GMTruckGuy74

Is this "National Tease GMTruckGuy74 Week"??? First TED with the '58 GMC Stepside, then Variance with the '58 GMC Suburban Carrier, and now you with the '07 AURA XR!!! That is a very nice looking car. I'm taking the SKY for it's first oil change/service visit tonight and will be looking at the AURA's again (I test drove an XR last Wednesday). I'm going to check out the XE this time... the price just seems really good on the XE models, even though I typically go with the top-of-the-line model. I like the Techno Gray, but after having the Malibu in Medium Gray Metallic and the SKY in Silver Graphite, I think I'd have to go with a different color selection. Can't tell from your pics, but do you have a sunroof? If yes, is it the regular sunroof or the panoramic sunroof? I know Walt has had problems with his panoramic roof on his G6, but I know of an AURA XR owner from the Skyroadster.com forums that has it on his AURA without any problems. Good luck with it, and keep us updated.

Wow, a 1958 GMC Suburban Carrier pickup. Very, very, very rare truck that one is. Not too many of these were made between 1955 and 1958, and 1958 is the rarest of them all (supposedly, there is at least one documented 1959 model). I wonder how much this will sell for, and who the lucky buyer will be. And yes, Mrs. TruckGuy has done a very good job of hiding the checkbook ever since I bought the SKY back in April. But don't worry, one of these days I'll find the $$$ to get me a mid-'50s GMC pickup. Thanks for the post though! P.S. - what's up with the teases lately? First TED with the '58 Canadian stepside, and now you with the '58 Suburban Carrier? Have I done something to piss off the C&G gods? I can't wait to see what Fly finds (again) to tease me with!

I posted a reply last Thursday, but it got lost with the hacker. Anyway... I was able to test drive both cars last week - Wednesday I drove the Saturn AURA XR and Friday I drove the Buick Lucerne CXL (V6). I liked both vehicles a lot, but clearly there's only going to be one winner here. Both were brief test drives, with the salesman in the car () , so no long winded behind-the-wheel reviews here Here are my impressions: Saturn AURA XR The 3.6 liter V6 is quick & peppy, smooth and very quiet. The trans shifted nicely and the car took off when you put the pedal down. You weren't punished over bumps and broken asphalt with the ride, yet it wasn't too soft. I found a very comfortable seating arrangement and quickly, and found the floor area for my left foor to be very comfortable (remember, I injured my left foot in 2005 and have a hard time getting comfortable in the Malibu). Trunk space is smaller than the Malibu, but the opening apprears bigger than the G6 (which we couldn't get our larger stroller into - we tried with my parent's '06 G6 sedan). Interior room, comfort and amenties were plentiful. Color was Cream White with the Morocco Brown leather (not my ideal choices for either selections). Overall this is a car I feel I could live with day-in and day-out; however, I think for the kind of driving the wife and I do, the XR is a little too much and an XE model might fit the bill better (btw, the chrome wheels for the XE are just the plastisteel wheels chromed - not worth the extra $200 IMO). Buick Lucerne CXL V6 Drove a Sharkskin with Titanium (gray) leather CXL V6 model. I quickly noticed how the A-pillars tilt into the cabin (reminded me of the '99-'05 Grand Am & '99-'04 Alero greenhouse design - just not as severe). I found the driver's seat to not be as comfortbale as I thought it would be, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker. The car is big, but doesn't necessarily feel big. Either I didn't adjust the seat close enough, but I felt the dash seemed far away (though the reach to the pedals and steering wheel were fine). The floor area was comfortable for my left foot and I had plenty of space to get comfortable in the seat (maybe a little too comfy?). The 3800 V6 is still a great engine and moved the Lucerne without hesitation. The trans shifted good and provided a comfortable ride. The heated steering wheel worked quickly and is a feature I wish GM would install on more of it's product lines. Ride and handling were better than I expected, with hardly feeling any feedback from bumps and imperfect road conditions. Turning diameter wasn't as good as I thought it would be - the AURA & my Envoy offer a better turning radius. Overall I liked the car, but not as much as I thought I would. The features I can't get on the AURA are what attract me to this car - heated steering wheel, memory settings for 2 drivers, rear parking assist, chrome wheels (real wheels, not plastic covers). I didn't get lease prices, as I didn't have the Malibu with me for a trade-in apprasial and the wife wasn't with me for her input. However, I think I'd start off getting the Lucerne pricing and end up at the Saturn dealership - just in case the AURA deal was too good to pass up. I'll post more when I have something to add.

