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Saturn Aura

1463 messages,  Last post on Apr 20, 2009 at 6:09 AM

You are in the Saturn Aura Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Saturn Aura, Concept Cars


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#1393 of 1463
Re: TSB [62vetteefp] by 1487
Sep 05, 2007 (7:31 am)
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Replying to: 62vetteefp (Sep 05, 2007 6:53 am)

do you know why the epsilon cars lack rear armrests and navigation? You seem to have a lot of inside info so I figured I would ask. Also, why does GM put 6 way seats on the W cars but 8 way seats on Aura/Malibu. Is there some type of logical explanation?
#1394 of 1463
Accord/Camry/Malibu thoughts... by toybenz
Sep 05, 2007 (9:14 am)
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Before buying the '07 Aura XE, I drove the Accord EX-L 4 cylinder and Camry SE 4 cylinder. These were priced roughly the same as my Aura. For the Accord, I liked the exterior styling well enough (actually more than the '08). I didn't like the center dash display, lack of gas struts on the hood, or the bare metal inner trunk lid. I don't think you can beat Honda's 4-cylinder engines, and the auto trans shifted very smoothly. Accord handling was as good as expected (this car came with Michelin tires, which are my personal favorite). I know a bit about Accords, having owned an '88, '93, and '98. Perhaps because the other mid-sizers are catching up, but the Accord didn't seem to have the edge in solidity and refinement that it used to. So, I crossed it off the list.
 
For the Camry SE, I liked the exterior (except the huge Toyota badge junking up the front grille). I also liked the interior, especially the center console. What kept me from buying the Camry in large part was the transmission--reported troubles of shift "flare" in Edmunds (I experienced this personally in my own Highlander). Also, I wanted an SE without the roof, but with at least a few other options. This is next to impossible to find.
 
Now to the Aura. I love the exterior design, and the interior as well. The car is VERY solid, and it handles and brakes well. The few passengers I've taken in it are all surprised that it is an American car. I would make the Aura's windows maybe an inch taller for better vision (although all cars seem to be getting less glass area). I also would add a rear armrest and grab handles over the doors. The Aura is my first American vehicle in 20 years, so I am hopeful that my experience with it over the long haul is good. If not, I will again buy Japanese the next time around. My final thought is that the Aura is light-years ahead of most of the General's previous mid-size sedan efforts. The fact that I, a confirmed import buyer, looked at it in the first place says a lot about the car itself.
#1395 of 1463
Re: TSB [1487] by 62vetteefp
Sep 05, 2007 (9:26 am)
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Replying to: 1487 (Sep 05, 2007 7:31 am)

Epsilon probably does not have rear armrests for cost reasons.
 
No navigation because it is so expensive and they doubt many will buy. Go check out a Toyota store and see how many Camrys have the dash system. Two years ago you never saw them. A dealer said they do not stock because no one wanted it because of the price. Now that may have changed but from what I see the price has not come down much and few want to spend $1500 for nav on a $25k car. I will say though that we have an Acadia and the Nav is wonderful. Of course $1500 on a $45k vehicle is a bit different than on a $25k vehicle. I would bet though that nav will show up on the Eps II vehicles.
 
The newer Impala does have power recline. The issue is that it is very expensive to tool up new features in a vehicle that is carryover. You basically have to reengineer/retool parts for a short period of time (~ 2years) In other words GM would rather spend money on the all new vehicle than to reengineer/tool systems in carryover. They have to balance the cost / investment. I would rather have them spend the money on the new vehicle than go back and try and update all the areas that are now out of date on a vehicle that will be replaced in 2 years.
#1396 of 1463
Re: Accord/Camry/Malibu thoughts... [toybenz] by 1487
Sep 05, 2007 (11:12 am)
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Replying to: toybenz (Sep 05, 2007 9:14 am)

"The Aura is my first American vehicle in 20 years, so I am hopeful that my experience with it over the long haul is good. If not, I will again buy Japanese the next time around. My final thought is that the Aura is light-years ahead of most of the General's previous mid-size sedan efforts. The fact that I, a confirmed import buyer, looked at it in the first place says a lot about the car itself. "
 
I'm glad you have it a try and hopefully you will have a positive experience. Believe it or not the Aura is hardly the first on only solid midsize american car. In spite of the fact that it didnt get stellar reviews (mostly due to electric steering) the G6 is just as solid in terms of handling as the Aura. Even the current Malibu was a solid car that was hampered by boxy styling and a reputation as a rental. The Aura is actually more of a mild evolution of the Malibu and G6 with more European themed styling. The hardware underneath and the solidity of the platform is largely the same.
#1397 of 1463
Re: Need Help.....decisions....decisions....long post [gncrrr] by dms1945
Sep 06, 2007 (6:42 am)
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Replying to: gncrrr (Sep 04, 2007 8:33 pm)

I own a Saturn VUE and will need to dump this 2003 model, am also looking into the Aura and Camry. Have been in touch w/legal firm due to Class Action suit against Saturn for the VTI trans on the 2003. Anyway, he has complaints logging up on his desk on Toyota Camry and Avalon. They are having the same problem w/trans, their Rheostat trans. Do some research on Carbuying.com and read comments from Camry owners! Not the same car as was built in the 80's & 90's.
#1398 of 1463
Aura vs 08 Malibu by vanman1
Sep 06, 2007 (4:57 pm)
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I agree with those choosing the Aura, the Malibu will be a very common car. Aura will always be more exclusive, even when the XE-4s come for 2008. It will also likely translate into better re-sale also.
#1399 of 1463
Re: Aura vs 08 Malibu [vanman1] by 1487
Sep 07, 2007 (10:12 am)
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Replying to: vanman1 (Sep 06, 2007 4:57 pm)

Aura had is best sales month in August with 6700 units sold. Maybe the car is slowly catching on. I think the 4 will help sales quite a bit.
#1400 of 1463
Re: New Aura XR [noles200] by barleywine
Sep 09, 2007 (7:51 pm)
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Replying to: noles200 (Sep 01, 2007 10:52 am)

Sounds like you have some experience with the incentive from Saturn...what is the premise of the incentive...?
#1401 of 1463
Re: New Aura XR [barleywine] by noles200
Sep 10, 2007 (8:40 am)
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Replying to: barleywine (Sep 09, 2007 7:51 pm)

I don't really have experience with the incentive. I only know what I've read and what I've been told. There are two incentives. 1 is the $1,500 rebate on the '07's. The other is the $1,000 "conquest" rebate that is given if you are trading in a non gm brand (don't know if it's specific to Honda and Camry). First dealer I went to was kind enough to "forget" about the conquest rebate. They suddenly remembered it when I brought it up.
 
On my vehicle I received the GM family discount and the rebates, which is why it was such a sweet deal. Also, remember that Saturn does not negotiate off of MSRP but there is always room to negotiate. See if they'll throw in other things you might want, see if they'll give you more for your trade, etc. It is crazy to pay MSRP for a car, which is probably why that extra $1,000 is out there as the "conquest" rebate. That $1K brings the price of the car closer to invoice price and the $1.5K brings it below invoice.
 
Hope that helps. I'm sure there are others who could probably add if I've left anything out.
#1402 of 1463
Re: New Aura XR [noles200] by 1487
Sep 10, 2007 (9:19 am)
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Replying to: noles200 (Sep 10, 2007 8:40 am)

The XE has better incentives than XR as far as I know. The conquest rebate would apply to anyone trading a non-Gm car.

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