[coaster.n3rd]

2008 Saturn Aura, the first tank of gas.

Overview:

I picked up my new 2008 Saturn Aura XE on Saturday January 19. I opted for the I-4 with the 4 speed auto trans. (my only choice in trans ) I had a lot of decisions to make when deciding to purchase the Aura, did I want heated seats? What about audio controls on the steering wheel or an auto dimming mirror? None of these were on my list and I was not about to add them as I am a man of simple choices. I instead opted for a base XE with 0 options. Highlights of the base model include a power height adjustment for the driver, CD/MP3 with 3 months of XM standard ( I am currently a subscriber so that will be staying) mated to 6 speakers, keyless entry, A/C, power everything else, tilt & telescoping steering wheel, a full DIC including Tire pressure and instant fuel economy and ambient lighting above the center console and in the door handles.

I did however get the Carbon Flash exterior color for $95 with a grey interior. I thought long and hard about a tan interior, but that meant I would have to wait longer for a car and I would be cleaning it every day. No thanks.

All said and done MSRP of $20,490.00 and GMS of $18,921

My car was built and shipped on January 10. So knowing I was getting a car that was only 9 days old was really nice. When it arrived at my store I inspected it heavily and went out with a service tech to put on its first real mile(s) and make sure everything was tip top from the factory.

Interior & comfort:

Stepping inside I find everything to be exceptionally solid and tight with no gaps where the plastic pieces come together. Up top in the cabin you will find soft touch materials where down below everything becomes much tougher and rougher feeling. But even those materials are far beyond the rough plastics found in most of the competitor’s vehicles. The brushed aluminum trim is nice and the use of chrome trim is subtle and in the right places. Everything is easy to reach and the Aura has plenty of storage, but I find the glove box to be too small. It barely holds my document envelope that we provide and the manuals. Something that could be improved on.

The steering wheel while tilt & telescoping allows for very little range one would expect from a fully operational wheel. I myself am 5’ 10” so this is of little concern to me, but larger drivers may appreciate a bit more room between their thigh and the wheel.

At night the Aura takes on a whole new look. The ambient lighting above the center console and in the door sills looks great and the dials at night are exceptional and easy to read. Across the dash the radio is easy to read and see the functions. The rear seats lack the ambient lighting, but the brushed aluminum trim continues from the front of the car into the back.

The seats up front are nice and supportive. I opted for cloth as I don’t like the slip & slide feel I get from leather. The seats are firm and hold the driver in those rare tight cornering situations. Plenty of thigh support here as well. Rear passengers so far have little complaints. A non-car savvy friend did ask if I had a center arm rest, unfortunately as we have discussed this lacks that much needed feature. Also, there is the hump running down the center of the car on the floor, removing this would make center rear seat passengers a bit more comfortable.



Power train, ride and handling.

When starting the I-4 in either of our Cobalt’s it sprang to life quickly with a lot of noise, the 2.4 in the Aura does not even seem like the same motor. It does not rock on the mounts, or vibrate the car, and it starts quietly. When idling you would never know the motor is on. Tap the gas pedal and you are treated to a sound you have never heard before, a small V6 like exhaust note coming from an I-4. It has a low rumble with hardly any treble. This is a treat and confuses unknowing passengers into thinking I bought a V6.

Shifting the car into gear is smooth and without the clunkiness I have associated with other GM slush boxes. Press down on the accelerator and you are not treated to anything special. Stop light racers need not apply as the acceleration is nothing to write home about. Using my own timing methods I was able to get to 60 in a dull 8.8 seconds. However slow it may be off the line it makes up for with the passing power. Drop the accelerator and the archaic 4 speed shifts down quickly and effortlessly. Leaving nothing to be desired from this tightly refined package. After all, it is an I-4, you can’t expect an insane amount of power here.

What it lacks in acceleration is made up in refinement. The engine is smooth and quiet, no howling, no whine, no fatigue. Its good on gas too. The instant MPG indicator never leaves the 31-35 mpg range even at 70+ miles per hour cruising. Drop the hammer though and watch that drop to single digits, fear not as it climbs back up.


The final say:

I have owned quite a few cars in my time. 12 to be exact. I have to say this is one of my favorites. The first tank of gas from full to the low fuel warning netted me 357 miles. I’m pretty happy with that. My first long trip and I had no complaints about fatigue or feeling sore like I have in the Cobalt or the G6 I rented so many years ago for a couple of thousand miles.

My absolute favorite part of the car is how quiet it is inside at highway speeds. There is no wind noise in this car and you only hear the engine when you want to. The triple layer front window glass and the thicker rear glass is a huge help and GM should consider this on all vehicles. The worst part is the acceleration. My 2.2 Cobalt was quicker (with a 5 speed) but I am plenty happy with highway passing and that more than makes up for it.

I highly recommend this car to anyone old or young, family of 4 or a single driver like myself.


Pros:
- Great stock stereo
- ease of use
- trunk space
- passenger room
- no road noise
- great syling
- excellent handling (yes, even with electronic power steering)
- standard features are plentiful
- passing power
- fuel economy

Cons:
- glove box = small.
- hubcaps (wheel covers) need to go the way of the dodo on any car over $17,500
- lack of center rear arm rest
- center arm-rest/console materials could be better
- should have a standard 6-way power seat
- entry for taller persons is a bit fdifficult
- off the line acceleration is slow (I-4 model)
- steering wheel tilt & telscoping needs more tilt and more telescoping range.