RJB 0 Posted May 17, 2006 Well the Saturn Aura is on the roads here in Michigan. And they are what looks like to me as close as you can get to a production car. I have been a skeptic of the Aura but now that I have seen one in person, up close, I have changed my mind. They look very nice and I dare say elegant! The interior was everything that the pictures show. And yes the wheels need to be changed, a little boring for my tastes. But all in all if I were to be shopping for nice family sedan I would consider one of these. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VenSeattle 13 Posted May 17, 2006 The Aura wheels are growing on me. Seems to be a European thing: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dsuupr 12 Posted May 17, 2006 Any new news on the hybird version? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sciguy_0504 0 Posted May 18, 2006 For some reason, those wheels do not look right on the Aura, though. The Aura's overall design, though, seems to be a Chrysler thing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flybrian 0 Posted May 18, 2006 Man, those wheels don't look right on any of those cars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VenSeattle 13 Posted May 18, 2006 For some reason, those wheels do not look right on the Aura, though. The Aura's overall design, though, seems to be a Chrysler thing. I think Aura styling is more European than a sad attempt at copying the cloud cars at Chrysler. The cloud cars original intention were to look more European afterall. Regardless, the Aura also looks noticeably more expensive than the Cirrus/Sebring or Status/Avenger... lets leave Breeze out of this. Aura Stratus refresh Cirrus refresh (renamed Sebring) Sorry, but the Aura puts both generations to shame... The Aura is not a 1990's throw-back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Backup7 0 Posted May 19, 2006 I agree. And, I don't see why everyone keeps comparing the Aura's wheels to the Sebring's. They don't even have the same number of spokes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CreativeVision 2 Posted May 19, 2006 You've got to be kidding me that you don't see striking resemblances to the last gen Status/Sebring. Take a close look at the two side by side and note the body lines of the lower half of the vehicle. You can't tell me that the line that comes from the front end, over the fender flares, along the rocker panel, and again at the back bumper isn't a almost duplicate. Also the taillights have almost a similar shapeing to them from the last gen Sebring. The wheels, while not the exact same number of spokes, still invoke that impression to the consumer. And the shape of the greenhouse is also similar. I'm not saying these things are spot on, but they are not different enough to not be compared. To me there is really nothing too revolutionary about this car. While I admit when I first saw it at the 2005 Autoshow, I fell in love almost instantly, it was the aggressive fender arches and grill that did it for me. The more I see the production model, the more I turn up my nose at the thought of owning what appears to be a new rendition of the Sebring...BOOORRRINGGG!!! The only thing I like on this car is the crease at the Beltline(shoulder) line. Gives it at least a little bit of brute PS. Nice Honda Civic Chrome Grill bar...haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ravenfreak13 0 Posted May 19, 2006 > Leave the breeze out!?!?!?!? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ichbinjohnk 0 Posted May 19, 2006 PS. Nice Honda Civic Chrome Grill bar...haha A design cue blantantly copied by Honda from Opel/Vauxhal, who have previewed/used for some time. Even the Aura concept previewed this cue before the Civic was shown. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest YellowJacket894 Posted May 19, 2006 (edited) ^ Edited May 19, 2006 by YellowJacket894 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vt_hokie 0 Posted May 19, 2006 To me, the Aura looks just like those earlier Chrysler cars, except with ugly oversized headlights. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ToniCipriani 0 Posted May 19, 2006 (edited) I agree. And, I don't see why everyone keeps comparing the Aura's wheels to the Sebring's. They don't even have the same number of spokes. Edited May 19, 2006 by ToniCipriani Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pow 106 Posted May 19, 2006 (edited) A design cue blantantly copied by Honda from Opel/Vauxhal, who have previewed/used for some time. Even the Aura concept previewed this cue before the Civic was shown. 2003 Accord... Let's leave it as a coincidence. Edited May 19, 2006 by empowah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ichbinjohnk 0 Posted May 19, 2006 PS. Nice Honda Civic Chrome Grill bar...haha The 2003-2005 Accords did not use chrome bars. The grille received a chrome bar/lower surround in 2006. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RBB 3 Posted May 19, 2006 2003 Accord... Let's leave it as a coincidence. Let's try a '99 626: or the '00 Protogé: -RBB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CreativeVision 2 Posted May 20, 2006 A design cue blantantly copied by Honda from Opel/Vauxhal, who have previewed/used for some time. Even the Aura concept previewed this cue before the Civic was shown. Your right I'm forgetting that Aura Concept was shown before the introduction of the new Civic. Prior to the Aura, I hadn't really had much insight into Opel/Vauxhall, so I was not aware this was used there previously as well. Thanks for correcting me on this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtie_dude 0 Posted May 20, 2006 Man, those wheels don't look right on any of those cars. And I think they look fantastic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
91z4me 0 Posted May 20, 2006 Let's try a '99 626: or the '00 Protogé: -RBB Yeah I noticed that too and even the Mazdaspeed6 still uses the bar, body colored now. Lets be real guys Mazda used it first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ichbinjohnk 0 Posted May 21, 2006 Yeah...I'll admit that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VenSeattle 13 Posted May 21, 2006 Yeah I noticed that too and even the Mazdaspeed6 still uses the bar, body colored now. Lets be real guys Mazda used it first. Saturn is becoming GM Europe (Opel/Vauxhall)... much of the styling cues are not new to GM... just to the US market: 1995 Vauxhall Vectra 1995 Vauxhall Astra Convertible 1999 Vauxhall Astra Van Sportiv 2000 Vauxhall VX 220 So I wouldn't say GM checked out any of the Japanese for styling direction... GM found everything Saturn needed in Vauxhall. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VenSeattle 13 Posted May 21, 2006 > Leave the breeze out!?!?!?!? No disrespect meant towards your 1999 Plymouth Breeze. The Breeze was chrome free and did not make it past the refresh. The refreshed cloud car sedans (Sebring & Stratus sedans) are really the only two that have a slight resemblance to the Aura. Even then, they don't look as sophisticated or expensive as the Aura. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rueben44 0 Posted May 22, 2006 Some people here are really reaching! Do we need to squint our eyes and smoke marijuana to see what some of you see? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Imaj 0 Posted May 22, 2006 Saturn is becoming GM Europe (Opel/Vauxhall)... much of the styling cues are not new to GM... just to the US market: 1995 Vauxhall Vectra 1995 Vauxhall Astra Convertible 1999 Vauxhall Astra Van Sportiv 2000 Vauxhall VX 220 So I wouldn't say GM checked out any of the Japanese for styling direction... GM found everything Saturn needed in Vauxhall. I think these pics clarify everything. It's a GM design after all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MyerShift 7 Posted May 30, 2006 Lordy! That black first generation Stratus ES is a hottie!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites