More on Our Saturn Family

I love the new Saturns. They look great. When will the GM Fast Lane blogs feature Buick? There are many of us with questions about future Buicks.

The Aura was on my list of cars to consider when buying my next car, but the lack of manual transmission has just removed it completely from my list. It isn't necessarily the fuel economy and performance differences, because as you point out, the 6-speed automatic is similar to a manual. But it is the FUN and DRIVER INVOLVEMENT of the manual that can't be replaced by an automatic, even with a clutchless tap-shifting mode.

Just when I thought GM was starting to get it, they prove once again they don't.

Understood about the need to offer vehicles in more segments, however the appearance certianly is that the Saturn brand distinctness is going the way of the dinosaur.

At a certian point, say when Spring Hill shuts down and when there are no more Polymer vehicles in the lineup Saturn could very well cease to become relavent and may become even more redundant than Oldsmobile was when it was killed off.

What's the plan to address this, is it realistic to expect people to continue to come to Saturn retailers for rebadged Chevys with minor styling differences and a different buying experience?

Then again people still go to the Mercury dealer when every vehicle in their linup is merely a rebadged Ford so maybe that is a vaible plan (though it's arguable whether Mercury is successful at this point).

"For those wanting a manual transmission experience, the all-new 6-speed transmission with the 3.6L V6 does feature clutchless tap-shifting."

Part of the "manual transmission experience is being able to control the clutch. Maybe it's old fashioned, but tap-shift automatics don't really capture the spirit, even if they are technically 'just as good, if not better'. Even the best tap shift manuals (Audi DSG, etc.) don't quite do it.

However, BMW doesn't even offer a standard manual on the M5, and fitting a manual into a hybrid drivetrain sounds virtually impossible. It's hard to get too upset over a decision that makes so much logical sense.

I love the way the new Sky looks and am very excited about the Redline version. I like the Solstice, but the Sky looks even better. Unfortunately at 6'7", I did not fit into either Kappa car when I tried them at the Dallas auto show. I can see people a couple inches shorter fitting better, though.

I also think the Outlook and Aura look great. The interior is a huge leap forward for Saturan in the Aura and I was impressed at how closely the production version resemlbes the gorgeous concept.

Although the Outlook isn't in a market segment I currently shop in, I am glad (for GM's sake) that a great, powerful V6 was chosen for the engine.

I hope the sales reflect the great leaps made in product at Saturn.

I think it is critical perhaps to either further persue or reveal the reasons *why* "Saturn does attract very different buyers than Chevy".

I would venture to guess that the *sole* reason that Saturn may attract non-GM car buyers is based purely on Saturn's original "Different Car, Different Company" philosophy. The more GM attaches itself to the company, the more this halo is going to fade - along with the demographic that Saturn captures today.

To explain further: I strongly feel that both the retail experience and the quality of the cars is not the reason why Saturn attracts non-GM buyers. It is not because the advertising is styled differently. It is not because the cars are made better. Saturn even gets a glance (or at least used to) from people who have already written off most American automobiles, it is purely because it was *different*, a new company that everyone gave a fair shot at, and many happened to later be pleased with the cars and the "experience" they received.

Take something like Scion. It wasn't until after I because interested in the brand (through advertising) did I learn that Scions were sold at Toyota dealers. I absolutely never would have considered a Toyota otherwise.

So - while I think the new Open transplants are great cars (I saw them at the auto show, I really am excited about them), it is not purely the cars alone nor the incredible retail experience that will ultimately attract people and sell these cars. It will require very deliberate distancing from the GM family in the marketplace - something that at best is extremely challenging and will negatively impact both brands. Throw into the mix that these cars will be sharing platforms with other GM vehicles and were engineered basically by the same people, and I would say it's a pretty tough situation.

I agree completely with Eric. I too was looking forward to a manual transmission. An automatic can in no way replace it! The Aura has been removed from my short list as well. Lets hope the coming Ion replacement has more European roots than this reskinned Malibu.

This comment is aimed at the criticism of Eric that the Aura will not have manual transmission. Tough, buy something else. It is about time that Saturn finally gets it (again)! I will be in the market in a year, I will wait and see how the brand does against the competetion (I think it will do well) and will buy another Saturn if things turn out as I think they will. Price will matter though as will "the complete package." The stick shifters will shop soemwhere else, oh well.

