GMTruckGuy74

Okay, doesn't look like going with a new small GM car lease will put the wife and I where we want to be financially (damn insurance premiums in NJ). We can continue to keep the '04 Malibu and find a way to afford the three NEW car payments + insurance costs... or we can get rid of the Malibu and find a decent used car for under $7k to hold us for a few years (not getting rid of the SKY, that's for darn sure ). So cruising local dealer's online inventories and autoshopper.com, I've found some interesting cars: 1994 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi - 115k, loaded, $3995 1999 Buick Century Custom - 65K, $6995 1998 Buick LeSabre - 60K, $5888 So what do you think of these cars? Anything I should look out for? I'd really like a '98 or '99 Aurora, but none in my area worth considering. Should I stay away from that Bonne? I've always liked the '92-'95 SSEi's - this one is how I like it: white exterior with the white rims. But having tons of electronic gizmos and 115K and being 12 years old is making me think twice. Any advice will be appreciated!

Sixty8, is this dealership far away from you? The reason I ask is that I'd like for you to go back and get a real good shot of that Olds dealership sign if it's not far. That sign is great looking and I've never seen any like it before. And what is the dealership used for nowadays?

Ravenfreak13, I think you and I are the only Saturn fans here! I also know what you're trying to say about the upscale looks of the ION over the Cobalt. I think to be fair though you have to compare the Cobalt LTZ sedan against the ION 3 sedan in that case. I think the frontend & rearend styling on the ION is more upscale over the Cobalt, but I like the bodyside design of the Cobalt a little more. In the ION's favor is the dent resistant polymer panels - much needed for my wife's company war-zone parking lot. A lot of people here are saying that I should get a Cobalt SS sedan - unfortunately I feel the lease price on those will be much more than what I want to pay; heck, even a Cobalt LTZ may be too much. SS's in my area range from $20,500 to $22,000; LTZ's range from $18,500 to $20,000; the ION 3's I've been looking at are around $16-$17K. Preferrably I'd like to be in the low $200's for a monthly payment. Sad part is that my GM Card earnings may also decide on what car I get. I know I can use them on Chevy, but I think Saturn's are still off-limits. Stupid seeing as how Saturn has pretty much been integrated into the GM fold now. Even the ordering system was changed over in April from Saturn's specific way to the autonomous GM way.

There's a Chevrolet dealer (use to be Chevy & Olds) that has four or five BRAND NEW Alero sedans available, including one Final 500 edition, all with less than 100 miles on the odometer. I wonder if they are being sold as NEW or USED? I'm curious - if any dealer still has remaining Olds stock at this point (two model years after the manufacturer ceased production), can they still be sold as NEW?

I think changing the logo now is a stupid move. No where on my SKY does the word SATURN appear (unlike other Saturn models that have it imbossed in the rear bumper). There are red & chrome SATURN logos on the car - front & rear. That is how people have identified the car as being a Saturn. Just last night going to the movies, a township police office cruising the lot saw me park, then circled the car to check it out and then rolled up to me and said "That car's a SATURN? Doesn't look like any SATURN I've ever seen! It's beautiful.". If you change the logo and people don't know what it means (hey, SATURN has established a reputation with that logo for 15 years now - people know by looking at the current logo that it's a SATURN). GM is really stupid - changine great car names (Grand AM to G6, Regal/Century to LaCrosse, etc) and now wanting to change logos again - didn't they learn from Oldsmobile???? And btw, the logo on the steering wheel in both my SKY and in the VUE has already been changed to a staiinless steel-looking version.

11 votes total so far -- 5 for the COBALT, 1 for the ION, and 5 for OTHER (used Alero, Aveo, 9-2x). Keep 'em coming and don't forget to post your thoughts and knowledge on those two cars and the others. As for anything used, I'm not really considering that avenue because I want to lease the replacement. Which leads me to why I've posted this poll. With the addition of the SKY, the wife wants to trim car payments. The Envoy is leased and I'm not getting rid of the SKY, so the only option is to find a cheaper alternative to the Malibu. Plus I've been wanting to replace the Malibu anyway. What I'm not liking about the choices is that they have small interiors - I wanted something a little bigger than the Malibu on the inside, not smaller. I'd like to consider the VUE, but the prospect of a 4cyl front weel drive cheapo model doesn't seem to impress me (btw, does anyone here have any experience with the FWD models?). I'd consider the FWD VUE because we have the Envoy with 4wd if needed and a FWD VUE might be more economical. If it's a dog, then I'd rather forget it. Anyway, I'm looking for more experiences with either the Cobalt or ION. Please post away.

