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I see you posted that you liked the Intrigue. Perhaps the LaCrosse is close. They have terrific deals on used ones, or left over 2006.
Aura sales appear to be slow. Maybe there will be a $1,ooo rebate?
Or maybe they will deal more on the trade-in price?
-Loren
That is why the LaCrosse is still based on the old W car. We wanted a Buick midsize to have lots of room (also 6 passenger capability). The Epsilon architecture, while newer and with a lot of benefits, is just smaller and tighter in the front wheel wells. Hopefully the Eps 2 will greatly improve on this.
Mot likely it will have mimimal front overhang and a longer wheelbase than today.
So far I love the Aura’s ride and power. No it doesn't get 40 MPG like the Jetta but I don't care, and I drive 135 miles daily. I wanted a good comfortable ride with plenty of power, traction control and power seats. I have them all in the Aura and my insurance dropped $250 a year too boot.
My only regret being: I didn't go for satellite radio as my Jetta had Sirius radio with I grew to like. Oh well there is always after market but I will probably just do the CD thing. Happy safe motoring everyone and thanks GM for the Aura because I didn't like your 2007 G6/G5 or the Buick line.
Just curious, however: Just where do you plan on having top speed shootouts with Camrys? Seriously, if you're into a mano a mano with a Camry, I think it would more likely be in acceleration. Nothing personal, but one wonders about people who boast about top speed in family sedans. What's next, bragging about lawn tractor tow ratings? :shades: Cool.
To get to an H rating you have to add different belts which compromise other criteria in the one of which is quietness. Also a big one-cost.
Speed limited (no such thing as governors any more) has nothing to do with "pulling away" at speeds less than the top end limit.
The Aura is not meant to be a "racer" car as the SE Camry tries to be (but is not).
I am sure the XE and XR could go faster, though we don't have an Autobahn here in the USA to try speeds of more than 106 MPH anyway. Where would need such speed? Once again, it is logical that the 3.6V6 in the Aura would propel this car much faster than 115 electronically limit speed. Tire costs would go up, as required to match those higher speeds, as would insurance rates. Why push it? Well, unless you are taking it to the track. Anyone know if they are racing the Aura or Vectra?
-Loren
For speed, the new hatchback coming to Saturn showrooms some months down the road, may be the ticket. Smaller, lighter, and with a turbo charged engine. May have a higher electronic limited speed. How many people are doing track time though?
-Loren
I drove the Camry twice and the Aura three times, as the "feel" behind the wheel was strangely (for GM) very good and the build quality is approaching parity with the good Japanese brands.
The Camry's 6-speed/engine are very eager, smooth, and a touch more powerful than the XR. however, the XR feels much much more brawny due the low end torque; more like a small block V-8. The Camry tranny is smoother on downshifts...but slow; the XR has to be prodded a bit for downshifts and is a bit abrupt but very positive. Camry is bigger inside,especially head room; XR has bigger trunk and nicer trunk finish. Road holding is about the same with XR doing slightly better on fast sweeping turns due to bigger rubber. Camry ride is hard and twictchy; XR is smooth and composed. Camry is choppy over on uneven/rough roads, XR rear multi-link gets the job done effortlessly without rear hop/bounce. Camry engine and wind noise (moderate) is higher than Camry XL model; XR is very, very quite (almost Lexus like) at all speeds.
And finally, XR has a few minor flaws in interior design and materials selections to be sure, but both Camrys I drove has unexpected (for Toyota) fit/finish flaws.
Overall, I choose the XR over the Camry due, in order: driving feel, looks, quite composed ride, torquey engine/tranny combo, more exclusive (not a me too, everyone has one car), ~ $2k price advantage, dealer paradigm. Choose leasing over purchase to preclude/offset faster than Toyota depreciation. After nearly 4 months I would still do the same thing .
Todd
And thanks to those have given some early reports on their Aura autos.
So far it seems as though all are happy enough. Any updates or other new owners reporting in???
-Loren
BTW, I found a 0-60 figure of 7.5 seconds for the XE model. Does that seem right. The XR model pretty much matches the Accord and Camry -- close enough, better or worse. So it is quick or fast, with neither too slow. Amazing when you think of the power today from a six compared to the so called good ol' days when you did not have as much from a V8.
And, I may add twice the gas mileage, or better.
