Not your Fat Aunt's Saturn

[marlboromike]

that is what it was supposed to compete with..and they r successful in capturing some of their market.

[JohnD]

Originally Posted by lostcause

This is about as plain looking as it gets. I had a pontiac sunfire that as ugly as it was, was still nicer looking than this.

I had one that was so cool it was called a "J2000."



Mine was a "notchback" four-door sedan, though. Needed them extra doors for the car seat...

[reedred]

That's uh... quite the hood scoop! Hope it was optional!

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by lostcause

This is about as plain looking as it gets. I had a pontiac sunfire that as ugly as it was, was still nicer looking than this.

Yes but the 92-96 SC2 was beautiful -- That is a 97 (which I have now) and they made it pretty boring. The red 94 I had was fantastic!

[1994SC2]

My moniker says it all...

[1994SC2]

And keep in mind that that is 1994 standards... at the time the Acura Integra some considered to be the hottest sports car with really sweet styling. That pic of my SC2 above was taken in 2006.

And yes the Sky is very reminscient of how it felt to drive my SC, take it or leave it you old-Saturn haters.

[Scottoj]

All I know is I dont want to be known as a "Saturn owner" but rather a "Sky owner", As well I have gone into the dealership a few times for minor things (license plates, front headlight not properly mounted) and they look at it like its a econo box. I asked them about some CAI and exhaust type things, and they are just not realizing its a sports roadster, again thinking its one of those SC2's or something.

Also the only resemblence of a integra to a SC2 is that they both have 2 doors and in your pics, well they are simular colors

[1994SC2]

Originally Posted by Scottoj

Also the only resemblence of a integra to a SC2 is that they both have 2 doors and in your pics, well they are simular colors

Im not trying to say they look alike at all, just that we can't judge an early 90's car by today's design standards.

[lostcause]

Even that 94 SC2 still looks odd to me. It reminds me of a platypus or duck's bill or something like that.

And I know what scott is talking about. The dealer I bought my sky from doesn't know anything about the car. they even told me it had run-flat tires on it. lol... And the service dept knows even less.

Anyway, and I realize it's very subjective, but I've never liked saturns (either appearance, price, reputation, etc..) and have never even considered buying one. I mean, literally, over the last 20 years when I've thought about what car to buy, a saturn was never a consideration. And considering my last car was a sunfire, that says something about the type of name recognition saturn has with many people. I went with the biggest POS pontiac makes and still didn't consider a saturn.

But...when I saw the sky before it even came out, I said "I gotta have me one of those!!!!!". I paid no attention to the saturn name. It was so different and unique that I didn't even really identify it with my perception of saturn.

[1994SC2]

With what everyone is saying many of you wanted the car regardless of its make, which is fine, but a history does come with the Saturn name and no matter how much you hate the old Saturns you very well likely will pull up next to a SW2 wagon one of these days and know that your badge is one of the same.

You don't have to like where it came from, nor even respect it, but you certainly can't deny it.

And lets get serious, GM isn't going to start turning Saturn retailers into performance shops any time soon. Even Corvette owners don't walk in to Chevy dealers expecting a wealth of knowledge and performance specialties. Our cars are good looking and have some kick but if you want to really work on performance your better off, like with many cars, going outside the manufacturer.

[joker70]

I have to agree I would have never in a million years looked at a saturn I was in the market for a countach but the one I wanted was on the east coast and my wife wouldn't let me go get it (so you know who wears the pants in this family) so when I saw this car I really liked it but I had trouble with the make and debatted for a long time over getting it or not I have to say I am glad that I did it is a fun car to drive and reminds me of my spitfire but I am still planing my escape....... one day

[richmcc]

I bought my first Saturn in 1998. I had an SL1, SL2, ION Quade Coupe before my Sky. I personally liked all of them. Well the SL's were not impressive looking. Everyone who has rode in one of mine, have complemented on how nice they rode.

The ION Quade Coupe was the first car I got unsolicited compliments on. I thought that was a sharp looking as anything in its class.

While, I realize the poor rep the Brand had, I was absolutely pleased with mine. I also had very little Warranty Repairs done any of them.

Saturns have always been great cars as far as I am considered.

