Saturn

GM spiralling, recalls another 7.55 million cars

General Motors is further scrambling in its massive safety issue, this time announcing new safety recalls in the United States involving another 7.55 million vehicles from the 1997 to 2014 model years. According to the Wall Street Journal, GM reported it’s aware of seven crashes, eight injuries and three fatalities in the latest round of recalled vehicles. The fatalities occurred in older model full-size sedans being recalled for inadvertent ignition key rotation. The latest round of recalls may increase GM’s financial cost to $1.2 billion in second quarter of this year in repairs. The tally included a previously disclosed $700 million charge for recalls already announced.   This year, GM has also detailed plans to recall more than 20 million

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General Motors investigated for Saturn shifting woes

Seven crashes involving automatic shift levers on used Saturn Aura model have prompted federal safety regulators to investigate General Motors cars with the inquirty possibly also including the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6. The investigation began with complaints in the Saturn Aura (2007-2008) affecting about 89,000 vehicles. The Chevrolet Malibu (2004-2008) and Pontiac G6 (2005-2008) have similar shifting systems. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the protective jacket around cables connecting the floor shift lever to the transmission can deteriorate, exposing the cables to the elements. Cables can corrode and weaken, and the shift lever position may not match the car's gear. That means a driver could put the car in park but the transmission could be

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Saturn Sky (Convertible), 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Needing a little “bling” in its lineup, Saturn finally convinced parent company General Motors a sports car could elicit positive results. Although the Sky convertible wasn’t exactly unique when it came out a year ago, it provided Saturn with definite eye appeal. And even if car shoppers didn’t buy it, at least they were taking a good look at the attractive Sky, a better version of the Pontiac Solstice, another GM product. The American car-buying public has a fascination for convertibles. They represent a vehicle most people feel they want, yet can’t justify the purchase, simply because in most cases they’re impractical. I drove the Red Line, the upgraded Sky featuring a 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-4 that produces 260 horsepower. The

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Saturn Aura, 2009 review

I was impressed when I read the car’s fuel economy estimates. I thought American cars had given up on competing with foreign counterparts of the same class long ago. Not so. The car felt big, it drove quietly and I imagined a family of four riding in comfort for the 500-plus-mile range the manufacturer claims the Aura gets in highway driving. I read reviews that complained about the car’s impressive handling, but I didn’t notice anything remarkable. Several times friends commented on the exterior appearance with one asking, “Is that a Mercedes?” The back seat was more than accommodating to my eight-month-old child’s car seat and two in-laws. The trunk handled my golf clubs and a mini-SUV-sized baby stroller with

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Saturn Vue, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Instead, Saturn wanted more success in the compact SUV segment and redesigned the Vue. The 2008 edition, nearly identical to its global counterpart, the Opel Antara, further establishes the Vue’s reputation. It offers a smooth, steady ride and superior handling and steering. The new Vue also has a new Euro-style look with sleek exterior curves and improved cabin quality. But in its early versions, the Vue was a lot cooler. It had a retro look with white background on instrumentation dials, for instance, and unique netting on map and accessory side door bins. Nonetheless, with the 2008 edition, the Vue is likely to turn a few more heads and it’s a more comfortable vehicle than its predecessor. My weekly test

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Saturn Sky 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

If there’s one sure thing about the Saturn Sky, it’s the new sports car’s attention-grabbing appearance. Passersby stopped me at traffic signals and asked questions. Restaurant patrons came to my table and inquired. Neighbors wanted to know about the Sky, and even friends who care little about cars were interested. The Sky was introduced as the manufacturer’s first “high-performance” convertible sports car as a 2007 model although it was first available in the spring of 2006. The two-seater, which shares its basic design with the Pontiac Solstice, is available in two options, the 177-horsepower base model and the 260-horsepower, turbocharged Red Line. Both models, like the Solstice, are rear-wheel drive and have 5-speed manual transmissions as standard equipment. (A 5-speed

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Saturn Sky, 2007: The Weekly Driver

The Sky was introduced as the manufacturer’s first “high-performance” convertible sports car as a 2007 model although it was first available in the spring of 2006. The two-seater, which shares its basic design with the Pontiac Solstice, is available in two options, the 177-horsepower base model and the 260-horsepower, turbocharged Red Line. Both models, like the Solstice, are rear-wheel drive and have 5-speed manual transmissions as standard equipment. (A 5-speed automatic is also available in both models.) My weekly test drive was the base model, but it featured two option packages, including a premium leather trim package, automatic transmission and an upgraded sound system. Like the Solstice, Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata, the Sky is at its best with its

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Saturn Aura, 2007: The Weekly Driver Car Review

With 16 manufacturers offering midsize cars and another 10 manufacturers in the premium midsize market, newcomers in the exceedingly popular category often face rough sales roads. Saturn didn't fare well with its midsize L-Series, which was discontinued in 2004. But the General Motors division is trying again with the 2007 Aura.

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Saturn Vue, 2004: The Weekly Driver Car Review

My test drive was the 5-speed automatic AWD V6 Vue. Its straightforward exterior and interior and top-of-the-line options and design are impressive. But every time I drove the vehicle, I couldn’t help stare at the odometer and other instrument panel. The white background is accentuated with gold-colored numbers in a retro font — like the face of a vintage wristwatch. Likewise, the frontseat map pockets are not plastic or rubber, rather tightly woven net, another cool retro design feature. Of course, there’s a lot more important Saturn features to consider. The 3.5-liter, 250-HP engine packs plenty of power and the vehicle’s acceleration — among the quickest in the SUV market — is complemented by AWD, electronic power steering and 17-inch

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