SATURN BUYBACK

Just got a letter from saturn saying that they want to buy back my 2001
lw300 at above market trade-in. It went on to say that they want my car to
honor some committment on previously owned vehicles. It makes it seem that I
am doing them a big favor... and the timing is that I have two payments
left.

Anybody have information on this? Seems like a huge marketing scam. They
want my lw300 so badly, give me an even trade for a vue.

Oppie

 

I have a friend who got one of these letters. She visited her retailer to
check it out, and the deal wasn't very favorable (like you'd think it to be
by reading the letter).

Lane [ lane (at) evilplastic.com ]

 

This is a sleazy dealer advertising come-on. Bottom line is that they
want to sell you a car and for you to pay as much as possible for the
privilege. If you think they need 2001 lw300s to honor a commitment,
you are half way there.

Go in and offer your car at above market trade-in (which is still
pretty low) and tell them you don't need a replacement vehicle. Let
us know how it goes.

 

===================

LOL - I like your response. I enjoy the satisfaction of helping someone
that's in a bind but a patsy, I'm not. With only two car payments left, I
have no intention of jumping back in for a few more years at least.

The '01 lw300 has 87K miles on it and is running nicely. My biggest expense
coming up is doing the timing belt. I'm going to see if I can either borrow
or fabricate the required alignment tool. sort of awesome how many pulleys
are driven by the timing belt. From what I've seen there are no old school
timing marks so a tool is required to line everything up.

Oppie

 

Yes this would be a good test indeed.

 

I say change it now. You need the J42069 kit. Same kit used on the
Catera. While you're there change your waterpump just like you would a
Honda v6. Doesnt hurt to replace the belt tensioners and idler pulleys
and inspect the other pulleys for wear.

Here's the only site I could find the kit listed on.

$1000 bucks later...a timing chain is looking mighty good now aint it?

 

A friend that ownd a service shop said that I might be able to borrow the
alignment tool.

Where did you get the info that the 3L catera engine uses the same tool?
Just curious.

 

Ah I got a letter saying there was a high demand for older saturns by
the public, and the dealer NEEDED mine to meet it. However, they
would only accept it as a trade-in for a new Saturn.

I only briefly read over the letter, since I wasn't wearing any boots.
If you are really interested, ask about it, but only if you really
want another Saturn.

imho,

tom @ www.NoCostAds.com

 

I have gotten these letter about my truck. It was on the purchase of a
new one too!

 

What does a L300, Catera, Vectra, and Omega have in common?
All have the Vauxhall/Opel 3.0L knuckle busting engines...
In Europe the 3.0 v6 is called the Ecotec just like the 4 banger.
Thankfully the 4cyl Ecotec got a timing chain before it was marketed
here. In Europe it still has a timing belt.

See simularities

GM uses a variation of this engine in Saabs. I think Holden uses a Opel
3.0's as well... For being a 54 degree engine it sure as hell didnt
create any room under the hood.

 

Because they are better, more cost effective cars.

IMHO a good low mileage manual trans S1 is a great value today and they are
in the sweet spot of the used car market cycle. Old enough to have been
almost fully depreciated but still young enough to have lots of use left in
them.

 

"BläBlä" <0M4N.M1ST3RF4CT.S!RCRE4P.C0M>
wrote in message

What does a L300, Catera, Vectra, and Omega have in common?
All have the Vauxhall/Opel 3.0L knuckle busting engines...
In Europe the 3.0 v6 is called the Ecotec just like the 4 banger.
Thankfully the 4cyl Ecotec got a timing chain before it was marketed
here. In Europe it still has a timing belt.

See simularities

GM uses a variation of this engine in Saabs. I think Holden uses a Opel
3.0's as well... For being a 54 degree engine it sure as hell didnt
create any room under the hood.

=====================

Thanks for that information. It is a pretty looking package but I'm having
second thoughts about doing the timing belt myself. I've done major engine
work on other cars but this is almost scary to work on.

 

Bingo

 

I know what you mean. I'm sure you can handle it. There are rough spots
to work through of course. You might ask around saturnfans for
pointers... I thought of something that might be a good idea. Buy the
kit and rent it out for 20-50 bucks for upto 10 days use with a 500 buck
deposit (in case someone never returns it). All you have to do is visit
forums and let people know you have it and shipping shouldnt be more
than 10 bucks each way. (autozone and advance dont have such tools as
loaners.)

You have a factory manual right?
Compair this info to the book you have
http://www.gigasize.com/get.php/66034/3.0_timing_belt.zip
Let me know what you think.