Very nice pictures TED, very nice pictures. The old red GMC is a 1958 model, as it has the bumper bullets (which went away for 1959). It's also a Canadian-built and sold GMC, as the grille shows the id number 9310 (which is basically the same as the US series 100 model). I love when GM dealerships have a restored GM make in their showrooms.... there's a stand-alone Buick store in Levittown/Bristol, PA (Dieckhaus Buick) that has a '54 or '55 Special convertible in theirs. I just love the new 2007 Sierras and can't wait to see one in person. Thanks for posting the pics of both GMC trucks!

It seems funny that a lot of posters here approve of that type of grille design on the Chevy Ultra copncept car but not on the Colorado. I like it, as it takes the design a little further than bland or conservative.

I really like the Outlook, but I also like the Acadia too. When our Envoy lease expires in 2008, we're going to have a tough decision on our hands as to which one to choose. My wife also likes the Enclave, but I like the Outlook a little more (don't get me wrong, the Enclave is a beautiful vehilce. It's just a little more Lexus-like than what I want; hence why the wife likes it the best!). That red color is great and I can already forsee many Saturn & GMC dealers stocking the Lambda's in that color.

Thanks Bizz for responding. Yes, I definitely would be interested in seeing that video.

Wow Dodgefan.... What a difference some production-like headlights make! I definitely like the looks of Dodgefan's chopped SEMA Colorado. Unlike a lot of you, I like how the hood sits atop the fenders. It's very retro without being retro - GM full-size pickup trucks up to 1972 had their hoods sitting atop the fenders. I think it looks great on this Colorado and until someone else mentioned it, I didn't even think of the Equinox's hood. I also like: - the two tone coloring (it's a shame GM is doing away with this option on it's truck lines) - the wide fender flares; lets you know this is a serious truck (although it works on the 4wd off-road version, I'm not sure a 2wd or lowered model might look as nice with those fenders) I don't like: - the '94-'97 S-series inspired rear bumper - the Z71 stickes on the doors (put them on the rear quarter panel where they belong) - the hideous roof rack Other than that, I really dig this design. Too many people here complain GM isn't adventurous with their truck designs (too conservative). Well, with the full-size p/u's you don't want to mess with your happy owners; the smaller p/u's I think it's perfectly fine to take the styling further and especially to attract the younger buyers - those that are more likely to purchase small vs. big. I can't wait to see what the GMC Canyon will look like for 2008!!!

Just to clarify, can you list all the areas that have the ambient lighting?How do you like the AURA XR so far? It's definitely on my radar... I have an '04 Malibu (purchased Nov. '03) that I want to get rid of and the AURA and Lucerne are the top two contenders (however, if the wife would drive it, I'd get the all-new Sierra crew cab).

Thanks for the replies so far - keep them coming. I did the ride three times, and I make sure on the first ride to look down as the car enters the circular portion to see what vehicles are on "display" in the middle. One vehicle from each divison was represented, including Saab and Hummer. Inside after the ride, there are three stages - each stage rotates three times, so there are nine vehicles on the stages - and at least another 10-12 on the floor to sit in. The only really new model there was the AURA, and that was on one of the rotating stages. There was also a mix of 2006 AND 2007 models on the floor - more 2007's though. The lady said that it takes a while to switch out for the new model year.

After riding the TEST TRACK ride at EPCOT a little over a week ago, the wife and I cruised around the showroom looking at what GM had on display. She liked the Ming Blue Buick Lucerne CXL V6 a lot and hated the maroon Chevy HHR 2LT. I really liked the Saturn AURA XR - but she likes the Lucerne more. So I ask for your opinion on this matter. Which do you think is the better buy/car??? Feel free to post your thoughts in a reply after voting. And TIA!!!

Why does this remind me of the Jeep Commander???

Me likey a lot. Of course I'd have to have it based on the new 2007 Wrangler though. Deep down inside I've always wanted a Jeep Wrangler... if Daimler-Chrysler produces this pickup version, I don't know guys - I'd be very tempted! I only wish GM would hurry up and make the H3T, just like it was in concept form. Then I could say "Jeep Wrangler-pickup who"??? But I think that Wrangler-based pickup is pretty cool nonetheless. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the Gladiator concept-pickup was based on the new-for-2007 Wrangler???

Oh great - Burns Pontiac/GMC bought this franchise. Now every Buick will have a $317 Pro-Package slapped on it, whether the customer wants it or not. What do you get for $317? Tape pinstripes (still labeled as "painted" on the add-on window sticker), VIN Etching, and plastic door guards. I leased my Envoy from them and they wouldn't budge on those items. Last time I'm buying from them. And the sad part was that if we were going to buy a new Buick, I was going to go to Eckenhoff's in Cherry Hill just because they have a much larger and better selection than the very small Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealer right around the corner from me has and a more professional atmosphere too.

