http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...dai_saturn.xml

Which begs the question, yet again.... Is Saturn worth having or should Gm have Chevy just pick up the slack and get rid of Saturn all together?

 

Think we can call the car a failure yet, or should we wait awhile?

143 day supply of cars opposed to 60?!

 

Sad that with the target of 150,000 f-bodies and in the last few years sales were about 75,000--they axed it

The Saurn L-series appears to be running at less % then the F-body.

hmm....I wonder why Saturns aren't selling???

In all their advertsing they try to pitch Saturn as a different kind of car. Hardly--pastic body panles seem to be one of the only diffeences.

In far more important areas such as hp---the L series lags way behind Camary, Accord, Altima ect.

192hp VS 240 VS 245 VS 181hp Saturn...whoo-dee-doo.

The eco-tec--as much as I like it sufferes a similar power deficet.

Another complaint I have is the interiors--especially the dash, and IP----BORING.


I'll be surprised if that Saturn ION turbo coupe is any good.
That ION 4 door looks a bit weird---damn centre mounted IP too!
In this case, "different" = stuipid

 

and we have a handy smiley to prove why---->

 

People who bought Saturns didn't buy them because they were speed demons, they bought them because of the dealer experience, which is one of the best in the industry. Dealer service was so good, that despite the problems Saturns had early on, people still gave Saturn high marks.

First GM ignored Saturn for a decade (guess F-body wasn't alone), now Saturn is getting styling that is simply goofy IMHO, and dealer service isn't enough to offset this.

When my sister just finished High School, she contiplated a Saturn. My mom also considered one before she bough her Neon. I don't think the new models appeal across the age spectrum the way the old ones did.

Like Darth, I simply don't see a need for Saturn, when Chevrolet should be doing this market.

 

Kill Saturn. Let Suzuki sell rebadged Daewoos for $8-$15 K. Let Chevy and Pontiac pick it up above that with Cavalier and Sunfire.

 

And maybe get Chevy dealerships to be where Saturn Dealerships are, and everything is peachy!!

 

I think the Ion is a good looking small car, They just need to change the dash, I keep thinking maybe I'd get used to it, but then I see it again and think NO. I don't think that dash will last long.

I think the ecotech needs to be about 160HP and the L series V6 should be 200HP,

How about a Diesel L-series?? steal the thunder from VW, and it gets just about as good mileage as a hybred. I think Diesel economy cars would be a good niche for Saturn to get into.

The turbo Ion coming out should also help get the attention of the younger crowd. They need to keep it under $20K so it can steal all the WRX and Evo 8 fans that want a turbo 4cyl. but can't afford $30K for an Evo 8

 

guionM---you misunderstood my post.

I know people don't buy Saturns because they're speed demons (duh) BUT if youir going to effectively compete in the same mid sized sedan market (that's why I contrasted Accrod, Altima, Camry)Saturn isn't doing themselves any favours by having the lowest hp rated, slowest cars.

I would say their hp isn't competitive at all.

Note, the previous generation Altima--the new one has tons of power and sells much better. Granted, thats not the only reason why but a contributing factor.

 

They should just throw the L67 in em!

 

It's a shame that Saturn has gone down hill sales wise. They were doing a lot of things right a few years ago. Dealer service was fantastic, cars were of solid quality and it was building a loyal following. That was back when GM kind of let Saturn just do its thing. I don't think it's any coincidence that once GM "discovered" that they have a potential success story they meddled too much and are at this point. The problem isn't that the Saturn division isn't necessary IMO, the problem is that they've been given a couple of really lousy products to sell. Ion is the most embarrassing effort to come from GM in quite a while. That doesn't help matters much.

 

Understand ya. But unless I'm mistaken, Camary was (and still is??) normally the slowest cars in it's market. The new Saturns are likely to end up one of the quickest, but you have to get past the styling first.

Altimas look way better than they ever have, and they are selling better. And you're right, it doesn't hurt that those things are now rockets.

 

Coming from someone who works at a Saturn dealer , imo ....Saturn is trying to hard to appeal to certain age groups by OVERSTYLING their new cars . By reaction of long time Saturn buyers , and Im talking bout people who have driven nothing but since Saturn came out , the styling of the new stuff is too odd . Saturn still imo has the dealer service it always had , its CSI proves that . They just need to take a peek back at the 96-99 models years , when they sold ALOT of cars with just the S-series alone . Simple , understated styling that wasnt "hey look at me" or hideous . Actually with the new 01-03 style L300 , if you chop off the whole front clip , from the doors back its a really good looking car , the front is absolutely garish though . If the ION had a more conventional dash , and they cleaned up a little on the outside ( i.e. lets get rid of all the out of place swoopy body cuts and the stupid idea of the replaceable panel over the windows ) and the ION would sell well .

I dont even wanna guess how the ION turbo coupe will do . It better beable to really hurt a turbo neon performance wise for anyone to even look at ......As far as american cars go in this market , I think the SVT focus has this catagory all wrapped up , even being the slower car . Plus the focus has a healthy aftermarket .

 

I agree, it was disappointing to have to purchase a foreign product to get what I needed. No domestic vehicle can compete with my VW.

4 year bumper to bumper
5 year powertrain
12 year corrosion!!!
50+ MPG on the highway
Over a 700 mile range on one tank of fuel
DIESEL engine that will last 300K+ miles (it started after being parked outside in -20F weather over night with no coolant or block heater)
heated seats, heated mirrors, sunroof, power everything
$18,500

And to top it of, I have discovered that this car has a decent after market. With a computer reprogram and new injectors ($800) you can expect 150HP and 290TQ to the wheels (new clutch may be required) Torque at 2200RPM in a 3,150lb car. People with these modifications still average well over 40MPG.


(I know the Vibe has a Toyota engine, but it was assembled by American workers)

Jason

 

Actually the Vibe has a Yamaha engine.

You make good points about the Diesel, With a company the size of GM they should be make cars in this niche, maybe they are waiting until 2005 or 06 when the new Deisel comes up. only by then everyone else will have a similar car out.