Calling Sky Radio Guru's (need help verifying dealer comments)

[tjb30i]

My dealer screwed up my order 2008 order and put in an order code to delete the standard XM functionality in my Monsoon Radio. Trying to verify the following comments made by the dealer:
- Cannot replace the Monsoon head unit with a factory XM capable head unit as you also have to replace the wiring harness and do a lot of other work that makes it impracticle to do. Claims Saturn won't even ship the parts.
- You would have to install a new antenna. I struggle with this one since I have OnStar and I heard that the Onstar antenna can pick up both XM and On Star
- Would have to install an after market unit with a sunction cup to the window.

(what a mess this will look like in the end). If anyone knows more than me to help gauge if I am just being fed BS it would be appreciated.
Thanks

[SkyMarshall]

I feel your pain. Im dealing with idiots too. My order was messed up also. is this a Saturn thing.?

[tjb30i]

Originally Posted by SkyMarshall

I feel your pain. Im dealing with idiots too. My order was messed up also. is this a Saturn thing.?

I think it is. This on top of the fact your brakes don't work in the morning and being told it is normal for these brakes not to work for the first minute or so is making me fume If it wasn't so difficult to get a replacement car I would have just sent it back to the dealer.

[AZURSKY]

You guys are scaring me. I'm going over the contract for my 2008 on Saturday. Is this what I have to look forward to?

[lorennerol]

Originally Posted by AZURSKY

You guys are scaring me. I'm going over the contract for my 2008 on Saturday. Is this what I have to look forward to?

Probably not. Make sure you get the order sheet *after* the order is placed (should say 'Dealer World' at the top). Review it carefully. Make sure all the right option codes are there and there is nothing extraneous (like some bizarre code for delete XM or body paint or wheels).

My car just rolled over 1700 miles. No tick-tick, no water leaks, no diff issue, no mushy brakes. That could all change tomorrrow, but so far so good.

[mbeardsley]

Yep, same here...1700 miles and no probs at all.

I think the problem is that the Saturn dealers are not used to ordering cars specifically for customers. I think the vast majority of their sales are "off the lot", and they are not used to dealing with people who are so peticular about their cars.

So, you should definately go over the order sheet VERY carefully. I would recommend stepping through the Saturn website to "build your own", and then take that with you to compare with what the dealer order shows.

[krisis7]

Originally Posted by SkyMan 08

have you had it 30 days or 3000 miles? have them order you a new one then and get what you want. you can exchange it if you don't want it for any reason. PS then maybe they will have the Brake problem fixed.

I believe it is only 1500 miles to exchange within 30 days..

[billyharless]

Originally Posted by tjb30i

My dealer screwed up my order 2008 order and put in an order code to delete the standard XM functionality in my Monsoon Radio. Trying to verify the following comments made by the dealer:
- Cannot replace the Monsoon head unit with a factory XM capable head unit as you also have to replace the wiring harness and do a lot of other work that makes it impracticle to do. Claims Saturn won't even ship the parts.
- You would have to install a new antenna. I struggle with this one since I have OnStar and I heard that the Onstar antenna can pick up both XM and On Star
- Would have to install an after market unit with a sunction cup to the window.

(what a mess this will look like in the end). If anyone knows more than me to help gauge if I am just being fed BS it would be appreciated.
Thanks

It is true you do need a special wiring harness for the XM but it can be ordered.

You would never have to but an aftermarket unit with a suction cup. There are lots of in dash units that fit the sky and sol.

[lostcause]

I wasn't even aware that they made a monsoon without xm.

[tjb30i]

Originally Posted by SkyMan 08

oh, yeah, I forgot.. thanks....well I never checked on it because I was always happy... I had 1500 miles on my first sky the first weekend I had it..
but still if he was not happy with the radio or the brakes I think he would have been able to exchange it then... it shouldn't take 30 days or 1,500 miles to realize there was a problem....
like they said you can return it for any reason.. even if you decide you don't like the color...

I never knew about the return policy. This may be the way to go and I can get the brakes fixed at the same time. People are saying the brakes are fixed in the new production runs but I would like to verify this.

The big issue is that I don't want to wait another 6 months to receive a replacement vehicle. I have a Saturn Corp manager calling me so we can discuss. From my perspective they should put me at the front of the time and I should have another car within a month. We will see how it goes.

