From: "Amy Young Leith" <alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: Re: Old topic:  Saturns
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1992 20:04:50 -0500

In article <20948@optima.cs.arizona.edu> gln@cs.arizona.edu (Gary L. Newell) writes:

> I went by the local dealer yesterday and was quite impressed. Strange 
>experience though - I mean when was the last time you had to *wait* 45
>minutes to get a salesman at an auto dealership??!!?? 

We were in Cincinatti this weekend, and stopped by a dealership on
Saturday.  They had sold SEVEN that day of their last nine '92 cars in
stock... and I saw one '93 model.  Yes, I'm not kidding.  

> Here are the 93 prices as presented to me - all are the base manual trans.
>price (looks about $800 more for the automatic on each model).
>
>SL  - $9195   SL1 - $9995    SL2 - $11495   SC1 - $10995 SC2 - $12795
>
>There is a new station wagon for 93  -  SW1 - $10895   SW2 - $12195
>
> Driver's side airbags are standard on all 1993 models.
>
> Now, looking at the price list I notice that they charge a standard $300
>at this particular dealership for "transportation" - I have no idea if this
>is legit or not.
>
> They have an option package available for all but the SL which goes for
>between $1535 and $1690 depending on the model and which consists of
>A/C, cruise control, power windows, locks, and RHOSRV mirror.

Exact same price sheet I was given.  I like that,  a price SHEET.  You
know the cost and availability of EVERYTHING.  The huge brochure/info
booklet they gave me was shaprp, informative, and neat.  =)

> Now I also have a question or tow regarding these cars -
>
> How can you possibly deal with a slaesman who is working at a dealership which
>has no cars in stock, has more customers than he/she knows what to do with,
>and whose product is getting rave reviews??? I'd love to try and get say an
>SL2 at about $500 under their asking price (including the transportation
>charge) but it seems absurd - why sell one to me at $500 under when they 
>can't even keep the damn things in stock?

From what I've got, and that's a mail folder with over 30 responses
from Saturn owners, all RAVE reviews, sez you pay what they say... no
ifs or buts.  They are flexible with trade ins, and more likely to
give you a price you are happy with for it than any other dealer. 

> What is the general opinion of these cars? As I say, I was impressed but
>I'm frankly not sure of what else is available at a similar price from other
>dealers - in this $10,500 - $13,000 range is there a "better" car available?

Comparisons are that these cars are a bit cheaper than other
comparable makes by other dealers.  That with the style of the car,
the attitude of the people at this dealership, and the comments of
others has plain sold me on Saturn... I've picked my car.  I'm going
to have to wait a while more to save, and spend a bit more than I
originally planned in the long run, but i'll have a car I'm happy with
and feel I can depend on. 

> I know that Motor Week picked the Saturn as the best "small car" but I'm
>curious as to other auto mags. 

Lately I've had problems getting "good attention" at a car dealership.
I'm 20, I have a tendency to go to these places on my days off,
meaning I'm less than snazzily dressed.  I'm ignored.  If my husband
is there, we're vulture meat.  However, I walked into the Saturn
dealership, was greeted even though this place was CRAWLING with
people, and helped immediately.  The showroom had a large number of
displays... cars with "view through" panels, easily understood yet
technical displays about ABS, airbags, etc.  It was a nice place. 

amy
From: sivaram@hplred.HP.COM (S. Sivaramakrishnan)
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 19:07:35 GMT
Subject: Re: How to plead in Court
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA