Sure, it's a dumb idea to buy an eight-piece patio set when you're alone and will need to take it home in a Saturn Aura, but when you find a $198 steal, you move fast, throwing caution, and logic, to the wind.
Convinced that I could simply break down the boxes and transport the pieces unassembled, I pulled the Aura up to the loading zone. After it was certain the only way that the rectangular glass table top was going into the Aura was in a million pieces, the helpful Wal-Mart employee politely said good-bye and left me alone with my ridiculous assumptions.
So I did what any self-described idiot would do in my situation: I pleaded for reinforcements...
In a true Laverne and Shirley moment, Lydia arrived with her 2006 Camry and we started loading the cars curbside. The Camry was able to handle the big table (glass and frame), two metal chair frames, two folding chairs and a small side table. The Aura maxed out with two metal chair frames in the back seat, and chair cushions in the trunk.
Most people are smart enough not to expect a mid-size sedan to perform like a truck, but when called in for hauling duty, I'd take the Camry over the Aura any day.
Kelly Toepke, News Editor @ 15,539 miles
skierx420 says:
02:59 PM, 04/21/08
Does the front passenger seat fold flat on the Saturn? I assumed it did. I would have used it and probably made it all fit? Maybe. I'm a truck/suv owner. I never have this problem. Except that I can no longer afford to leave my house!
zoomzoom22 says:
04:15 PM, 04/21/08
This reminded me of a while back when I was driving on the interstate and I saw a Geo Metro with a kayak and -- yes, AND -- a mattress strapped to the roof with bungee cords, probably going about 40 mph. WHAT THE HECK?
On topic, the Camry/Accord have become too big. Especially the Accord. At least the Camry doesn't look so big.
altimadude00 says:
06:27 PM, 04/21/08
I once stuffed the entire contents of my apartment in my Altima in one trip. Stuff was packed up almost to the roof inside the cabin and the trunk was absolutely full.
I'm thankful for fold down rear seats. I would have never gotten the floor lamp in there. I should have taken a picture.
stovt001 says:
06:56 PM, 04/21/08
In my experience, GM trunks are large, but the openings are not. Still, I've had no problems moving the contents of my apartment, minus the large furniture, with my Cobalt coupe.
firstwagon says:
07:37 PM, 04/21/08
I brought home a set like that last summer from Home Depot. It all fit easily in my Legacy wagon with the seat folded down and it's smaller then either of those cars.
I always chuckle watch sedan owners stuggle with the simplest things.
jerrywimer says:
04:09 AM, 04/22/08
I really like our Malibu. But I don't worry about things like this happening- we'll use the SUV to haul it if it won't fit into the car. Back when we had two cars though, all kinds of interesting trips were made. The 92 Corolla had more stuff strapped to its roof during our ownership than most contractor pickups I see on the roads. :P
firstwagon- I'd love to see a wagon variant of the new Malibu / Aura (in the vein of the Malibu Maxx). Sadly, GM evidently can't make a good business case for it. Can't blame them- most Americans don't seem interested in them.
dougtheeng says:
06:13 AM, 04/22/08
Titling an Aura post like this seems to be asking for troble, lol.
vacagrande says:
07:02 AM, 04/22/08
You definitely couldn't fit two patio chairs on the bus.
joefrompa says:
08:21 AM, 04/22/08
Amazing, nine comments in and we're still clean in here.
I attribute this post, most likely, to the small trunk opening and SMALLER (than the camry) rear-door & seat opening. It looks like that rear seat could handle more stuff though :)
$198? Doesn't seem like too much of a steal to me...
Joe
1487 says:
08:48 AM, 04/22/08
Aura doesnt have fold flat front seat. The old Malibu had that but they dropped that feature in the new car. The Fusion/Milan have this and I believe the Chrysler midsize sedans do as well. Grand Prix also has this feature.
djsyndrome says:
11:08 AM, 04/22/08
None of this would have been a problem if Saturn still sold a midsize wagon :(
joefrompa says:
12:22 PM, 04/22/08
I'm happy they have the Astra, though it already needs a SLIGHT interior re-design and desperately needs the turbo 2.0 liter engine to build excitement....of course, Opel is redoing the car in ~2 years, so they'll hopefully get a refresh soon.
Joe
hdriver347 says:
08:42 PM, 04/28/08
"On topic, the Camry/Accord have become too big. Especially the Accord. At least the Camry doesn't look so big."
Zoomzoom2, sorry to break your anti-Honda bubble. Did you know that the accord is classified a midsize in all trims except LX?
Funny how edmunds can agree with me on one point. The Aura is just another Gm mistake. Bad quality, ugly car, that does not even stack up with the competition. Camry blows it out of the water and so does the accord.
hexxum97 says:
08:56 AM, 04/30/08
Personally I think the Aura looks leaps and bounds better than the Camry or Accord.
If I wanted to drive an appliance I would buy a Camry, plain and boring, and the Accord has just grown strange looking.