This is for Poster Eric: While I understand your manual wants. You have to understand that manuals dont really sell well in the USA. When you think about the competition almost non have the manual any more, and those that do are not selling many. Take Camary for example it is avalible with a stick, but when was the last time you saw one? It is somthing that most people ask for but when push comes to shove most people dont take it. I know I like to drive stick, I also know I have a 120 mile a day commute in the NYC area. As much as I like stick, I think my next car will be automatic.

About the tapshift: I greatly enjoy it on a 2006 Grand Prix GXP. I have driven manual shift Mustang GTs and automatic Corvettes, and this tapshift GXP transmission is my favorite. You can downshift smoothly in anticipation of using the higher rev power curve, or upshift at will. Its only lack is a clutch, so if you don't need to build up your left leg muscles, this one works.

It's not a "manual transmission experience" that some of us are looking for, it is a clutch; and it either has one or it doesn't.
This is a dealbreaker.

First, the Saturn website is too difficult to access. Unlike the other GM brands, it asks the user to download macromedia flash player which takes you through a maze that few wish to endure.

The new Saturns do look nice. Let's hope the Preview is already in production.

Saturn has the opportunity to become America's college car. The price is right. Saturn ought to target market high school, college students, and their parents. Target the Civic in particular with ads, this will gain instant credibility with the college and high school crowd. For some in upper middle suburbia, the only thing they know about cars is their parent's Lexus and their friends Civic and Accord. You've got to break that barrier in some of those east coast neighborhoods that don't know GM, then you'll see the success you may not realize is possible.

Be outgoing, open dealers near those neighborhoods and their high schools. Get them before they go to college and when they are home for breaks. Have a Saturn dealer in their college town too. Test the results.

Have a performance option for Saturn with the big fins and such. Be sure to have an MP3 compatable systems for audio.

Also have available menu priced 100K mile warranty prices for potential buyers.

Use colored neon lights (eg. blue, green, and red) at night in Saturn dealer lots. Sell colored lighting packages for underneath the Saturns, where it is legal. These colored lights generate attention and popularity when people see them on certain cars. Not that everyone would have one, it just draws attention to the product.

Add a Blue Line Saturn, and so on. Pretty soon people will catch on. Then the Saturn ring will have all the colors!

Something to differentiate Saturn will help it to take market share away from Honda.

Regarding your quote:

"For those wanting a manual transmission experience, the all-new 6-speed transmission with the 3.6L V6 does feature clutchless tap-shifting. That allows the driver to get performance and fuel economy similar to what he or she would achieve with a manual. However, we do not plan to offer a manual transmission at this time."

With all due respect Mrs. Lajdziak, I think this is an incredible oversight on the part of the Aura product team and once again GM is ignoring the enthusiast/youth market.

While I can certainly appreciate technology -- and there's no doubt that the 6speed automatic is a nice piece, tap shift and all -- the very companies you are hoping to compete against in fact OFFER manual transmissions to their customers AND draw younger enthusiast buyers to boot.

Please consider that the Mazda6, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, VW Passat, and Mercury Milan all offer an stick shift on AT LEAST their I4 models.

Some -- such as the Mazda6, Altima, Maxima, and Accord EX -- offer a manual tranmission on their V6 models as well.

Now granted, with the possible exception of the Mazda6 and the Altima, the actual number of manually equipped cars sold is considerably smaller in number when compared to the number of automatics sold -- but the fact is that they are offered and they sell.

Please keep in mind that sometimes the very IMAGE of "sportiness" speaks larger to your intended audience than the reality. PERCEPTION is everything Mrs. Lajdziak and sets the tone for the rest of the lineup. Consider, would buyers think that same thing about a Corvette, a BMW or Porsche if it didn't offer a manual transmission? The image in a customers' mind of racing around Watkins Glen or just going out for a Sunday joyride would be deminished if the very IMAGERY weren't there. Now the reality is that all those cars sell with large numbers of automatic transmissions -- but it's the IMAGE and the PERCEPTION that makes the marketing statement, not the reality. And GM is losing this game of perception in the mid-sized (and other) categories, merely b/c it fails to deliver such products to the youth/enthusiast customers.