Be happy that we'll be contained to the Disney parks and I won't need a rental car... Thanks guys... a vacation, even a small one, is much needed. The wife & I are big fans of Disney and this will be the first time we're going at Halloween time. We've been looking forward to this trip for months now. Hopefully the weather cooperates and rain stays away from central Florida until Sunday. And if you couldn't tell, I'm still up packing. Procrastination is my friend

Sorry to say that I will not be visiting the site for about a week. Tomorrow night we're flying to Orlando for a 5-day vacation to DisneyWorld. Pray that the rain predicted for the East Coast doesn't ruin my 1 year-old's first trip to Disney I'll be thinking of the site while I'm gone - wondering what I'm missing. But on the flip side I will be going on the GM Test Track ride as much as possible ( )and will probably spend quite a bit of money in its gift shop before I leave. Can't wait to see what GM has on display there (I'm praying the new 2007 Sierra is there). Take care folks and see you in about a week!

I recently found a 2000 GMC Sierra Regular Cab Longbed Z71 4wd for sale and you're really making it hard for me not to like the all-new 2007 GMC Sierra's!!! 2007 GMC Sierra Regular Cab Longbed Z71 4wd :drool:

Hey WMJ - I'm sure this won't be the first time you have to take a job working on all fours to earn some cash!!! Hahahahaha!!! :rotflmao:

Looks cool Walt... have to add that to our trip list for the future. We're headed to DisneyWorld this Tuesday night and will be attending the "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party" on Thursday. Remember, I've got a 1 year-old and a 12 year-old!!! Not quite as interesting as the HHN's @ Universal, but for Disney fans I'm sure Mickey's party will rank up there.

Great job Razoredge! Being a high school teacher, I wish that all teenagers got something like this from their parents at their graduation. Your daughter is truly lucky to have you as a father. Now onto the grammar... Is the spelling of "bear" correct in the sentence below: It just doesn't seem like it is to me??? Otherwise, it looks good.

Unofficially, I am shopping for a Malibu replacement and here are the contenders: MY LIST: - 2007 Saturn AURA XR - 2007 Chevy HHR LT - 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL (V6) - 2007 Pontiac Torrent (AWD V6) WIFE'S LIST: - 2007 Saturn VUE (AWD V6) - 2007 Volvo S40 - 2007 Lexus (small car) I really like the AURA and the wife is so-so with it but definitely not crazy over it (we haven't driven one yet; I really need to check out space and design of the driver's left footwell area first though). I like the HHR, but the wife still doesn't. We both like the Lucerne (bucket seat models only), but the wife feels it's way too big for our needs. And of course I like the Torrent, but the wife likes the VUE more. She really wants the Volvo or small Lexus - no foreign makes allowed in my garage - so right now we're at a stand-still on what to get. I'm going to wait between Thanksgiving & Christmas to see what sales GM rolls out before I jump ship with the 'bu. I'd like to hold out until I see everything at the Philly Auto Show in February, but the car needs new tires before snow starts falling and roads get icy. The Envoy lease is up August of 2008 and that is officially when the next car purchase will be made. The Outlook/Acadia seem to be the way the wife wants to go. I'd like a Sierra SLE Crew Cab Z71 4wd myself, but she still says no to trucks. More than likely it will be a Lambda-based vehicle.

My condolences to you and your family. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time.

Yup, that's exactly where the show was. You from this area?

Also XP - about the Packards - up until Saturday's Hershey show, I never paid much attention to Packards or Studebakers. Oldsmoboi's friend (Dominic) educated me on design features (example - grille shape was used up until Packard's end), significant details of Packard's innovations, and how they were the cream of the rop of automobiles in their time. By the end of Saturday I was really noticing how nice older Packards really are. When I first saw the 160 on Sunday, I instantly recognized it as a Packard thanks to Dominic's knowledge sharing (prior, I'd think they were '30s or '40s Buicks or Caddy's!!!). Just wanted to shar that bit of info!!!

XP, I took a picture of the "For Sale" sign so I had record of the phone # and asking price - $8,900 or best offer is what the sign stated. I saw the owner and remember meeting him through a friend over a year ago and was told about this car. I think (trying to remember from a year ago) that this car has around 20K original mileage. It was in beautiful condition and I think it's a steal for under $9K. But I don't have much of an interest in '70s cars yet; if that '55 Olds 88 was under $9K, I'd be begging the wife to let me buy it