GMTruckGuy74

I love the Reatta, and believe it or not, was planning to get one. Well, that was until GM showcased a little roadster known as the "SKY". Seriously, I tracked one down outside of Freehold that was in pretty good shape for a 1990 model (I really wanted a '91) - but then I saw the SKY and decided I rather start off with a car that I'm the only owner of. But if I had the money, I'd probably have a Reatta in my large car collection too!

Stopped by the dealership last Friday to pickup the new plates for the AURA, so I figured I'd go over to the Servcice Dept for an update on the SKY's repair. The service writer told me that he was in touch with the body shop two days earlier because they are having a problem ordering a new left quarter panel - Saturn had denied the request! A couple of faxes and some phone calls by the dealership to Saturn parts didn't produce anything by Friday, so a direct call to Saturn Corp. was supposed to be made today. I doubt I'll see the car by the end of this week (which would be the 2-week timeframe they originally quoted me), so I'll keep my fingers crossed that I'll have back late next week, just in time for my birthday on the 23rd. On the positive side, they have not found any additional damage that would require a supplement (at least not yet). I specifically asked about unseen damage beyond the quarter panel (around the area where the fuel filler door is) and was told as far as they know, there was nothing damaged that wasn't quoted by my insurance company. So I'll be contining to pray that it will be a quick and accurate repair once all the parts come in.

That's one nice looking Suburban - good luck with it. What did you do with the two-tone blue one (I'm assuming that's the one you replaced)??? I always liked the look of those '89-'91 Suburbans/Jimmies/Blazers. If your 1999 doesn't have a leather interior, then it definitely isn't a LT model (LT designated the top-of-the-line model, which also came with leather standard; GMC would have it labeled as a SLT model). Post more pics, especially when it's all nice and shiny!

Nice lookin' rig there - I wish you much luck with it during your ownership. One day I will also have a truck again - I could probably have one now if I wanted, but that would require giving up my SKY. And while I truly want a new 2007 GMC Sierra, I'm still too much in love with the SKY to part with it Anyway, nice looking Silverado and keep us posted!

Congrats on the AURA purchase and welcome aboard. I leased one, a Midnight Blue XE with tan cloth, back on November 18th. It's a great car - lots of features come on the XE model, and I got one equipped with the Convenience, Enhanced Convenience, and Premium Packages along with the chromed wheel covers. If you haven't been to the members ride section, here's a link to the pics of my AURA: http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index...pic=13507&st=20 Post some pictures soon for us all to see!

Congrats on the GMC purchase/order ocnblu... you know you have my seal of approval on this one! Please keep us informed of it's progress, and promise us that you'll take many, many, many pictures when it arrives. The SKY would be in trouble if a SPORTSIDE BED option returns for teh GMT-900 pickups. I could really dig a 2007 Sierra Regular Cab Sportside Bed Z71 4wd (assuming the bed design looks good). I sure do hope GM brings this option back.

That has to be the XE model - no steering wheel audio controls and cloth seats. Not bad though. Can't wait to really sit in one and check it all out (I breifly sat in one in November!).

Franz von Holzhausen is credited witht he design of the two cars, but he bailed GM before they went to production. I believe that she is the team leader for the SKY. I'll have to get out the magazine and re-read the article. She had a lot of influence with the SKY in the desgn process; btw, she was the one pictured in the 2005 Saturn brochure in the design studio with the clay SKY and SKY drawings visible. I wish I had that scanned to show here.

Wow... I gotta say that I'm happy to be a Saturn owner twice

This picture is in the current "Saturn Signatures" magazine; the lady is the lead designer for the SKY. Click on the link below to see what I'm talking about. Look to her left and you'll see what I'm talking about - a yellow, Hummer-looking concept vehicle. http://www.skyroadster.com/forums/attachme...54&d=1165389800 Is that old news that I missed, or is this a first time showing? I'm sure it's just some design exercise.

Well, I'm a public school teacher, so there's no parties for us unless the teachers themselves get together. And that's exactly what the Business Education Department does - we usually just bring in snacks and enjoy talking and gossiping, but this year I encouraged us to go out to dinner. This way we get away from school and can have more fun! Now on the otherhand, my wife works for a pharmecutical company and they go overboard for their company party (this year's is next Saturday, the 16th). Two years ago it was held in NYC, with a big dinner cruise, fireworks show by the Statue of Liberty, "afterhours" party and breakfast in the morning - oh, that stuff and the hotel rooms at the Times Square Marriott & parking were all covered by her company! Last year's was in Philly and was similar. This year they're cutting back and holding it in East Brunswick at the Hilton (exit 9 of the NJ turnpike). Again, hotel rooms, cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment, afterhour party and breakfast are included, and whatever parting gift they decide to give (sometimes it's coffee mugs, other times chocolate). That is in addition to a really fancy gift basket that gets shipped directly to each employee's house. I told her that she needs to pass on a note to upper management that a monetary bonus in lieu of the big ol' party would be appreciated by the employees (and their spouses!) more. Again, they go overboard! She gets all of this while I, the public servant, gets nothing! Ain't life grand?