And that ultimately is why some buyers like myself will not consider the Aura simply because you do not (and will not) offer a manual transmission. I really have to wonder, how do you plan on competing with the Germans and the Japanese when you don't offer your customers what they do?

And, as always, GM has disappointed such customers. I waited quite awhile for a product like the Aura to reach showroom floors, figuring that as Saturn attempted to move upscale and compete with Honda and VW, they'd HAVE TO offer a manual tranmission to younger buyers. But alas, our hopes have provent unfulfilled.

And, this is a constant story with GM. GM offers NO mid-sized cars with a manual transmission save the G6 GTP and the CTS -- both of which are too expensive for younger drivers to afford. Rather than offer manual transmissions on less expensive I4 and V6 models like the Malibu LT or G6 GT, GM has decided to stop offering products that some of us enjoy.

And this, finally, will force me and similar minded buyers into Ford/Mercury/Toyota/Nissan showrooms for our next purchase.

I hope that GM realizes that they are actually spotting the competition youth/enthusiast sales with little or no recourse.

Hey but what do I know -- I'm only 27 with money to burn.

Will Aura have electronic stability control? This feature is very important in my list when shopping for a car. I prefer a good smooth and responsive automatic transmission (over a manual gear). Manual shifting distracts the driver and it is a liability during emergencies (when the driver nees both hands on the steering wheels)

Regarding the manual transmission debate, there is something about using your left foot that makes a car more fun to drive. Part of the reason manuals sell so poorly in this country is the lack of availibility. For example, you cannot get a Silverado or Sierra ext. cab with a manual unless you get the diesel or a work truck. The cars are just as bad. No stick in the Impala or Malibu, an uplevel Cobalt comes with an auto, even the 'Vette comes with the auto standard. I do wish GM (including Saturn) would realize that there are people out there looking for a stick. Even the models that don't come with an automatic standard are hard to find otherwise. This is not a new problem for entusiasts like myself. I was a salesperson at a Pontiac-GMC-Cadillac dealer in the late 90's, and it was almost impossible to get a Firebird or T/A with one. Sunfire's, Grand Am's, and Sonoma's might be a 5 speed if it was a base model. I even bought my first Saturn because I couldn't find a Cavalier Z24 or Sunfire GT with a stick.

I have heard dealers say they don't order anymore than they have to because they don't sell. But when you ask where the ones they had to order are, the response typically is they were sold as soon as they came in. Doesn't that say there is some demand?

Beyond that, the new crop of Saturns appear to be great cars. I still miss my 96 SL2 (manual), especially the never below 30 MPG (near 40 on the highway). I was less impressed with my LW2 (V6, so no manual available) and the service at the local dealer. Another Saturn may be in my future though, if I can get a stick in something with the instrument panel where it belongs (the Sky doesn't have enough seats). GM is coming out with great cars that get good mileage (my mom can get over 32 MPG in her 05 Impala, beating my 2000 Malibu). Keep up the great work!

GM has ignored a segment of buyers that prefer driving stick. Over the years, many of these folk drifted to hondas and bmws because almost all of their cars can be had w/ a stick.

Besides that, the new saturns look great. I'm personally waiting for a saturn astra w/ either a super efficient diesel or a turbo ecotec as a hatch. If you aim at VW in terms of powertrains and product offerimgs, and beat them in design and price by building domestically, i think you can win over many folks.

Although it is nice to see GM doing good by what they now offer, Saturn is supposed to be the CHEEPEST brand, like Scion is to Toyota. Upscaling Saturn to fit where Oldsmobile used to be is just a display of poor management at GM. Don't make Oldsmobile's death a vain sacafice.

GM's stubborn reluctance to offer a true manual transmission on their performance sedans upsets me. I mean, I really want to buy a GM vehicle now, but my first requirement is a true manual transmission (Editor, please be advised that a sportshift or tapshift transmission has a torque converter, and any trans with a tq converter is not a manual transmission). The current CTS is ugly and unrefined, so I wouldn't consider it.

