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Saturn S-Series
1418 messages, Last post on Sep 11, 2012 at 4:19 PM
You are in the Saturn S-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? Saturn S-Series, Sedan
#567 of 1418 Tomato / Tomata by saturnboy
Dec 11, 2000 (7:43 pm)
Press RELEASE, Regarding new technology coming from Saturn/GM
Dec. 11, 2000
Saturn's variable transmission will start trend for GM
Lindsay Chappell
Automotive News
General Motors has bigger hopes for the European-built continuously variable transmission that will debut next year on the new Saturn Vue sport-utility.
GM plans to launch CVT production for other vehicles beginning in 2002. While the automaker is not saying how many models will get its new CVT technology, a GM source said it will at least go into the small Corsa line, which GM now builds around the world.
GM and Ford Motor Co. view the CVT as a way to increase fuel economy on vehicles with automatic transmissions and as a way to improve the ride of small-engine cars.
Both U.S. automakers are setting up factories that will deliver CVT systems to models around the world. A Ford joint venture with ZF Industries Inc. in Batavia, Ohio, will begin CVT production in 2002 to supply the Ford Mondeo and other vehicles.
Saturn Corp. will give the world its first peek at the GM technology. The move reflects Saturn's new mission inside GM.
The unit is increasingly becoming GM's global technology pioneer, putting to use components and concepts that are coming out of GM's far-flung world operations. Saturn said it will use technology from Honda, Fiat, Saab, Adam Opel and Aisin Seiki.
Starting this summer, Saturn will import CVTs from Adam Opel AG's plant in Sventgotthard, Hungary. The transmission will go into the automatic version of the new Vue with a 138-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine.
CVT works on the same principle as an automatic transmission. But rather than automatically changing from first to second, or second to third gear based on pre-determined gear ratios, the CVT uses a belt-and-pulley system that seamlessly changes gear ratios.
Saturn has not revealed how many Vues it expects to sell annually, except to say it wants to sell 50,000 its first year. The Corsa is a much higher-volume product.
A CVT-equipped vehicle generally offers a 5 percent to 10 percent improvement in fuel economy over the same vehicle equipped with an ordinary automatic transmission.
#568 of 1418 By the Way by saturnboy
Dec 11, 2000 (7:55 pm)
As you so gracefully quoted,
"If GM fans are really wanting to buy a GM small
car.....they at least owe it to themselves to get
past some of the Saturn hype and at least test
drive the Prizm and Saturn side by side and then
make a decision on what's the better car."
Why should Saturn owners or GM owners allow someone else who has different beliefs to discourage us from buying the car that we chose for a wealth of personal reasons?
For your information, I have driven a 2000 Corolla CE with auto, and I have compared the Corolla to the Prism. I found the Prism to have cheap looking/feeling interior materials compared to the Corolla, and the chinsy Chevy bowtie emblem didn't go with the exterior of the car. The seats in the Prism seem to use a lesser quality fabric compared to Corolla. So, If I had to choose, I would buy the Corolla, which has better resale value then Prism.
The Prism isn't bad, However the Corolla offers more value to me. IF there wasn't Saturn that is. Im certainly not saying Saturn is perfect, because they aren't and no car/car company is. I am saying,that true Saturn owners will not be discouraged by others, and we realize the value of safety, low ownership costs, high service quality, etc.
In addition to the Saturn VUE SUV coming, new S Series in late 2002, and a pickup/sports car based on the soon to be defunct Camaro, We have more and more reasons to stay with the Saturn line, and I intend to.
#569 of 1418 . by regfootball
Dec 12, 2000 (1:28 am)
the only thing i'm suggesting is that GM loyalists who may be drawn to Saturn only because its GM also ought to check out the Prizm.No need to read into it more than you need to Saturnboy.
Saturnboy, howcome you don't drive an L-series?
#570 of 1418 "Car is a machine" quote by fredfred3
Dec 12, 2000 (5:49 am)
Saturnboy, my "car is a machine" quote was not something that Saturn said to me....it is a response that they have given to many Saturn owners judging from the posts that can be found on the internet.True, I did have problems with a used car purchsed through Saturn, followed by problems with the dealerhship. However this was not just any used car that had problems later "down the road." It was a car covered under an extended warranty which Saturn sold me. IF they don't want to stand behind non-Saturn make used cars, that is all well and good. But, in that case, they had ought to stop selling warranties for them.
