Saturn Warranty
Is your Saturn warranty about to expire? Didn't buy the extra protection when you made the original purchase? Hello, my name is Kirk Steele and I will try to help you answer the question "Do I need to purchase a Saturn extended warranty or mechanical breakdown protection? Here is what I will cover in this short article:
- Saturn History
- Original Saturn Warranty
- Saturn Reliability
- Do I Need Extended Protection?
- Options for Extended Protection
Saturn History
Saturn was GM's answer to the cheap, efficient Asian car market that began to explode in the early 1990's. Saturn released their final lineup of cars in 2010, after also being phased out during the restructure.
Saturn Warranties
Before considering extended protection, it is important to know the original manufacturer's warranty. The Saturn comes with the following warranties:
- Saturn 5-year/100,000-mile Transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty with no deductible
- Saturn 5-year/100,000-mile 24/7 Roadside Assistance
- 5-year/100,000-mile Courtesy Transportation
For complete Saturn warranty information see www.saturn.com
Saturn Reliability
In the last decade, the most common problems I've seen on Saturn's are mysterious no-starts and transmission issues. Like Saabs, Saturn's are also more unique and therefore are typically more difficult to work on than other GM's.
Some Saturn's have a coolant leak issue; unfortunately the circumstances are usually very dire resulting in cylinder head replacement. There are also several safety concerns regarding a throttle that sticks at unpredictable times.
The Saturn brand is heavily laden with recalls, especially on the L-series and Ion
Needs: Saturn is a brand that actually has a decent reputation for quality. Essentially they are small efficient cars that serve their owners faithfully.
The problem is that when something goes wrong, it's often not something small. All the above–mentioned common problems are on the expensive end of the spectrum.
It is easy to find out about a product's reliability in the age of the Internet. All you have to do is check with a community of people that have the same product. People in these groups tend to be very outspoken. In the case of automobiles one such community is Edmunds.com.
Before making a decision on extended protection, use the links below to research your specific model for known problems. Certain cars are known to be unreliable, making the extended protection decision a no-brainer.
Here's another great resource to check the reliability record of your used vehicle.
Do I Need Saturn Extended Warranty Protection?
Choosing to purchase extended protection for your Saturn is ultimately a personal decision. However, here are some things to consider:
- The manufacturer's original warranties
- The age and mileage of your Saturn
- The reliability record of your particular Saturn model
- How many miles you drive
- How long you plan to own your Saturn
- Your risk tolerance
- Your financial ability to pay for unexpected repairs
Here are two additional resources to help determine if extended protection is right for you:
- POMCalc! Check your peace of mind
- How to determine if a vehicle extended warranty is right for you.
If you decide that extended protection is a good "bet" for you then be sure to purchase it before the original Saturn warranty expires. The sooner you do it the less it will cost you. If the Saturn warranty expires, your options may be limited. However, you don't have to purchase a Saturn extended warranty – there is another option: Mechanical Breakdown Protection.
Options for Extended Protection
Saturn drivers should stay well informed about the regular problems and recalls with their vehicles. Abusive driving habits definitely warrant extra coverage because you're more likely to see these problems arise.
Those who use their Saturn as a grocery getter may not have a huge need for an expensive factory GM extended car warranty, but those who commute and rely on their vehicle may want to look into it. Those seeking a more personalized peace of mind should look for the coverage that best suits them.
You have two basic options when it comes to extended protection for your Saturn
- Saturn Extended Warranty
- Third Party Mechanical Breakdown Protection
The extended Saturn warranty is only offered by the manufacturer and is usually sold through the dealership. A mechanical nreakdown protection plan may be purchased from a third party company. Coverage between the two options is usually comparable. But read the actual contract to be sure.
The main difference between the options is the price and the fact that mechanical breakdown protection lets you have your service done at any repair facility. The Saturn extended warranty requires that you service your vehicle at the dealership or other Saturn authorized repair facilities. This tends to limit your options since there is not a large Saturn dealer network in the United States.
Third party mechanical breakdown protection plans tend to offer more value and can often be found at a lower price with similar coverage. However, it is important to purchase the vehicle service contract from a reputable company.
The Saturn extended warranty is a solid choice but a mechanical breakdown protection plan from a reputable third party may serve you best if you need the flexibility of choosing your own service location or personal mechanic, and are concerned about price.
For additional information on determining your need for extended warranty protection please review the following pages:
As always, I encourage you to do your own research. We have plenty of information on this site that I believe you will find helpful in your search for a good extended car warranty. I encourage you to also call us if you have any questions throughout your search.
Keep in mind autoPOM! if you decide that mechanical breakdown protection is right for you. autoPOM! mechanical breakdown protection plans are underwritten by Mercury Insurance Group. You will find our prices very low compared to other providers in the market place. Mercury is rated A+ by A.M. Best and autoPOM! is rated A+ by BBB.
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