To those who say it makes bad business sense to offer something that won't sell, I respond with the fact that Honda offers a 6 speed manual on the Accord V6, Acura TL, and Acura TSX. Toyota offers it on the Lexus IS250. And BMW offers it on every vehicle they make below the 7 series. While they may not be their biggest sellers, they make them because PEOPLE WANT THEM!!!!! They are not made in mass quantities, and often you cannot find one on the dealer lot. But you can get them. They tend to sell close to or at sticker. The cars sell themselves without rebates, cheap financing, or a huge discount off the sticker price. They sell to the type of person who knows exactly what color, options, and price they will pay before they even come through the door. They sell to the person who knows as much or more about the car than that dealer's chief mechanic, let alone their sales staff. These kind of cars sell without even a test drive sometimes. Outside the Corvette and XLR, what does GM have in a moderate price class that can do that?

GM, you've GOT to start considering those of us who are true enthusiasts. People who love to drive, and will accept nothing less than a vehicle with a stick shift.

If you make the right cars, 90% of them can be automatics and do very well for the company. But please, make some for us too.

Tapshift automatics are like the difference between video football, and playing the real game. You just are nowhere near as involved with the vehicle. Those that don't drive a stick, can not understand the feeling issue. I didn't buy an L series wagon simply because it didn't come with a stick and the six. Then we get the red live VUE without a stick. Now no stick in the Aura (by the way, the show car wheels looked way better than the production wheels!)I hate to say it but when I see the Aura I see current Chrysler Sebring, and now the rims are the same too.

I am really excited by the revamped Saturn line-up you showed at the New York Auto Show.

Couple of questions: will the Aura have a wagon sibling (please!) and when will the Ion get the substantial make-over (or does it get replaced by another Opel/Saturn cooperative design?)

Ok
I,m coming out of the closet
I realy do'nt care if a car has a clutch pedal or not, what I like about manual transmitions is that I can shortshift and lug the engine around town 4th or 5th gear in my 97 SL2 around 35mph wide open throttle, and improve city mileage by 2 to 3 mpg, yes I'm a thermal efficientcy geek, give me a turbo-hydro that I can short shift to lug the engine and I'll be pleased as punch.

To me it's amazing to read all the comments, especially by US-citizens, about manual transmissions. To be honest, I not really can understand the demand for that. The automatic transmission of my 1977 Opel Rekord is doing its duty after 283000 miles and 29 years still as fine as at the very first day, when my father bought this car brandnew. Even here in Germany, where almost everybody is driving with manual transmissions, all the police-cars have automatics. Why? Because you are simply maneuvering quicker! So, who needs manuals?

I agree to all the people, suggesting to replace the Saturn-brand by Opel. Don't miss the opportunity, to offer that brand with an huge history and excellent reputation within the US-market. I am convinced, Opel would make a lot of friends among those drivers, which prefer European cars. Why should you leave that cake to VW, Audi and BMW alone?

Regarding a manual transmission for the AURA. I am a sales consultant with Saturn for close to 11 years and when the L series was produced we offered a manual version of that vehicle.

During the run, I myself had a grand total of two (2) vehicles delivered to new owners that were manual transmission versions.

How does a company justify keeping a version in their mix with quantities that low? I see better ways to spend precious dollars instead of making available an item that only an infintesimal number of enthusiasts want.

As much as I love manual transmissions (my current car and 4 or 5 I've owned have been manuals), I agre with the former Saturn sales person. For the type of segment the Aura is in, a manual is not necessarily the best investment. 80%+ (I've heard as high as 89%) of the U.S. market is automatics and I'm sure the desire for them in an Aura will be even lower. Even though BMW reportedly sells a big percentage of 3-series with manuals, I'm hard pressed to find one at the dealer. In fact, I looked at 30 3-series and only found 1 manual. The Camry is more in the same market as the Aura and my friend had a manual transmission Camry V6. The dealer said when he brought it in for service that he had one of 5 in the entire state of Texas.

To saturned1:

I can completely understand your point here, but please keep in mind the product you were pedalling at the time. While the L-Series was an okay vehicle, it was far from the stylish/attractive and compotent vehicle we find in the AURA. Those customers are will arguably the same type of folks who will shop Honda/Acura, VW and Nissan -- and I can guarentee more than a few will want to buy a stick.

