Matthew Keegan asked:




There are a lot of smaller stories to tell coming out of the main story of General Motors' painful restructuring. Most of them are well known - union workers losing their jobs, white collar staff axed, dealerships closing and several brands facing a likely demise. But, there are many lesser known stories that don't get the attention that they deserve for the simple reason that they impact a smaller group of people. In the media, numbers drive the news business which is why current owners of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters are not getting the attention that they deserve.

Roadster Enthusiasts Left Out In The Cold

Why is it important for Sky and Solstice enthusiasts to have their voices heard? Because, both models are facing GM's ax as their respective brands are closed down or sold off. True, GM could move these attractive models over to another division as both Buick and Chevrolet dealers would love to call these cars their own. However, given GM's current economic plight, allowing these models to die seems to be the only approach unless another automaker makes a bid for the Wilmington, Delaware factory that builds these cars.

The Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are essentially the same car with slightly different exterior styling. The Solstice was introduced for the 2006 model year while the Sky arrived for the 2007 model year. Opel and Daewoo versions of the car are also being sold, expanding the roadster's reach to several important markets. And one important word of note concerning the Solstice - a hard top targa version became available with the 2009 model year, a point of distinction exclusive to that model.

After Production Comes To A Halt

For owners of any orphan car, the quest to maintain their rides long after production has ceased becomes ever more challenging as the years pass by. For Solstice and Sky owners, they'll have a global network to tap which includes Opel GT and Daewoo G2X owners, but eventually it'll be become more difficult to source needed parts. On the other hand, having a distinct roadster that was only built for a few brief years can work to the owner's advantage as resale prices will eventually hit bottom and for customized versions of these cars they could quickly rebound.

But all may not be lost for Sky and Solstice fans as GM has said that they are open to selling the Wilmington plant that produces these cars. Any number of companies could be interested in the roadster line, but the best bet would be an automaker who doesn't have a US presence yet such as one from China. Or, if the right offer came forth GM could sell the dyes, moldings, parts and related material needed to build the cars, allowing future models to be built overseas.

It may be a few more months before the final fate of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky are known. Meanwhile, enthusiasts will be consoling themselves through online message boards, meet ups and other fan gatherings in a bid keep the fire lit for their favorite rides.

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Armand Jusuf asked:




James Bond had it, now you want it. A remote car starter allows a driver to turn-on the ignition of his car from a distance. Sure, maybe it's not on your 007 wristwatch, but there are a number of solutions out there from companies like Crimestopper, Audiovox, Directed, Viper, and Python.

So what can you do with these remote engine starters? The primary purpose for remote starters is convenience. You could warm up your car that is out in frigid weather while you're staying warm indoors. You could also do the same in blistering hot weather; remotely turn-on your engine with the A/C switch on so that it's nice and cool by the time you get in. Another purpose for remote ignition is security reasons. Whether you're a male or a female, it's always nice to have your car ready to go whenever you are, especially when you are in shady parts of town. And of course, the last purpose to having remote starters is the show-off factor because it completes the true wow-element of your vehicle. After all, who doesn't want to show off like James Bond?

There are a few things to be mindful of. Virtually every remote car start kit includes vehicle security and of course with that, they include some kind of remote. The pricing on these remote start security systems depend mostly on the abilities of the remote. I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. In essence, the price is based upon how smart your system is.

The more buttons the remote has, the more money it'll cost, because the more buttons usually mean more programmable functions such as keyless entry, arm/disarm, delayed starts, valet mode, and multi-tone activation. Another consideration is the ability for the system to communicate 2-way rather than just the typical 1-way. Think of your remote as your pager. 2-Way remotes allow the system to not only be controlled remotely by the user but also communicate to the user any disturbance to the car. This is crucial if you're dining out or shopping at the mall and your car is out of your sight. 2-Way remotes typically features a small LCD display to tell you exactly what's going on and they usually have obvious indicators to represent different things on your car that is disturbed (if your car is equipped with the sensors). Some systems indicate glass-breakage indicators or vicinity alarms to specify exact disturbances.

Another crucial aspect to consider is of course the range of your remote. Please remember that just because a product say that they feature a max range of 6000ft. means it's always going to be consistently 6000ft. Conditions would have to be perfect to reach that kind of consistency and range. The longest range I've heard anyone had for these systems is around 1500ft. that's about ¼ of a mile. This is great range for you since you could walk around for ¼ mile and not have to worry about your precious car.

