Long-Term Road Tests
2007 Saturn Aura XR
August 25, 2008
Nearly all cars with automatic transmissions are engineered to have some built-in "creep." No, not the Radiohead song, the phenomenon that occurs when you take your foot off the brake pedal and the car automatically moves forward.
While driving around town this weekend, I noticed the Aura to be particularly creepy at times. Even while stopped on a hill, the car attempted to break out of my control and chug its way up without help. I'm not certain the Aura's creep is any more aggressive than any other car's, but it's annoying nonetheless.
In my opinion, when you're stopped, you should be stopped. Sure, cars with manual transmissions can roll forward or backward if they're not on a perfectly flat surface, but the concept of creating artificial creep is baffling. The only thing I ever see creep being used for is to snug up closer to the limit line or someone's back end at a stoplight. I suppose it's better than requiring drivers to rely on a delicate use of throttle, but even that wouldn't be necessary if people just paid attention and stopped at the correct distance in the first place.
I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who love the creep, but I say it's needless and encourages sloppy driving habits.
Laura Burstein, Automotive Editor @ 19,950 miles
- Permalink | Comments (64)
- Posted by: Laura Burstein August 25, 2008, 12:56 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
August 20, 2008
Most midsize sedans I can think of have one-touch open and close features for their sunroofs. Our long-term Saturn Aura XR doesn't. First of all, it integrates the tilt and slide functions, so you have to press the switch two times -- once to tilt, twice to open. Second, there's no auto-close -- you have to hold the switch down the whole time, just like in my '95 Integra (kindly correct me if I'm wrong, Aura Nation). Hardly a dealbreaker, but certainly a throwback to an earlier age of sunroof design.
Oh, and the pop-up wind deflector looks like it's made out of the mesh shorts Al Austria likes to wear around the office. It works quite well actually, reducing ear-popping buffeting to a mere hiss, but it doesn't exactly drive up the perceived-quality index of the car. The new Lincoln MKS has one of these too. Not the best company for the Aura to be keeping.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,842 miles
- Permalink | Comments (118)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue August 20, 2008, 11:59 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
July 31, 2008
Damn, Aura.
Your color reminds me of the finest Himalayan silks. You are swifter than the wild stallions of the Asian steppes. You also have four wheels. But why do you poke me repeatedly in the biceps when I roll down your window and try to rest my arm on you? Damn! You know I am just trying to get to know you better, and treat you the way you are meant to be treated.
Aura, you even poke me when the door is locked. Damn. Why are you so cold? Have I not pampered you with a diet of the finest backroads known to mankind, and faithfully quenched your thirst with exotic oils procured from the kingdoms of the Middle East?
Aura, listen. If you keep poking me, I will become distracted from my love for you. My arm belongs on your windowsill. Let down your little plastic lever and surrender yourself to me. Damn!
Josh Sadlier Smoove B. True, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,603 miles
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue July 31, 2008, 6:45 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
July 28, 2008
That picture has nothing to do with the Aura's fuel economy (at least I don't think it does, but if you have a theory linking the two, I'm listening). It's a shot of some fuzzy black tape on the front passenger seat belt buckle where said buckle hits the center console. Doesn't look so great, but it seems to keep the buckle from scratching the center console. And to be fair, the only time you'll see the tape is if you push the buckle down like I am in the photo, which probably wouldn't happen very often. Strangely, the driver's seat belt buckle doesn't sport the fuzzy tape, and it shows. Lots of unsightly scratches on the buckle and the side of the console, right where they hit each other.
But let's talk about fuel economy, since it's been a while:
Lifefime average: 19.9 mpg
Best tank: 31.1 mpg
Worst tanks: in the mid-15 mpg range
Bryn MacKinnon, Senior Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,552 miles
- Permalink | Comments (26)
-
- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon July 28, 2008, 2:23 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
July 21, 2008
Having had the pleasure of our long-term Aura XR's company over the weekend, I'll see Jay's post and raise him another. The last time I posted about our venerable Saturn's 3.6-liter V6 (forgive the wonky formatting over there), I argued that it was overkill. Why? Because the Aura simply can't tame the 252 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque that are routed to its front wheels. There's an extraordinary amount of wheelspin off the line when you put your foot in it, traction control notwithstanding, and flooring it at speed results in squirrelly torque-steer.
