Vintage Things That Have Disappeared In Your Lifetime?

[Gregg Axley]

It wasn't just that the vehicle had problems, but the contemptible "customer service" that came with it. When my engine blew up at 30,000 miles, still under warranty, the head customer service guy in Tennessee actually laughed in my face and said, and I quote verbatim, "sucks to be you".

I hate to hear that....
Everyone has a boss, sorry you couldn't find out who was in charge of this clown.
Some sort of compromise should have been made by the manufacturer.

 

[Zombie_61]

I owned a Saturn and can say unequivocally that it was the biggest piece of crap ever produced, by the biggest dirtbag of an organization that ever sold a car. It was a happy, happy day when that scum of a company went out of business.

This, and the experience you shared in your subsequent post, were the exact opposite of our experience. My wife and I owned a 1996 Saturn SC2 Coupe; we never had a problem with the dealership or the car and, except for it being a little too small for my 6'1" frame, it was one of the best, reliable, and most "fun to drive" cars we've owned.

My FWD had to be worked on when the ASB went DOA. I put out an APB PDQ for NOS VTG parts for DIY. Found an EX to F ANSI component, but not ISO certified. Supplier claimed to be OEM but wouldn't ship UPS or PP so I had to drive and PU. Got there and they wouldn't take V/M/D, cash only.

ound: :yo:

 

[BigFitz]

This, and the experience you shared in your subsequent post, were the exact opposite of our experience. My wife and I owned a 1996 Saturn SC2 Coupe; we never had a problem with the dealership or the car and, except for it being a little too small for my 6'1" frame, it was one of the best, reliable, and most "fun to drive" cars we've owned.

I bought a 1992 SL new with a 5 speed and 85hp. It was the cheapest you could get save for one option, a cassette player. It was obviously not going to win a contest for luxury or quality of materials used , but it never had a hiccup in 150,000 miles over the 11 years I owned it. Would occasionally get 45mpg on the highway but usually averaged 42.

However, when it was time for something new, I went back to the same dealer to trade it in, and he offered me $100. I just stared at him for about 10 seconds and got up and left. I ended up selling it to a friend at work for a $1000. Oh, and I didn't go back to Saturn either.

 

[HudsonHawk]

I hate to hear that....
Everyone has a boss, sorry you couldn't find out who was in charge of this clown.
Some sort of compromise should have been made by the manufacturer.

This wasn't some local dealership guy, it was five levels up in some executive office in Spring Hill. I asked who was next up the chain and was told that's it, he's the definitive word at Saturn. I suppose his boss was the stockholders.

At any rate, the car was fun to drive, and I got fantastic mileage. It was just garbage, as was the company and the people running it.

 

[jamespowers]

My FWD had to be worked on when the ASB went DOA. I put out an APB PDQ for NOS VTG parts for DIY. Found an EX to F ANSI component, but not ISO certified. Supplier claimed to be OEM but wouldn't ship UPS or PP so I had to drive and PU. Got there and they wouldn't take V/M/D, cash only.

What kind of FWD?

 

[Gregg Axley]

This wasn't some local dealership guy, it was five levels up in some executive office in Spring Hill. I asked who was next up the chain and was told that's it, he's the definitive word at Saturn. I suppose his boss was the stockholders.

At any rate, the car was fun to drive, and I got fantastic mileage. It was just garbage, as was the company and the people running it.

One reason they aren't around now.
We've been pleased with ours. Actually I wasn't going to buy one, but test drove one for work (looked at buying 25 of them) and realized it was better for trips than my Subaru Baja. I knew the salesman, and he made me a deal of $70 dollars more a month than I was currently paying, for something with 37,000 less miles (brand new) and more room, plus the Honda powertrain. So I bought it only because of that, and the fact the Subaru Tribeca was $75 dollars more a month than we could afford.
We've had a few issues but with an extended and then extended extended warranty, it's been good.
The next vehicle will be a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

To keep us on track, I'd like to mention pride in one's job. Maybe this goes hand in hand with quality, it certainly results in quality most of the time. It's been talked about here, but I can honestly say that I've seen more slackers lately than in my entire lifetime. Not just Walmart, which is to be expected, but it seems to be creeping into more businesses that used to be good. I'm certain that pay plays a factor in this, but what happened to pride in the work? Where I work we have yearly evaluations. If you aren't doing your job you get placed on probation. If there are layoffs on the horizon, guess who gets on that list? I was taught to work hard and take pride in my job by both my grandparents and my father, and that advice has never let me down. Now it seems "vintage" to me because it's becoming so rare.