Lastly, remember that once you wire your vehicle up for remote ignition, it is possible for thieves to steal your remote's code and frequency allowing them to impersonate you through their remote and driving off with your car. Though the possibility of this is unlikely, it is still possible. Some systems feature code-hopping countermeasures, allowing your system to change codes frequently to prevent thieves from finding the same exact code your system use for arming and disarming the system-giving an astronomically impossible combination of codes to be deciphered. Again with this added feature, expect the price to be higher.

In summary, I would suggest that you find a remote car starter system that is adequate for your needs. If you do want features, keep in mind that for each additional feature, there will be additional costs. I hope I have helped you in your decision making process. Good luck!

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Matthew Keegan asked:




General Motors launched a set of **** roadsters a few years back under the Saturn and Pontiac banners. The Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice along with the Opel GT and Daewoo G2X were developed to bring excitement to each brand, two-seat rear wheel drive sports models with a flair for styling.

Alas, the fortunes of the Saturn Sky and its siblings appears to be coming to a quick end. GM Inside News, an independent voice that analyzes the big automaker, is hinting that the Sky will be no more, exiting the scene in the very near future.

Let's take a look at the reasons why the Sky will likely be no more:

Too Expensive To Build - The Sky's Kappa II platform is too expensive to build. In fact, if reports are correct, the automaker is losing at least $10,000 on each vehicle sold. Never a significant seller, the Sky is an attractive and fun model, but trails the Mazda MX-5 Miata in most rankings.

GM Is Bleeding Cash - General Motors is bleeding through cash this year, at a rate much higher than they thought possible at the beginning of the year. With gas prices topping $4 per gallon, the automaker is scrambling to switch over to a fuel efficient fleet, trimming low performing and expensive inventory in the process.

High Gas Prices Have Changed Everything - In times past when GM could absorb the losses on the Sky, Solstice, GT, and G2X, lower gas prices kept demand for its profitable SUVs and big pickup trucks high. These bigger vehicles are the most profitable for GM and could offset the loss from selling the little roadsters. No more. With sales plummeting, GM has few golden models to rely upon to bolster its line up of loss leading, image roadsters.

Though the Sky isn't a pig on fuel, cash strapped consumers who can still afford a new car are going with much more fuel efficient and practical models. In heady economic times a roadster would sell, but these times are anything but that.

It is unfortunate to hear that the Sky, Solstice, GT, and G2X will be cut, but given the fortunes of General Motors, it seems to be a wise decision from a business point of view.

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Matthew Keegan asked:




After months of nonstop hype, the 2007 Saturn SKY is now entering dealer showrooms. This two seat roadster marks an important turning point for the Saturn brand long identified with building nondescript, but dependable vehicles. With an MSRP of $23,690, the SKY is certain to sell for several thousand dollars over the dealer's sticker price as demand is expected to far exceed capacity. Let's examine the Saturn brand and the car behind the hype to see if the SKY was worth the wait.

Since Saturn's first cars became available in 1990, the brand has attracted a loyal following of owners who liked the company's simplicity and consumer friendly dealer network. Indeed, Saturn's "no haggle" pricing revolutionized the relationship between dealer and customer changing the typical adversarial business transaction into a partnership benefiting buyer and seller alike.

Originally, Saturn was established as a separate company, but wholly owned by General Motors. The idea behind Saturn was that the company would build import fighting small cars to compete against the likes of Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, made with "ding proof" polymer side panels was an immediate hit and Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons for nearly a decade before a second, larger model was introduced.

The dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually died and the brand was brought into the GM fold to be managed much like Chevrolet, Buick, etc. are today. Indeed, the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, which was exclusively designed to build Saturn vehicles remains in business, but many of the division's cars are now being built elsewhere including the SKY.

So, the SKY has caught your attention, has it? Who could blame you? Pictures of the SKY have been circulating heavily online for months and it is certainly an attractive vehicle. Based on GM's new Kappa platform, the SKY shares some components with the earlier released Pontiac Solstice, another two seat roadster. The SKY, however, has its own look with a very pronounced fender peak and sleek body style. Here are some of the attributes of the SKY:

- Front engine, rear drive, two seat roadster

- 50/50 front/rear weight distribution

- Manually operated cloth covered top folds down into the trunk

- Front pivoting hood

- 2.4L I4 engine producing 177 h.p. paired with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission

- 18 inch wheels; 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS

- Power galore: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.

