GMinTheDriveway

Nice review. I actually learned a couple of things! I can't wait for the new VUE and Astra to arrive.

What rear impact tests? NHTSA and IIHS only do front, side and rollover.

If your local Saturn Retailer did the opposite than most to reduce the price of the car I wonder how many would complain? Here, buy the car at invoice. We'll sell every one we get at invoice and make nothing. Tie up our allocation for the next 3 years giving the product away so the wily consumers can do the mark-up and sell instead of the Saturn stores. With all the bitchin & moanin about having to buy extra stuff with the most RESEARCHED CAR ON THE PLANET- it ain't really going to hurt the Saturn Retailers. Just like the PT Cruiser, the Miata, the TDI VW, 06 Corvette, doesn't matter. Consumers have notoriously short attention spans and will find something else to complain about soon enough. Just maybe some of the people that thing the SKY is "the car" for them will get shaken into reality and realize it's not that great of a car, just a great LOOKING car.

Considering the girth of many Saturn customers, they could use an extra walk from the far side of the lot to the store. I was never concerned about my S-series getting dinged so I'd park right up front between a pair of behemoths. My metal cars get parked in a less-popular area and I walk the extra 100 yards. Saturn is concerned for your health!

I like it. I would like it more without the grey plastic bumpers, tho. The current VUE definitely got better looking with color-keyed bumpers IMO. I'm going to go practice my objection handling: "This Saturn is made where??" Looks like 8-way power seat. That is good. Getting rid of the underpowered ECOTEC 2.2 is also good. 2-different Hybrids Plus 2 different non-hybrid powertrains is also good. I'm gonna need a bigger lot.

I have 2 dozen Auras in stock for 2 weeks now. 2 have sold, one XE I sold to a couple looking for an ION and the other I'm not sure XE or XR. The SKY still rules the "just looking" and "that's a Saturn?" crowd for now.

I have 14 XEs and 12 XRs on the lot for about 2 weeks now. 2 have sold so far, not sure about the 2nd but the first was an XE (customer came in to buy an ION) They are getting quite a few looks and some test drives but not too many serious buyers yet. The SKY still steals the show in the "just looking" and "that's a Saturn?" department Of course, the 2 SKYs I have are $33,800 ($26K MSRP + stuff) but I bet they sell before 3 more Aura's go. I'm in Southern California.

Most Roush "Stage 1" kits are appearance mods on the Fords so bodykits makes sense.

it's already 7 years too late... I just hope my job will hold on until these things show up. I've been hearing "be patient, they're coming!" since I started with Saturn in the beginning of 2004. Promises are great, concept cars are fun, but people buy cars not concepts and promises. If I wanted to sell promises and concepts I'd be an insurance salesman.

Hmmm, I always get as "vanilla" as a 6-series BMW or CL coupe which are the overpriced EU cars that are actually in the same class as the 04-06 GTO. Start throwing a little money at it and you end up with an AMG or M fighter, not a bloated sunfire. The advantage is also stealth, although more than a few people have hurt their necks craning to see my car from every angle- and it looks stock.

All I see is a lot of blah blah blah. We knew the car was only here for 3 years from the get-go. Anyone who thinks this car is BORING hasn't DRIVEN ONE!

Don't tell that to Chuck Mallett, I'm pretty sure he ignored those rumors when he decided the LS2 WILL FIT in the Kappa cars (see http://mallettcars.com ) I like everything about this SEMA concept except for the: Color Wing Z3/Viper vents on the fenders I can take or leave the side skirts and hard-top Hmm, seems I like it best near-stock.

So the 2006 VUE doesn't qualify as "substantially redesigned"? Nearly every interior and exterior panel has been changed. Sure, MT would put it in last place for being "plasticky" or some garbage like that but hey, at least give us a rub!

And so do 2006 IONs. They finally came up with an attractive alloy wheel from Saturn! The last great one was the sawtooth back in early 90s.

Was ist los? Eine kalt bier bitte! :P

Hmmm, I wonder if an LS2 V8 would fit in the engine compartment-- paging Mr Mallet! I think it looks great- looks like my future with Saturn is going to be a bright one!

I was trying to figure out where I had heard Invicta before- I don't think they can use it: http://www.invictacar.com/gallery.html There is also a watch company by that name http://www.invictawatch.com/index2.html Remember the trouble FORD got into over the Futura?

6-speed wasn't ready. Most manufacturers use a CVT with their hybrids but Saturn has already been tainted by the evils of a Hungarian "VTi" transmission and probably didn't want to risk that again along with this new technology. Saturn is GMs risk-taker because they have less to lose and carry less baggage than other divisions. Sometimes I hate being in the "guinea pig" division but when the risks pay off, they can pay off BIG!

The next GM to grace my driveway!

So what are the Silverado/Sierra Hybrids if not B-A-S?

Perhaps you should be replacing the CAR, not the engine again. IT's a 2001 LW300- it's not going up in value whether it runs or not. If you must keep the car, why not get an engine from a smashed up car or a rebuilt. Try www.6thplanetusedparts.com

I'd probably prefer a Firebird version if it comes out. It's on my short list of mid-life crisis cars that started with my GTO purchase this year, followed by the SKY next year.

It's about freaking time!

When I read this stuff it makes me not want to spend any money for the next 3 years so I can snatch one of these hi-po monsters up. I'm getting horsepower giddy!

I got your 6-Speed right here! :lol: I'm not sure what DC has against the clutch. They have had something against us 2-footed drivers for quite some time (excepting SRT-4, but if you want a V-8 or better you need to buy a big obnoxious truck to get control of the thing)