CNN Money: "10 great first cars for Grads", 1 GM Car Makes the List: Aura

[W.A.F.U.]

10 great first cars
With prices under $25,000 (some way under) these cars make excellent choices for those shopping for their first new set of wheels.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/...ars/index.html

Fusion and Aura are on the list!

The Aura doesn't look or drive like any Saturn - or any GM car, for that matter - you've tried before.

In the uplevel XR version, the Aura's V6 engine and 6-speed transmission deliver performance you'd expect from a European sedan costing much more. (The Aura is sold in Europe as an Opel.)

The interior is as stylish as the exterior. If you want to nitpick, there are some cheap plastics here and there. But there's real attention to detail in the Aura's warm and inviting cabin.

The Green Line version has a "mild hybrid" system. That means the car won't drive under purely electric power, but it costs less than other hybrid systems and doesn't requires bulky battery packs that take away trunk space.

[zete]

And the Escape, too.

[civilzues]

no Chrysler, Two Ford, One GM and one TOYota, not a bad list... but they list many hatches... cough, astra, cough

[ronald mcretard]

I still can't get over the Rondo... what a stupid name. Sounds like a name for a dog, not a car.

I bet the Astra would have made the list if it was available now.

[mystikranger]

Weird the Dodge Caliber and Civic didn't make it. I guess they're trying to switch things up.

[marinerbc]

They list the Escape Hybrid as 34/30 mpg? One of ours did 36 yesterday, and 39 on Monday.

I need whatever it is they're smoking.

[SonicAerio]

Wow...seems like a little win for a couple companies....

Good to see the Rhondo on there as I think it's a fantastic compact crossover. I see Suzuki as well made it on the list....very interesting. Seems like they are being taken a little more seriously as a legimate car brand, very good news!

[MNdudeswitz]

Is it just me or is the Nissan Versa the second uglyest sub-compact (to the Yarris)? Something about the look is just not right, I haven't seen it not in hatchback form but I heard that the sedan looks worse.

[HoeyHimself]

After investing that much time in education..you deserve a cool car..meaning, no hatchback. The hatchback isnt pickin up any tail on a friday night...unless its a Firebird or a Camaro.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Originally Posted by MNdudeswitz

Is it just me or is the Nissan Versa the second uglyest sub-compact (to the Yarris)? Something about the look is just not right, I haven't seen it not in hatchback form but I heard that the sedan looks worse.

Hatch looks pretty good, sedan is just absolutely horrid however. I have no idea why the sedan even exists it just insults my intelligence.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

Hatch looks pretty good, sedan is just absolutely horrid however. I have no idea why the sedan even exists it just insults my intelligence.

Pointless sedans that have little to redeem themselves over the more utilitarian hatchback versions of small cars seem to be the norm recently (at least here in the US). Take the Aveo. What's the use of a tiny trunk in a car like that? Security? Good for the rental car business? Anyone who is going to break in to your hatch isn't going to be deterred by the anything but Brinks-like trunk on the Aveo, and unless I'm mistaken the hatch has a sliding/retractable "cargo cover" to hide whatever's in there. At least with the hatch you can fold the rear seats down and shove some huge TV box in there or something from Ikea. With the sedan you get....the secure feeling that you're not driving a hatchback, but who are you really impressing besides yourself? Well that, and the newer Gentra styling that for some unknown reason the hatchback hasn't been updated with yet. The sedans also might get a little bit more rear leg room or something, but the tradeoff in usefulness and versatility seems extreme just to say you're driving a "sedan". These hatchbacks aren't like the 2-door + hatch Metro vs. the 4-door sedan where even the engine and overall size were vastly different. Well, at least not for the Aveo.

Besides, anyone who'd rather be in a Camaro is not going think driving an Aveo/Versa or whatever small-car sedan is any cooler than driving the hatchback version. To the contrary, the hatchbacks seem "younger" and more popular if I'm following the trends correctly. The sedans seem to be designed for middle aged women who can't get over the hatchback stigma of the early 1980s.

[01cavalier]

Originally Posted by MNdudeswitz

Is it just me or is the Nissan Versa the second uglyest sub-compact (to the Yarris)? Something about the look is just not right, I haven't seen it not in hatchback form but I heard that the sedan looks worse.

They are both ugly, the Versa is worse to me. At least there would be no mistaking it in a parking lot.

I have no issue with having a hatchback, they can look good, and I've always preferred them since they are more practical.

[Cabana Boy]

Originally Posted by marinerbc

They list the Escape Hybrid as 34/30 mpg? One of ours did 36 yesterday, and 39 on Monday.

I don't doubt it. City driving, which is where most of these hybrids are driven anyway, is where the Escape hybrid does best.

I recall the original hybrid Escape was driven ~650miles on 1 tankful (I think 18.5gal) thru New York city as a publicity stunt. That is over 35mpg real world.

[Cabana Boy]

Originally Posted by MNdudeswitz

Is it just me or is the Nissan Versa the second uglyest sub-compact (to the Yarris)? Something about the look is just not right, I haven't seen it not in hatchback form but I heard that the sedan looks worse.

The Yaris, Fit and Versa are all tied for the ugliest cars in their segment.

[Watchdevil]

How stupid is the writer of the article? The Aura is not sold in Europe as an Opel... The only Saturn sold as an Opel is the Sky as an Opel GT. And soon we will have the Opel Astra built here as a Saturn...