The SKY was priced and designed to compete against two other roadsters, the Honda S2000 and Mazda's Miata. Although the SKY is technically a sister car to the Solstice, it appears that it is better suited to compete against the Japanese brands as the Saturn roadster comes fully equipped and incorporates a sleeker body design. Taking nothing away from the Pontiac, the SKY is definitely the more competitive of the two.

For Saturn, the SKY improves the brand's image immeasurably. Much in the way that the Corvette is a "halo" car for Chevrolet the SKY will be the same for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10-12,000 vehicles annually and purchasing a SKY will likely mean buyers paying well over sticker price for their car. Indeed, some reports are indicating dealer mark ups as high as $5000 in the face of stiff demand.

Beyond the SKY, Saturn will also be introducing a second new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan borrows heavily from GM's European division, Opel, and incorporates the bold design of SKY in its front end.

Yes, the days of being known as a builder of compact plastic cars in Tennessee is over; a new Saturn is rising and if all the hoopla related to the SKY is any indication, Saturn's future is certainly very promising.

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Matthew Keegan asked:




Step back in time with me if you would, about 20 years to be precise, to an era when automaker General Motors was busy making plans for their all new company, Saturn. This wasn't to be just another GM division mind you as Saturn was created as a separate import fighting company meant to take on the likes of Toyota and Honda. By 1990, the first Saturn cars rolled off a bucolic Tennessee countryside assembly line signaling a new cooperation between workers and management. Immediately, the funky little "S Series" of sedans, wagons, and coupes were a hit and GM was soon lauded for taking a bold initiative.

Today, Saturn is much different from the brand that took on Japan's top automakers. Instead of being a separate, wholly owned car company the make is now one of General Motors' many automotive divisions. The S Series sold well and the introduction of subsequent models helped the brand, but ultimately parent GM decided to pull the company within the General's fold as it chose to close down Oldsmobile instead. Current models being sold by Saturn are much different from what was originally offered, but the company has managed to keep one huge attribute that originally propelled the brand forward: people are first. Let's take a look at Saturn's current line up and the vehicles soon to be introduced.

ION - After a decade of service, the S Series was retired in favor of the comparably sized ION. Unlike the S Series, the ION does not include a wagon, but it does include a four door coupe and sedan. Unfortunately, the car is not very competitive with similar models and GM is looking at an Opel-inspired car to take its place by the end of this decade.

VUE - A recent makeover has kept the VUE, Saturn's small SUV, competitive. In addition, a pending hybrid model is expected to strengthen the line and talk of an all new compact model showing up in 2009 has the auto world abuzz.

RELAY - Saturn's first minivan is a clone to models sold by Chevrolet and Buick. Unlike earlier Saturn models which featured polymer side impact panels [to limit dents], the RELAY is all sheet metal and simply a copy of other divisions' vehicles. Still, the RELAY has filled an important hole in the Saturn line up by offering a larger vehicle for loyal Saturn owners.

SKY - Forget what you might have thought about Saturn previously. The SKY roadster is a hit for one big reason: it is absolutely ****. Sharing components with the Pontiac Solstice, the SKY has radically transformed the brand's image all by itself. Priced under $25,000, the SKY is competitive with the Mazda Miata and is a low cost alternative to the BMW Z4.

AURA - Another vehicle built to battle the division's bland image, the AURA steps in to the midsize category replacing the L Series which was discontinued two years earlier. Based on GM's Epsilon platform, the AURA borrows heavily from GM's German division -- Opel - while incorporating a style and design that favors the Saturn SKY.

OUTLOOK - To be introduced before the end of 2006, the OUTLOOK will be Saturn's first bigger SUV. Although considered to be a "crossover" by many, the OUTLOOK is a 7 passenger SUV meant to complement the smaller VUE. With the addition of the OUTLOOK in the Saturn fold, GM will take a break before tinkering with the Saturn line up.

Truly, Saturn of 2007 will look much different from Saturn of the 1990s. For years, Saturn dealers were content to sell only one model - the S Series - but today's Saturn is going well beyond all of that. With a hybrid VUE in the line up and other variations of existing models also being planned, the once spartan Saturn line up is nearly filled to capacity. This is great news for Saturn loyalists looking for choices beyond the base models and a promise that GM is investing money in its import fighting division.

