No Olds?

 

Well, I wouldn't turn down a Quad 442 as a curiosity, LOL.

And I did used to own a Plymouth.

 

The Ion was a better car than the S-Series, but the original Saturn "faithful" were not happy b/c the Ion did not use unique Saturn engines or platforms (as the S-series did). The L-Series had already been out for a while using GM corporate parts (Opel-based, in the case of the L). When the Ion came out, it marked the death of the Saturn 1.9L engines and the unique Saturn platform. That pissed off some of the original Saturn fans. The Ion had the other Saturn attributes though, including the plastic body panels, "quirky" styling, good fuel efficiency (albeit off a tick from the best SLs), excellent sales and service, etc.

The Ion used the corporate ecotec 2.2L (140 hp) and the sturdy delta platform. It also was a bit roomier and definitely more refined than the S-series. I owned a '97 SL2 M5 for a couple of years, and later had an '05 Ion Sport M5 on a 2 year lease (for practically pennies). There was no comparison between the two. I did average 2 or 3 mpg better in the SL2, but I still got 30 mpg combined in the Ion. The smaller, lighter SL2 felt more go-kart like; the Ion was much more like a "real car". The interior, while controversially styled, was much more solid and substantial than the SLs. Like all econo-cars, it used plastic everywhere, but they were nicer those of the SL.

The media didn't like the center mount guages (but apparently people dig them in Minis, Scions, etc. ) or the electric power steering (also fairly commonplace now; GM was ahead of their time with that technology). But it was not a bad car at all. Unfortunately, it was also not the sales success that GM needed it to be.

 

My wife is driving an '01 SC1. The death of the Saturn 1.9L shouldn't have been anything to lament.

While it did offer decent (but not remarkable) fuel economy, it wasn't a very smooth or quiet motor - and made around 95 HP on good days. The wife's feels like a go-kart all right. An underpowered one.

 

Interestingly the Saturn dealer near me became a new Chevrolet dealership a few months back and an old and established Chevy/Cadillac/Hummer dealership around the corner closed its doors and Saturn soon moved in and took over. They must've expected this because they still just have temporary Saturn banners hanging over the old Chevy/Cadillac/Hummer signs.

 

A 1995 Saturn with the 1.9L and a 5 speed manual got an EPA rating of 28/40mpg

 

I was recently looking for one to pick up as a cheap commuter car. Fuel mileage went south when Saturn replaced the 1.9L with an Ecotec, although I'm sure performance improved somewhat.

 

True, if you got the SOHC version (which his wife has, if it is the 95 hp model).

The twin cam, 122 hp models were rated at 37 or 38 hwy, I think (on the pre-'08 scale, of course). I think my 140 hp Ion was rated at 35 or 36 on the highway.

 

My wife? Drive a stick? I can't even get her to learn how to drive my Camaro just to learn.

I'm just going by our own real-world experience. We've taken it on a couple of trips and I calculated it out to 34 mpg or so - good but not stellar, especially for a motor that reluctant to get up and go. It does have just over 90k miles now so it will be replaced soon, but the NVH characteristics are (and were) quite bad.

I would trade the Saturn "uniqueness" of that motor for the Ecotec any day of the week.

 

Yeah, I have a 5 speed 59k mile '00 SL1 in stock right now...window sticker EPA ratings are 28/40

If I needed a cheap commuter car, I'd be all over it! With an M5 its painful, but not THAT painful...

 

Excuse me?

I'll take your apology anytime you're ready. I didn't write up a story about it, but GMI did.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...-new-gm-84658/

Anytime now, an "I'm sorry" would be nice.

 

You should learn to read better. Dealerships are authorized outlet centers. They hold franchise rights to sell product in a specific region.

Saturn is a marketing channel, it consists of many things but the dealerships are not a part of a marketing channel. They are merely the end outlet for product.

Saturn distribution is the network of supply and delivery contracts that links the GM factory and the dealerships to get parts from point A to point B.

NO dealerships are owned by the companies they sell. They all hold franchise contracts.

I will take that apology anytime, a simple "I'm sorry" would be nice.

 

You are wrong - they all signed "wind down" agreements with "Old GM" when GM was in bankruptcy. The contracts stated they would CLOSE if a new buyer of SATURN was not found.

Well guess what - no buyer is there, they all must close. Sure, they can reopen the very next day they close, if they can afford to maintain the bills during these dismal sales months, not very likely.

Furthermore, they're not going to be able to secure backing for their floor plans. The deal also takes every Saturn dealership "idea" and hands it over to General Motors....unless they can find a buyer of the entire distribution channel.

One final note, they can't break their agreements and "quit" Old GM at anytime. The only way the're going to stay open is if some new buyer comes in and makes an offer to GM for their franchise agreements.

What's so hard to understand? They fall under the control of "Old GM."

 

Nevertheless these dealerships will be selling the competition at one point or another...I'm skeptical about them not being able to for another year....there are numerous articles stating that many have been contacted to sell "imports" including the automotivenews article I posted above.

BTW your website must be doing well to go around and belittle potential "visitors". That's usually not considered a good business practice.

 

I agree with you and so do the dealers:

“I guess I'll be selling the competition,” said George Nahas, who owns Saturn stores in Alabama and Florida. Some import brands want him to carry their products, he said.

http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...909309970/1266

I've heard that Kia and Volkswagen, both whom currently have smallish dealership networks, are interested in talking to many of the Saturn dealers.

Our three local Saturn dealerships (all under Jay Wolfe ownership) terminated their franchises with Saturn in April and are now used car lots. Same buildings, same people. Just not Saturn.

The dealers own the building. The dealers own the land. They don't own the IP. So, they have to take down any signage or anything associating them with GM or Saturn and otherwise they can do what they want. They own it.

I highly doubt too many dealers will have trouble getting "Old GM" to terminate their agreements.

"Well, I could walk away and convert to Kia or you can pay me the million you owe me for my Saturn franchise. Which sounds good to you?"