What to ask Saturn [questions for my trip]

[1994SC2]

Id be curious how much they monitor forums like ours, in particular do we have much influence on what may make future changes or pointers that the manufacturer and dealer should know about.

(though the plant may be too high level for this kind of question)

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by nscrbug

1. Are there any plans to make BOTH the driver's and passenger's windows "auto" up AND down? Currently the driver's window is only auto down...would be nice if both were auto up AND down.

2. Has there or will there be any permanent factory fix for the problem of squeaking (early VIN #'s) tops when down inside the trunk? There were many "homemade" fixes to remedy this problem...but was wondering if a factory fix was in the future?

I think you can not have any auto UP windows (strangulation/decapitation risks)

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by 1994SC2

Id be curious how much they monitor forums like ours, in particular do we have much influence on what may make future changes or pointers that the manufacturer and dealer should know about.

(though the plant may be too high level for this kind of question)

This one is a gimme - and I want to get as close to the "top" as I can with this -- including, perhaps, someone who gets updates on a regular basis and can pass question "up" on a regular basis -- say a Product Brand Advocate?

[reedred]

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

I think you can not have any auto UP windows (strangulation/decapitation risks)

They're in many cars now, including Hynudai Sonata, Honda Element, and Toyota Solara Convertible, which would tell me it's not something that can only be done with a fixed roof. It's also apparently one of the most popular mods for the Mini Cooper (Kappasphere, I'm talking to you! ).

While investigating this, I saw a review of the new Suburban that complained of the same thing, so GM has to be aware on some level that people want this. At the very least, Auto down on the passenger side is definitely a reasonable request. I don't remember complaining about this before, but it definitely works my nerves on a consistent basis.

[GMguy74]

Rick, I'd appreciate you bringing up the fact that Saturn, now a division of General Motors, is still not accepting the GM Card Earnings. Will this be changed, and soon? Thanks!

[xmicro_Redline]

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

I think you can not have any auto UP windows (strangulation/decapitation risks)

Had it on my 1999 VW Passat V6. Awesome feature. It has something called "pinch protection". If you stick your hand or anything else at the top of the window frame it will come up, hit your hand and go back down. Really nice if you are moving, flick and go!
Should be standard on all cars!

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by xmicro_Redline

Had it on my 1999 VW Passat V6. Awesome feature. It has something called "pinch protection". If you stick your hand or anything else at the top of the window frame it will come up, hit your hand and go back down. Really nice if you are moving, flick and go!
Should be standard on all cars!

I guess the technology has caught up with the mechanics

[Ernest]

How about HUD? I just love ZOE's, would be great if the SKY's had it.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by GMguy74

Rick, I'd appreciate you bringing up the fact that Saturn, now a division of General Motors, is still not accepting the GM Card Earnings. Will this be changed, and soon? Thanks!

I did not add this to the general list, but I have a small list that I have for some specialists (in this case, finance) this is on that list. I first have to find out what discounts etc are Corporate and which are local -- EG the GM Supplier is strictly controlled at the dealer level - You may qualify and even get a code # but the dealer has the option to accept or adjust the discount. We'll see where card earnings fall out.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Originally Posted by Ernest

How about HUD? I just love ZOE's, would be great if the SKY's had it.

Ernest, I'll fit this into the "future options, improvements" question.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

Ernest, I'll fit this into the "future options, improvements" question.

Thanks, it is a great option when you get used to it

[cruzned]

Rick: I've been lurking on this forum for quite some time, as well as the competitors forums and have yet to get a sky or solstice, but after doing some research, I found the GXP Solstice and the Sky Redline to be the sure winners. Now they just have to figure out how to improve trunk space in some way if at all possible. A fully loaded MX5 hardtop goes for approximately $31,128.00 but unfortunately gets only 160HP...boo hoo; The Honda S2000 is amazing in looks and style but alas, for its $36,000.00 loaded price tag, you only get 237HP; The Solstice GXP and Sky Redline are exact in pricing and are around $31,843.00 fully loaded, if you want to pay MSRP, which I don't. The deciding factor for me was tires, which were considerably cheaper for the sky and solstice. Hoda does get pluses for dealer installation of tires that meet or beat tire racks prices. My chevy dealer wanted nearly three times as much for tires on my SSR. What should you ask those big wigs? Ask them if they can exercise some kind of control over tire prices on GM vehicles at dealers or they will never get our business. It's only a matter of time befor I get my sky or sol, but I would love to see that bright orange metallic offered (the copper color). Ask them what future colors they have in mind. Ask them to improve the way the top latches so that it is not so fragile and easily broken. To me, the quality and endurance of the latch mechanisms on the top is of extreme importance and there is certainly room for improvement there. Hope this helps. Will continue to watch all these sports car forums with great interest! You got a winner here with the sky and solstice!

[nscrbug]

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

I think you can not have any auto UP windows (strangulation/decapitation risks)

Sorry for jumping in late on this...but yeah, my 1999 VW Beetle had auto up and down windows...and so does our 2003 Nissan Murano, so the feature does exist. Sure would like to see it on our Skys in the near future.

[Graysky]

Originally Posted by nscrbug

Sorry for jumping in late on this...but yeah, my 1999 VW Beetle had auto up and down windows...and so does our 2003 Nissan Murano, so the feature does exist. Sure would like to see it on our Skys in the near future.

My 1995 Jaguar XJ6 had this feature

[vstar]

Now you have to ask about the possibilty of a 300hp version.....

[cerberus]

Originally Posted by vstar

Now you have to ask about the possibilty of a 300hp version.....

Speaking of which, I guess we should adjust the question to how will Lutz's recent statement that RWD development, including 300HP kappas, is on hold impact Saturn's future plans? Or something along the lines of how will the future kappa platform hold up as GM watches CAFE standards. RTP, you're the wordsmith here, find out what what we're looking at down the road with our present and possible future models.

[richm]

Rich, I will be at the Saturn Brand Advocate meeting and so will Wally from Atlanta. We should connect early and talk about a national car club.

[GMguy74]

Thanks Rick! It's great that the finance people should know that this is a concern, but make sure you bring this all the way up to the top - Jill L. needs to know that this is a concern among loyal GM owners.

This is a Corporate-backed program. You have to contact GM/The GM Card tos ee what the allowable vehicles are and what, if any, limits are placed depending on your type of card. Every GM dealership (besides Saturn, and I believe Hummer & Saab too) have accepted these earnings for a LONG time. And it really doesn't impact the dealers - they get the entire allowed amount back from GM regardless.

This is something that bothers me about GM & Saturn. First they were a subsidary, so no program allowed. Now they're a division, recently converted to the GM Ordering System, share vehicles & components with other GM vehicles, and have been incorporated into GM advertising for the last 2-3 years. What's the hold-up with the GM Card Earnings?*

*Not ranting at you here Rick - just ticked off Saturn still isn't allowing this program.

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

I did not add this to the general list, but I have a small list that I have for some specialists (in this case, finance) this is on that list. I first have to find out what discounts etc are Corporate and which are local -- EG the GM Supplier is strictly controlled at the dealer level - You may qualify and even get a code # but the dealer has the option to accept or adjust the discount. We'll see where card earnings fall out.

[richm]

I can't really imagine that Saturn wants this meeting to turn into a Sky wish list session. Mostly I was told that this meeting is to solidify support from people who have already demostrated some amount of Saturn brand loyalty. If there is a question, what they appear to want to know is, "What can they do to create even more brand loyalty?"

Nearly everybody on this forum already bought a Sky, so the question is, what what is it about your understanding of "Satu