I stand by those comments -- but, having randomly driven just about every V6-powered family sedan in existence over the past couple weeks, I now have something nice to say as well: I really like the low-rpm and midrange pull of our Aura's V6. It positively owns the Accord's sluggish V6, for example, which doesn't even start to wake up till you've crested 4,000 rpm. In fact, the only V6 in this segment that's hands-down better, in my opinion, is Toyota's creamy-smooth and amazingly fuel-efficient 3.5-liter unit. I just wish the Aura could put its impressive power to the ground in a more refined way.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 19,425 miles
- Permalink | Comments (83)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue July 21, 2008, 4:47 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
Those two vertical seams in the seatback of our longterm 2007 Saturn Aura do a remarkable impression of a bunched-up shirt when you're driving.
Fidget, tug, fidget.
It's a minor irk, but I can think of no other car in our fleet that has seats with such prominent and unyielding seams right along your spine.
Aside from that, the seats are quite comfy.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 19,425 miles
- Permalink | Comments (15)
-
- Posted by: Jay Kavanagh July 21, 2008, 4:07 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
July 7, 2008
For those of you sick of reading about the Audi R8, here's a post about another car, the Saturn Aura.
When I first drove the Audi R8 home (which I haven't blogged about yet), I pulled into my driveway and ran into the house because I had forgotten my garage door opener. It took me about 30 seconds. When I got back outside, my neighbor was all over the R8, asking questions, wanting me to start it so he could hear it, asking how much it cost, blah, blah, blah.
Last night, I was standing in my driveway talking to the same neighbor and he asked me if I got demoted at work. The poor little Saturn Aura proudly sat in my driveway, unloved by my neighbors.
So I told him about the Aura's steering problems and how much it has improved since we've had it repaired. It no longer feels like it steers with giant rubber bands, I said. It just seems like a normal economy car. I felt like I was bragging about a child who had finally gotten an A in math. Well, maybe a B.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
- Permalink | Comments (27)
-
- Posted by: Donna Derosa July 7, 2008, 12:05 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
July 3, 2008
On the eve of Independence Day, I thought I'd peruse our garage for the most American metal. Amongst the many long-termers presently in the long-term fleet, we have quite the selection of cars built by domestic makers. Some are excellent representives of this great land, others ... not so much. And that's not counting the pretty cool American cars that reside in our editors' own garages: Trans Ams, Challengers, Corvettes and Schmidt's big ol' F-150.
Of course, what constitutes an American car these days is up for debate given the Focus is hecho en Mexico and our Hyundai Veracruz is hecho en Alabama. But I'll leave those determinations up to you. And the nominees for our Most American Car are...
Buick Enclave
Cadillac CTS
Chevy Silverado
Dodge Caravan (oh dear god, I hope not)
Ford Edge
Ford Focus
Ford GT
Pontiac G8 GT
Saturn Aura
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
- Permalink | Comments (47)
-
- Posted by: JRiz July 3, 2008, 9:12 AM
- Categories: 2005 Ford GT, 2007 Chevrolet Silverado LT, 2007 Ford Edge SEL, 2007 Saturn Aura XR, 2008 Buick Enclave CX, 2008 Cadillac CTS V6 DI, 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe, 2008 Pontiac G8 GT
June 23, 2008
As the above photo illustrates, the driver seat of our long-term 2007 Saturn Aura XR is a fairly nice place to be. We have the optional $800 premium package, which provides leather seats, leather on the shift knob and other pleasantness. I like the clear, easily read gauges and the relatively uncluttered center stack.
