Consumerist: Saturn

Need A New Car? Consider A Saturn

Chris Walters — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:37:37 EDT

The Washington Post notes that although Saturn dealerships have until this time next year to close, many will be saying goodbye sooner due to low inventory, and that's partly why now is a good time to buy a Saturn. That is, if you don't plan on reselling it in a couple of years.

According to TrueCar, an automotive-data company that tracks prices, the average transaction prices for Saturn's most popular models are within a few hundred dollars of invoice. The average discount from sticker price is close to $1,000 on these models. And more incentives are likely soon.

GM will honor the warranty on any Saturn after the brand has passed. Vehicles will be serviced by Saturn dealerships until they close and afterward by other GM dealerships.

The biggest drawback, they note, is that the resale value may drop faster than other cars the same age: "If you're likely to trade in your car two to three years from now, buying a Saturn isn't the deal for you."

"It Could Be Time to Buy a Saturn" [Washington Post]
(Photo: Marcus Q)

GM And Penske End Saturn Sale Talks

Laura Northrup — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:10:36 EDT

Saturn will not have a new life as part of Penske, the company that, among other things, distributes Smart cars in the U.S. Talks between Penske and GM fell apart today, and so did any chance for a deal.

Until today, Penske and GM were in exclusive talks.

On Wednesday, Penske said its deal with the company it planned to buy future vehicles from was rejected by that company's board. "Without that agreement, the company has determined that the risks and uncertainties related to the availability of future products prohibit the company from moving forward with this transaction," Penske said in a statement.

G.M. said it will honor the warranties of all Saturn vehicles through other G.M. dealerships.

Hummer and Saab have found new homes, but it sounds like Saturn won't be so lucky. Sorry, loyal Saturn owners.

G.M. to Close Saturn After Penske Pulls Out of Deal [NY Times]
No Penske deal means end of the road for Saturn [Consumer Reports Cars]

(Photo: .Pete.)

Consumer Reports Cars asks: "Should you buy ...

Laura Northrup — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:59:23 EDT

Consumer Reports Cars asks: "Should you buy a Hummer, Saab, or Saturn?" Their answer: No. Or at least "Not now." [Consumer Reports Cars]

Saturn Reassures You That Your Warranty Is Still Good

Meg Marco — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:32:53 EDT

As you probably already know, the Penske Automotive Group is buying Saturn from GM, but what will happen to your warranty? Apparently, nothing. It'll stay exactly the same. Saturn recently sent out a letter of reassurance to its customers and reader Jimi was kind enough to scan it for us.

Saturn says:

Saturn To Be Saved By Detroit Businessman

Meg Marco — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:15:16 EDT

Good news for Saturn-lovers, the brand is close to being saved by Roger Penske, a Detroit businessman who runs the Penske Automotive Group (PAG) chain of dealers, and distributes the Smart line of mini-cars in the US. The Detroit Free Press says that the deal will have GM manufacturing Saturns for two years, after which Penske will be looking for a new manufacturer.

From the DFP:

"We will have a supply of vehicles for at least two years with existing brands, and we have been in discussions during this diligence period with a number of manufacturers on a worldwide basis," Penske said today. "We would expect to have a line up going forward, which would be manufactured by a worldwide partner."

The WSJ says the deal will save 13,000 jobs at 350 dealerships. Penske plans to keep Outlook crossover, Aura sedan and Vue SUV, but ditch the Saturn Sky roadster.

GM: Saturn-Penske Deal Saves 350 Dealerships, 13,000 Jobs [WSJ]
GM, Penske reach tentative Saturn deal [Detroit Free Press]
(Photo:Plankton 4:20)

Don't Change Oil For 30,000 Miles? Here's Your Engine Carnage

Ben Popken — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:30:15 EDT

This sludge-filled massacre is what happens to your engine if you don't change the oil for 30,000 miles. The six photos depict abject carnage, a crime scene for cars. Good job, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car. Don't let this happen to you. Checking and changing your oil is a good weekend project, here's how to do it. [via Jalopnik]

GM To Eliminate Pontiac, Give Government 50% Stake

Meg Marco — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:38:32 EDT

GM released a new plan to avoid bankruptcy today, and the cuts are deep. The U.S. Treasury would own at least 50% of the company and the failing Pontiac brand would be completely eliminated.

GM will also eliminate 21,000 jobs.

From the Washington Post:

By June 1, the Detroit-based automaker, which has already received $15.4 billion in federal loans, must gain significant concessions from stakeholders to continue to receive aid.