There is a reason that most folks who bought the L-Series (or other GM cars for that matter), didn't want to get their hands on a stick and that is due to the fact that they weren't attracting those types of customers. If you look at brands like Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Acura, VW, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Saab - there's no doubt that their styling/packaging/driving dynamics lure in the types of buyers who would WANT a stickshift. Since GM has finally woken up and is now offering much more attractive and desireable vehicles, I would think many of those aforementioned youth/enthusiast buyers would look to Saturn to offer them what Honda/Mazda/Nissan/VW clearly has.

But that's just my opinion.

With all the bragging GM does about the new 6 speed automatic (better gas mileage and better performance), I was surprised the new Aura did not include it in all trim levels. Why handicap some Aura's with the 4 speed? Good to see that stability control is standard on the top trim level Aura but it also should at least be an option on other trim levels. HID/Xeon headlamps should at least be an option at all trim levels.

What are your questions about Buick, JG? We'll see what we can do to get them answered.

So the new Aura is a benchmark for Saturn? Nope. The LX twins Cirrus/Stratus already covered that body profile. It's neat that the new Aura copies a ten year old DaimlerChrysler design, right down to the wheels.
As far as Saturn not getting a Colbalt-derived platform for the new Saturn "small car"..again she's lost. The Ion was the FIRST on the delta platform and then came Colbalt/Pursuit. This Saturn is not gonna fly. Sorry.

I'm curious how Ms. Lajdziak sees Saturn's brand identity going forward.

Obviously, the product line is becoming very different, in that it is moving from the quirky, low-cost product to something more upscale and European-feeling.

It makes sense for GM to try to marry Saturn's customer service reputation with more upscale-product. A lot of the people who bought Saturns 10 years ago are older and more affluent, and ready for something more than a budget-car.

But customer service alone cannot be Saturn's brand identity. There are used car outlets that offer a low-pressure buying environment and no-haggle pricing. You can get great customer service when buying and servicing kitchen appliances, too. Saturn has to be something else in addition.

The design direction for Saturn implies that it is looking to Opel for inspiration. That seems like a decent idea. Opel has the image as some kind of mysterious desirable affordable European car.

But Saturn has to decide whether that's what they want the brand to be or not. It can't just go with quasi-Opelesque styling for a few years while product decisions are made by bean-counters. When that happens, you'll end up with Saturns that differ from Pontiacs, Buicks, and Chevrolets only in equipment content and in marketing.

The decision being made on the automatic transmission is telling of what GM usually does wrong. If Saturn is going to be an American answer to Volkswagen, which these new products seem to imply is the vision, then that means Saturn should be building cars that focus on the driving experience. If Saturn is building cars that focus on the driving experience, it follows that a manual transmission would be offered.

One can argue about BMW and that contraption in the 5-series which is not a true manual either. But then again BMW already has a well-established brand identity. Saturn is trying to cultivate one.

On the other hand, if Saturn is just trying to build cars more expressive than average, with attractive interiors, then it needs not to have Bob Lutz going around saying "OPEL OPEL OPEL" all the time when talking about Saturn.

I would think it would be the responsibility of the department general manager to make a decision of what the brand is supposed to be.

Saturn's brand identity, from my perspective, has always been "cars for people who aren't interested in cars".

On that note, why is anyone surprised that they won't offer a manual transmission? It's not their demographic.

A "tap shifter" slushbox is still a slushbox. The experience is NOT the same.

No manual in the Aura? Maybe it's because GM has been unloading manual transmission manufacturing capability. And no real support from the head of that engineering segment. The head of transmission design had to have how synchonizers work explained to her... but at least she wanted to know. To many bean counters are leading at the General, not enough engineers and stylists.

>For those wanting a manual
>transmission experience,
>the all-new 6-speed
>transmission with the 3.6L
>V6 does feature clutchless
>tap-shifting.

Tap shifting in no way shape or form replicates the "manual transmission experience." I've driven cars with tap shifters and they're pretty soulless and difficult to use since you have to keep looking at your dash to figure out which gear you're in, rather than just sliding the stick over into part of the gate you want. If it has to be auto, just having all of the gears available to select shift (e.g. PRND32L) rather than tapping up-down or left-right is more of a manual transmission experience than that.