Then the eye drifts left...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (43)
-
- Posted by: Doug Lyoyd June 23, 2008, 5:17 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
June 19, 2008
Okay. The comparison in the title may seem a little far-fetched. Maybe it is. But here's what I mean, I saw the movie 'The Incredible Hulk' this weekend and it didn't seem to try very hard to be memorable or interesting, just serviceable. And I had a similar reaction to the Aura. It gets you around town, has decent space, looks okay, but it never gives something extra. It's not fun to drive or interesting to be in, in most any way. Is that bad? Not really if you view cars as a tool to get from A to B. But maybe so if you like a little picante salsa on your automotive burrito.
A compliment that I have for the car is that, unlike some cars in its segment, the Aura doesn't feel obliged to have a ton of buttons on the center stack, which makes it as much an eyesore as anything. Instead, this car keeps it simple and functional, which is not unimportant.
Glenn McClanan, Video Producer, MFA (Master of Failed Analogies) @ 18,607 miles
- Permalink | Comments (16)
-
- Posted by: Glenn McClanan June 19, 2008, 4:25 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
June 13, 2008
The Malibu LTZ's interior looks much better than the Aura XR. I'll take two tone over faux wood trim anyday. Even the 4-cyl Malibu 2LT's interior looks nicer than the Aura's. I'd rather have the suede seats from the Malibu 2LT than the extra cost leather that you can get w/ the Aura XR...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (32)
-
- Posted by: Brian Moody June 13, 2008, 3:15 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
June 12, 2008
There's a lot to like about the Saturn Aura - I think it's a decent looking sedan for one. Also, there are a few details that make it feel like more than just another sedan.
The side marker lights and detailed logo up front are just two of the things I'd look at if I were an Aura owner trying to make myself feel better about my choice. But those little touches stand in stark contrast to the hit and miss interior...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: Brian Moody June 12, 2008, 6:01 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
June 9, 2008
You may have noticed a lack of blogs on the Long Term Saturn Aura lately. No the Aura has not been in a debilitating accident nor is its year up -- though it is getting close. For the past few weeks our Aura has been in the care of Saturn of Santa Monica. The problem? The same steering clunk that was initially reported to the blogosphere by Erin, saying:
"When making large steering inputs at low speeds (in the parking lot),there's both an audible and tactile clunking and shuddering from the
steering column. This happens about 2/3 of the time, and it's not the
result of wrenching the wheel to full lock -- it occurs even if you're
delicate in your inputs."
A few days later, in my last Aura blog I reported that the intermediate steering shaft had been replaced but had not subdued the infernal clunk.
Well now it's fixed and back in regular service. The full story after the jump. ( Warning: long story ahead! )
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (31)
-
- Posted by: Mike Magrath June 9, 2008, 4:15 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
May 19, 2008
This weekend was spent driving through the Central Valley from Los Angeles to Sacramento, where the daytime ambient temp easily cleared the century mark, at one point reaching a blazing 111 degrees.
Our long-term 2007 Saturn Aura, which is nearing the end of its year-long service, provided a welcome relief from the hot weather with a constant rush of cold air coming from the vents. For three days and just a click over 1,000 miles, the Aura's air conditioner kept our cabin comfortably cool, even with its black leather seats.
With the A/C blowing, the Aura achieved 25.5 miles per gallon...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (15)
-
- Posted by: Kelly Toepke May 19, 2008, 11:14 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
May 6, 2008
The Aura has shift paddles? Yes, and they are a bit peculiar in their operation logic. Most performance cars use the right paddle for upshifts, and the left paddle for downshifts. Another theme common on more pedestrian cars with paddles is to pull the paddle on either side of the wheel for upshifts and press a switch on the either side of the front of the wheel to execute a downshift. But the Aura takes a different route.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: Snake Doctor May 6, 2008, 3:55 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
April 21, 2008
Sure, it's a dumb idea to buy an eight-piece patio set when you're alone and will need to take it home in a Saturn Aura, but when you find a $198 steal, you move fast, throwing caution, and logic, to the wind.
