Saturn Extended Warranty
Marketed as a “different kind of car company,” the Saturn brand sought to change customer perception of American cars as well as help General Motors gain a foothold into the compact vehicle market, an area where Japanese automakers excelled. Saturn’s beginnings can be traced as far back as 1982, when Alex C. Mair discussed ideas for a new small car project. That project grew into the formation of the Saturn Corporation in 1985. In an effort to dispel negative notions about American build quality and performance when it came to small cars, GM invested billions of dollars in a new plant, new machinery and an all-new design that shared little with other GM vehicles.
The first Saturns debuted in late 1990 for the 1991 model year. From 1991 to 1999, only the sedan, coupe and wagon variant of the S-Series compact car was available. During that time, all Saturns were produced at a dedicated plant in Spring Hill, TN. Most buyers took note of the dent-resistant plastic body panels and the no-haggle pricing in the Saturn showrooms, leading to a unique shopping and ownership experience, as well as steadfast owner loyalty. Each Saturn was equipped with a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine in both SOHC and DOHC forms.
After 1999, the Saturn lineup expanded to include an Opel-sourced mid-size sedan, the L-Series. Unlike the S-Series, the L-Series featured all-steel body panels. In 2003, the unique S-Series was discontinued in favor of the Ion sedan and coupe, both based on GM’s Delta platform. In response to Chapter 11 reorganization, the Saturn brand was discontinued as of late 2010. At that time, Saturn had a full line of cars, minivans, crossover SUVs and a small roadster.
For most drivers, Saturns have been relatively reliable and dependable. While most Saturn owners won’t see many problems with their vehicles, a select few may wind up with major mechanical issues that require professional repair. For instance, the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in the Saturn L-Series is prone to failure due to timing belt tensioner issues. The 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine in the Saturn S-Series can develop hairline cracks near the fifth camshaft journal, leading to oil leakage into the cooling system. Other components such as the alternator, starter, camshafts and radiator could fail without warning. These components can cost up to thousands of dollars in parts and labor costs to have serviced and replaced.
When your Saturn’s factory warranty expires, you can turn to an extended warranty for continued coverage against high repair costs. An extended warranty takes care of the parts and labor costs, so you will have to pay for any expenses out of your own pocket. This way, you can save up to thousands of dollars in automotive repair expenses. You can also enjoy the many benefits that an extended warranty plan brings, including free 24-hour roadside assistance, free towing and they free or discounted car rental for the duration of the repair. With an extended warranty plan, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle will receive the care it deserves whenever it needs it.
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