[Robotech]

I think for me I had no stigma against the Saturn name and knew their dealerships were a cut above the rest. I even remember thinking "That's a great concept they have going there and I hear how wonderful it is to buy a car from them...too bad they have nothing I'd want to drive." Obviously that's all changed now.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

That center gauge cluster is hedious...I can tell u now...the designer was BLIND

I'm going to say this again. Mike, did you actually OWN an ION? If you didn't own one, you can stop talking about it now. The center guage IS odd for people who don't drive it regularly. For those of us who owned them...I wish I hadn't had to give it up. Besides, if you're saying the designer was blind, then you're saying that the TOYOTA designer was blind, because Toyota had them first. Honestly, once you've spent some time in an ION, the center cluster seems gorgeous. Makes the whole dash so much more symmetrical.

Originally Posted by 1994SC2

Im not trying to say they look alike at all, just that we can't judge an early 90's car by today's design standards.

I agree 100%. The S-series car was a good design in the early to mid 90s. Quite similar to a lot of other styles out there. Granted, Saturn waited WAY too long to update the design, and by the late 90s and early 2000s, it was definitely a little out-dated. Overall though, it was still a great, economy design, and did quite well early on.

[bobfred44]

Originally Posted by belletire

Prior to the Sky, there has never been a Saturn I would ever consider buying. I thought they were all hitious.

Now I like the Sky and the Outlook. The Aura is just too boring, but compared to vehicle in it's class it's a great car.

You need to drive the new Aura first. You may not consider it boring after that.

[Caramel_guy]

Originally Posted by joker70

I have to agree I would have never in a million years looked at a saturn I was in the market for a countach but the one I wanted was on the east coast and my wife wouldn't let me go get it (so you know who wears the pants in this family) so when I saw this car I really liked it but I had trouble with the make and debatted for a long time over getting it or not I have to say I am glad that I did it is a fun car to drive and reminds me of my spitfire but I am still planing my escape....... one day

..."Everything goes great with Caramel"

...WAIT-A-SEC...You were in the market for a $100,000 plus, exotic sports car....but instead "settled" for a $30,000 Saturn SKY..?..................... .......??......I'm not sure (if I were you) ..I'd even bother to relate this story..as it is somewhat UNBELIEVABLE)...............

....................(marketing research indicates that FOLKS..in the market for PLUS + $70,000 AUTO's, products etc...are also EQUALLY driven by BRAND NAME RECONITION .,....and LAMBHORGINI to "Saturn"..is a dramatic DROP...)

PS...Most "exotic" cars purchased over-state-lines...are put on FLAT BED TRUCKS..so much so..that usually the transportation cost is covered in the price.......

......Nevertheless...I hope ur enjoying your REDLINE....as much as I am.!

[chloejeanette]

Originally Posted by random_fool

as for the new saturns, i like the new aura quite a bit. exterior is very understated yet elegant, the interior fittings a cut above gm normal, though still below the german and japanese. i think its actually a viable american alternative to accords and camrys.

I like the Auras as well. I was at the dealership today and looked at one- I think it'd make a good car for the winters when I can't drive my Sky.

I like Saturns. My first car when I was 16 was a brand new 1996 SL2 that my parents gave me. I loved that car. It wasn't sporty, but at that time where I lived there weren't any Saturn dealerships nearby...so I essentially had the first Saturn in town for a good year or two. We had to buy ours from Minneapolis, which was a few hours away. And I got a lot of, "What is that?" comments at that time from it. I know! An SL2.

I just thought it was a great car for what it was, though. Then again, I was only 16.

But all I know is that I get the same feeling (and THEN some) from my Sky.

[belletire]

Originally Posted by bobfred44

You need to drive the new Aura first. You may not consider it boring after that.

Nah, exterior styling is everything to me. I don't care about the interior's "fit & finish" nor if it's a quiet ride. To me, it still just a boring sedan.

[Superman]

Well, apparently, people who really matter think the Aura's styling is quite good in comparison with the competitors in it's class. Otherwise, it wouldn't have won the NAIAS NA Car of the Year award. For what it's worth, comparing the styling of a sedan to a coupe, or to a sports car, or to a mini-van really isn't a valid argument, as they are supposed to be different. I personally think the styling of the Aura, in comparison to other mid-sized sedans, is very nice. Not to mention that the rest of the Aura package is great in comparison as well.

Gotta remember to compare apples to apples.