I've heard the explanation that X% of cars sold in America have autos, but that really doesn't excuse not offering one if you really want some street cred and for people to take the car seriously. If anything, just offering manual transmission at least creates the illusion that the car is capable of being more than just a grocery-getter appliance, much like the spolier that adorns a 4-cylinder 120-hp compact econobox. What are the percentages of cars leaving lots with Sat-Nav vs. people who can read their own maps? I still see a lot of cars trying to offer Sat-Nav even though it doesn't yet seem to be a high-percentage "must-have" item yet. Of course, Sat-Nav makes a car cost more, while a manual makes it cost LESS, so I can see the incentive to not try to offer a manual...

Michael Wiley: When is the Velite coming out? That was the concept car of the year in 2004 and it would bring younger people like me to Buick. The other convertibles GM offers are too small: Soltice, Sky & g6.

First of all, the original design was hot and gave me hope; the production design is not and made me yawn.

Secondly, not offering a manual tranny is a sin.

Lastly, and sadly, Saturn was a brilliant idea which GM has now reduced to rubble. Whereas, Saturn used to symbolize a unique car at a haggle free price with superior customer service, it is now nothing more than another GM badge.

Worst of all, Toyota has done with Scion what GM has failed to do with Saturn. Why do GM executives always fumble their great ideas and then sit and watch Toyota pick them up and run them in for a touchdown?

Sorry - But the concept Saturn is gorgeous while the production version is on the generic side. I am a BMW (3 series) owner. I'd actually consider the concept. It's a great looking car, with its sharp lines, fantastic headlights, front end, high wheel arches, etc. It has character. The production vehicle strikes me as "just another low-cost sedan."

I agree with Paul Eccles regarding the 4-speed. Come on, GM, a 4-speed automatic? What year is this? 1990?

Looking at the specs, only the XR version seems competitive with the Camry, Accord, Passat, Fusion, etc. It's a nice looking car, though, and if it's priced right, it might be a hit. If I could buy an XR for around $22,000 (cloth seats, no moonroof), I might go for it.

A slushbox... ewwwww.. looks like another 330i for me. I like to exersize my left foot.

Aura ? More REFINED? Well, that just what we didnt want. We wanted the concept with the big aggressive wheelwell flares. That was the selling point. Along with the center exhaust. If we wanted REFINED re. boring we would have a cadillac or buick.

I have to say, I like the "unclean" look better on the concept. The concept is such a great looking car with sharp, piercing edges. The production model looks too laid back and ordinary. Still though, its a great looking car and I hope it works out well.

I agree with those folks here asking for a manual transmission. GM definitely needs to offer a 6-speed manual in the Aura V6 to match what Honda and Toyota offer. You offer the 6-speed manual in the Saab 9-3 with the 2.8t V6, and in the Pontiac G6 GTP with the 3.9 V6. BTW, that 6-speed manual should also be an option on the Malibu SS as well as the G6, since they are sharing the same platform and other drivetrain bits.

People who drive only automatics won't understand, but a manual transmission gives the driver a lot more car control than any automatic can. And that's what driving enthusiasts want!

Count me as one who had really hoped your concept literature for the Aura was accurate when it said that it would be available with a 6-speed manual OR a 6-speed automatic. There's a reason why people buy an IS250 or an Acura TSX or TL over a Saturn - those cars give the people what they want. On this point, you are failing to meet your competition's level of important deal-making features right from the start of play.

Expecting great results for the Aura seems to be a stretch. Better than the L-Series, sure, but a runaway hit product isn't going to handicap itself to its competition by a bunch of points right out of the box. I fear this will end up underwhelming the market (again), and end up with a cut-rate price just to try to compete. Have you seen what people pay for those IS250s and TLs? Wouldn't you really rather have THAT?

Whatever, count me as a definite non-believer in this new strategy for Saturn. I have the resources to buy one, but I need to go elsewhere to find a reasonably efficient, reasonably performing car WITH A CLUTCH and 4 doors. Of all the GM brands, I thought Saturn was going to the right thing here, but now it looks like only Saab's a contender. Color me disappointed.

