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Pontiac, Saturn: Cars on Clearance: Up to 46% Off
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by Jordan Yerman | December 29, 2009 at 09:04 am
5267 views | 5 Recommendations | 7 comments
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Saturn and Pontiac cars are on deep discount as GM divests itself of now-defunct brands. For you, the consumer, this means discounts of up to 46% off the original sticker price. In other words, a new car for nearly half off. That's like a Best Buy doorbuster, only for a car. This is because GM is offering Dealers up to $7000 for every Saturn or Pontiac that they move to rental- or service vehicle status (in other words, for each Saturn or Pontiac car that dealers sell to themselves).
So, on paper, you'd be buying a used car, but, in real life, that car will have never moved from its current spot in the car lot. Meanwhile, existing warranties on these vehicles will still be honored by GM, even though Pontiac and Saturn have... gone to a better place. The Saturn/Pontiac "used car" deal lasts until January 4, 2010.
The unusual tactic could inflate the car maker's December sales and cut the cost to car buyers by as much as 46% off the sticker price.
According to Ward's Auto Reports, 14,500 new Saturns and Pontiacs filled dealerships at the beginning of December – about two or three months worth of inventory.
In what is equivalent to a year-end fire sale, GM sent letters to dealers Dec. 23 saying it would pay them $7,000 for every new Saturn or Pontiac on their lot that is moved to rental-vehicle or service-vehicle fleets operated by the dealers.
(I'm not affiliated with GM or any auto dealer... I actually hate car lots, though any Pontiac made pre-1975 is alright with me)
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janeland
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mudricky
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at 10:02 on December 29th, 2009
Just try to take advantage of these said offers....it won't happen believe I tried to buy! Three distinct  dealerships each told me that this is GM way of forcing them out of the picture and that they heard of this offer from customers like me. A-Holes!
at 11:41 on December 30th, 2009
Here's the true story (I am a Pontiac Dealer), GM currently has a $5000 rebate and a $1500 bonus cash available on all New 2009 & 2010 Pontiacs in stock for a total of $6500. There is a program that was introduced last week to intice dealers to put their remaining inventory into daily rental service. This program gave dealers $7000 in lieu of any other incentives. Theoretically, if you had a G3 in stock at a base list price of $14995 including destination and took this $7000 off of that price, you would get a discount of 46%! However, the dealer is required to keep it in rental use for 30 days (the media never told you that, did they) If you want a REAL deal on a vehicle, just contact me @ jimmooremotors@mchsi.com Have a great day!
at 18:12 on December 31st, 2009
Finally, a Car dealer I think we all can trust to tell us the truth!
at 16:33 on January 7th, 2010
John, Thank you for your response. When people read these articles, that were not written by Saturn or Pontiac, they don't see the "up to 46% discount". Sarah wanted to buy a completely loaded, brand new Outlook XR AWD that retailed for $48,000 for under $300 a month. Certainly that would be a great deal but it isn't a deal that is available. I would like a deal like that myself.
at 17:06 on January 8th, 2010
yeah well honestly what will happen when all of these cars are left on the lot at the end of 2010? all they're doing is sitting there rusting away. Atleast sell them and take a slight loss. I really liked the 08 vue and i would also love to have it for atleast 46% off..lol. Plus i've been talking to alot of people about saturn in particular and a lot of people are worried about where they will be able to get their cars serviced.
at 18:03 on January 10th, 2010
Actually there are very few new Saturns left in the country. We purchased our last four and now are offering them as "used" at $7000 off MSRP. We are also purchasing GM Executive Saturns and quality pre-owned Saturns with low mileage. Many people want to purchase Saturn vehicles and know that the parts and warranties will be honored by GM.
at 11:47 on January 15th, 2010
The problem with purchasing a Saturn now, will be the warranty issue. Even though GM will honor the remaining warranty, not all GM dealerships will be allowed to participate in this cross-divisional warranty process. You will be forced to drive some distance to get your repairs done. This is not the case with Pontiac, since all GM dealerships can perform warranty work on them. FYI