Saturn AURA : Substance and Subtlety

[dindak]

Great review. I think I want an XR now..

"The XR is the best-handling mid-sized front-wheel-drive sedan I've tested, with large stabilizer bars minimizing roll in corners, and there's excellent feedback at speed".

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/n...1-957453b083d4

[plane]

I think just about everyone here could see the 4-speed tranny comments coming. It needs better gas mileage to be competitive with Accord and Camry - heck even the Impala does better with the 3.5. That said, Saturn should be congratulated on a fine new vehicle.

[01cavalier]

Another good review, nice!

The 4-speed comments are expected, but I'm sure plenty that are looking for the less expensive version wont really care. I agree that fuel economy should be better, they should also have a 4-cylinder available and a manual transmission.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by 01cavalier

Another good review, nice!

The 4-speed comments are expected, but I'm sure plenty that are looking for the less expensive version wont really care. I agree that fuel economy should be better, they should also have a 4-cylinder available and a manual transmission.

Hopefully the next Malibu due within a year will have a I4/manual combination.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Hopefully the next Impala due within a year will have a I4/manual combination.

Huh? no thanks

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

Huh? no thanks

Sorry - I edited my post... that should have read - Malibu.

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Sorry - I edited my post... that should have read - Malibu.

I Got ya!

[saturnsteve]

After driving both of them, the XR is the car to own. That 6 speed is money! We have 4 AURA's at our store now, and one of them is a LOADED Black XR with the Brown Leather, an awesome car!!!

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

After driving both of them, the XR is the car to own. That 6 speed is money! We have 4 AURA's at our store now, and one of them is a LOADED Black XR with the Brown Leather, an awesome car!!!

When did you get them - our stores in San Antonio don't have them yet.

[GMFAN85]

Wait until an American auto mag tests it. They'll rip it apart.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by GMFAN85

Wait until an American auto mag tests it. They'll rip it apart.

We'll see. My fear is that they will test an XE and rag on the OHV engine mated to the old 4-speed auto - and never mention the XR. I like how the canadian mags tested the XR and mentioned some of the short falls of the XE - which is fair.

I guess we will found out soon enough. I for one can't wait to test drive an XR. It will give me an idea of how the next Malibu will drive.

[jasaero]

Any word on when the Aura's might have an option for Navigation??? This is the only issue I have with them! It is kinda the ONE sorta car I am in the market for, but I HAVE to have a NAV since my wife will use it a lot and she has yet to get to know this area we live in well. I also can't see how it will go to long without the option as it is quickly becoming an option everyone has to offer at almost all levels of their lineup and it's a good way to make an extra buck as they seem to usually over charge for them as the option is usually more expensive than going and getting a stand alone one. Just want one built in and such so it doesn't look outta place in the car.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

After driving both of them, the XR is the car to own. That 6 speed is money! We have 4 AURA's at our store now, and one of them is a LOADED Black XR with the Brown Leather, an awesome car!!!

Sounds exactly how I'd want one..now only if it was a Redline

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by jasaero

Any word on when the Aura's might have an option for Navigation??? This is the only issue I have with them! It is kinda the ONE sorta car I am in the market for, but I HAVE to have a NAV since my wife will use it a lot and she has yet to get to know this area we live in well. I also can't see how it will go to long without the option as it is quickly becoming an option everyone has to offer at almost all levels of their lineup and it's a good way to make an extra buck as they seem to usually over charge for them as the option is usually more expensive than going and getting a stand alone one. Just want one built in and such so it doesn't look outta place in the car.

This is a common question. I suspect GM will make one available midway through the first year of production like they did with the Buick Lucerne. I'm not sure why they don't offer it at introduction. I suspect that with the new design of their NAV and the high demand in the GMT-900s that they are stretched thin to have it at introduction.

I agree that this is a must have option if Saturn wants to pick up potential defectors from other brands.

[mbukukanyau]

I will swing by the Saturn Dealership and test drive one, though we are waiting for the outlook