I think the complaints about manual transmissions are hilarious. I, too, am a manual transmission fan, but now accept the grim reality that only about 5% of the American public actually buys and drives manual transmissions. The rest don't know how, or don't want to.

The few manual transmissions that are out there, are either in real budget cars, or in cars with a decidedly sporty appeal (in the GM line, the LS Coupe Cobalt, which I own, if offered with the manual transmission, as are both the sport SS Cobalt models).

But even in budget cars, stick shifts are hard to find - offered, yes, but hard to find. This is true across all manufacturers.

I think the posters are forgetting that although Toyota and Honda theoretically offer stick shifts in their base model Camry and Accords, in reality they are very hard to locate, as I found out - and not discounted, compared to LX's and LE's with automatics advertised on sale every weekend.

It's not a perfect world. Saturn is a low volume line and we are VERY lucky to get the Opels here as Saturns, and VERY lucky to get the reportedly very good 6 speed automatic on some models. For that matter, we are lucky that GM automatic 4 speeds have a good reputation for durability, compared to other makers.

I hope that on the Aura Redline version you seriously consider a manual, also AWD. 300 ponies to the front wheels does not a sports sedan make.

Even though many have already chimed in about this - I will toss in my 2 cents...

An auto-only policy for the Aura is a border-line crime. Some have made the point that very few would sell with an available manual - however, there is another reason to offer it anyway - perception.

The enthusiast community is vocal and shapes consumer opinion in ways that far outweigh their small numbers. An auto-only policy on the Aura is a missed opportunity in this competitive segment to hit these 'opinion shapers' right where they live.

I, for one, am hoping that a return to the big wheels, aggressive wheel arches, an even higher output engine, and a manual transmission is on the way for an Aura RL - at the very least...and at least _announce_ it soon to keep from missing the momentum you currently have with your new product launches.

And, please, someone tell the Saturn dealers to stop shooting themselves in the foot by acting like 'normal' dealers with insane mark-ups on the Sky/Sky RL. Potential new Saturn buyers are learning right now that Saturn isn't as 'Different' as they have been claiming all this time - and will likley never come back again.

I love the PreVue and I am desparately hoping the production 2008 VUE looks just ike it. Will a 2-door be available and how much like the concept can we expect the next VUE to be? If it looks the same in a 2-door, I'm buying one!

If you want a manual trans, go to Saab (any sedan), Pontiac (G6 GTP,solstice), Chevy(Cobalt's) or choose an import. Problem solved.

Why isn't the Aura production vehicle exactly the same as the concept shown in Detroit last year?
When you compare the two vehicles, you'll notice that they are, in fact, very similar. I would say that the production vehicle has a bit more refined look on the exterior, with the premium-look 14-spoke wheels on the XR model and a bit cleaner front end. ============ WHAT THE H*LL IS Jill Lajdziak
TALKING ABOUT?!?!?! I think it's obvious to everyone who is passionate about cars that the concept is more refined. Why does GM think they can say something is refined when it's obviously not. Look at AUDI that's refinment. It's another vain attempt at badge-engineering. Something GM said it is stopping. BOB LUTZ is trying but I don't think one man can turn around a company that created such horrible designs over the past 25 years.

"I think the posters are forgetting that although Toyota and Honda theoretically offer stick shifts in their base model Camry and Accords, in reality they are very hard to locate, as I found out - and not discounted, compared to LX's and LE's with automatics advertised on sale every weekend."

Michael, the point here is that the Accord is also available as an EX V6 with a 6 speed manual. And yes, they too are hard to come by and not much negotiating power at the dealer to get it. That's part of my point: GM doesn't have to make 500,000 Auras with 490,000 of them stick shifts to be profitable. They can keep the manual versions at low production, hard to find levels - but nonetheless available. That way, it stirs interest by those of us who are enthusiasts not as much concerned about how long it takes to get it or how much of a discount I can get, but rather how much fun it is to drive. I have no problem paying sticker and waiting 4 months for a car I know will give me years of enjoyment. If GM was completely honest with us and themselves, they would die to make cars (other than the Corvette) with that kind of demand. Lets face it, you can't get much off sticker for pretty much any Honda, Toyota, Lexus, or Acura. GM needs cars that will move on their own, sans rebates, cheap financing, and other incentives. That's the only way to fortify their weak finances.