-Loren
I asked around to multiple dealerships and found out that this is the 2nd time they've stopped production on these pan sunroofs. The stopped for a couple months in November also, then came out w/a 2nd generation sunroof that was quieter.
As of today (Feb 15th) I found out that Saturn has stopped taking orders for them and that engineers were going to make a decision by early March as to it's "fate/availability".
Anyone else know any details about all of this? Any current owners have any reviews of the Pan sunroof? Is it loud when you open/close...or is wind noise loud?
Thanks
Could you point me to this quote?
thanks.
OK I looked at your original message and it looks like it came from a Saturn dealer.
I have not considered owning an American car since my
last one, a 1954 Ford, but if awd were an option I think that I might bite.
Not with this generation but the next one may. Which vehicles in this market have AWD available? I only know of a couple and that is the Suburu and Ford 500 which are not exactly high volume vehicles/upscale.
I had a change of heart on buying a Pontiac G5. I love the Aura so much and want it to last knowing my long daily commutes will shorten it’s life and at the same time cost big bucks in fuel so I bought another new car one week after buying the Aura. I ended up buying a G5 and that was after not liking the seating comfort in the G6 thinking the G5 was a downgrade, NOT TRUE, for me anyway. Bought the base model G5 with the one year XM radio promotion prepaid with an excellent discount to boot. It was called [out with the old in with the new]. Had to settle for red because that’s all that was left. With my suppliers discount I did real well buying two new cars in as many weeks.
I read most of the posts on the Aura. I write this post having owned many new cars. For example: Camry’s-- both 6 and 4 cylinders, VW TDI, Honda Civic. The VW handled the best by far of any car I have owned although I have yet to push the Aura that hard, to what end really. But the VW’s ride was hard, not a GM ride, not even close. I also test drove the Hyundai cars, several of their models but was not impressed enough to buy. Yes they equipment them well, so what, I don’t like them regardless.
After driving foreign cars for around 20 years and knowing how America car companies are hurting making this country hurt with them I bought two GM’s back to back in one week and not sorry at all. They have come a long way since I drove them in the early 80’s, a L-O-N-G way to the positive side on all levels.
The Aura had one small fault I wanted to mention. The truck lid was tweaked on the left side looking from behind. The dealership body shop told me they would just drill out the round hold fastener making it oblong for adjustment. At that point I called Saturn national customer service and they initiated a three way conference call to the main man at the dealership I bought it from. It was agreed upon that if they couldn’t fix it without drilling holes in my brand new car they would replace it. Well suddenly the body shop didn’t need to drill it. It’s now fixed like it should have been when it left the factory. It was overlooked obviously and it’s hard to believe it made it that far past QC because I could slide my pinky into the gap it created being misaligned. [I was in a hurry on delivery and missed it]. It’s fixed and I am happy with it plus the fact they were actually going to replace the car if it couldn’t be accomplished minus the drilling. After driving the G5 around the Saturn feels like a big luxury car, and to me that’s exactly what it is.
I am back to American cars to stay whether it’s assembled in Istanbul matters not to me, it’s one of the big three regardless and that’s what matters to me a retired [young] union worker still working. As far as Aura’s speed being limited to 115 MPH or so I say , get real fellow.
I do agree the Aura XR is one impressive little rocket ship. Plenty of power, it has stability control, and fairly good road feel, and lean on cornering is controlled. I liked the brakes on the second car test drive, which was the XR, better than the feel of the XE, though both work well. Engine on the XR sounds best, and the cabin is pretty quiet while cruising.
-Loren
Though it's rated at "only" 251 HP I believe many are confused in a way. I believe Americans drive "torque" and are infatuated with HP. They thereby confuse lower HP ratings (blue 330xi) as being inferior to comparative vehicles with more that the discussed one.
Another way of understanding it is "seat of the pants". Torque one can more readily feel from the "git go" and is more tangible than HP.
So, with 251 lb. ft. of torque in the Aura, it definitely gets your attention and gets you going faster than the 220 or 230 of the competition.
Just my 2cents worth.
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If this were true everyone would own a diesel which are the definition of [torque].
The average Joe doesn’t know nor care what his car's HP is rated at, what it red lines, or that 3000 mile oil changes are an asinine waste of time and money dreamed up by the quickie lube joints that sprang up since the American [full-service] gas station disappeared when at one time they even made toys of such stations they were so popular.