[tjb30i]

OK Spoke to Saturn at corporate and found out the return policy is basically a joke. This only applies when the dealer has another vehicle on the lot that he can exchange you. As we all know Redlines are not sitting around on the floor and if they are they belong to someone else who has already ordered them. On top of that if the 1 i n 100 chance they had one sitting on the floor it is not going to be the color and SPEC's you want.

This sucks!

[billyharless]

Sounds like all your issues are fixable. If you are not getting the service you need at that particular dealership, take it to another service dept.

[tjb30i]

Originally Posted by lostcause

I wasn't even aware that they made a monsoon without xm.

I don't think anyone knew this could be done. But as my luck turned out they found a way to override a factory installed XM Monsoon system! I am amazed they even found an order code that managed to do this. It was not even listed when I looked at the order codes available. Be wary if you ever see this order code on your Sky "U2J - XM DELETE"

[tjb30i]

Originally Posted by billyharless

Sounds like all your issues are fixable. If you are not getting the service you need at that particular dealership, take it to another service dept.

Unfortunately it sounds like it is not fixable. Spoke to corporate and they confirmed the same message as the dealer. Even if you put in a new wiring harness you still need a separate chip (separate from the deck) to activate the XM functionality in a standard XM deck. Corporate told me they do not support this type of upgrade and will not ship out a new chip or wiring harness. The dealer is trying to push back on this but my hopes are dissapearing.

I could put in an aftermarket deck with XM and the dealer will pay for this but it messes up your whole dash as you can't get the same look.

[dengel]

Originally Posted by lostcause

I wasn't even aware that they made a monsoon without xm.

Yes, as far as the equipment is concerned, the components are separate. On the Solstice XM is a separate option from the Monsoon (although I believe ordering the Monsoon is a "prerequisite" for ordering XM.) CORRECTION - FOR 2008, XM IS STANDARD ON THE SOLSTICE AS WELL.

I don't know how the Sky option packages are laided out.

hmmm, looking at the Saturn website, it looks like XM is standard on the car (both Sky and Redline) whether or not you order Monsoon.

So the really surprising part is that you can remove XM AT ALL, since it is a standard option included in the base price. Knowing this, I would REALLY push for someone to fix this issue for you. Whether it was the factory or the dealer who screwed up, Saturn delivered you a car that was missing an option that should have been standard and was included in the price you paid for the car.

[billyharless]

Originally Posted by tjb30i

Unfortunately it sounds like it is not fixable. Spoke to corporate and they confirmed the same message as the dealer. Even if you put in a new wiring harness you still need a separate chip (separate from the deck) to activate the XM functionality in a standard XM deck. Corporate told me they do not support this type of upgrade and will not ship out a new chip or wiring harness. The dealer is trying to push back on this but my hopes are dissapearing.

I could put in an aftermarket deck with XM and the dealer will pay for this but it messes up your whole dash as you can't get the same look.

Actually it is fixable. No need to get another car. They can simply swap out your stereo and put in the required wiring harness.

If they are offering an aftermarket system you are in even better shape. There are tons of great aftermarket systems that fit both the Sky and Sol perfectly and give it a great look. In fact the Pioneer AVIC-D3 is a sweet after market system that works with Xm and has a navigation system as well.

[Morfious]

Originally Posted by billyharless

If they are offering an aftermarket system you are in even better shape. There are tons of great aftermarket systems that fit both the Sky and Sol perfectly and give it a great look. In fact the Pioneer AVIC-D3 is a sweet after market system that works with Xm and has a navigation system as well.

That would be my recommendation. I love my unit and think it has quite the "factory appearance" I have Sirius hooked up but the unit will accommodate XM as well. Miles better than the factory system in all regards.

See for yourself:



Without Flash:

[tjb30i]

I think I will just get the Pioneer AVIC-D3. Had a look today and looks great and would go well with the trim. My only problem is that the installer said their is not double din mounting kit available for the Sky. I will search around and see if there are any after market solutions.

Are you still able to use the steering wheel controls with the Pioneer AVIC-D3?

[billyharless]

Originally Posted by Morfious

That would be my recommendation. I love my unit and think it has quite the "factory appearance" I have Sirius hooked up but the unit will accommodate XM as well. Miles better than the factory system in all regards.

See for yourself:



Without Flash:

I really love that system and considered it for my sol but was worried about how the screen would be hard to see with the top down.