New member greetings

[carlover]

Hello Aura lovers.
I am currently shopping for a used XR. I recently drove one and was really impressed with the performance and comfort of the car. I can't believe the deals that are out there right now although prices are over a wide range. I just missed a loaded 08 with 20K miles for under $15K. I think the fact that Saturn is being sold or shutting down has affected public perception of the line and is driving prices down. I'm trying to hold out for one with Morroco Brown leather and a sunroof. Gotta have a sunroof and leather.
I can't understand why GM hasn't put their 2.0L turbocharged I4 in more cars. An Aura with that engine and a six-speed automatic would be my dream car. The DI 3.6L with 300 ponies that's in the new Camaro would be very nice, too. Enough of my fantasy life.
Anyhow, it's great to find this forum and I look forward to sharing.
Now I have to find a buyer for my 99 Ford Contour SVT. Yes, I am finally stepping-up to a grownup's car. At my age.
c

[Phaeton Driver]

Welcome aboard
The XR is a great choice if your into a bit of europerformance with your economy sedan... I couldn't believe it when I took my first, and only test drive. I bought the car I tested without any hesitation. It only got better and better the longer I have owned it.
It has only in the shop once, yesterday, since I picked it up in March 07.
29000 miles and just as thrilling as the first 29.

Hope you find exactly what you are looking for, sounds like you have done your research and know what is best for you.
If I had wanted to wait and wait I too would have chosen the Morroco Brown leather. I would want it in a champagne or bronze exterior. I saw one and only one like this in 3 years, but the owner wasn't interested in trading for my white/black model

Anyway, welcome and enjoy the reads here

[carlover]

Thanks, Phaeton Driver.

When I first started looking I had a chance to get a Techno Grey car with Morroco Brown at a decent price. I hesitated. It was gone.

I have a question about the warranty. Does the complete warranty transfer to the second owner? I am looking at cars offerd by Hertz from their rental fleet. I know there are risks in buying a former rental car but maybe the Aura is less likely to have been abused. Would being part of a rental fleet have any affect on the warranty and/or would it transfer to me? I am looking at 08 cars with less than 30K miles and Hertz offers a 1yr/12K mi power train warranty with a sale. Prices are good - around $14K. What do you think?

c

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by carlover

Thanks, Phaeton Driver.

When I first started looking I had a chance to get a Techno Grey car with Morroco Brown at a decent price. I hesitated. It was gone.

I have a question about the warranty. Does the complete warranty transfer to the second owner? I am looking at cars offerd by Hertz from their rental fleet. I know there are risks in buying a former rental car but maybe the Aura is less likely to have been abused. Would being part of a rental fleet have any affect on the warranty and/or would it transfer to me? I am looking at 08 cars with less than 30K miles and Hertz offers a 1yr/12K mi power train warranty with a sale. Prices are good - around $14K. What do you think?
c

I have known three people that bought a rental turn in from Hertz and every one of them was near perfect. They all had had every recall and minor little annoyance fixed before being turned in. The cars were in extremely good condition.
As for the warranty I don't know. I do know the OnStar free year is transferable, even though, in my case the sales person said it was not.

I would have to say if you can get an 08 XR like you want it, for $15K or less, better jump at the deal. It was probably over $29K new. I just looked at one Monday morning, loaded, dual power seats, and it was like $29,675 Sticker, but of course there are big $$$ incentives.

[Kimosen]

Originally Posted by carlover

Thanks, Phaeton Driver.

When I first started looking I had a chance to get a Techno Grey car with Morroco Brown at a decent price. I hesitated. It was gone.

I have a question about the warranty. Does the complete warranty transfer to the second owner? I am looking at cars offerd by Hertz from their rental fleet. I know there are risks in buying a former rental car but maybe the Aura is less likely to have been abused. Would being part of a rental fleet have any affect on the warranty and/or would it transfer to me? I am looking at 08 cars with less than 30K miles and Hertz offers a 1yr/12K mi power train warranty with a sale. Prices are good - around $14K. What do you think?

c

Yes, both the bumper-to-bumper and powertrain limited warranties are fully transferrable, along with roadside assistance. You'll have the full benifits of all three.

