Croc

I have a friend who loves diesels (he's a Benz-o-phile), and I asked him about that a week or so ago when Fly showed me that pic on AIM... Yea, the thing about diesels is that they have pretty tight specifications, hence why they are much more expensive to build; they require tighter tolerances than gasoline engines. The same is true with their maintenance. The fuel filter and air filter have to be changed every 12-18 months, and failure to do so could result in the black buildup. Also, diesel blends do vary, and some blends have kerosene in them. This car was in FL though, so unless it did some serious fuel filling in NY it shouldn't have had that as a factor. Frankly I like the idea of it being obvious when you neglect a car...with gas engines it's rarely visible when maintenance has been $h!ty...only with blue exhaust from really old oil. Heh...with diesels, you literally get a black mark for not practicing proper maintenance.

Nope, you're right as rain! I got a nice chuckle out of that when I read it...

I found 2 billion coupes...but no sedans...people just don't seem to be as willing to brag about them. I disagree on your assessment of interior space...I am quite comfortable in my M-Class, my father's DTS, and his DHS. The most uncomfortable Caddy we have is actually the 1980 Sedan de Ville...the ergonomics are just off.

No, not the N-Body Classic...this is a true classic...or in this case a true blue classic. WOW...what a ways we've come since the 1970s with regards to interior packaging...some "midsizer" lol those things are looooooooooooooooong It's a 4-dr...and therefore I cannot find pics to tell you what generation it is...but I am guessing it's from the early-mid 1970s...so take your pic. Kinda cool...but its a BARGE

Thank God

I think so...which is why I think anyone wanting to know how it will handle should find out when their Saturn dealership is getting its first shipment and then test drive one.For GM's sake, I hope AURA handles well and doesn't make its origins all too apparent. Even though this is just a 3-year run at most, GM cannot afford to tarnish the AURA name with substandard product, though the interior isn't helping things.

Eh...they're aight. I agree that those aren't the best representatives from the segment. EDIT: the Astra looks great. I hope we get it here...you know, Saturn used to have an S wagon...

A week before they go on sale.

No, if you haven't noticed, I'm pretty much always rather blunt. Where have you been the past 5 years?

I still disagree. Refresh the front fascia into more of the horse-collar grille look (like the MAXX concept from a few years ago) that will complement the Camaro and other Chevrolets better. The profile just needs to lose those weird trailing creases from the wheel wells. The rear is just a big old mess. Really, the rear and interior are the areas in need of the most help. The front just needs another grille/bumper. MCE. I'd love for GM to prove me wrong, though...but this is a cash-strapped organization here. Reality is your friend.

Agreed. If it's glass, well it looks like GM caught up to VW circa 1998.

Lights got traumatized and you should get new turn signals?

Why? AURA isn't Vectra...yet.Anyone wanting to know how AURA drives should go to your dealer lot and drive one.

OC: Do you realize how many posts you just posted contiguously? You even quoted yourself...seriously...condense it. Get everything into one or two posts.

I don't think it's that bad. Is it a beauty queen? No, but it's decent. Again, though, interiors carry more weight with consumers than exteriors. Look at Camry sales as proof.

Yea...GM internal documents are all a load of bull$h! Believe what you want; I really couldn't care less. As always, we will see who is right and who is not in a few short months :AH-HA_wink:

Why wouldn't I be? This was a redesign that was scaled back. I will be surprised (in a good way) if it is more than what I outlined above, especially given its 3-yr cycle. Just no point in committing that much money to a glorified MCE.

I'm getting a real Mazda Tribute vibe outta that rear...

BV...its SUPPOSED to be in chinese

It'll sell well, assuming of course the interior isn't made from plastic salvaged from trash dumpsters by the homeless like many other GM vehicle interiors. All kidding aside, it looks pretty good.

?No. There is no magical transformation occurring 1 January 2007 that suddenly allows all these programs to exist. This is the reality for the next 5 or so years. GM is finally learning to efficiently allocate their cash resources.

That's consistent with what I've heard as well. Also, that interior doesn't look like it will be any better designed than the AURA interior.

I doubt it, actually. They will likely be the same corporate units. C'mon Chevy...prove me wrong!

Awesome...thanks for clearing that up!

Correct. The current EPI AURA is a gussied-up G6.