If you can't read or write ten different languages in America today you are falling behind, just like everything American these days. Bye Bye American Pie .
How about ten different computer languages? :P
Best Regards,
Shipo
I have 2 booster seats and 1 actual full size car seat (which has it's own 3 point harness).
So I'm wondering if I'll be able to fit those 3 across in the back.
thanks.
As far as 251 vs. 270HP in a FWD sedan, who cares? Both will be more than quick, as in fast 0-60 speeding ticket, and anything over 200# torque is gonna spin those front wheels until the traction control kicks in, or you get off the gas to let things settle down. I may just give the Aura XE another test run - it may be more than enough power. Once again, the XR is a rocket, and feels like you have a V8 under the hood. At $4K additional price, plus it is hard to find a base XR model, I assume most will opt. to buy the XE. I do NOT see this car as a $26K or more car - sorry, personal opinion, but I feel there is a price cap of which anything above seems inappropriate for its class. And I must consider resale hit, as in total in and out on this car. XR at $24K is pushing the limit - $26K+ is into other classes.
-Loren
They priced the Aura GL at $22,700 which is about $1700 more than the XE model but I think the GL has more standard equipment.
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At 65 MPH going a distance of 53 highway miles daily realized 23.9 MPG with the XE's 3.5 V6 with around 500 miles on the car.
-Loren
Hope Aura is still doing well (and gets a little bigger) in three years. At that time, I'll come back. Or maybe I'll just pick the Outlook.
I know all about the Hondas and other comparable foreign cars but wanted to buy strictly American for a change. I have no stability control like the VW had and don't really care. I have been licensed to drive since November of 1967 and know how to drive in Pennsylvania winters minus all the fancy new gadgets we all of a sudden can't live without.
I feel Saturn made money of course and I did ok as well, no regrets and being the Aura is going to mostly sit in my garage, I hope to have it for at least a decade and probably a lot longer. To me it’s a BIG car, bigger than I drive everyday anyway.
They priced the Aura GL at $22,700 which is about $1700 more than the XE model but I think the GL has more standard equipment. "
A fully loaded '07 Impala LTZ (all options) can be had for $26K when you consider the current incentives and the usual dealer discounts. The LTZ Impala is the closest match to the XR.
A fully loaded XR (all options) would be $26K after incentives. When the panoramic sunroof is chosen the XR goes up another $600.
There are some bargains to be found in the marketplace if you are willing to give up some things. For example, if you want an Impala with the 3.9L engine but no leather, you could choose the 3LT and choose every option except leather. The price with incentives and dealer discounts would be around $24K, which is very reasonable for a midsize/large sedan.
Also what is the best navigation system I can put in this car that you guys would suggest ? I saw a full color screen Garmin Navi (it is a removable handheld) for $600 at Best buy, is there a better navigation system out there? what would you suggest for this car ?
I drove this car today, she has exactly what I have been looking for, speed with good gas mileage (20/28) and great price $26K. The salesman warned me the prices would be going up, doubtful knowing the situation GM/Saturn is in right now, they better keep the price right where it is considering the Toyota Camry got best car of the year and beats the Aura's 0-60 mph rating at 6.3sec, toyota 6.0 sec. see Jan.2007 Motor trend magazine. I will stick with the Aura solely based on price. If they raise it, it is off my list of cars to consider purchasing, depreciation is too great even though it is a great car. They will compete and beat the competition considering all factors if they keep the price where it is.
Buying from the dealer will probably be expensive but ask. they might be able to swap from another car. They also may have a program to do what you want through the accesory program.
Check it out at Onstar.com (the have an interactive demo).
Todd
You can ask the OnStar operator to locate a certain type of establishment in a selected area, and then the directions can be downloaded to the car's computer for subsequent use.
For a higher monthly fee OnStar offers a "concierge" service where you can just bark orders for just about anything you want arranged or done for you; it just cost more, and you have to have a credit card setup so they can charge goods and services in your behalf. I guess this feature would appeal to big shots and/or folks with plenty of money and not much time to spare.
Functionally, the OnStar navigation feature gets the basics done very nicely, but there is not much WOW factor in showing it off to the neighbors compared to those cool looking color LCD Nav displays. For me, the 4th generation OnStar stuff was an unexpected and somewhat under appreciated bonus that came with new Aura.