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Sedans Saturn Aura Saturn Aura
1463 messages, Last post on Apr 20, 2009 at 6:09 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.
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Replying to: 1487 (Sep 05, 2007 7:31 am) 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.
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Replying to: toybenz (Sep 05, 2007 9:14 am) 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.
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Replying to: gncrrr (Sep 04, 2007 8:33 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.
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Replying to: vanman1 (Sep 06, 2007 4:57 pm) |
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Replying to: noles200 (Sep 01, 2007 10:52 am)
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Replying to: barleywine (Sep 09, 2007 7:51 pm) 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.
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Replying to: noles200 (Sep 10, 2007 8:40 am) |
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you only have to own a foreign car, not trade it in.
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