I plan on test-driving an Aura XE tomorrow

[Flybrian]

There's a silver/gray Aura XE sitting at the local Saturn dealership and I plan on testing it if it hasn't been bought or whatever.

Let me know!

[Northstar]

I think my dad might go on a test drive in one tomorrow too. It's also an XE in Ocean Mist with some dealer-installed wheels that look pretty good.

I was hoping they'd get an XR, but they don't have any yet.

[pow]

This makes three XE test-drives.

[sciguy_0504]

Question...

Do you guys know someone at a local dealer to hook you up without wasting the time of a salesman or do you just go? I'd love to test drive some cars but not if I have to waste someone's time.

[Flybrian]

I just go. I don't even go that often. In fact, when I test drove the Compass, I wasn't even looking to; guy came out and said "want to take a drive?" Uh, d'uh...yes.

When a friend of mine was semi-interested in the ION Red Line, we drove everything Saturn had. Salesman assured us we weren't wasting his time and he "gets paid either way."

If they ask, I always give them the honest answer, that I may be interested in a car in the next year and no I won't be trading my Aurora (for anything). If they say no, they say no.

[Variance]

So....did you test drive it yet?

[Flybrian]

I'm holding off due to possible Aura XR inventory this Saturday!

[Variance]

Oh, perfectly understandable then.

[ocnblu]

Cool, Fly. Last time I was lot cruising, the local dealership didn't have any yet, despite the Saturn website saying "yes".

[CreativeVision]

The most important thing that I would like to know is how much rear legroom and overall interior space there is? I am assuming similar to a Malibu and G6 to due being platform mates, of which I have sat in both at recent auto shows. I was astonished at how much rear legroom especially there appeared to be even though the car itself(G6/Malibu) seemed relatively small/mid car sized. I wasn't expected to be so roomy.

I'm not particular tall, just 5'11", but I have had a hard time finding a car that I can sit in the front comfortably(legs not bent for example), and yet allow ample rear seat room for someone of equal height sit directly behind me.

[C.H.U.D.]

The Aura has a very spacious interior from all outboard positions. The front seatbacks are deeply scalloped for maximum kneeroom. The only gripe in this area is the front door armrest, which continues past the the door opening. While it looks smooth and integrated when the doors closed, a larger guy will likely jab themself on the corner in the love handle area when exiting. I saw this happen at the GM car show yesterday.

[ocnblu]

Time to get rid of those love handles then. Work it, grrrrlll!

[Flybrian]

Review and pics will be posted tonight!

[deftonesfan867]

Excellent

[regfootball]

i had a visual inspection of an Aura XE today. Its a nice car. I think will blend into the Japanese sedan landscape pretty nicely. It was an XE. It looks like it has really nice deep rear seat cushions and lots of leg room. The interior gaps and seams lined up precisely and were light years ahead of any other sedans GM has done in this class. I still don't find the plastic to be top notch, but certainly improved and not as nearly cheap looking as in the past. Where I think the Aura lacks is width (like all Epsilons). It appears to be lacking about 2" in width. The design of the door panels is really nice and the dash is pretty decent. The corporate radio looks cheap in the center stack, but not as bad as on other models.

An Accord or Camry shopper would find this interior comparable, I feel, but maybe not superior.

For me, its still not on the sporty enough end of the spectrum inside, which is why I think Pontiac still needs to exist. The exterior I would want to see in a dark color before making final judgment. It is a sharp car and a wonderful stance. It just needs to be wider to be a real mid size, I think. Not crazy about hankook tires.

The hubcaps on steel wheels looked good actually. Still looks faux, but will fool many.

I think this car will be popular, and take maybe a few Accord sales, but its not gonna lure Camry buyers. Its not different enough to do that and too many will still perceive the camry to have the better interior.

[xdre]

Considering how visually awkward the new Camry is I'd say the perceived difference in the interior would be a wash.

[regfootball]

i guess i would agree but what it means is that certain people's preconceived notions will kick in and just say 'the camry is better'.

the aura definitely to me looks better on the outside, and it doesn't have a clock radio inside, which is a plus.

Edited August 21, 2006 by regfootball

[regfootball]

by the way. why anyone would get a Sonata over an Aura is beyond me.