You're in the market for an economy sedan and want to stay within GM. Which one would you choose - Cobalt or ION - and why? Share your thoughts on your choice after voting.

I'm really digging that Olds dealership sign. That's got to be old.. I don't recall seeing that type of sign in the last 15 years. Is the Olds dealership still open? Or has it become an "Olds" museum? Looks like a cool place for a car show. $230 bucks for your Olds? Great deal! Why can't I ever find deals like that? I mean the wife would have to let me keep a car/truck that only cost that much, wouldn't she???

BuddyP, I gotta tell ya that I'm jealous that you owned a '91 Syclone. I'm a huge GMC fan (if you couldn't tell!) and the Syclone is one of my dream trucks I'm aspiring to own one day. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that GMC takes the Canyon further in memory of the Syclone (I know it will never happen, but I can dream can't I?). How'd you like it?

I've always been curious as to what the problems were with the Cadillac Catera. I liked the car when it came out in 1997; heck, even a few people in my development own one. But it seems as if you mention the name "Catera" here and people get all angry. What exactly was wrong with this car? Did GM/Cadillac fix the problems in its last model year (2001)? Thanks for the insight!

Geez 68, how long are you gonna keep us in suspense over this mysterious Alero you saw?!?!

Decka, great choice for a replacement to your Achieva. I've always liked the Alero in coupe form the best. I think the rear side window design is a nice nod to the Olds Cutlass' of the late 1960s. How many miles are on it? Did you find it locally? Best of luck with it and keep us informed of your ownership experience.

Yeah House, no matter what color you order on the SKY or Solstice, the windshield surround is still silver (along with some other parts too). The only way to deal with it is to order silver - then everything matches. I like it, as it makes it a little more unique that nothing else out there does it too.

I've seen the Solstice and a XLR at both Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. Looks kinda cheap, although if they come out with a SKY version I'd probably buy it!

Hmm... I wonder if "Friendship" is also the autobody shop? I work not too far from there and pass by it often - I just assumed it wasn't open to the public seeing as how the autobody shop is the entrance.Where else in central NJ are there junkyards open to the public? What I'm interested in is taking pics of old trucks, mainly GM but any other makes that interest me too. Plus if I find some trim parts (emblems, hubcaps, etc) it wouldn't hurt. TIA!

MSRP on mine was $27,170. That's the standard SKY model plus the Auto Trans, Premium Trim Pkg (leather + other goodies), Limited Slip Differential, 6-disc CD/MP3 stereo with Monsoon Speaker system upgrade (what didn't I option? rear spoiler, XM radio, and no factory SKY accessories). As for the loan info request, I'm not using traditional financing for the SKY, so I can't really comment on the monthly payment that way (I used a home equity home loan to buy the SKY). Josh - Well seeing how the nice weather is just rolling in, I can see why the celebrity status hasn't ended. Took a trip to TARGET last night; you wouldn't believe the many looks and drive-bys it got when I parked it. This one guy in an older Venutre minivan kept circling it - my 12-year old son was actually afraid he wanted to steal it! Haven't seen any other SKYs on the road at all. No wonder it's getting a lot of looks. There's two Solstices in my area - the red one belongs to a co-worker of mine and there's a SLY colored one at the local real estate agent's office on the weekends (SLY is Solstice name for the same color as the SILVER GRAPHITE on my SKY). Mach5GTP - trust me, I know what you mean. I was a loyal Pontiac owner for a while too... switching over to Saturn still feels strange. NINETY EIGHT REGENCY - thanks, that means a lot coming from you. I feel the same way about my SKY as you do about your Olds. I finally got a "dream" car I've been waiting for for a long time. The sad thing about this purchase is how and when it will get used. The weather was perfect this weekend (a little breezy, but sunny & clear skies), but having to take both boys with me on errands yesterday meant no SKY time. Same today - the wife and I wanted to go ouut, but no one to watch the baby. I think this will be the hardest to overcome - not being able to use it whenever I want to.

Anybody know of any good junkyards in southern NJ or eastern PA? Many of the ones I visited in the last 10 years have disappeared. Once I was questioned why I had a camera and no tools... they thought I was an environmentalist (aka treehugger) trying to screw them about pollution! After telling them of my interest in cars and perserving at least pictures of the junkyard treasures, they did let me in. That was the last time I went "treasure hunting", and that had to be in '98 or '99.

