I have a POS Saturn

[tarheelmm]

I took my car in for service. A 97 SAturn SL1. The service engine light was on and the car shook when hitting the brakes. Well I just got a call saying that the catalytic converter is bad and that Saturn does not have an after market on it. The cost?? $656!! Thats like a tenth of the cars value. I will never ever never buy another Saturn

 

[iamwiz82]

uhhh... you are getting screwed pretty badly. Catalytic converters are covered under a seperate warranty due to emissions laws and I would be suprised if yours was up, unless you have a ton of miles on it. Any muffler shop can install a $50 cat. converter.


EDIT: There is no way that your brakes were effected by that. The brake issue is probably a warpped rotor.

 

[DnetMHZ]

I have a POS Saturn

That's fairly redundant, no? .... sorry.. someone was going to say it eventually

 

[alm99]

Welcome to the POS Saturn world, I am in the same boat, so how much oil does your saturn use every 3000 miles?

 

[CraigRT]

these cars when they were released were SUPPOSE to be reliable... but not too many people are utterly satisfised it seems.. some are, most aren't..

 

[tarheelmm]

Originally posted by: alm99
Welcome to the POS Saturn world, I am in the same boat, so how much oil does your saturn use every 3000 miles?

Actually, it doesnt burn too much oil. Car runs hot as hell though

 

[alm99]

How hot is hot? Mine is usually between 1/4 and 1/2 while driving, while sitting parked for a long period of time it will go up to 3/4 before the fan kicks on and brings it back down to 1/2 mark.

 

[tarheelmm]

About what mine runs, fan doesnt always come on it seems.

 

[Jzero]

(2) Specified major emission control components



In the case of a specified major emission control component, the warranty period for new light-duty trucks and new light-duty vehicles and engines manufactured in the model year 1995 and thereafter for purposes of subsection (a)(1) of this section and subsection (b) of this section shall be 8 years or 80,000 miles of use (whichever first occurs). As used in this paragraph, the term ''specified major emission control component'' means only a catalytic converter, an electronic emissions control unit, and an onboard emissions diagnostic device, except that the Administrator may designate any other pollution control device or component as a specified major emission control component if -

(A)

the device or component was not in general use on vehicles and engines manufactured prior to the model year 1990; and

(B)

the Administrator determines that the retail cost (exclusive of installation costs) of such device or component exceeds $200 (in 1989 dollars), adjusted for inflation or deflation as calculated by the Administrator at the time of such determination.


For purposes of this paragraph, the term ''onboard emissions diagnostic device'' means any device installed for the purpose of storing or processing emissions related diagnostic information, but not including any parts or other systems which it monitors except specified major emissions control components. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to provide that any part (other than a part referred to in the preceding sentence) shall be required to be warranted under this chapter for the period of 8 years or 80,000 miles referred to in this paragraph.

From United States Code Title 42, Chapter 85, Subchapter II, Part A, § 7541 (i)

 

[tarheelmm]

Turned 80K about 7 months ago.

 

[stebesplace]

Saturn cars are not to my likes because i feel they are made cheaply. They have bad warentees to.

 

[LAUST]

You need to utilize that "GM" = Generic Motors $650? for a CAT... just looking at the one site I go to for Trucks (Truckperformance) I already found one for $250 for the Saturn 1.9L. Drop by an exhaust shop instead of a dealer, I'm sure they can hook you up for FAR less then that.

I bought a high flow from Dr. Gas for my Brothers 454 Suburban and put it on, got it for $280 for one rated for a 8400lbs+ GVWR

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: tarheelmm
Turned 80K about 7 months ago.

Ouch.

 

[StageLeft]

That sucks, but if otherwise your car has been reliable throughout its life that's not SO bad.

 

[tarheelmm]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That sucks, but if otherwise your car has been reliable throughout its life that's not SO bad.

I already sank about $2500 in prior to this, on O2 sensor, brakes, fuel system, exhaust, etc.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: tarheelmm

Originally posted by: Skoorb
That sucks, but if otherwise your car has been reliable throughout its life that's not SO bad.

