More bad news for Saturn...

[ragingfish]

More trouble for an already struggling division... http://www.msnbc.com/news/930603.asp

[ragingfish]

They said it was the ignition system, the spark plugs, and something with the timing that causes a misfire...

[Vibe Rater]

Saturn has never made a dime for GM. I can't understand why GM keeps it afloat. The cars are ugly and the quality isn't there. Saturn was originally launched to fight the imports and their superior quality. The difference in quality between import and domestic is so small now, Satrun has outlived (and outspent) its usefullness. Saturn's legacy will be a multi billion dollar hole in GM's pocket. The plastic sidebody panels were a novel and practical idea, but it just didn't catch on with the consumer in a big enough way. If GM does decide to keep the Saturn badge, it won't be only on cars built in the Saturn plant. I can see GM building Saturn badged cars in regular GM plants and GM cars coming out of the Saturn plant. Then the uniqueness of the Saturn brand will be gone, which has always been a big selling point. When that happens, Saturn's days are numbered.

[ragingfish]

Actually, from my understanding, GM has been trying to oust Saturn for several years when they realized it didn't click in the way the originally expected it to. But the company and it's loyal customers won't let that happen -- so Saturn took things about itself to redeem the company -- which was their goal with the Vue, Ion, and L series cars...I have to admit, the L series are nice cars! I took a good look at one at the NY Auto Show. I was really impressed. It's a nice looking car. The Ion is nice too, but that center-mounted gauge cluster wasn't very appealing. That aside, it was a sweet-looking car.If I had to buy a 4-door car, I'd definitely give Saturn a serious look -- well, after they resolve this issue with their cars spontaneously combusting.

[Sputnik]

My dad had a Saturn from when they first came out and kept it for about 9 or 10 years. The only problem he had was the electric seatbelt stopped working. It wasn't the most attractive car, but it worked pretty darn good.

[NovaResource]

I think the Ion coupe with the half, rear-hinged rear doors is sweet looking. The wheels are a little ugly but I'd buy one if the dash was normal instead of instruments in the center.

[allelejean]

quote:I think the Ion coupe with the half, rear-hinged rear doors is sweet looking. The wheels are a little ugly but I'd buy one if the dash was normal instead of instruments in the center.I test drove the Ion 2 before I decided on the Vibe. I absolutly hated the center guage cluster. I found myself not even looking at it because it made me uncomfortable to look away from the road in that direction. Also, the interior was kinda chintzy.