Convinced that I could simply break down the boxes and transport the pieces unassembled, I pulled the Aura up to the loading zone. After it was certain the only way that the rectangular glass table top was going into the Aura was in a million pieces, the helpful Wal-Mart employee politely said good-bye and left me alone with my ridiculous assumptions.
So I did what any self-described idiot would do in my situation: I pleaded for reinforcements...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (14)
-
- Posted by: Kelly Toepke April 21, 2008, 1:45 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
April 17, 2008
Back from Saturn of Santa Monica, our 2007 Saturn Aura XR still isn't right.
We should have known it wasn't going to be fixed when I called for an update. Our service advisor said, "Well, we thought it was the intermediate steering shaft but that looked fine. We're road testing it again and then we'll give you a call back."
Three hours later I called again. Here's what happened....
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: Mike Magrath April 17, 2008, 11:40 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
April 13, 2008
Southern California is undergoing its first heat wave of 2008. Yesterday, the outside temperature gauge in our 2007 Saturn Aura XR reached as high as 104 degrees. It isn't yet the hottest part of the day, and already the gauge is sitting at 101 degrees. And I live in "the OC," a county that sits pretty much entirely on the coastal plain...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Dan Edmunds April 13, 2008, 12:32 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
April 10, 2008
I think it's pretty safe here to say that 'fanboy' would not be used to describe my emotional response to the Saturn Aura XR. My preference here is not guided by badge bias of the brand or the parent company. And while it makes for an easy out to disregard my (and my coworkers) opinions, there are no hush-hush deals keeping our cellars stocked with sake or Jägermeister.
No, my relationship with the Aura has evolved over miles and miles of city streets and congested highways. Recently, however, the Saturn and I had a new experience together that may have saved our relationship.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (25)
-
- Posted by: Mike Magrath April 10, 2008, 9:38 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
April 3, 2008
Last night started out like any other night with our 2007 Saturn Aura XR: A couple neighbors remarked on its upscale appearance. I was slightly annoyed by the disharmony between its sharp throttle response and slow steering response. (I really hope a quicker steering ratio is on the list for the mid-cycle refresh.)
And although I was worried the trunk's high lift-over would be a problem on laundry night, it wasn't an issue. Plus, the net dividers proved useful for corralling laundry detergent and fabric softener...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Erin Riches April 3, 2008, 11:30 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
March 11, 2008
Simplicity is good. Changing the clock in the Aura was such a breeze that I did it while sitting at a short red light.
Just press the menu button and you get a little clock icon. Press the corresponding button underneath...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (16)
-
- Posted by: Donna Derosa March 11, 2008, 3:34 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
February 25, 2008
A few months ago, I blogged about how the Aura's amber-colored LED displays completely disappear in direct sunlight. Although most GM cars shares some variation of this user-friendly head unit, each division offers different colors. My personal favorite is on display below in the GMC Acadia. It features red button illumination with white LED displays -- it looks good and works well...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (34)
-
- Posted by: JRiz February 25, 2008, 10:59 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
February 22, 2008
For most of its history, the automotive 250-horsepower club has been populated by high-performance cars and top-end luxury sedans. As recently as 2002, for example, the
Audi S4 – a world-class sport sedan in its day – made the cut on the number with 250 hp from its biturbo V6. Over the past few years, however, 250-hp (or more) V6s have become
de rigueur in the family sedan segment. Our long-term Aura XR is no exception: its uplevel 3.6-liter V6 churns out 252 hp and an equally robust 251 lb-ft of torque.
