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Sedans Saturn Aura Saturn Aura New Owner Reports
234 messages, Last post on Oct 04, 2009 at 8:15 AM
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and I haven't had an opportunity to really drive around very much. Iffy weather has kept me at home after the workday ends, but I'm hoping for a break so that I can get around a bit more. So far, my two biggest quibbles with the car are the steering and the headrests -- and the headrests have been a problem in most of the new cars I've been in. They all push the head too far forward over the angle of the neck and shoulders. At least they could mold a divot into the center so a person's head could nestle in there. I don't know how to describe the steering, but it's so soft that I can't get a really good road feel through it. With the design of the Aura calling up thoughts of good German sedans, I think Saturn would be well served to incorporate a firmer, sportier feel to the steering of this car as well. And just a personal preference, I wish this car had been designed with a rear window windshield wiper. When I get some good weather around here, I guess I'll Rain-X the rear window, but a wiper would be great.
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Replying to: weezycom (Feb 21, 2008 11:29 pm) As for the steering, this is one of those area's that higher tire pressures help a lot. The low profile tires on the XR, when set at 30psi roll over way to far when in a corner and make the car feel soft and "squirmy." As soon as I pumped them up to 38/36 front/rear, that squirminess decreased to almost none. Good tires, like several others have mentioned, like th F1's form Goodyear, make a world of difference in the handling. I guess Saturn wanted the Aura to be more on the side of a Luxo-sedan than a perf-sedan. Tires will make the difference. A comment on the headrests. What your saying sounded like the restraint was always pushing your head forward, and I find it almost impossible for my head to come in contact with the restraint. I can't imagine how it could be touching my head while driving and almost think that in an accident it wouldn't help me at all. When your driving the seat back should be set at an angle so that your head never comes in contact with the head restraint. It's purpose is to protect your neck in a rear end collision, not something to rest against. Anyway, play with the tire pressures and see if the handling doesn't improve and the mileage improves, sure did for mine. |
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When your driving the seat back should be set at an angle so that your head never comes in contact with the head restraint That angle, however, sets up deltoid/mid-back strain reaching forward to properly control the steering wheel, and also increases strain on the lower lumbar vertebrae (low back, just above the tailbone). And I'm not talking about resting my head on the restraint -- it's literally being pushed forward when I'm trying to sit up straight. I was cursing the thing the whole way home tonight. Although it doesn't look cool, a relatively straight-up-and-down "L" position with the head in a balanced, neutral position is the best for the whole spinal column. I haven't been able to accomplish that in this car.
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Replying to: weezycom (Feb 22, 2008 10:41 am) But if this is how you need to sit then I think any modern coupe or sedan is going to be a problem for you. My 93 Cady would meet your needs very nicely though. You may need to try inclining the seatback and raising the seat bottom front till you find an acceptable compromise. Me personally, I am 6 ft tall, and I have no problem finding an angle that works for me and I change it from time to time on long drives. I hope you can to because this Aura really is a great driver, IMHO 
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I'll keep working at it. I am quite persistent. Plus, I have a lease and so my Aura and I are going to be together for several years. Even this morning, my upper shoulders/neck area is sore from a 30 minute drive home. I didn't notice the problem for the first couple of days because I was wearing a coat with a heavy, trimmed hood, and the hood pushed down and padded out the area between my upper back/neck/headrest, so it may be as simple as getting some foam rubber, a bit of fabric, and making a little neck pillow to hang there. Thanks for the tip about the tires. I wish I had the cash to change them out now, but I'll add some extra air for the meantime. I found a couple of pictures that help illustrate the L position I was talking about. The first one shows a good alignment. I couldn't find a good picture of the alignment with a person in a seat, but the second image has a headrest angle similar to the Aura's (leftmost) and you can see how much more the seatback is reclined (compared to the first picture) to make the headrest appear vertical. (edited to add: I haven't got the knack for posting photo links, sorry!) http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Lw2iWlWX8tArEM:http://www.senecapt.com/image- s/car_good_posture.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:xgBUVRseI-WrrM:http://www.edmunds.com/media/- advice/buying/vehicle.seat.design/active.head.restraint.500.jpg
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Replying to: weezycom (Feb 23, 2008 7:36 am) Guess I'll have to go on a diet before my next long trip LOL Good luck
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Replying to: phaetondriver (Feb 23, 2008 5:29 am) Now I can take the time to actually enjoy my new ride 
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Replying to: weezycom (Feb 23, 2008 10:37 am) Sounds like an ingenious thing to realize and do. Very good Have fun |
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I have had numerous problems with my 07 XR, to the point that it's causing me much stress. Noise in the front suspension, base idle that fluctuates from just over 600 rpm to over 800 rpm, noisy starter when its cold, very poor fuel economy, poor trim issues, flimsy door panels, red rusty coloured spots all over the car, arm rest that doesn't lock, car pulls to the left and requires constant correction, poor fit with the rocker panels. I feel like I could go on forever. I'm at the dealership every other week. I've had the car for less that two months. very dissapointed in this gm product!
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Replying to: hawksnest1 (Feb 29, 2008 3:35 am) now a part of the Great Saturn Family ..........(of dissatisified customers) .
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