/en/product_services/r_cars/r_c_aura/index.html
  • 14871487 Member Posts: 2,407
    edmunds finally started writing about their long term test car. Initial comments are good but their intro isnt good. They basically say the car has been hyped up and they dont feel it can really compete with camry and accord. They found the car underwhelming but got a long term car to see if it would change their minds. I am not quite clear on why they think this car is so average.
  • 62vetteefp62vetteefp Member Posts: 6,043
    I am not quite clear on why they think this car is so average.

    Because they are Edmunds. I just remembered that the Aura beat out the Camry for the best Sedan of the year by all those national media experts. Not sure why Edmunds is disagreeing with all those experts.
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    Should boost volume considerably. Many people want a 4 and I think Aura has suffered buy not offering one.
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