You would think that enthusiasts like us would welcome this paradigm shift, just as you might have expected baseball fans to welcome, say, stocky leadoff hitters hitting 50 home runs. But you know what, something wasn’t right about Brady Anderson’s antics in 1996 – and I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that something is similarly amiss about a front-wheel drive family sedan making this kind of power.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (74)
-
- Posted by: SadButTrue February 22, 2008, 4:55 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
February 19, 2008
I drove our long-term Saturn Aura to Las Vegas for the President's Day weekend. In a fleet that consists of some pretty great road trip cars (Enclave, C300 Benz, CX-9, G35, two unintroduced mystery long termers and sorry, the navi-equipped Accord EX V6), I wasn't exactly jumping at the chance to drive the Aura. Yet, with its strong V6, comfy seats, well-sorted ride and all-important XM radio, I knew our humble Saturn would soak up the miles well.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (63)
-
- Posted by: JRiz February 19, 2008, 2:56 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
February 15, 2008
Our parking garage at night can be pretty dark. And when I get home my driveway is also very dark. Because we switch cars so often, I appreciate courtesy lights when I turn off the engine.
Above is a picture of the lights on the Aura's inside door handles. Nice touch.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
- Permalink | Comments (28)
-
- Posted by: Donna Derosa February 15, 2008, 4:46 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
February 8, 2008
You asked for it and I delivered. After I threw up a video blog regarding the Aura's perceived quality featuring the age-old "tap test," quite a few people demanded I do the same for the Accord. Well, I did, and I also did the same test for a Ford Fusion SEL we happen to have at the moment. Sound and light quality differ in the three videos, but I think you can detect the differences. For the record, the more of a "thump" sound they make rather than a "thwack" the better.
Continue reading...
February 4, 2008
Up until now, the American made sedan has had a pretty easy run of it. Derided in the media and brushed aside by import experienced consumers, they've happily flown under the radar of all but the most committed domestic car buyers.
But I'm afraid all of that is about to change.
This might very well be the renaissance of the American sedan. GM has picked up its well trampled flag off the oil stained battlefield (sorry, I was watching a lot of the Military Channel this weekend) and is running towards the high ground...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Kurt Niebuhr February 4, 2008, 12:07 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
January 30, 2008
The other week I made some poor planning decisions. After getting a taxi home from the airport I realized I was car-less and had to take the bus to work the following morning.
Yesterday, I took our 2007 Saturn Aura XR and the experience was remarkably similar.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (83)
-
- Posted by: Mike Magrath January 30, 2008, 4:33 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
January 28, 2008
I had the pleasure of engaging the windshield wipers in our long-term Saturn Aura XR for a good portion of the recent rains here in Southern California and particularly enjoyed their variable delay intermittent mode, especially the range of delays available. Between the non-stop urgency of "high" mode (FWUMPFWUMP! FWUMPFWUMP! FWUMPFWUMP!) and the laid-back assistance of "low" mode (fwumpfwump...eh, let's give it another coupla secs...a little bit more...ok, how about now...fwumpfwump), there's a nice selection of in-between options available with just a quick twist of the adjustment band on the wiper stalk (sorry about the fuzzy pic, attempts to get the stalk on its own just didn't work)...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (13)
-
- Posted by: Bryn MacKinnon January 28, 2008, 1:56 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
January 22, 2008
After a long weekend in the Aura, I've decided to incite a riot. Since everyone's already riled up over in Accordland, I figure why not stir things up here in the most contentious land of all -- Auraville.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (56)
-
- Posted by: JRiz January 22, 2008, 10:23 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
January 18, 2008
Driving the four-cylinder Chevrolet Malibu in our recent Accord-Camry-Malibu comparison test renewed my interest in driving our long-term 2007 Saturn Aura XR. Although I preferred the Accord in that test, the Malibu was pleasant to drive and the styling is attractive without qualification. The Aura isn't quite so lovely, but I'm more interested in the car beneath.
During last night's drive, I immediately noticed the difference in the suspension tuning: The Saturn is tuned more firmly than the Chevrolet and feels more stable around freeway on-ramps. I like that.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Erin Riches January 18, 2008, 11:34 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
January 8, 2008
(Sorry for the blurry picture. I had to initiate spin and then take the photo before the light went off. Harder than it sounds.)
It rained in L.A. this weekend. A lot. Being a native of the Bay State, I'm used to such events. Angelenos, however, living in a reconditioned desert, are not. And, as you've probably heard, drivers here do some stupid things when the wet stuff falls from the sky. So I spent the entire weekend in our Saturn Aura on pins-and-needles, defensive driving skills on high alert.