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Glady Reign asked:




The attention given by General Motors to Saturn was repaid after the brand performed well and helped the automaker increase its May sales compared to last year. The quality offered by Saturn cars tied General Motors with the Toyota Motor Corporation for the fourth place in the Strategic Vision annual quality survey. General Motors and Toyota both trail Volkswagen AG, Nissan Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.

The study, which placed General Motors and Toyota tied for fourth, was conducted by Strategic Vision, a research firm based in California. Last year, General Motors finished fifth in the survey.

The Saturn brand in this year's survey finished fifth among the 21 non-luxury brands in the United States auto market. Last year, the brand finished eighth. The brand trails Volkswagen, Nissan, GMC, and Honda brands in this year's survey. One of the reasons for the improvement of Saturn on the list is their Saturn Aura model which bested popular Asian cars in its segment which are the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord, and the Nissan Altima.

For the past years, General Motors has been criticized for almost neglecting the Saturn brand. Recently though, the Detroit-based car manufacturer introduced new vehicles to Saturn's lineup to attract and lure in more car buyers. Aside from the Aura, the Saturn Outlook, with its European styling and reliable parts such as Saturn spark plugs, is a concrete example of Saturn's revitalized lineup. In the past, Saturn capitalized on their good customer relations but suffered from dwindling sales as their lineup did not offer much choices and options to consumers.

Instead of just relying on the dealership experience, which they have done for some time, Alexander Edwards says, "We're going to come out with products that are going to blow everybody away." Alexander Edwards is the president of Strategic Vision Inc. The firm tapped 27,000 United States car buyers to get their views on the particular car brands that they have bought or are looking to buy the next time they need a car.

According to Kyle Johnson, the director of Saturn communications, the result of the survey reflects the findings of General Motors' internal research on the Saturn brand. He added that they are "competing at a different level" with the release of their new lineup. Last year, they offered the Saturn Aura and the Saturn Sky and following the release of those cars, Saturn introduced the full size crossover SUV Saturn Outlook. Johnson pointed out the improvements that their current lineup has over their past models saying that: "The interiors have been refined, the handling improved and the body panels, which were dent-resistant plastic in the past, are now steel, allowing for better fits."

The Saturn brand posted the highest increase in sale for the month of May. The brand posted an increase of 69 percent compared to last year's May sales. The brand posted the highest increase in sales of all auto brands in the United States auto market. The May 2007 sales also marked the most number of cars that the brand has sold for a month in its entire history. With its increasing popularity among car buyers and the level of its quality, Saturn is emerging as a strong contender in the United States auto market.

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Matthew Keegan asked:




General Motors' Saturn division is one of the few bright spots for the troubled U.S. automaker. As of this writing, the parent company is in the midst of plant closings, massive layoffs, and big losses. Bankruptcy may be the ultimate "out" for GM, but even if the company doesn't choose that route, big changes are coming nevertheless. Fortunately, the Saturn division is one of the few bright spots for the legendary automaker as are Cadillac, GMC, and select models including the Corvette and the company's big trucks. For Saturn, there is a certain "AURA" about the division both in model name as well as in sensation.

Step back two decades and General Motors is all abuzz over a new car company in the process of being created: Saturn. As a wholly owned subsidiary of GM, Saturn was designed to take on Japanese rivals Toyota and Honda by building compact cars that American drivers really wanted and could rely upon. It worked. For most of the 1990s, the "S Series" was the sole model for Saturn; available in coupe, sedan, and wagon, the S Series achieved cult status and had a loyal following of owners who regularly congregated for meets at Spring Hill, TN where the cars were built. Even when the vehicles' design aged, the S Series maintained its high status with Saturn aficionados.

By the late 1990s, two new lines of vehicles were added to the Saturn brand. The VUE, became the company's sport utility vehicle while the "L Series" was the first large Saturn. In reality, the "L" was a midsize car as it was heavily derived from a model sold by GM's European division, Opel. With the latter model, Saturn hoped to provide the larger vehicle that S Series owners desired. Unfortunately, sales figures barely exceeded half of the quota anticipated by Saturn, so after a few years the model was retired.

