Pontiac, Saturn . . . Last Call Discounts - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 12-30-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Oh, kinda like a disposable lighter. I see. Not sure if it will fit into my garbage cans or recycle cans.

It's probably about 98% recyclable plastic.

aklim · #17 12-30-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

It's probably about 98% recyclable plastic.

Perhaps so but my recycle bin is not that big.

ImBroke · #18 12-30-2009, 01:52 PM

SirNick84, either the G8GT or the Saturn Sky Redline. That would have to be about it though.

PaulC · #19 12-30-2009, 02:14 PM

The incentive in question is offered directly to a Pontiac/Saturn dealer to promote the practice of taking a new Pontiac or Saturn and putting it into service as a daily rental or service/loaner car. While a dealer can subsequently sell the vehicle as a used car to a private buyer, the private buyer would not necessarily derive the discount benefit unless the dealer voluntarily opted to discount the sale price accordingly. Essentially, GM is paying $7k per unit to tidy up their balance sheet a bit.

BodhiBenz1987 · #20 12-30-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Oh, kinda like a disposable lighter. I see. Not sure if it will fit into my garbage cans or recycle cans.

Don't worry about disposing of it ... the government will dump it in a scrapyard for you and give you $3,500 of taxpayers' money to help you get deeper in debt.

aklim · #21 12-30-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

Don't worry about disposing of it ... the government will dump it in a scrapyard for you and give you $3,500 of taxpayers' money to help you get deeper in debt.

But I get to take that money and invest it in a a few rounds of poker at the Casino, right? I could get myself out of debt that way.

MTI · #22 12-30-2009, 02:28 PM

OIC. The car would technically be a "used car" if it was sold from a dealer's fleet, but it would still be covered under the original warranty during that period; as for parts, I haven't noticed any chatter that the discontinued brands will not have a parts distribution channel, especially with the long time practice of common powertrain parts.

The Swede · #23 12-30-2009, 02:35 PM

I heard a woman on the radio say she looked all over the country for cars that qualify, no dealers have any in inventory. Stealer probably wouldn't do that kind of deal anyhow.

aklim · #24 12-30-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

OIC. The car would technically be a "used car" if it was sold from a dealer's fleet, but it would still be covered under the original warranty during that period; as for parts, I haven't noticed any chatter that the discontinued brands will not have a parts distribution channel, especially with the long time practice of common powertrain parts.

Sure but what happens when you need a non-powertrain part? Perhaps your engine, transmission and rear end is covered but there is more to a car than that. What happens when I need a new door or headlight or bumper? How about a new wheel or sunroof?

MTI · #25 12-30-2009, 02:39 PM

WSJ Article: Long Goodbye

Experts say that in most cases, fears of finding parts or service for orphan cars are overblown. Parts are typically available for many years after the brand disappears, and one can usually find reliable service from a dealer or an independent mechanic. Oldsmobiles, for example, which have been out of production since 2004, can still be repaired at other GM dealerships.

John McDonald, a General Motors spokesman, points out that auto makers are required by law to supply parts for the full warranty period. That can be up to five years or 100,000 miles for some GM vehicles. And often car makers or their suppliers continue making parts long after warranties expire, especially for higher-volume models that generate long-term demand for replacement parts. "It's a profitable thing to do," Mr. McDonald says, though he also warns that parts for cars produced in lower volumes may be hard to find.

Companies like GM often sell or license the tooling for parts to aftermarket companies, so you can usually get parts through one supplier or another, says Stephen Spivey, a San Antonio-based analyst with research firm Frost & Sullivan.

#26 12-30-2009, 02:43 PM

I can still think of about a dozen used cars that I would buy for $8K. I bought my last domestic car many years ago anyway.

aklim · #27 12-30-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

WSJ Article: Long Goodbye

Experts say that in most cases, fears of finding parts or service for orphan cars are overblown. Parts are typically available for many years after the brand disappears, and one can usually find reliable service from a dealer or an independent mechanic. Oldsmobiles, for example, which have been out of production since 2004, can still be repaired at other GM dealerships.

John McDonald, a General Motors spokesman, points out that auto makers are required by law to supply parts for the full warranty period. That can be up to five years or 100,000 miles for some GM vehicles. And often car makers or their suppliers continue making parts long after warranties expire, especially for higher-volume models that generate long-term demand for replacement parts. "It's a profitable thing to do," Mr. McDonald says, though he also warns that parts for cars produced in lower volumes may be hard to find.

Companies like GM often sell or license the tooling for parts to aftermarket companies, so you can usually get parts through one supplier or another, says Stephen Spivey, a San Antonio-based analyst with research firm Frost & Sullivan.

Excerpts from the article
"If I get into a collision, will I be able to replace that front end?" he asks.
The answer is yes, though the part probably won't be as plentiful as the same one for other versions of the G8. And it won't be cheap.

John McDonald, a General Motors spokesman, points out that auto makers are required by law to supply parts for the full warranty period. That can be up to five years or 100,000 miles for some GM vehicles.

Still, owning an orphan car can be more complicated than owning a vehicle that's still in production. There still has to be enough demand to make parts profitable for the manufacturer. That's where problems could arise for lower-volume brands like Saab and Saturn. Some owners with less-common models may wind up hoarding—or scouting out on eBay—parts that they fear will become rare and expensive, experts say.

Resale value may be a particular concern.

I had a pair of 89 Merkurs and finding parts was a PITA. Sold them off and never again would I want to buy a car like that unless it was a real throwaway thing. For $3000, maybe. That way if there is an issue, I drive it over a cliff.