If I like the looks of a car that isn't available with a stick shift, I cross it off my list instantly. As I have done with the Aura.

See GM, you had a chance to potentially pull a Honda customer back, but failed. Looks like I'll have an Accord EX V6 six speed manual in my garage in about a month. Which will last for 6 years. So no new customers here for a while at least.

WOW all this over the lack of a stick shift! "I wan't to exercise my left foot." "I am a true enthuiast" yada, yada, yada. WAAH!!
I am sure of one thing. GM will give into you and give you a stick to play with, but after selling about, let me think, 2000 units, it ( the experiment) will be shelved. They then will become "priceless".
When I was a kid, I loved shiftin' too. But as I grew up I found that the automatic transimission is NOT a slushbox anymore. (I bet NONE of you remember the real slushbox days of Rambler, Ford, and other junk sold.) In those days I bought sticks because they were more reliable and more fun. BUT nowadays my friends, not only are the autos fun, they are efficient and dependable too. It is inconceivable that anybody would not buy a car because it didn't have a manual transmission. Want a manual? GM will give you a good deal on the GTO.
Want a more realistic suggestion? Go test drive a Cobalt SS Supercharged of Ion Redline. They have a GREAT transmission and you will be very happy.
Give Saturn its due. They have picked themselves up from the scrapheap of the car businessd (sorry Jill, its true.) Give them a break, and they will surprise you.

Thanks for writing the article, Jill.

The Aura needs a manual transmission.

I think that this is going to be a reat car ... love the interior concept though

The new Saturns coming this year and in future look great, but why not make even better use of GM's European lineup? The four-seat Astra TwinTop and Panorama-roof Astra GTC would be nice additions, and there is strong support (over 96% in a recent poll) for the just-unveiled Opel Corsa as a more-sophisticated premium entry to complement Chevy's budget Aveo.

The Aura needs to retain its edgy look from the concept, manual transmission would be nice, but not neccesary.

Where you see "refined", I see "dumbed down, cheaper to produce, and blends in more with the toyotas and hondas".

I mean, isn't GM tryin to fix its image? doesn't it want its best new products to stand out instead of fading into mediocrity?

at least offer a special edition that retains the styling... maybe a performance pkg with a manual and some drivetrain/handling enhancements, and an image pkg that adds the aggressive look...

I am very very interested in the new Aura and I was just curious if you could tell me what colors it comes in. I already have my name in for one at Saturn of Westbrook Park.

As a second time Saturn owner, now the owner of an 02 Vue, I was very excited at the chance to tour the very plant where my vehicle was made in Spring Hill, TN. I was amazed at the processes, and technologies at work with man. It was cool to see how many cars and trucks were being made at the same time. It was cool to feel the history of Saturn through the Visitor's Center. I loved that the plant was surrounded by corn fields as far as I could see. I felt really proud to be a Saturn owner.
That was, until I found out the future of Saturn from our tour guide. That Saturn is allowing itself to be turned into another GM namesake not unlike Pontiac, made me sick to my stomach. What happened to being "a Different Kind of Car?" What happened to being a "Different Kind of Company?" When I found out the future of the very plant I was visiting, and that all the Saturn history there would be thrown away like yesterday's paper, I was sick. Mad, even. That no Saturns may be built there, that other GM models will be built there, all that history, the basis for the Saturn story, gone. I no longer felt the pride I had earlier in the day. I bought a Saturn because it was different. From the design, to the people who made it, to the dent-resistant side panels, I would have never bought an American-made car before I bought my red SC1. I had only purchased Hondas, and Toyotas, and I liked that the Saturn offered alot of the things I liked about imports, but added features they didn't have. And again, I like different. I understand the economy. Trust me, I live weak to weak (spelling is correct). But selling out the brand we have grown to love is a disgrace. I will not be buying another Saturn, as I have no desire to own a rebadged Chevy, Pontiac, or Opel. I can't help but remember the sad feeling I had as my wife and I left the plant, knowing that very soon, it will not be the home of Saturn, but just another GM factory, trying to stay afloat. Spring Hill has been good to you, and very soon, Saturn Parkway will be just a name. Sad, very sad.