Mud Flaps - yes or no?

[LelandC]

We are picking up our new 4 cylinder Aura later today. The dealer wants to sell us the molded mud flaps for the car. Just wondering what you guys think. The cost isn't an issue - I'm just wondering if they would prevent stone chips, etc?

Thoughts?

-Leland

[svenster]

Originally Posted by LelandC

We are picking up our new 4 cylinder Aura later today. The dealer wants to sell us the molded mud flaps for the car. Just wondering what you guys think. The cost isn't an issue - I'm just wondering if they would prevent stone chips, etc?

Thoughts?

-Leland

Personally I didnt want them. If I lived in Michigan like you do I probably would though.

[rktek]

I don't have them, but you will get a lot of brake dust on the sides along the bumper without them.

[Phaeton Driver]

Check out unicorn-wmd 's Aura pictures after he added the mud flaps. They look pretty good and would sure keep a lot of road grime of the fenders.

http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/sho...hp/photo/46495

If I lived in snow country again I would not hesitate to put them on.

[LelandC]

Good advice here - Thank you. We decided to have the mud flaps put on.

-Leland

[snobrdrdan]

I'm in Southeast Michigan & getting my car from Saturn of Plymouth (an XR) on Monday

First thing I told them was that I didn't want a car with extra crap on it....like mudflaps for $229

They ruin the body lines of the car....especially on the back

Plus they're not even painted body color

[LelandC]

Originally Posted by snobrdrdan

I'm in Southeast Michigan & getting my car from Saturn of Plymouth (an XR) on Monday

First thing I told them was that I didn't want a car with extra crap on it....like mudflaps for $229

They ruin the body lines of the car....especially on the back

Plus they're not even painted body color

We also bought our Aura at Saturn of Plymouth. They we're supposed to put the mudflaps on but someone forgot (but we paid for them). So I guess I'll have to go back next week and see if I still want them... I don't think they look too bad but it may depend on the color of the car...

[skydrive]

Originally Posted by snobrdrdan

First thing I told them was that I didn't want a car with extra crap on it....like mudflaps for $229

They ruin the body lines of the car....especially on the back

Plus they're not even painted body color

My dark blue 2007 XR came with them and the first thing I did was take them off. Unless I lived on a dirt road or had a dirt driveway there's no way I'd have them. They do interrupt the car's lines and look cheap to me.

Speaking of crap though, I'm amazed at how many Saturn retailers are loading up Auras with tacky garbage. The store closest to me put chrome wheel lip moldings on nearly every Aura they had in stock when the car first came out. I've also seen several with chromed factory wheels, chrome rocker moldings and door pillar trim, plus tons of pinstriping. I suppose some of this could be at a customer's request. Thank goodness I haven't seen a carriage or vinyl roof yet!

[snobrdrdan]

Originally Posted by LelandC

We also bought our Aura at Saturn of Plymouth. They we're supposed to put the mudflaps on but someone forgot (but we paid for them). So I guess I'll have to go back next week and see if I still want them... I don't think they look too bad but it may depend on the color of the car...

This is our 3rd Saturn from the Plymouth store in 20 months.

Who was your salesperson???

Like skydrive said....if you drive down dirt roads they might be worth it.....but other than that, they're kind of overrated & at $229 they're not exactly cheap

IMO, they don't flow well with the rear bumper.....they look "okay"/not as noticable in the front though

[snobrdrdan]

Originally Posted by skydrive

My dark blue 2007 XR came with them and the first thing I did was take them off. Unless I lived on a dirt road or had a dirt driveway there's no way I'd have them. They do interrupt the car's lines and look cheap to me.

Speaking of crap though, I'm amazed at how many Saturn retailers are loading up Auras with tacky garbage. The store closest to me put chrome wheel lip moldings on nearly every Aura they had in stock when the car first came out. I've also seen several with chromed factory wheels, chrome rocker moldings and door pillar trim, plus tons of pinstriping. I suppose some of this could be at a customer's request. Thank goodness I haven't seen a carriage or vinyl roof yet!

Totally agree with you

Now concerning adding "crap" to the cars....that's how they're making some extra money on them since Saturn has the "no haggle pricing"

They add a pinstripe to most of the cars for "$199"...then the mudflaps for "$229" and then sometimes the rubber mats for $100 or $200 or the wheel locks for "$50"

Good idea to make money (for them), but it's a total turn off for me as a customer & I don't like it at all

[cisco0623]

I installed them on my car about a week after I bought it. I have a black XR. In the one week I did not have the flaps on my rear fender got a nice rock scratch thats easily visible on black, maybe not other colors except midnight blue...

They look great on my car, but its black on black, I can see it conflicting more with other colors, but to me it saves the paint! I have alot less crud to clean with them on and it saves the finish.

[snobrdrdan]

yeah they probably don't look TOO bad on black....but they'd probably look even better painted to match

I'm sure they help a little keeping the rockers & rear bumper clean.....but paying $229 isn't worth it IMO

Plus for them to look right on Silver Pearl (what I'm getting)...they'd have to be painted to match, and that's probably another $100 right there

I'll just spend the extra 2 minutes & scrub the road grime off

[skydrive]

Originally Posted by cisco0623

They look great on my car, but its black on black, I can see it conflicting more with other colors, but to me it saves the paint! I have alot less crud to clean with them on and it saves the finish.

I can see the need for them as I said if you encounter more dirt, mud, gravel, etc. than I do living in asphalt-everywhere suburbia.

[snobrdrdan]

I just looked up the price for these mudflaps & they're only $29 each set (front or rear)....meaning $58 for both

The dealer is charging $229 installed...what the hell!?!?!


https://www.saturnparts.com/product_...oducts_id/1140
&
https://www.saturnparts.com/product_...oducts_id/1141

[steveluvs3]

I got mine for 30 bucks off a wrecked aura, got tired of the dam road tar and other crap that gets kicked up. I always try to watch where I'm going and I'm that guy that slows to a crawl when I see a stream of water across the road but it never failed I always had some crap kicked up along the side when i got home.

[snobrdrdan]

Originally Posted by steveluvs3

I'm that guy that slows to a crawl when I see a stream of water across the road

Same here....after I wash my car

Or if there is a puddle....I'll swerve to the other lane to avoid it (when there isn't traffic of course)

[LelandC]

Had the mudflaps installed on our new Aura today. They really don't look bad at all on our deep blue colored Aura. Hopefully they help with all the road sludge, etc...

-LelandC

[kcarter2515]

I was on the boarder when it came to the mud flaps as well. I purchased a used 2007 Silver Aura XE, and it didn't come with any. I went into the Saturn of Plymouth and purchased 4 mud flaps for 75 bucks. I installed them myself, not too hard. They make a huge difference especially here in Michigan. If you have a lot of snow, they work great for keeping all the salt off your car.

[Askspot]

I bought them for my car. Very sharp looking I would recommend them. They really save the paint on your doors.

[gpartrid]

Congrats on your new AURA. I believe you made a good decision in having the mud guards installed. I have them and wouldn't go without them. There's a lot of crud and crap on the roads and is easily thrown up against the fenders. It's not all about looks but also preserving your vehicle. Good move.