I'm finding these around with less than 45k miles (sometimes under 25k miles) for well under 15k dollars. They come up as low as 12k dollars
This is the six speed paddle shift auto with the 3.6 DOHC VVT 252hp model, loaded. The car retails new for about 25-27k dollars.
So while i was knee deep in rebuilding the le5/l61 from the broken valve spring, i realized it would be absolutely awesome to have a real no worries commuter. Something that i won't be tempted to modify, comfortable and reliable. I thought about a really cheap used car, such as a high mileage cav or something for like 1-2k dollars, but who knows what your getting there. It could last forever, or nickel and dime, or fail in a week.
So i still have some loose ends/tweaking to do with the cav, and then comes the s/c install. I guess what i'm thinking is of course i care if something breaks, but i care less about the car/engine itself than i do the downtime. Things happen, either as a result of a faulty part (ZZP valvesprings), or my own inexperience. I refuse to daily the solstice and continue to beat up the exterior with highway road rash.
Sorry for thinking out loud, but i really like the aura XR and it seems like an amazing value as a two-three year new car barely broken in for over 10k under retail. I've yet to drive one, but as a package i'm in love
Pros: POWAH, refinement/ride/handling are amazing for this class/price, lots of space, probably very reliable. Cons: Much bigger car than i'm used to, probably won't get 30mpg even going easy on it, car payment (which should be manageable, but sucks anyways).
Thoughs, or add'l pros/cons?
My Aunt & Uncle love theirs, they average high 20's for mpg's but they're not the floor it at every light type, haven't had a single problem with it either. They kind of look small on the outside but there is alot of interior space. I've seen one locally as low as $10k.
I think they are very nice, classy looking cars, get decent gas mileage, and have very nice ride quality. They definitely do the job in a nice way.
I'll also agree that styling looks good, has a nice powertrain and nice features, so for the price i say go for it
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- Sold my beloved J in April 2010 -
I bought mine new in 2007 and love it.
Get ready to replace the steering shaft on these (common issue), but for the most part they are good cars.
My buddy has a 07 XR and loves it (minus the issue)....
Dave Z wrote:Get ready to replace the steering shaft on these (common issue), but for the most part they are good cars.
My buddy has a 07 XR and loves it (minus the issue)....
Had mine replaced in the first year under warranty, problem has never been back.
I have a wheel bearing starting to go now but that is covered under the 5/100 so I am not worried.
cool, i didn't know we had any owners here. So one of the things that pops up on forums is a rough handling suspension. I don't know what these people are basing it off of, but the in the pro reviews, the suspension is one of the greatest attributes of the car. Its tight and responsive without being unforgiving on bumps. These same forum members seem to be replacing struts prematurely, like in under 50k miles. What do you owners think?
There was a sweet deal on a 2002 grand prix gtp 40th an edition locally, but it sold before i got go it. That car would have been perfect - low miles, yet not too new, and a lot of fun and reliable lol. So, Hoping to test drive an aura this weekend
My gf's mom has one and hates it. I thought it was nice though.
its a g6, theirs nothing nice about it
KleindlGTP wrote:its a g6, theirs nothing nice about it
It's a bit more refined since it came out a bit later than the G6, plus opel did a bit of the engineering as well as the design so it should be a bit better than a g6.
KleindlGTP wrote:its a g6, theirs nothing nice about it
You could say the same thing about my 9-3. Except for the fact its been re-engineered by Saab to the point that 90% of the parts are completely unique to the Saab's platform....
I always liked the Auras too, I've pretty much liked everything GM Europe does. I say go for it!
Well i just test drove an ecotec XR model. It's quite underpowered for my liking, but the ride and fit/finish was great. I'm holding out though because i found a s/c buick regal gs locally that is very clean
Go test drive an Aura with a 3.6L V6
I ended up with a 2000 civic si. It's super clean at 57k miles and not "ebay" modded. Haha i know that's the opposite end of the spectrum, but it's more practical for me, and it will have stellar resale value long after I'm done with it. I guess I re-evaluated my need for a fancy bigger car and decided the bigger car payment was not worth it, not to mention it wouldn't fit in the garage.