[AuraDrvr89]

Welcome to the forums! I wish you great luck in your search for the right Aura.

They are definitely excellent cars, especially for the relatively low price in this segment. I really enjoy my '07 XE. With the 3.5 it's pretty peppy, and I enjoy the power. However the 3.6 in the XR will simply knock your socks off.

Be sure to check the one you are looking at buying for common faults such as wheel vibration, clunking when turning the wheels, warped rotors, etc.

With the state of the auto market, you should be able to find a relatively low mile used XR for a great price.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[Brak]

I too am looking at the same set-up. My lease on my 2006 Ion ends in two months. I see the price of a new 09 and cannot believe the depreciation to an 08 with 20-30k miles. I am very leary of getting a new 09.
Not sure how the deals will pan out over the next two months to push me toward a new car.
Worse comes to worse, I can buyout my Ion as I love this car!!! I owe 8k and see the price of a used 2006 Ion up to 12k.
My Wife says I deserve better but I have simple needs in my older years......LOL.....I am only 48.

[carlover]

Thanks for all the comments.
Hertz has really ramped-up its sales/advertising effort here according to the staff at the Pasadena lot. They are going to notify me when they get another Aura XR with the options I want. One of the salesmen used to work for a Saturn dealer. They seem to be a bit mis-informed, though. They think the power train warranty is only 3/36.
I'm not in a huge hurry and I'm still watching Auto Trader. Hope to get something soon as I expect pent-up demand, the rescue of the Saturn brand and the lack of used car inventory to collide and drive prices back up. Plus I'm just tired of shifting in traffic on the hill I drive over every day.
I haven't been this excited about a car in a long time.
c

[carlover]

OK, one more question.
Do these cars have a cabin air filter, or not? I have read conflicting information on the forum.

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by carlover

OK, one more question.
Do these cars have a cabin air filter, or not? I have read conflicting information on the forum.

No Air Filter.
There are instruction on this forum on how you can cut out the filter box and add a paper filter element yourself, just search for it.

[carlover]

A Buick, Pontiac, GMC dealer has just marked this car down to $15,495.

(Dang, the won't let me post a url. It is an 07 XR, gold with black leather, moonroof, dual power front seats, fake wood trim, 21K miles.)

What do you guys think?
c

[SaturnSdn]

Hello and welcome to SaturnFans

[Phaeton Driver]

Originally Posted by carlover

A Buick, Pontiac, GMC dealer has just marked this car down to $15,495.

(Dang, the won't let me post a url. It is an 07 XR, gold with black leather, moonroof, dual power front seats, fake wood trim, 21K miles.)

What do you guys think?
c

That's very low miles. I have just over 29K on my 07 XR and I think of it as low miles. I would be ticked off if a Saturn dealer offered me $15K for mine if I were trading it in. I would say go drive it. if it doesn't have any of the typical problems, make them an offer like $13K and see what they do.
Check "cars.com" for Aura's in your area and see what they are listing for.

Remember $15,495 is just an asking price to start a negotiation. You could probably get it for under $14K

[carlover]

Hi PD.
Cars.com goes to autotrader, too. Same cars.
This car was first listed for over $18K about 3 weeks ago.
I will negotiate, of course, but $13K is pretty optimistic IMO. $14K, maybe.
This is tempting but I may just keep looking for my Morocco Brown.

[gpartrid]

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place to learn about the Aura. A word of caution about the panoramic sunroof. Some folks have reported problems with leakage and other niggly things such as rattles that can't be gotten rid of and the like. It's a real shame Saturn discontinued it. It was a real thing of beauty in the Aura. It might also be of benefit to read through some of the early posts from 2+ years ago, if you haven't done so already, to read up on the '07's as they're the first production year and might've had a few more problems that might've been resolved for the '08 and '09 model years. Then again, there are plenty here who've had no problems at.

Best of luck in your search for your perfect Aura XR. Keep us posted on your progress.