Thinking of buying a Saturn L100, but I worry about the future of the company

[youngdem]

Should I be worried about difficulty in getting parts if they discontinue Saturn, or is that a silly concern?

Does anyone have an opinion about an L100 (2002)?


Mods, please move me if I am in the wrong spot. Thanks.

[poverlay]

1. I had the same worries when I bought my beloved Sat. sl2... 11 years ago.. great cars. n/t

[NMDemDist2]

2. I doubt GM is going anywhere any time soon n/t

[murloc]

3. They have to supply parts for a certain number of years

I think its 5 years.

IMO, its a GM product, so the odds of it outlasting anything is pretty slim.

[Hissyspit]

5. Saturns are the best GM cars IMHO.

Aura was named Car of the Year by somebody.

[murloc]

15. Possibility the best of GM

But thats not saying much.

I can say without reservation, that I have never worked with a worse company (and I've worked with alot). Mediocrity, a culture of intimidation, and general incompetence rule the day. Some of my worst engineering horror stories come from this company (they were a consulting client).

I was impressed once though when on one of my trips to a design facility, they had a partially disassembled a Toyota SUV under study.

BTW, don't fool yourself into thinking that their is a great deal of difference between GM brands. They are mostly just that..brands. A *GREAT* number of parts are shared between the brands and are assembled by the same teams. Having said that, Saturn does have more separation from other GM brands than normal, although that distinction has continued to diminish almost since day 1 for Saturn.

Nonetheless, I used to buy GM products, until I got sick of dealing with their lack of quality.

[Lobster Martini]

11. I doubt that 's the case, for this reason...(addressing spare parts)

In the medical equipment industry, everybody believes that there's a requirement that manufacturers have to supply parts for a certain period of time, usually ten years. This includes equipment that costs millions of dollars like CT scanners, MRIs, etc. There is no such requirement. I would be surprised if the auto industry had tougher requirements for spare parts inventories.

[A HERETIC I AM]

17. Think about the number of cars vs. the number of CT scanners.

The auto makers will make spares for long periods because it is profitable. Of course, they will only make parts for cars that remain somewhat popular as well as need repair over time. Granted, almost every car requires some repair sooner or later.

If it isnt the car makers themselves building spares, the market has plenty of suppliers around willing to take up the slack. Witness the '57 Chevy. Plenty of parts available for those from all sorts of suppliers, not just Chevrolet.

[Hissyspit]

4. New Aura and hybrid version is doing very well. I wouldn't worry.

Line is not a moneymaker, but not a horrific loser either.

[Libby2]

6. You will be able to get parts for your Saturn

just fine.

[rox63]

7. I bought a Saturn Ion a couple of years ago

I'm very happy with it. :)

The service I've gotten from the dealership has been fantastic. I haven't had to do anything to it except regular maintenance, like oil changes and stuff like that.

[TahitiNut]

8. GM has 'mainstreamed' Saturn components.

So, it's not the same Saturn as it was. That said, I think it's still the most value for the money that GM offers. (And I'm a former Chevrolet HQ employee.)

[juno jones]

9. I am the owner of '95 Saturn Sedan

Second owner, got it 3 or so years ago (with 78,000 on the odometer) to replace a Ford Taurus that was totalled in an accident. It has been one of the best cars I ever had, far fewer problems than the Taurus which would end up in the shop about every 6 months for major repairs and was frankly an ugly gas-guzzling POS. I get about 28-35 MPG (1900 cc engine) and it's relatively comfy for longer trips. I personally would like a hybrid or diesel someday, but for right now, this has to be one of the best cars I've had, and would gladly recommend Saturn as a brand (as opposed to Ford :eyes: ). Hope this helps...

[NoGOPZone]

10. I get parts for my Plymouth with no problem

I wouldn't sweat it.

[gravity]

12. I wouldn't worry about it

It's made by GM which isn't going to be out of business anytime soon.

[Captain Hilts]

13. Great car. Buy it. nt

[RevCheesehead]

14. I'm still driving my Saturn SL1, with 112,000 miles on it.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with Saturn. :)

[spinbaby]

16. I've had two of the L series

I had a 2001 and when I heard they were discontinuing the line, I bought a 2004. Great cars both and very comfortable. I don't like the new mid-sized Saturn--the Aura is an ugly car in an "I wanna be a Cadillac" sort of way.

[youngdem]

18. Thanks to everyone for their replies and time.

Much appreciated
:hi: