[AuraXR]

Hey guys, been awhile since I have posted. Probably almost a year. I started out here with a 2007 Aura XR that I traded with 47K on the odo for a 2008 Honda Accord EX I4. I fell back into the import is better trap but let me tell you I regretted doing it within the first 5K miles. I have seen posts here about how great the new Accord is and Honda in general but I am here to tell you its not all that. It was a nice package but it was not right. Nice suit but kinda empty if you know what I mean. Lots of problems. Unfortunately I spent more time at the dealer than I had to with the Saturn Aura and to be honest the Saturn dealer took better care of me.

A few highlights of Honda quality: Steering vibration unsolved, left wheel bearing out at 28K miles, rear brakes out at 29K, bad trunk rattle, door weather stripping had bad gaps on the interior pillar areas, two power steering pumps, whiney 4 banger(not very refined NVH under the hood)power seat track replaced, tires cupped early and had to be replaced at around 12K, darty steering on the Hwy really affected by road crown, glove box rattled over uneven pavement, replace front engine mount due to popping noise=lots of trips to the dealer. I have a 3 ring binder full of service receipts.

So after 31k miles of this I decided to try out a rear drive vehicle and settled on a low mileage 2008 Pontiac G8(v6). Loved the looks and heard it was a handling machine. After a test drive I was sold. Car is quite, handles great, and looks awesome. No problems so far..close to 13K on the odo. GM has some good products and I for one can say that I much prefer this G8 over the Accord. Actually I will say that I even prefered my Aura XR over the Accord.

I hope GM can get its act together and continue to focus on getting the message out that it does have world class cars that can compete with the imports.`

The G8 is a winner in my book.

Rgds,

DT