Today, Saturn is no longer a separate company. With the demise of Oldsmobile, Saturn is now a full fledged division of General Motors. While some see this move as a bad thing, it has resulted in new products for the brand.

Soon after the L Series was retired, the RELAY was introduced. As the first Saturn model built on a U.S. G.M. platform, the 7 passenger people mover was a far cry from previous models. Still, the vehicle has filled a gaping hole in the Saturn line up.

Just this past Spring the SKY was introduced, an upscale limited production convertible. To say that the car has been received with gladness is an understatement. Quite frankly, the SKY is the "halo" car needed by Saturn, but fortunately the division isn't stopping there.

Although the L Series was a flop, GM is once again turning to its Opel division to produce a car. Combining Opel styling with a U.S. G.M. platform, the AURA sedan will be rolling into a showroom near you very soon.

So, what is so special about the AURA? Its good looks! Although it is nearly impossible to describe the vehicle without showing you a picture, the AURA is simply one imposing car. Although a sedan, the AURA is sporty looking with a grille that is not too far removed from the new SKY. With a 3.6L V6 engine mated to a six speed automatic transmission, the 250 h.p. AURA will definitely compete with the Camry, Accord, and Maxima for sales as well as for performance leadership. Throw in 19 inch wheels, a sporty interior, and responsive handling and the AURA just begs to be driven.

The best part of the AURA is that it isn't the L Series, a car criticized for being too bland and uninspiring. One look at the AURA and you can see that Saturn got it right this time.

Prices for the AURA haven't been announced yet, but you can expect fully loaded models to retail below $25,000 well within the range of its competition.

Will the AURA succeed? Well, it has too! Look for Saturn to do all that it can to make sure that the model is marketed to those who would buy one: the cross section of the North American populace. Yes, Saturn has turned a corner and hopefully the same came be said for the entire company.

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Matthew Keegan asked:




Somebody at General Motors must love Saturn. One hundred year old Oldsmobile was killed off in favor of bringing the Saturn brand in-house. Up until the early part of this decade, Saturn was a separate automaker, wholly owned by GM. Now, as a bonafide GM division, the Saturn line is finally getting some much needed new models including the Sky roadster, the focus of this preview.

In the early 1990s, dent resistant polymer cars with the "S" designation began to roll of a factory line of a new plant located in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Several things were unusual about the project. The first was the company: Saturn. As a wholly owned but separately managed GM company, the Saturn initially escaped GM's often overbearing culture and began to produce cars on its own far removed from Detroit. The second unusual point about the company was the cars itself: compact, import-fighting models designed to withstand the onslaught from Japan of low priced, high quality cars. Available in coupe, sedan, and wagon the cars quickly caught on in part for their engineering as well as for their "no hassle, no haggle" pricing. The sticker price on the car was the price customers paid, making a visit to the Saturn show room a pleasure and not a chore.

As time has passed, the S series grew old and was replaced by the compact ION series. In addition, a midsized sedan and wagon, the L series, briefly served as the "larger" car in Saturn's extremely limited line up beginning in the late 1990s. The L series, based on an Opel platform, was retired in 2004 and replaced by a 7 passenger crossover vehicle, the RELAY. In addition, Saturn had introduced an SUV, the VUE, which is still in production today.

All of this translates into a limited line up, too limited in fact to compete successfully with other car lines. Enter the Saturn Sky.

The Saturn Sky, much like the already introduced Pontiac Solstice is a two seat roadster. Based on GM's new Delta series platform, the Sky, which will officially make its debut next spring as a 2007 model does something that no other Saturn has ever done: generate excitement.

Similar in size and looks to Honda's S2000 Roadster, the Sky will come equipped with 18 inch alloy wheels, a manually operated soft top, a reverse opening clamshell hood, leather bucket seats, and four wheel anti-locking brakes. Standard engine will be a 2.4 170hp I4 paired with either a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission.

Prices for the new Sky should come in at several thousand dollars higher than the Pontiac Solstice as the Sky is targeted and equipped slightly upmarket. MSRP starting around 25 thousand dollars is likely; only 10-12,000 models will be produced annually.

Other models are being planned for Saturn, but the Sky represents a fresh departure from what has long been perceived by many as a staid moniker. Judging by many published reports, the Sky is a step in the right direction and we can only hope that the other new models planned for Saturn generate at least half the hype of the Sky.

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