Under the outlines announced yesterday, the federal government would take an equity stake of at least 50 percent, the United Auto Workers would take as much as 39 percent, the company's bondholders would get 10 percent and the existing shareholders 1 percent

In addition, the company said that they do not expect to make Hummers, Saabs or Saturns after this year.

GM to Cut 21,000 Jobs, Eliminate Pontiac [WaPo]
(Photo:computermachina)

Sad Email From Saturn Reassuring You That GM Will Still Make Parts For Your Car

Meg Marco — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:59:37 EST

Reader James forwarded us a sad email he got from Saturn, in which they admit that GM is probably going to give them the ax. In it, they emphasize that their warranties feature the "industry's best overall coverage" and that no matter what "GM will support the continued availability of Saturn parts and service as needed."

Dear [redacted]:

From our very beginning, Saturn has always sought a better way. We pioneered no-hassle, no-haggle shopping, built dent-resistant cars, set a new benchmark for customer service and forged a unique relationship with our retailers, workers and customers. From the beginning, Saturn was launched as a "Different Kind of Car Company."

Well, here we go again.

You may have read that General Motors delivered a plan to the U.S. government that outlined the corporation's plan for long-term viability.In that plan, GM stated that Saturn would work with its retailers to investigate options for the future of the Saturn Brand. We said that all ideas were on the table and we meant it.

Today, we confirmed that Saturn and GM would further investigate one of those options: a spin-off of an independent Saturn Distribution Corporation.

The Saturn Distribution Corporation already exists as an indirect subsidiary of GM. It's the entity with which our retailers currently have their franchise agreement. An independent Saturn would still have its great retailers, and it would continue to source current products from GM through 2011. If successful, SDC at that point would source products from other manufacturers.

The goal-from a product perspective-would be to find future vehicles that match the Saturn Brand: fuel-efficient, safe, reliable and affordable. From a retailing perspective, we would build on our core strength of unmatched customer service. The same hassle-free experience that is a hallmark of the brand could be taken to even higher levels.

While this process proceeds, we will continue to do what we have always done best: sell great vehicles and take care of our customers. We have a fresh portfolio of award-winning, fuel-efficient vehicles and a network of retailers that is second to none. And our new vehicles are still backed by a 100,000-mile/5-year (whichever comes first) Transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty. When you add Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation programs, we believe it is the industry's best overall coverage. It is coverage that GM and Saturn will continue to firmly stand behind, and GM will support the continued availability of Saturn parts and service as needed.

This is an exciting time at the Saturn Brand, and I have to confess, it feels a bit like it did back in the 1980s when the original Saturn project was being developed. As loyal Saturn owners and enthusiasts, I know you support this brand, and you can believe we are working toward a vibrant future. Difficult times sometimes yield the most innovative solutions, and those who are willing to take on the challenge will emerge victorious. Stay tuned.

Sincerely,

Jill Lajdziak
General Manager, Saturn

GM Recalls Nearly 1 Million Vehicles With Defective Windshield Wiper Systems

Carey Alexander — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Can your late-model GM vehicle melt snow and ice with a blast of heated windshield wiper fluid? It might be one of 944,000 vehicles with a faulty heating system that can cause odors, smoke, or even a surprise car fire.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the defect is responsible for at least three car blazes, maybe even nine.

The recall involves the 2007-2008 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT, GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL and Saturn Outlook; 2006-2008 Hummer H2, Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne; and the 2008 Buick Enclave.

GM will fix the problem by installing a "wire harness with an in-line fuse," which is car-speak for "system that won't catch fire."

For more information, call:
Buick: (866) 608-8080
Cadillac: (800) 982-2339
Chevrolet: (800) 630-2438
Saturn: (800) 972-8876
GMC: (866) 996-9436
Hummer: (800) 732-5493

General Motors Recalls Vehicles for Fire Hazard [NEWSInferno]
(Photo: Jef Poskanzer)

General Motors Recalls 313,000 Vehicles To Plug Fluid Leak

Carey Alexander — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:30:32 EST

General Motors has recalled 313,000 vehicles over concerns that a fluid leak could send motorists sliding brake-lights first into hedges. The recall, however, won't begin until February 2008.

The recall involves 275,936 vehicles in the United States, including the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS and STS sedans, 2005-2007 Cadillac SRX crossovers, and 2006-2007 Pontiac Solstice and the 2007 Saturn Sky convertibles. About 38,000 additional vehicles are under recall in Mexico, Canada, the Middle East and Asia, GM said.
GM said the seal on the rear axle pinion, which provides power to the wheels, does not meet all specifications and could leak fluid. GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey said the leak could lead to the drivewheel jamming up and locking while the vehicle is being driven, possibly causing the driver to lose control.

