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GM Fire Sale: Should I bite?
Kyougu
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I came across this headline today.
GM offers Saturn, Pontiac Brand Discounts
So from what I understand, Pontiac and Saturn brands are being discontinued, so dealerships are offering "great" deals on them. As someone that's been thinking of upgrading from his 92 Infinitty for some time, I'm really, really tempted by this. Their dealer warranty will still be covered from what I read, the only downside I seem to find is that the resale value will be extremely low, which is fine with me, since I would plan to just drive the car to the ground, much as I did my current car.
I'm just not sure about what kind of cars Saturn and Pontiac offer, and if they are worth getting? I'm single, 27, with a short commute to work, so I really just need something small,simple with good mileage. None the less, I would like it to look nice.
Also, I want to keep my monthly payments low. I have up to 5 grand I could leave as a downpayment, so I figure I could get managable payments.
So basically, should I bite on this offer, which ends monday? And if so, any cars I should be looking at?
GM offers Saturn, Pontiac Brand Discounts
So from what I understand, Pontiac and Saturn brands are being discontinued, so dealerships are offering "great" deals on them. As someone that's been thinking of upgrading from his 92 Infinitty for some time, I'm really, really tempted by this. Their dealer warranty will still be covered from what I read, the only downside I seem to find is that the resale value will be extremely low, which is fine with me, since I would plan to just drive the car to the ground, much as I did my current car.
I'm just not sure about what kind of cars Saturn and Pontiac offer, and if they are worth getting? I'm single, 27, with a short commute to work, so I really just need something small,simple with good mileage. None the less, I would like it to look nice.
Also, I want to keep my monthly payments low. I have up to 5 grand I could leave as a downpayment, so I figure I could get managable payments.
So basically, should I bite on this offer, which ends monday? And if so, any cars I should be looking at?
Kyougu on
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The Saturn Astra is a great car, if you can find one of those get it. I believe they're using similar specs for the new Chevy Cruze.
The Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura have the same underpinnings as a Chevy Malibu, so service and repairs wouldn't hurt you on that.
The Pontiac G3 is basically the Chevy Aveo, so avoid it.
A Saturn Aura 4 cylinder with leather is a nice car that gives you room but helps you on gas and insurance. That would be my choice.
It'll just be finding mechanics who know the cars really well in ten years that'll be hard.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
They don't make cars in Mexico because the build quality there is so high, they put the factories in poor areas where people with little education will work for peanuts. It's not in your best interest to get a car assembled under those conditions and it's a little bit disgusting that you're being sold an "American" car with less American content and labour than almost anything sold by the Japanese or Korean companies (whose notably high build quality might just be linked to the generally first world factory conditions and educated, well paid and happy work force they employ).
Though if it's a fire sale and you're paying half of what the competition is charging, it might still be worth it.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
The only real downside is that some people will give you shit for owning a "dead brand," and it's like that some mechanics will try to charge you a premium.
As a guy who has driven an oldsmobile for two or four years, lemme just say I'd take that over any ford or chrysler.
See how many books I've read so far in 2010
Not really, atleast the manufacturers warranty will still be honoured by the remaining delearships. You might just have to drive further to get to it depending where you are. Parts I'm not sure of.
Atleast for me there's still a billion other sunfires still out there I can just junkyard anything I need. So far 5 years and only needed tire and oil changes. And a firmware update.
Those are just toys. He wants a daily driver. Not something to keep in his garage til spring, then shelter when it's November.
The G8's are sweet. Get one!
3DS FC: 5343-7720-0490
His Location says Plano, and if that is the Plano I think it is, it's near Dallas. We don't get snow or such nonsense around here, so you can drive a Lamborghini year 'round if you want. I see a couple of Sky's driving around often, and they look pretty good. I almost bought one, but decided for an RX8.
It really depends on his price range though and what features are required. Depending on what he wants to spend, there are options other than Pontiac or Saturn that may provide better return on his money.
On scales of importance:
- How important is high milage?
- How important is engine strength?
- How important is reliability and maintenance costs?
- How important is cargo space and seating capacity?
- How important is paying the least amount for insurance? (350Z's for example, cost a bit more on insurance than other sports cars, etc)
- How important is looking good?
The OP says:
To me, that says to get a Honda Civic. Their website currently lists the 2010 Model for 15 grand, getting high MPG, with seating for four (doors for two), good cargo space, and decently sporty looking. Hondas are fairly bulletproof in terms of maintenance, and if you can find a nicely taken care of used one, I'm sure it would be even cheaper. 5 grand downpayment on that would leave you with something like 200 / month payments on the new 2010 model, and insurance would be stupid cheap.
Saturn's best MPG model seems to have a base MSRP of 16,500, which is about 2 grand more than the Civic. Subjectively, I think it looks like crap. The Pontiac G8 starts at 28 grand which is another price level from the civic.
If you were going to get a roadster though, I'd recommend an earlier generation Miata though - this body style:
Miatas are the most raced car in the world. Some may think of them as pretty effeminate, but they have a good engine, good suspension, good MPG, and look good (imo). I'm biased though, because I like roadsters.
See how many books I've read so far in 2010
It's a law that car companies continue to make parts for *I believe* 20 years (it might be ten). It has some fancy "fill in the name here" Act as a name. GM is considered the company in this case, not Pontiac or Saturn.
And it does snow in Dallas/Plano area. At least enough to make the roads crap and icy.
So sadly, the dealer was pretty much sold out of all good models except for the Aura's, which although nice was a bit more than I wanted to spend. Also, considering that they were going out of business, the price was still pretty high.
None the less, I ended up picking up a Toyota Corolla XRS for a little less than 19,000. This is my second car in my life, and my first new car, and it's a great feeling.