BigPontiac

Yet the Saturn Astra continues to live...

What if they reconsidered bringing over the G8 SportWagon?

Quick search I did showed it as a separate company, though that could have changed. GMAC and OnStar also showed as separate like SAAB USA. The following Saturn Fans link recounts the Wall Street Journal article I read that mentioned the idea.

Or because Saturn Corporation can be shutdown independently of General Motors Corporation, whereas the "brands" don't necessarily have that option. Put Saturn into bankruptcy, lose the dealers, redeploy the Opel product to other North American brands with a larger dealer network.

Bill Perry - Heaven in a Pontiac

Link to Article Matt Dillon arrested for speeding in Vermont Wed Dec 31, 11:41 am ET BOSTON (Reuters) – Hollywood actor Matt Dillon was arrested and charged with driving at an excessive speed after police clocked him traveling at 106 miles per hour on a Vermont interstate highway. The star of the 2004 movie "Crash" was pulled over at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday in the town of Newbury after he was caught on police radar traveling north at high speed in a rented 2009 Chevrolet Impala, said Vermont State Police Sgt. Tara Thomas. The New York-based 44-year-old actor is scheduled to appear in Vermont's Orange County Court on January 21. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of three months in jail and a $300 fine. Dillon began his acting career when he was discovered in the halls of his New Rochelle, New York, junior high school while skipping class. The former teen idol has worked for such acclaimed directors as Francis Ford Coppola and Gus Van Sant. He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in "Crash". (Reporting by Jason Szep, Editing by Sandra Maler)

You could set up RSS feeds on GM related topics from sites like Autoblog, Insideline, etc to automate a lot of the manual posting and keep the front page fresh. Just a thought.

Here's my list based on my 2000 Sierra, and the 2001, 2004, and 2006s owned by friends. All are 5.3, 4sp. Defrosting element in the heated mirrors Blower motor for HVAC Control Settings for HVAC (dual zone climate control) Steering Shaft (TSB) Propeller shaft/slip joint (TSB) Electric 4WD Switch Stereo Speakers Rear defroster elements Tailgate cables (may be non-issue on a 2006) Axle seals and CV boots related to front axle/transfer case (driver's side tends to go first)

Interesting article about this in the paper and the dealer's relationship to GM. Also that 30 dealerships had closed their doors this year. Article

Autoblog has some "live" pics up too -- 2010 Equinox

I just got this e-mail from my local GMC dealer, which acquired Pontiac a few years ago and also had 2 Saturn stores (both closed). I just got an oil change there a few weeks ago! December 19, 2008 To Our Valued Customers: We regret to inform you that on December 19, 2008, Tony March Buick, Inc., dba Tony March Buick-Pontiac-GMC AND Saturn of Hartford closed their doors. These dealerships have proudly served the community for many years, and the decision to close was not an easy one. We deeply value the relationship we have with all of our customers, and we realize this may be an inconvenience for some of you. Please accept our apologies for having to make this difficult decision that affects you. In an effort to ensure you receive the service and support you deserve as a valuable member of the GM family, please check out www.gm.com for a list of all the dealerships in the area that may able to serve you. Click on “GM Vehicles” and type in your zip code. Each one on the list is fully staffed with factory trained GM Goodwrench technicians and service personnel who are eager to start a new relationship with you and provide the same great service you have come to expect from your General Motors dealer. In addition, these dealers can also provide assistance if you are in the market for a new car or truck. Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Saturn all have some of the finest vehicles on the road, and they are currently providing some outstanding purchase and lease incentives. Please feel free to contact any of the dealers on the GM website for your sales and service needs. Hopefully you will feel right at home! Again, please accept our sincere apologies for this inconvenience. Your satisfaction is always of the utmost importance to us. Yours truly, Tony March, President Tony March Buick, Inc.

Link to Article

I'd pick a Buick project: Link

It's the same color as dust and pollen which makes it look clean most of the time One of these days I need to post the "building of" in the Project Car Chronicles section...

Yes, Mayfair (lighter variation) with black top/interior. My exhaust was a stock patterned repro that we aluminum coated, but it tucks up under the rear valance more than the green car's pipes, which also seems to be visually working against it. The rear clearance issue comes into play with trailering or flatbeds...the rear overhang behind the wheels is so long, it'll drag the gas tank if it sits too low. Happened to be a few times before mine was restored. In theory that particular car could have the rear air adjustable shock option, but the other details that are "off" make me think they just used the wrong springs. He's also missing the "Bonneville" badging on either the lower front fender or the back of the rear quarter.

Not the best angle, but all I could find quickly. Here's mine with stock ride height for comparison:

I put new springs on mine when it was restored and it doesn't ride nearly that high! The paint mismatch implies that it's had work done on the quarters...plus the incorrect respraying of the 8-lugs. That's not a factory spec resto.

Well, if GM has the option to put Saturn into bankruptcy due to it's corporate structure, they could possibly eliminate 1 brand, 5 nameplates and all the Standalone dealerships. Sounds like a good start to me.

GM may have a way to shed the Saturn brand. From the WSJ Online: Link to Article

GM's Fastlane Blog had a blurb posted about patents today. Link: GM Leads the Way in Fueling Innovation

I was thinking just straight labor -- no new parts, repainting, etc -- just take all the bags labeled in Russian or whatever and just assemble the car and sell it.

Here's the Lutz interview from earlier today: LINK

I still think you should assemble the Jag more to reduce the intimidation factor (without worrying about restoration) and sell it to finance the projects you like more...

So, what color are you going to paint it while you're finishing it :AH-HA_wink:

Feel free to contact Chris Dodd directly and tell him what you think: http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3128&cat=Opinion