Again, thanks for all of the compliments and nice words. I took it to work (school) today and it was the "talk of the town" from everybody (teachers, students, staff & parents). The best was when I went to leave, a student who knows that I'm into cars but didn't know that it was mine came up to me and said, "Mr. R, did you see that hot convertible in the parking lot? It's awesome - I wonder who owns it?" and then I dangled the keys in front of his face! He asked if he could borrow it in 2 years when he gets his driver's license!!! I took a couple of pictures today and had three people comment on how beautiful it is - one guy even followed me into the parking lot to get a closer look! The stares I got as I drove home from work were funny, and a school bus full of middle school grade kids were hanging out the window to get a better look. Since I've never really owned a car that gets this much attention (my '95 Trans Am did get looks, but not like the SKY), I'm finding this new "celebrity" status fun. But I know it will wear out soon. Here's some more pics... enjoy! Waiting to be delivered... Proud new owner... In the driverway - front... In the driverway - rear...

Thanks everyone! I love the color - it's called Silver Graphite and it's also on the Solstice as "Sly" and the HHR as "Dark Silver Metallic". Actually, that's when I decided to go with this color, after seeing a 2LT HHR with the chrome trim and chrome wheels. I thought the chrome really shines and stands out with this color, and so do the red & amber lenses of the lights. And remember, this car is still dirty and has much of the shipping wrap on it. When I go today to pick it up they'll have it all shined and purty. More pics to come by the weekend. Thanks for the encouraging words!

Say hello to my 2007 Saturn SKY roadster!!!! It's C&G's first Saturn SKY and I'm now the 2nd Kappa-based car owner here. I guess I don't have to tell you how much I like this car!!! It came in Tuesday night before the dealership closed and I got the call from my salesman this afternoon after the service department completed the PDI. The wife and I went in to check it out and I took it for its first spin (with me, that is). What a great car! Here are it's first three pictures. I take delivery of it tomorrow night at 7:00 PM; more pictures will come over the next couple of days. The first time I saw it: After it's first drive with me as it's pilot: I gotta tell you that the "Saturn Experience" is one that all GM enthusiasts should partake in at least once. I am very happy purchasing this car from my Saturn dealership and they have exceeded what I have expected. If the rest of my ownership experience is anything like the purchasing part, I'll be happy to be a loyal Saturn owner!

Decka, there's a bright red '97 Achieva SC for sale in New Jersey (Burlington County). Let me know if you want some info on it.

The remote start option, the driver's information center, and the US9 6-disc CD/MP3 radio have made this vehicle more appealing to me too. The wife and I looked one over at the Philly Auto Show and we agreed that we liked it a little more than the VUE (especially with the rear seat legroom). I may try to hold over the urge to purge the Malibu until the 2007's start coming out. And yes, I too like the Torrent much more than the Equinox

I just recently found this web site (forum) and signed up, but not having too much time on my side I haven't spent much on there. Check them out: http://www.gmfullsize.com/ And post some pictures of that bad boy ASAP! You can probably tell from my signature that I approve greatly of your new truck. I too have always wanted a dually - I want a GMC Sierra Regular Cab 4wd 3500 dually myself though.

I voted 7 (including the upcoming SKY purchase <--- can be any day now!!!), but out of the 7 I purchased 4 in my name and the other 3 were purchased in my wife's name. So I still consider that 7 new GM cars (and I'm only 31!). 5 out of the 7 are leased vehicles, so that might clear up why so many cars in 7 years. Here they are in order: 1) 1999 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 Sedan (mine) 2) 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Sedan (wife) 3) 2001 GMC Sonoma "Highrider" (ZR2) Ext. Cab 4wd (mine) 4) 2003 Buick Rendezvous CX (wife) 5) 2004 Chevy Malibu LT Sedan (mine) 6) 2005 GMC Envoy SLT 4wd (wife) 7) 2007 Saturn SKY roadster (mine, mine, all mine!) I'm working on getting rid of the Malibu and get back into leasing. Yes, it will be another GM vehicle #8! Add to that two used GM vehicles (1978 Camaro LT and 1992 Cavalier Z24 and my overall total is 9). Ummm ummm, I love me some of that Koolaid

Well Olds Guy, I finally found the '50s Chevy Truck last week at KB Toys.... all new mold, nothing we guessed at all. Any COE truck fan will be happy; it's based on a modded early '50s Chevy COE made into a crew cab, with a tilting bed. Here are some pics from ebay: