I'm fairly certain I'm not the only one making astronomical jokes about the failure that is the Saturn company.  This isn't a complaint about their cars reliability, looks, or even pricing, just about the company itself.  Why should a company like Saturn be kept around by a conglomerate like GM, when it has been losing money since day 1?  Let bad ideas die and concentrate elsewhere.

Dust under the mat eventually create one demonic dust bunny.  In this case, bailed out GM can no longer justify keeping a failing company artificially afloat.  "A Different Kind of Company", that produced a very mundane vehicle line up.

So much for Saturn Astra sparking enough sales in the movie Transformers 2.  This will most likely be the very last entry in the Saturn category.  Fine by me, Saturn never made news enough to write about anything anyway.

Over 30 miles per gallon and a fairly potent 4 cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed transmission makes the 09 Aura a winner as far as I'm concerned.  Although it still kind of looks bland, as much of the Saturn car line up does, it fits the bill in terms of economy and luxury.

Reviews are pouring in that love the great buy that is the 09 Saturn Aura at less than $25,000.  The 09 Aura is getting extra marks in it's interior department due to it's mix of elegance and 'just enough' functionality.  Furthermore the double stitched and supportive seats fit perfectly for the reviewers who took it for a spin.

But where the 09 Aura gets the most praise is where the 6-speed transmission meets the 4 cylinder engine.  Instead of being clunky and jumping through only 4 gears under heavy acceleration, the Aura is smooth and precise.  The extra automatic gears gives the illusion that you are driving a much more sophisticated and expensive car.

The four-cylinder XR delivers. It hits 33 mpg on the highway -- outperforming the Camry and Honda Accord. It manages 22 mpg in the city, which seems a little low, but acceptable when you consider average mileage is in the high 20s.

09 Saturn Aura

It looks like Saturn is trying to make a publicity push by having the Astra appear in the live action movie Transformers 2. There is not a whole lot of information available about the new Transformer movie, let alone the Saturn Astra, that's been seen with Shia LaBeouf behind the wheel.

No, we do not know if the Saturn Astra will be a Transformer or not, but it's still good advertising to a younger crowd for Saturn.

Transformers style Decepticon Destron keychain    US $.01

Transformers Movie 16 Postcards Shia LaBeouf Megan Fox    US $.01

Transformer Good Bad Movie Car Decal Sticker Vinyl    US $.01

It looks like the Saturn Ion will be going the way of the Dodo Bird, with the introduction of the new 2008 Saturn Astra.  It's a European styled compact with bear bones pricing and practically no standard features, starting at $16,495.  Mind you, this base line model doesn't include an automatic or even air conditioning, which I thought was standard equipment since the model T.

The 4-Cylinder engine is a little wanting, since once it's loaded down with passengers and luggage the 125lb of torque just doesn't do interstate on ramps.  But, those searching for a relief to $4 gallon fuel prices will probably be more than willing to sacrifice that get up and go for 32mpg on the highway.

Saturn on eBay

2K1 KEY CHAIN SATURN ASTRA AURA VUE OUTLOOK SKY XE XR    US $.99

2K1 KEY CHAIN SATURN ASTRA AURA VUE OUTLOOK SKY XE 01    US $.99

20K1 KEY CHAIN SATURN ASTRA AURA VUE OUTLOOK SKY XE XR    US $.99

This trying to remain green in their next new car purchase may run into some shortages as far as Saturn is concerned.  Their latest Green SUV line the Saturn Vue has issued a recall in regards to their hybrid's battery leaking.

The recall on the 08 Saturn Vue will only effect about 300 vehicles, but they will be robbing current production Vue's hybrid battery to replace the damaged ones.  Another blow to Saturn's 'Green' initiative, since sales are down from this same time last year of 2,500 units.

New in 2008 is the high tech Saturn Astra, a European styled car brought to the US. It's being branded as a premium compact car, probably to justify the higher price tag. Also unique to an American car is that it's only available in a single engine configuration trim, a 4cyl, but like other European cars it makes up in suspension where it lacks in power. Go figure.

2K1 KEY CHAIN SATURN ASTRA AURA VUE OUTLOOK SKY XE XR    US $.99

2K1 KEY CHAIN SATURN ASTRA AURA VUE OUTLOOK SKY XE 01    US $.99

20K1 KEY CHAIN SATURN ASTRA AURA VUE OUTLOOK SKY XE XR    US $.99

I love a good play on words, especially when they involve planets so close to Uranus.

Introducing the new Outlook XR from Saturn. A sort of minivan slash SUV mind trip that attempts to make being a minivan owner cool again. My generation has taken a step back from the minivan craze and decided that SUV's are the way to go, apparently Saturn thinks otherwise.

$30,000 will buy you a real nice V8 SUV or a nicely equipped V6 XR. Able to seat 8 people and weighs in at around 4700, according to Modern Mom it has plenty of pick up. Watch out Dodge, there is a new hybrid in town.

Auto123.com recently published a review on the 07 Saturn Aura XR, from a jaded writer none the less. Used to Tupperware style paneling, no haggle sales, and a general hippie personality Saturn apparently got this one right, at least with this tester.

Call me old-fashioned, but I've always seen them in a similar way to which I might look at Feng Shui. It's all right for some, if you like that sort of thing, but not for me, I'm afraid. You see, I like to polish "real metal", and I almost enjoy the fun of the car buying game, as it brings out the "market trader" in me.

Priced at $30k, it's not for everyone but perhaps a good sell to those in that price bracket. It looks like it's priced accordingly, when you take the no hassle approach. I'm with the reviewer, Saturn is still not for me, even if I was in the 30k market.