Saturn Aura: Is GM back to denial?

well, this is just another reason I stay away from American vehicles...very sad.

Lord knows foreign cars NEVER have problems...like a relative's 2002 Honda Accord whose tranny blew out after 60,000 miles and Honda refused to honor the warranty becuase it was "built in Canada". Not only that but before the tranny problems, the brakes needed complete replacement for being faulty (calipers, rotors, pads, lines, mounts, the works). Oh by the way, the "Dealer ackowledged the problem" and said that all models from that year were prone to these problems. Japanese cars can ride their "aura" (no pun intended) of great quality and no one will question when anything goes wrong. The Americans on the other hand, always have some smart-assed know-it-all who probably knows jack shit about cars to open his mouth and voice his dumb-assed opinion.

Neutral is 100% right - my 3-series had the engine torn apart 3 times before 30k miles to fix the variable valve timing and had a constant clunk in the transmission. After having it in to several dealers to fix the transmission one service manager told me I would have to live with it.

Wrong answer.

After a letter to BMWNA they replaced the transmission.

On the other hand my family and I have always owned Ford trucks and never had ONE problem with them.

Bottom line I think the American car manufacturers are doing pretty good on quality. They may lack other things (like resale and/or driving "fun"), but quality they seem to be pretty good at.

Considering that the vehicle is basically a rebadged and well tested Opel from Germany I am shocked that Saturns may have problems with rattles and clunks.

Either the problem exists because of minor changes for the US market or it suggests an extraordinary incompetence on the part of GM in Germany.

First time I've ever heard anything but raving reviews about the Aura (except the base model's fuel economy, but that's due to the fact that the base model is a 6 cyl). Besides, I could care less about one pissed off guys when I've heard great things from countless people.

huu76, where is the XR's engine built? I'm reading right now that it is built in Canada. Personally, I'd rather it were built in Michigan but oh well, so long as it's not China.

It beat the camry in autoweek

I can't wait until the greenline comes out. Great fuel economy, relatively simple hybrid system for under $23,000. They just need to add a GPS Navigation option. Then the car is complete.

Yep, one comment/incident doesn't mean much except to that particular person.

I still wouldn't hesitate to buy an American car after my experience with a BMW 330Ci. I have an '04 CTS with 80,000 miles and I've had not one minute's trouble with that car. I can't say the same for the BMW, though. Needless to say, it will be replaced with the 2008 CTS.

First year cars are always full of bugs. Wait a month or 2 and there will be a few recalls I bet. Its with ALL cars. Anyways that Aura is a very nice looking car. I hope it does well in the marketplace.

Between the Aura and the '08 CTS, I cannot choose. Both great cars but the CTS is hands down one of the most gorgeous cars in production (especially for the price, if it is the same price as the current CTS). The Aura on the other hand, is well-priced, well built (regardless of this post), and cheap to maintain. Decisions, decisions.........

Is this the only dirt you could find on GM??? lol. Come on dude. GM most be improving their cars if this is all you can find.

most = must

HAHA Ford Fusion is better and more reliable!! It won the JD power Apeal award! And everyone thought it was 100% Opel

I feel sorry for you, if you think the Fusion was a smart buy.

You're a car "enthusiast" and should know better.

* Correction and everyone thought that the Aura was a rebadged opel I (L) Opels

This is a sad lapse in Saturn's perfect customer service.

Saturn is underrated. Their product wasn't good until now, but their service has always been up to Lexus levels of angelic-ness.

Yes, and it's a Lexus fan. "S4Cabriofoxone1" used to be "lexus1", the person whom everybody hated and kept coming back with different names.

I don't understand why he chose my name (a German car) if he hates German cars so much.

I'm just glad I don't have such horrible grammar.

Another way you can tell us apart is that I have a picture of my car next to my name, and my "C" isn't capitalized.

RE: Problem with Aura XR in original article.
Worked with Saturn Customer Support and was provided a resolution that met with my satifaction. Saturn apprarently still continues to promote strong customer support and satisfaction while bringing out new exciting automobiles.

Jim From Holland, MI

I think foreign auto companies used to put quality parts on their vehicles because they wanted the consumer to trust them. Once they gained that trust, they started trying to save money. The newer foreign-made cars will not last as long as their older counterparts. The same thing happened with American cars. They don't make 'em like they used to! I bought an '07 Aura and it's a really nice car, but the brakes are definitely a problem. I get the same clunking noise.