As I recall, over in the LS forum, you yourself even claimed to be somewhat dissastified about your Saturn service as of late and you were even contemplating writing the company a letter about it. You also said in the same post that you were thinking about buying a Ford Ranger
#571 of 1418 My Saturn Nightmare by ohiolady
Dec 12, 2000 (6:49 pm)
I bought a Saturn four years ago because I was impressed with the "Different Type of Car / Company" creed. The dealership was great and super-sweet to me until I started having problems with the car. My alternator went bad at about 23,000 miles and was replaced under warranty. After about 30,000 I seemed to be constantly adding oil and my saturn dealership said that was normal. I felt as if they were just dismissing what I had to say without really listening. Still, I figured that they knew what they were talking about and went on my way. Now that the car is no longer under warranty, my dealership informs me that the motor needs to be rebuilt. They say it is probably my fault for not maintaining the car properly. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles and had all the required maintainence done on schedule. I contacted Saturn and explained the situation. They also told me that "a car is a machine" and there was nothing they could or would do to help me. I feel angered and betrayed. I am in the market for a new car now. It wont be a Saturn.#572 of 1418 . by saturnboy
Dec 12, 2000 (8:02 pm)
RegI do have an LS1 - now L200 in the family and I love it. The handling is superb, engine is quiet, and seems like a very solid car. I do not own one because at this point I have better things to put my $$ towards like mutual funds, stocks, etc, and prefer not to buy a midsize car since I have no need for one at this time.
Fredfred
I do not recall ever being "Seriously" disatisfied with my car or the service my retailer provides me. Granted, no retailer or car is perfect and things fluctuate from time to time, but over all I am pleased with it and do intend to aquire another S series in 4-6 months.
OhioLady
I am very sorry for your loss, it really shouldn't happen however Saturn makes no more lemons then any other american car company. Situations like yours as you claim, are exactly the reason why I lease cars, and because I can barely stand having a car for more then 3 years. You have a right to be angry, and betrayed for having Saturn supposedly treat you in such a manor as you stated.
AFK X said something along the lines that "Saturn owners have tremendous owner loyalty , and the one's who happened to get a bad Saturn often cry louder and longer because of the image Saturn has of high customer service. Definitly true.
#573 of 1418 Saturnboy by fredfred3
Dec 12, 2000 (9:27 pm)
Just to clarify the point, I never said that you were seriously dissastified with the service from your Saturn retailer. What I said was that, in the LS forum you appeared to be somewhat dissastified with your service and were contemplating writing a letter to Saturn about it. I am sure you must recall posting that. If not, it is in the LS forum archives.Either way, I am glad that overall you are content with your service since that is what is important in the long run. It is also refreshing that you are responding in a much more sympathetic and civil manner to those such as ohiolady who do not share your enthusiasm.
#574 of 1418 . by saturnboy
Dec 13, 2000 (12:56 am)
FredWell, that is why I put the seriously in quotes to signify the difference. Just wanted to clarify, and I also mentioned that things do fluctuate from time to time and things are not always perfect at my local retailer. However, they have come through for me in ways Im sure other dealers wouldn't and overall I am more then satisfied. I wish all Saturn owners could have the same results, but Saturn retailers vary depending on the owner.
In 1999 when Saturn's customer satisfaction scores slipped five spots to number 6, Saturn Corporate enacted a corporate buy back of un friendly Saturn retailers to continue with industry leading customer service, and on a personal note, in my area they are soon to start building a new kind of Saturn retail facility which includes an even more user friendly atmosphere, fire place near customer seating, internet hookups and a coffee bar, not to mention an automatic car wash. Im seriously Looking foward to it.
#575 of 1418 Nancy by afk_x
Dec 13, 2000 (5:39 am)
If you indeed have all the service reccords, you may be able to get Saturn Corp to help you. I am sorry to hear about your situation, but most of the time when Saturn engines go bad it is because they have not been maintained properly. I am not suggesting your was not taken care of well, only helping you understand why your Saturn dealership told you that.I would suggest you go over to www.saturnfans.com and post your message there and ask them for suggestions. There are many helpful people there, and are experts in the subject matter.
Good luck!
#576 of 1418 AFK X by ken1776
Dec 13, 2000 (7:17 pm)
Well I just have to disagree with the statement that most Saturn engines go bad because of poor maintenance. I personally know of 2 that needed rebuilding, my wife's for one, and both were well maintained. Saturn's "excuse" for me was high mileage and Saturn records showing excessive mileage between oil changes. As for the mileage, I have discussed it before, 83 K is NOT a lot of miles. As for the oil, I change it myself every 3,000 miles, Saturn only sees the car for major service and repairs, more often the later. The other rebuild was for compression rings. This according to the Saturn service tech. is a problem with 95 and 96 Saturn's. All engines blow given enough abuse, but a well maintained engine by today's standards should be good for 150 K unless there are quality issues.To POST a message, please
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