There has been one crash reported in which the rear wheels locked because of the leak and hit another car. In a separate incident, a driver reported an injury after moving around in the car as the vehicle lost control.

If you don't want your car to careen out of control, call:

Cadillac: (800) 982-2339
Pontiac: (800) 620-7668
Saturn: (800) 972-8876

General Motors recalling 313,000 vehicles to fix fluid leak [AP]
GM recalling over 300,000 vehicles [AutoBlog]
(Photo: dave_7)

Consumerist Confessions: Tell Us About Cars...

Meg Marco — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 22:11:20 EDT

The Consumerist is interested in hearing from car salespeople and customer service representatives in the automotive field. We're looking for tips related to buying a new or used car. If you are or once were a car salesperson or worked in a car dealership and would like to confess, write to us at tips [at] consumerist [dot] com.

We're interested in negotiations, compensation, car brands, used cars, new cars, financing, customer satisfaction surveys...you name it.

Please organize your tips by the make of car you work with. Toyota, Ford, Chevy...etc. We can't wait to hear from you! Remember, helpful tips! Here are some good examples:

9 Confessions From A Former Enterprise Rental Salesman
8 Confessions of An Alltel Sales Rep
11 Confessions of a T-Mobile Sales Rep
6 Confessions Of A Former Sprint Sales Rep
MORE CONFESSIONS....

(Photo: morsteen)

O. Henry Gets a Flat

popkin — Mon, 08 May 2006 23:23:36 EDT

Drew writes in what surely has to be one of our more literary, if not in style, at least in structure, stories we've received to date.

As he notes, "I hope I don't waste your time while I try to remember all the details of this, it happened so long ago. I assure you it has a touching ending, though in more of an existential sense..."

The tale spins around a wheel whose tires won't stop leaking air, no matter how many nails they pull from its rubber...

Drew writes:

So we decide one day that we need some new tires... and I having just gotten a bonus from work (or something, I don't really remember where the extra money came from), decide that we should do it pronto. They're going bald, after all.

We go to the nearest Big O, one on Geary in San Francisco. They sell us some tires. We drive on them. Done.

Until six months later, when one tire starts losing air. We fill it up, it loses air again. It only does this while either driving or parked (again sorry, I can't remember which, but it's not important to the consumer side of the story, only the Car Talk side).

We go back to the Big O where we bought the tires because they have a lifetime repair and rotation warranty on all tires. They take in the car and say they found a nail. They repair the tire and we drive off. Done.

Except the tire keeps losing air. We go back a couple weeks later, and they try and fix it but say they can't find the problem. We give up for a couple of weeks, then decide we'd had enough. We take the car to another location, on Mission Street in SF. Here's where it gets interesting.

They repair the tire, and SHOW ME the nail they took out of it. Okay, another nail? Whatever, fine. They repair it again, and off I go. Done.

Except the tire continues to lose air.

I go back to this location, and explain the whole series of events. They're flummoxed, but have some theories. Well one really, and it's that the rim is tweaked and can't form a good seal with the tire. They offer to sell me a used rim for over $100.

I decide we'll buy the rim, but I want to troubleshoot first. "Let's take a tire off of another wheel, and put it on the suspect rim," I say, flush with cleverness. "If that solves the problem then you owe me a new tire, if not then I buy a new rim."

He basically tells me heck no. He won't have his mechanics waste their time swapping tires around. And anyway, he says, they could mess up the bead (the part on the tire that seals with the rim) by taking it off and putting it back on in the first place.

"Then couldn't someone have damaged the bead on THIS tire, thereby causing the slow leak?"

"No."

Letters to corporate ensued, responded to with "These are franchisees who set their own policy, so tough luck."

The Big O guy on Mission Street basically told me he wouldn't give me a new tire, because if he sent back the old one and they didn't find a leak, they wouldn't pay him for it. He said to wait until it comes in totally flat, and then he'll replace it.

("Why wouldn't he just repair it," you may ask? Me too... he said he'd replace it. I don't believe him).

The punchline: The car's transmission fell to pieces and it was more expensive to fix than the car was worth. End of tire dilemma.

The aftermath: We will never go to any Big O Tires again.

The touching ending: As we drive off the Saturn lot in our new 2005 Vue, we see our beloved traded-in SL1 parked behind the service area... with one completely flat tire."