And as every good coach knows; The key to a good defense though is a strong offense.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (11)
-
- Posted by: Mike Magrath January 8, 2008, 11:37 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
January 2, 2008
As I ventured out on New Year's Eve amongst the drunk and drowsy, I fully expected today's blog entry to read, "The Aura is dead. I'm fine, but our Saturn is a Berry Red heap of twisted metal impaled by a swerving white Mercedes SL63 driven by a knickerless, deadbeat-mom starlett who, due to legal reasons, will remain nameless."
Alas, the Aura has survived to be complained about another day, and specifically its rocking driver seat. When accelerating and braking, it will move back and forth by what seems like a millimeter or two. It seems worst when positioned with the front of the seat cushion at its highest and back of the cushion at its lowest, which provides an otherwise very comfortable seating position for a tall guy like me. Our Mitsubishi Outlander suffers from a similar condition...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (22)
-
- Posted by: JRiz January 2, 2008, 10:30 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
December 14, 2007
Last night I jumped into the Aura for the first time after logging a few hundred miles in its new sister car, the Chevy Malibu. While they are very similar in many ways, I was immediately struck by how warm our Aura's interior feels in comparison to the Malibu and other family sedans in general. I'm not usually a fan of wood in non-luxury cars, but I think that it works for the Aura and its black interior.
The Malibu, by comparison, features a trio of snazzy two-tone color schemes (I like the brown and grey one a lot, but the orange one is pure yuck) that generally convey a more "sport sedan" vibe than a "luxury sedan" one. Our Altima and Accord also go the sportier route, and even when those cars are equipped with wood (and accompanying tan interiors), I think our Saturn still comes off as warmer and classier...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (22)
-
- Posted by: JRiz December 14, 2007, 10:04 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
December 5, 2007
I took the 2007 Saturn Aura XR to Vegas for a few days for a conference. Nearly all of my time in the Aura was spent on soul-crushingly long, flat stretches of highway with the cruise control set to a sped that was over the speed limit but not so high that I was likely to get pulled over.
The Aura got good gas mileage. For a long time on the way to Vegas, I was getting 27+ mpg. I finished the trip at about 25.5 mpg, but that included a horrific commute this morning on PCH, which was clogged with surfers taking advantage of the best surf day of the year.
However, being in the market for a new family car, I likely wouldn't buy the Saturn Aura for a couple of reasons.
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (0)
-
- Posted by: Michelle Magoffin December 5, 2007, 11:09 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
November 30, 2007
I finally took our Aura on a little bit of a road trip - about 250 miles. The Aura's in car computer showed 21.4 miles per gallon at the end of the trip. Also, long gradual inclines are not kind to the Aura's transmission - it couldn't always find the right gear.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 9,805 miles.
- Permalink | Comments (39)
-
- Posted by: Brian Moody November 30, 2007, 2:26 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
November 25, 2007
I've spent the past week driving our Saturn Aura and I'm impressed overall. I have to believe the adjustable steering issue is related to our car only but maybe that's b/c I want to believe that.
No, I haven't taken the Aura on a road trip - instead I've used the car the way most owners would. I've driven to the office, took my kids to the park, picked up dinner and braved the local shopping malls on an early morning post Thanksgiving run...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (23)
-
- Posted by: Brian Moody November 25, 2007, 8:53 AM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
November 19, 2007
I like how the Aura looks and drives, it has a more premium feel than previous Saturns. However, I wish there was a handle inside the trunk. Without it, you end up pushing the trunk shut on the pretty chrome strip at the lower edge of the trunk. If this were my car, I'd be proud of the way it looks but the fingerprints would drive me crazy...
Continue reading...
- Permalink | Comments (38)
-
- Posted by: Brian Moody November 19, 2007, 6:23 PM
- Categories: 2007 Saturn Aura XR
November 13, 2007
Some people may call them passenger grab handles, but I don't know any of them. The more pop
