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In the car market, your heavy hitter sells the tickets for peopel to see your lighter weights. Winning car comparos and positive reveiws are key. 221 hp is actually a good amount of horsepower but it has been the reason that the Fusion and Zephyr have steadily been hit hard in reviews. Those top line models that people aspire to is what brings them in for the more particle lower models.
The outside of the car wasn't as radical as in the concept and didn't look as enticing. I'd say styling wise it falls mid market.
The interior is a whole different story. The interior is just as nice as the concepts. The only thing that stock out to me as something that was let out was a manushift tranny. THis is standard on all V6 G6s and is becoming a standard in the industry. Even the new Camry (which will be competition) has a manushift in there.
It is standard on the XR model (with 3.6L DOHC V6 and 6 speed auto) and not available on the XE model (with 3.5L VVT V6 and 4 speed auto)
This car is great the way it is for the most part and hope like most people say that GM doesn't "Dumb it up". The car to me needs to add two more features for me to definitely buy. First it needs AWD as an option; I hear rumors that they are coming out with a Red Line version with a 300 HP engine AWD on that would be great. Secondly the car needs a navigation system (Preferably voice activated like the Accord). Again I know many people are going to whine that it’s a toy and are not important but look at power windows, locks, steering, and all other features that came out when they were first released many people labeled them as toys but look at them now they are standard on most cars of any trim. Also not to mention for someone like me it is very important. I am moving to a new area and we don't know anything about the area and I do allot of driving so this is a necessary feature for me.
If they want to attract the younger buyer like me they need to add more features like this. I would get the external version but it lacks features not to mention it clutters the dash. Other than that the car is good. I just hope it is as nimble as my 94' Accord and doesn't have this numb steering that plagues some GM cars. Up until recently I wouldn't consider American cars except maybe Cadillac's but the price keeps me away. The reason is to me they lacked in areas. For example many have these ugly fixed antenna's, I just hate them and refuse to get a car with one. What ever happened to power antennas? My Accord has one that worked well for the past 12 years. Or why not just install window grid antennas?
Another thing that I find to be an important security/ convenience feature that many American cars lack is the mechanical fuel door. I really enjoy that feature for its convenience and security feature since it lowers the likelihood that someone will siphon your gas or rip off your fuel cap. Many American cars (Mainly FWD cars) get criticize for not being agile or having numb steering. It is important that the car I buy handles well. RWD is not an option since they are useless during the winter. Finally my biggest concern is the reliability, I don't want to car to be in the shop every five minutes. The features I like that comes mainly on GM cars is the stabilitrack and On Star those are great features. That's about it, hope they keep to the show model and add the features I want and I think the car will be great. PS if you are going to reply to my post no flaming I really didn't come here for a debate.
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Most GM cars that are on the W platform or higher have mechanical fuel filler doors. The MAlibu and G6 do not have this, but the Aura does. Personally, I dont see why this feature is important because it's kind of pointless. I dont think stealing fuel is huge issue but maybe it will become one as prices increase.
The Malibu SS and G6 GTP have the same steering system as the Aura and both have been well received by the press in general. The hydraulic system seems to be far better than the electric system found in most Malibus/G6s. The Ford Fusion is another domestic FWD car that has great steering as far as I know.
I would not expect to see AWD on the Aura because this platform doesn't support AWD. I would expect to see a Redline version with 280+ hp and possibly navigation at some point.
Unless you have a lemon no modern car is going to be in the shop every five minutes. YOu seem like a guy that believes in CR and they have rated the Malibu and G6 to be at least average in reliability and I believe the G6 is recommended. That bodes well for the Aura.
At present, no Nav system on the Aura. There is a Nav System in the higher end Vue, so you should see one in the redline Aura.
The Saturn ION gets high marks for ride and handling, but low marks for appearance. I am optimistic the Aura, a good looking car in and out, will carry over the quality ride and handling of the Aura.
GM vehicles recently have done quite well with reliability.
GM Audio in mid level is about as good as it gets.
Saturn dealers are head and shoulder above the typical Toyota and Honda dealer experience.
Unless you are living in backcountry Montana, the Aura with all season tires and traction control will be more than up to winter conditions.