I already sank about $2500 in prior to this, on O2 sensor, brakes, fuel system, exhaust, etc.

give it another 10k and expect to pay $700 for a new timing chain kit installed along with two motor mounts. If its and auto, expect the torque valve and screws to blow out causing a LOUD bang from park to reverse and slippage from 1st to 2nd, cost $250. Had two alternators go. Only paid for one after bitching because I was 1K over the warranty on it and the wanted to charge me another $350-400 for it.

 

[tarheelmm]

give it another 10k and expect to pay $700 for a new timing chain kit installed along with two motor mounts. If its and auto, expect the torque valve and screws to blow out causing a LOUD bang from park to reverse and slippage from 1st to 2nd, cost $250. Had two alternators go. Only paid for one after bitching because I was 1K over the warranty on it and the wanted to charge me another $350-400 for it.

ugh

 

[RossMAN]

Not to rain in on your parade but I'm glad that I didn't buy a Saturn.

Last year Saturn was selling brand new 2002 Saturn SL's for $9,995, I came very close to buying one, even put down a $500 refundable deposit ... after I came to my senses, I bought a 2002 Honda Accord SE yes it cost $7,244 more than the Saturn but it's worth every last penny. So I drove into the dealership with my new my car, they knew that I wanted my deposit refunded.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Not to rain in on your parade but I'm glad that I didn't buy a Saturn.

Last year Saturn was selling brand new 2002 Saturn SL's for $9,995, I came very close to buying one, even put down a $500 refundable deposit ... after I came to my senses, I bought a 2002 Honda Accord SE yes it cost $7,244 more than the Saturn but it's worth every last penny. So I drove into the dealership with my new my car, they knew that I wanted my deposit refunded.

thanks, you left us Saturn owners all warm and fuzzy.....

 

[WinkOsmosis]

That's what you get for not researching the car before buying.

 

[Stifko]

Can't you run it w/out a Cat and get inspected under the table ? If you know what I mean....

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: alm99

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Not to rain in on your parade but I'm glad that I didn't buy a Saturn.

Last year Saturn was selling brand new 2002 Saturn SL's for $9,995, I came very close to buying one, even put down a $500 refundable deposit ... after I came to my senses, I bought a 2002 Honda Accord SE yes it cost $7,244 more than the Saturn but it's worth every last penny. So I drove into the dealership with my new my car, they knew that I wanted my deposit refunded.

thanks, you left us Saturn owners all warm and fuzzy.....

Why you're welcome

 

[blahblah99]

Originally posted by: alm99
How hot is hot? Mine is usually between 1/4 and 1/2 while driving, while sitting parked for a long period of time it will go up to 3/4 before the fan kicks on and brings it back down to 1/2 mark.

Are all saturns like that? The temp gauges aren't suppose to move around like that.

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: blahblah99

Originally posted by: alm99
How hot is hot? Mine is usually between 1/4 and 1/2 while driving, while sitting parked for a long period of time it will go up to 3/4 before the fan kicks on and brings it back down to 1/2 mark.

Are all saturns like that? The temp gauges aren't suppose to move around like that.

apparently mine and tarheels does, I don't know if they are supposed to or not, but its the first car I've had thats done this.

 

[Kerouactivist]

Originally posted by: alm99
Welcome to the POS Saturn world, I am in the same boat, so how much oil does your saturn use every 3000 miles?

hehe, Yeah my 1994 saturn SC2 was burning through the oil, I still have it I am having a tough time selling it.

I really like my new car even though it is kindof Grandmaish (1997 Buick Century limited only 42000 leather Automatic climate control every option but, CD...) only 7500.


My Saturn cost 9400 when I got it about 5 years ago and feel like it was the biggest rip off ever.

I will never buy another one again.

Edit: oh yeah and my insurance is going down by quite abit too. with the Buick century.
I never thought I would own a buick espically at age of 23 but, it is a real good car.