PurdueGuy

duh? lol Still, this makes for a pretty substantial car.

3 1 6

I think the current truck looks pretty good, but I also think this looks pretty good, and mostly better than the current truck. Only things I don't like are the headlights ("eyebrow" turn-signal looks terrible), and the hood could use some refinement up front - the end of it seems to be straight up & down - it should slope and meet up with the rest of the grill lines.

Thought I would share this, since it shows the Outlook in motion, and explains a bunch of features & such. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=28...579193&q=saturn

If you actually read the description, it IS a one-off car for Leno, made at Leno's place, just with some collaboration with some GM engineers. They'd never produce more, and it's not some new division. It's just Leno's new toy, and something extra for GM to show off.

all that... and nothing for the Saturn S-Series.

May not have been the best way to phrase it, but I was under the impression that it was pretty much a DeVille, but with fewer features and such. Perhaps I've put my foot in my mouth on this, IDK. I would be interested to hear what you find out about the parts - it wouldn't suprise me if the differences aren't terribly big, and it wouldn't surpise me if it's simply a case of the Aura getting some new developments for the platform first (as evidenced by the hydro steering trickling down into the other cars - I imagine the GTP got the hydro from the start, as the Malibu SS probably did, but you mention it going to the GT). Reviews I've read (admittedly not the best source) have indicated that the Aura suspension was "tuned" differently (whatever that means). Again, I might have a case of foot-in-mouth, but I can admit to that if I'm proven wrong. I'm more intereted in the info than the arguement. Guess I just took offense (though I'm not sure why, maybe just some Saturn prejudice) to what seemed like an opinion that the Aura & others of that platform are some sort of lowly junk, when I've seen nothing to indicate that's the case. Looking back, you compared the GTP and Aura, and that's probably a fair comparison on mechanicals & suspension, so I jumped to a conclusion. So, I guess that means we're down to impressions about the platform/car. You were unimpressed, I was impressed. Agree to disagree?

Looks good.

Once difference I KNOW between the Aura and the Malibu (not sure about the G6) is hydraulic steering assist on the Aura vs electric assist on the Malibu. I'm almost certain there are notable suspension changes. Many reviews of the Aura have noted how much of an improvement the handling is in the Aura over the Malibu and even G6. They did more than just slap some different sheetmetal on the outside, and plastic on the inside. Plus, for now there is the 3.6 + 6speed differentiation. Aura does not equal Malibu or G6, dispite the platform shared. I would expect some parts sharing, but not the extent you are making it out to be. That said, I would still agree that buying a Lucerne is still buying into a platform & vehicle designed more for luxury. The Aura is the most "spruced up" version of its platform, which is designed more for the common midsized car. The Lucerne is the most "stripped down" of a luxury car platform. Which is better? Depends on what you want.

hood looks better without the ribs/ripples/whatever, but the headlights being colored funny looks... like old yellowed headlights.

Same chassis, different suspension, steering, etc, etc... sure, there will be many simmilarities, but there can be notable differences on the same platform. How 'bout a ford panther platform (crown vic, etc) that's been around for, what, 25+ years now or something? Think if you ride in one from the first few years that it'll feel exactly like a current one? Or even one from ten years ago? Sure, there will be some similarity, but don't act like a platform means inability to differentiate, develop, and improve.

The Pick-n-Pull I went to a month & a half ago probably had 50-100 mid-90's grand ams in it, so parts will be pentiful... lol I'd definately suggest 6cyl.

XL Big Max? Repetitively redundant?

no pictures yet?

dang, they're really pimpin' the buicks these days. lol

not a fan of the amber turn signal "eyebrow", but other than that it looks very, very good.

shaweet!

It looks very nice, but it also looks very stock. Guess I expected more for SEMA.

All very neat, but I give the following awards: First, the "finally competing with the aftermarket" award goes to the remote start system. Hooray for something slick enough for the most gadgety of customers. Second, the "most likely to sell a lot" award goes to the iPod adapter. The other two are neat as well, but these 2 stood out.

that shape does render itself to a painting of a corn cob quite well...

I thought it was hilarious.

wow... barf. Couldn't even take decent pics of it, and wants megabucks? HA HA HA HA HA!

guess I'm a little turned off by the pretend extended front window. It looked good, until I realized that 1/5 of it is fake, and then it just... bothered me.

wow - that looks great.

The XR especially really is a very, very nice car. All the critics should hold judgement until they drive it.