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Saturn Aura

1478 messages,  Last post on Dec 05, 2012 at 4:33 AM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn Aura, Concept Cars

Messages Page 85 of 148

#839 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [sidv] by kurtamaxxxguy

Nov 04, 2006 (7:47 pm)

Replying to: sidv (Nov 04, 2006 7:14 pm)
Saw an Aura today. Salespeople were quick to state it was based on my Malibu Maxx chassis but with newer suspension (hydraulic bushings), etc. XR Interior felt cheap, as the center bin was falling apart, several "trim doors" did not latch, shift lever and door trims were loose, door pocket flashing tried to cut my fingers. Interior lights were right out of my Malibu. Less room in back than in my Maxx. Trunk looked low rent. Engine bay looked tidy with basic layout similar to Maxx save for newer engine and useful hydraulic prop rod.
 
Sales people (who had remembered me from 3 years ago - I did not remember them at all) kept urging me to drive it. I declined - the car left me cold. Maybe next year Saturn will get serious about build quality.
 
The polite sales people (Saturn still does well here) also could not explain how the traction control worked (my concern was it's the cheap "power cut" version used on most GM cars and worthless if you get one wheel on glare ice - if I am wrong, please feel free to enlighten me !!)
 
Should also add this Gangsta look the Chrysler 300 started is infecting a lot of cars, like the 2008 Mailbu with likewise higher beltline and smaller windows.

#840 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [kurtamaxxxguy] by venus537

Nov 04, 2006 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Nov 04, 2006 7:47 pm)
In the case of the 300, the higher beltline is probably for style. But for the Aura and other new cars the higher beltline is the result of obtaining higher side impact ratings. In traffic one day I noticed an Accord from two generations ago and the current Accord side by side. The difference in the beltline was striking. A car known for a low beltline is no longer.
 
Judging by the last two posts I have to wonder what I'm going to think of the Aura's interior. Being accustomed to my Audi, my last car, 03 Accord V6, now comes across as down scale in comparison.

#841 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [venus537] by 62vetteefp

Nov 04, 2006 (10:17 pm)

Replying to: venus537 (Nov 04, 2006 8:42 pm)
Judging by the last two posts I have to wonder what I'm going to think of the Aura's interior
 
I agree, but I have not read these kinds of harsh comments in the professional reviews. In fact quite the opposite. BUT, I will try and take a look at one myself!

#842 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [62vetteefp] by kurtamaxxxguy

Nov 05, 2006 (12:45 am)

Replying to: 62vetteefp (Nov 04, 2006 10:17 pm)
Actually, Car and Driver found the same interior issues I did. At first it seemed CD tested a pre-production car (they often do), but the production sample I saw had the same issues.
 
The Aura is promising (its ext. paint easilly surpassed a $44K BMW I looked at that day), but Saturn has a distressing tendency to release cars with unfinished interiors. The '03 ION was a rattletrap, and it took them 3 years to tighten things up. Hopefully the Aura won't have to wait so long. Then again, the VUE, per Edmunds review, hasn't improved much in that area over its years.

#843 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [venus537] by sidv

Nov 05, 2006 (10:38 am)

Replying to: venus537 (Nov 04, 2006 8:42 pm)
Coming from Audi, one of the better practitioners of interiors, I have to say you will most likely be fairly underwhelmed by the Aura's interior. I have an 04 Saab 9-3 which has one of the less favorably reviewed interiors (frequently cited in reviews as a sign of GM's meddling) but it's far better than the Aura's to my tastes and manages to feel roomier despite being built on a shorter version of the same platform as the Aura which has interior measurements nearly identical to the Saab.
 
People who are used to, and content with, average American or lower-end Asian interiors and don't find it cramped as I did should have their expectations met with the Aura, but it's not a quantum leap forward as some reviewers would have you believe.

#844 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [62vetteefp] by sidv

Nov 05, 2006 (10:48 am)

Replying to: 62vetteefp (Nov 04, 2006 10:17 pm)
My comments may have seemed a bit "harsh", but really my main issue was with the design and its negative impact on roominess, whether perceived or in reality (I say perceived because on paper the Aura is at least as roomy if not more so as my current car but it sure didn't feel it). For the many others who do not have an issue with this or too much of an aversion to a few cheap trim pieces I am sure the interior will be just fine.

#845 of 1478 Re: Edmunds Review [vanman1] by nrborod

Nov 05, 2006 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: vanman1 (Oct 11, 2006 6:32 pm)
Hi,
I have test driven both the XR and the XE. I liked both and thought they are an excellent value. An for the first time in my life I'm now considering an American car. As far as the XR, I found the ride a little thumpy. Has anyone else commented on that? Or, maybe the tires were overinflated; it was a warm day, and dealerships don't keep check of tire pressure when cars are sitting on the lot. I sure did like the larger 6, and the 6 speed tranny. Like the quiet, the seating--perf for me with the more forgiving cloth seats.
I found the ride of the XE a little softer, but very good. The power was plenty adequate. Wished it had at least a 5speed automatic. Loved the looks of the Aura. VERY handsome. Really, a car I'm considering in either trim, after driving Accord 4 cylinders for over 12 years. I certainly am a little concerned about the reliability. But, I really like the Aura alot. Great value. Like it alot better than the Sonata V6.

#846 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [sidv] by savetheland

Nov 05, 2006 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: sidv (Nov 05, 2006 10:48 am)
The good value argument that domestics (or Nissan) are using lately starts to irritate me. Camry is also considered to be a good value but last generation looks like luxury sedan inside. How you compete against that? May be better handling and thats it. But if tomorrow Toyota decides to build better handling sedans - all other companies are doomed.
 
They have to stop using "good value" argument as an excuse and start making really good value cars. The hard plastic all around in Aura has to go and be replaced with non-shiny high quality well made soft plastic, we are not asking leather or something exotic here. Even Ford Fusion has higher quality and better fit materials, let alone Milan.

#847 of 1478 Re: Aura impressions [sidv] by vanman1

Nov 05, 2006 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: sidv (Nov 05, 2006 10:48 am)
I find it odd you find the Aura interior cramped coming from an Audi and a SAAB. Both of these cars have the most cramped interiors I have ever been in?
 
Aura is no Impala or 300 inside, but cramped does not come to my mind in an Aura?

#848 of 1478 T by kurtamaxxxguy

Nov 05, 2006 (7:30 pm)

Messages Page 85 of 148

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