Realistically then, the only time an FWD set up with decent all seasons tires would be challenged, you would not want to be on the road anyway.
As stated above, AWD is murder on gas mileage. If I recall, the Poconos and West Jersey have pretty long driving times to most work and shopping. I would put a lot of thought into it before buying AWD.
This car does have a button for the fuel door, I remember noting that on the car at the NYAS last month.
Also, the Vue does not have navigation. The only Saturn that will have it this year is the Outlook.
As has been reported a number of times, the two V6s available in the Aura will be:
Base: the GM 3.5 vvt ohv, which will be in the '07 Impala and Malibue, etc.; and,
Optional: the GM 3.6 vvt ohc currently in the Cadillac CTS.
By the way, Saturn will drop the Honda V6 from the VUE next year.
BTW, as I said before the Aura will not be getting AWD anytime soon. The epsilon platform doesn't support AWD. The next generation of the platform will support this feature though.
I would say within a 95% range of certainty the next gen VUE will have the following:
2.4 with the light hybrid;
3.5 ohv base V6; and
3.6 ohc optional with the six speed auto.
Less likely, but still possible:
The dual phase hybrid system (probably with a V6, but maybe a 4); and,
Diesel options.
My feelings on the latter:
The low sulfur diesel fuel is almost here in the US.
The European models will have diesel.
Diesel engines are an almost perfect choice for a light SUV, if the emissions issue is under control (which it will be with low sulfur).
An Aura with the full dual phase hybrid system would probably get pricey.
An Aura with the value hybrid system that will be in the VUE would probably start around the same price as the Aura with the 3.6 litre.
Did anyone see the new commercial where they show the Aura? I saw it last night.
When I tried to tell him it didn't make sense to purchase a car for the sole purpose of saveing money on gas, when you already have a car thats paid for and gets good mileage was foolish he shrugged it off and said I didn't know waht I was talking about.
Another friend did the same thing except she traded in her gas guzzling Wrangler (which she was still paying for) to get an Escape Hybrid.
Now, the both of them are faced with the reality that they both got themselves deeper into debt to save a few bucks on gas.
So, instead of paying 30 to 40 bucks for a fill up, their now paying less than 25 bucks for a fill up but also have loans that cost them both about 4 to 500 bucks a month. That does not make sense!
Now, if these two clueless friends of mine would have purchased their new Hybrids out of necessity I would have been all for it, but that was not the case at all. They are now both spending far more than they did with their old cars.
It isn't just this generation of young that have trouble with simple math.
Now, if one said that for political or environmental reasons they wanted to consume less oil and didn't care about costs, OK.
The friend that bought the Civic says he sees only a slight difference in his fuel consumption. But when I told him that he needs to train himself to drive a little slower and not race to redlights he simply ignores me because he belives it will pay off in the long run.
The value hybrid system GM is currently planning for the Aura will not add significantly to the overall cost of the vehicle.
The value Aura greenline most likely will base somewhere just below the Aura with 3.6 litre V6.
If GM later decides to offer an Aura with the new dual phase hybrid system, I expect the consumer will have to shell out a lot more.
The point is, you can make exciting cars with plastic body panels. Actually, plastic has potential to do more wild things than steel. steel has limits on how far in can be stretched, creased, bent and twisted. A plastic part is molded in any shape you can make a tool.
Also, you won't be buying Saturns, they will be Opels. (and don't forget, more expensive).
Cars are poor investments, so I go with cars that have good shelf-life and minimum investment. Plastic body panels give me that. Every car I had before my Saturn had an annoying dent in it within the first year. If you don't get one, consider yourself lucky. Also, unless you lease, you'll need to deal with rust, eventually (hear in Michigan anyway).
I am a big diesel fan as well.
GM (and most other companies with European operations) has some excellent diesel options.
I think a combination of the low sulfur diesel fuel about to hit the US market and increasing gas price sending consumers looking for better mpgs will help the diesels. Don't be surprised to see a lot more diesels here and then the gas stations suddenly replacing their middle octane offerings with the new diesel fuel.
Maybe it was a dealer demo.