Car people: Looking at a car, give your opinion.

[fishnutham]

worked in dealerships all my life sounds like you got the bottom price to me it is quite common for a dealer to sell with enough to cover commissions and and still make a smallprofit ,the dealer needs to move old stock usally the bank owns the stock and they pay interest on dead stock also this time of year the service department needs it internal work to keep the month end in check.
imo you could buy something better then a saturn ,if you drive them into the ground check out a honda or a toyota something with a good track record for engines that way at least you can get a few more years out of it.

 

[Zoodiver]

I'll give both pros and cons.

GM uses the Eaton supercharger on the Redline (as well as the Cobalt SS). Eaton blowers are GREAT. I use their M112 on my Roush and have an M90 sitting here for my Explorer (even though they are quite a big larger than the M62 on the Saturn, they are the same basic design). I actually designed a kit that uses the M112 on the V6 Mustang if that tells you how solid they are. However, look at things related to driving a forced induction vehicle. You run higher octane fuel. So gas will cost you more. And when something breaks, it costs a LOT more. you will put down a little more power, but dollar for dollar, you could find more. The car does look good. The seats are supportive, which is something sooooo many US cars lack. Stereo isn't too bad for a stock unit. And there's nothing like hearing a positive displacment blower spin at high rpm (sorry turbo guys, your sound doesn't do it for me).

If you want, I can check it out for you. Shoot me a PM. I'm the night crew at the fish tank tonight, so I'll be around the South end.

 

[ewurm]

I agree, the sound is great. I also already had the rude awakening of having to buy high octane fuel, costs me 2.00 extra per tank. This car is worth it though, it has rediculous acceleration (my brother says it will hang with a corvette to 30 mph) and it definitely gives you the sports car feeling. Definitely a sleeper, you won't see it coming.

 

[RyanS]

I agree, the sound is great. I also already had the rude awakening of having to buy high octane fuel, costs me 2.00 extra per tank. This car is worth it though, it has rediculous acceleration (my brother says it will hang with a corvette to 30 mph) and it definitely gives you the sports car feeling. Definitely a sleeper, you won't see it coming.

Congrats on the new car!

Too bad i didn't see this earlier, I don't want to scare you but, a friend had one for a little while. It starte dout nice but got worse an worse, it just kept breaking. I'm not syaing you'll have the same problems, but, you know.

Did you get the Competition package?

Be easy on the gas pedal, not only are you paying more for gas, but that blower is gonna eat it up too!

Again, Congrats!

 

[FishSkins]

go HONDA ...you don't want Saturn repair bills the are out of this world

 

[cichlaguapote]

There are pros/cons to any car but as long as you're happy with the one you're buying. That being said, the beating the corvette to 30mph isn't really legitamite as 30mph is reached stupidly fast, and the corvette will probably get better traction, probably won't say "ok 30mph let's stop that's the end of the race". Again just as long as you're happy with the look/feel etc is all that matters. It's not a corvette but it doesn't cost as much either.

 

[ewurm]

Congrats on the new car!

Too bad i didn't see this earlier, I don't want to scare you but, a friend had one for a little while. It starte dout nice but got worse an worse, it just kept breaking. I'm not syaing you'll have the same problems, but, you know.

Did you get the Competition package?

Be easy on the gas pedal, not only are you paying more for gas, but that blower is gonna eat it up too!

Again, Congrats!

No, does not have the boost meter. I am not a fan of GM vehicles, I think their value is eroded by the rediculous union contracts the American auto makers are locked into. Having said that, I was never nice to my Grand Am, except on the maintenance end, and I never had any major trouble. I did have to replace the alternator, and GM puts crappy ones in most of their cars. My 1200 Watt stero system caused that. You don't realize the effect, but 1200 watts of energy is equivalent to 1.5 Horsepower, enough to put serious strain on the alternator. As for gas, I was heavy on the pedal while testing this. It sucked fuel like Paris Hilton in a motel room with a previously unknown hollywood guy. Fortunately, I don't normally drive that way, and it gets 29 mpg highway. Thats in 5th gear and cruising, not on an on ramp at 5500 rpm, pushing 80. Fun car, but most of my driving will be much more reserved. I will enjoy a spirited pass on the highway though, and racing JDMAN and his Civic Si the next time I'm in Indy. LOL

 

[ewurm]

There are pros/cons to any car but as long as you're happy with the one you're buying. That being said, the beating the corvette to 30mph isn't really legitamite as 30mph is reached stupidly fast, and the corvette will probably get better traction, probably won't say "ok 30mph let's stop that's the end of the race". Again just as long as you're happy with the look/feel etc is all that matters. It's not a corvette but it doesn't cost as much either.

When you own a Grand Am, 0-30 is not stupidly fast, it's stupidly slow. When car mags test these, they have 0-60, 0-100, 0-30, drag times between 0-60ft, 1/8 mile, 1/4 etc. He probably has his facts straight as he loves cars way more than I do, but I agree, 0-30 is meaningless when you rev to 5000 in second gear and then throw it directly into 5th gear, then immmediately downshift to make the red light.

BTW, the i was excited to get the owners manual with the car, only to read things like "Do not skip gears when downshifting, as this may over rev the engine." Hmm, I gathered before I bought the car that downshifting from 3rd to first gear is bad.

 

[michael]

VW baby!

 

[cichlaguapote]

BTW, the i was excited to get the owners manual with the car, only to read things like "Do not skip gears when downshifting, as this may over rev the engine." Hmm, I gathered before I bought the car that downshifting from 3rd to first gear is bad.