Yes, those wheels are the new five-spoked steel rims with the plastic wheelcovers, but chromed - just like caddycruiser stated already. I wasn't sure if I was really going to like them (always had aluminum rims on all my vehicles), but they definitely look nice with the dark blue. And since it's a leased car, I won't be changing them out (that thought crossed my mind right before taking delivery).As for 3500 V6 in the XE, I don't think it's a dog off the line. I drove a 2004 Malibu LT with that engine (200 hp) for 3 years prior to the AURA and that was one of the things I liked about the car (and that engine was completely trouble-free for the 43K+ miles I had it). The upgraded 3500 with 224 hp feels more powerful to me. The interior is very quiet, so I haven't heard the engine yet (I'm sure when the windows are down in the warmer weather I'll notice the sound). Again, this car continues to impress me everytime I drive it. I don't have it with me today, and by the time the wife gets home with it, it will be too dark to get interior pictures. But I will do it soon and post them here ASAP.

I like the original Saturn logo, and don't see a need for it to be changed. Even though you say the cars from '91-'06 are crappy (remember, the SKY & AURA are '07s), they sold a lot of them and many older Saturn owners are very proud of their cars. Update it if needed, but I don't think a whole new design is needed. As for changes, GM's done too many already. First they update the styling of many of the brand logos, then they get rid of actual names for alphanumerics, and now you suggest this. I think loyal GM enthusiasts won't be able to recognize GM in 10 years if they keep changing everything!!!

Good luck with this Ocn... your Colorado is very nice, but I think you'll be happier in a full-sizer again. Plus you choose GMC, so you know you're getting my on this one! Definitely keep us posted on what happens. Btw, I snuck into the local Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealership yesterday to grab the all-new 2007 Sierra and 2007 Acadia brochures. Only one regular cab Sierra pictured in the entire booklet, and not even a good shot at that (at least it was pictured in the dark blue ). I was thinking we'd get the OUTLOOK when the Envoy lease expires in 2008, especially because of the other two Saturns in the driveway, but the pictures of the Acadia in its brochure definitely have caught my attention. It will be a tough choice come summer of 2008 (this time, we're looking to buy rather than lease - family duty (trips, short & long) will be its primary responsibility). Ocn, I will say that if you end up getting the all-new 2007 Sierra, I will be jealous!

Those rims, or a design 99% like them, are available for the SKY through GM Accessories. Too bad they're 18" rims and my XE has 17"ers, otherwise I would have gotten them for my AURA.

moltar, the first HW Camaro Concept car I bought was at a TARGET; however, they only had the one available. The three K-marts I went to had tons of them. So now you know where they all are if you can't find them at Wal-mart or TARGET!!!

Surprisingly, I've found the HW Camaro Concept car at the three most local K-marts I've been to this week. I'm not sure though if my Camaro's have clear glass or the blue glass - I haven't looked at them that much since I picked up 3 of them over the weekend.

Well, a small update... I dropped the SKY off to the dealership Wednesday afternoon and it was going to be flatbed trucked to the body shop Thuesday morning. My dealership, and the respective body shop, were unable to give me an esitmate because GM has not issued the 2007 labor rates (or so they told me). Basically they were going to work with the amount my insurance company came up with. I received their esitmate in the mail Monday and faxed it to the dealership Tuesday. The good thing doing that is that Tuesday the Service Manager went to the Parts Dept and ordered everything I needed. They figure 2-3 weeks and I should have it back, "better than new" they say. I would really like it back for Dec. 23 (my bday), as I planned a nice little get-away for a few hours with it prior to the accident. Ocn, do you have a fax # you could give me so I can send you the esitmate? I'd like a short explanation of what they're going to do to my "baby". The service manager was going to go over it, but my dad was there to pick me up and he kind of rushed me out to beat the traffic.

The short answer - NO WAY!!!!

Thanks for the comments so far. Almost 600 miles and no real complaints (I'm not too thrilled with the non leather-wrapped steering wheel, although I'm getting use to it more every time I drive the AURA). Anyway, snapped a few more pictures that I wanted to share. Enjoy!

Here is my submission:

I have to agree 100% with you here caddycruiser. My AURA XE doesn't have the leather-wrapped steering wheel or shifter knob because it doesn't have the leather interior option (it's the same with the XR without leather). I think with the AURA, Saturn/GM should have made an exception and included the leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard equipment. As nice as the interior is, the non leather-wrapped steering wheel looks & feels cheap. I don't miss the sunroof, I'm okay without the leather seats, but the cheapy steering wheel is a turn off for me. Today as I was driving my 15-month old to his doctor's appointment, I was thinking that I might start searching for a totalled SKY to grab the leather steering wheel out of and get it installed in my AURA.

Well, my initial reaction when I saw it yesterday was that I didn't like it. I let it settle for the last 24+ hours and after seeing the silver one in ssthriller's post, I can say I like it more today. After buying a SKY this past spring and an AURA recently, I can say that the OUTLOOK is more my style than the new VUE; with that said, I'd say I could see my wife wanting it more than me.

Drew, sorry to hear about your accident. Route 1 is a bitch! When I use to drive Route 1 North from Lawrenceville to New Brunswick for a little over a year, I could count on at least one accident every day. I myself almost got into one once with my Sonoma, but the grace of God saved me (too bad for the Cavlaier behind me, b/c the car behind him didn't stop in time). I wish you all the best with getting the CTS repaired and back on the road soon (btw, I hope you're not using Colonial Cadillac in Trenton?).

Well, I wouldn't say that I hated my '04 Malibu, but it was close enough. And while stupid little things happened to it to cause minor damage, your theory doesn't work entirely. Now I told my wife the morning of the wedding we were to attend that we should take the Malibu, but she said we never go out together in the SKY. What happens a couple of hours later? BAM! Nice car hit. Maybe I should start buying Fords???