 

[Gregg Axley]

What kind of FWD?

Probably that rare Dodge Dart FWD.

 

[jamespowers]

Probably that rare Dodge Dart FWD.

With ABS, TPI and 22s.

 

[HudsonHawk]

One reason they aren't around now.
We've been pleased with ours. Actually I wasn't going to buy one, but test drove one for work (looked at buying 25 of them) and realized it was better for trips than my Subaru Baja. I knew the salesman, and he made me a deal of $70 dollars more a month than I was currently paying, for something with 37,000 less miles (brand new) and more room, plus the Honda powertrain. So I bought it only because of that, and the fact the Subaru Tribeca was $75 dollars more a month than we could afford.

I will say this about Saturn...their Sky roadster (which is basically the American version of the Opel GT) is one of the best pieces of automotive styling to come along in 30 years. Though I can't speak for it mechanically, it's a beautifully styled vehicle.

 

[jamespowers]

I will say this about Saturn...their Sky roadster (which is basically the American version of the Opel GT) is one of the best pieces of automotive styling to come along in 30 years. Though I can't speak for it mechanically, it's a beautifully styled vehicle.

I see someone stole a Miata and made modifications. lol lol Oh yes and there is another thing that has disappeared----originality. People expect you to pay a fortune for something that looks just like everything else with maybe one more accessory and more paint options. Yeah right! :rofl:

 

[Zombie_61]

...To keep us on track, I'd like to mention pride in one's job. Maybe this goes hand in hand with quality, it certainly results in quality most of the time. It's been talked about here, but I can honestly say that I've seen more slackers lately than in my entire lifetime. Not just Walmart, which is to be expected, but it seems to be creeping into more businesses that used to be good. I'm certain that pay plays a factor in this, but what happened to pride in the work? Where I work we have yearly evaluations. If you aren't doing your job you get placed on probation. If there are layoffs on the horizon, guess who gets on that list? I was taught to work hard and take pride in my job by both my grandparents and my father, and that advice has never let me down. Now it seems "vintage" to me because it's becoming so rare.

Pride in one's job and strong work ethics are both commodities that appear to be diminishing as the years pass. Surely an individual's abilities come into the equation at some point (i.e., some people are simply better at performing certain tasks than others), but without the proper attitude and application of those abilities even the most skilled person can, and will, be less competent. As for rate of pay being a factor, in my experience this again depends on the individual's perspective. I've worked with people who have made a statement to the effect of, "I'd work harder if they'd pay me more," and all I could think was, "No you wouldn't, you lazy (fill in the blank)."

But I also believe it can be a two-way street. What I mean is, if you work for someone who expresses an appreciation for your hard work it can be a valuable incentive to maintain your high level of performance in the workplace. Conversely, if you work for someone who doesn't seem to care about you or your performance there's not much inspiration to do a better job for them. I've worked for both types over the years, and can say from personal experience that simply hearing the words, "You did a good job on that," from time to time can go a long way towards boosting morale.

 

[HudsonHawk]

I see someone stole a Miata and made modifications. lol lol Oh yes and there is another thing that has disappeared----originality. People expect you to pay a fortune for something that looks just like everything else with maybe one more accessory and more paint options. Yeah right! :rofl:

Mazda didn't invent the roadster.

 

[VintageBee]

We still do that here. The phrase you want to see in a used-car ad is "WILL TAKE STICKER." Of course, once it's eroded to the point where it won't take a sticker, you can sell it to island people -- licenses and registrations and inspections aren't required there, and you'll see cars still rolling out there where the floor is a nothing but a piece of plywood with a milk crate on it for a seat.

When we went to Mexico several years ago, we found out where all the old Datsun and Volkswagon pickup trucks went!!

 

[Gregg Axley]

I will say this about Saturn...their Sky roadster (which is basically the American version of the Opel GT) is one of the best pieces of automotive styling to come along in 30 years. Though I can't speak for it mechanically, it's a beautifully styled vehicle.

Except when you open the hood, with the drivers door open. They meet in a very paint scratching, dent making way. :eeek:
Plus they don't have a spare tire, they have a fix a flat system. Uh no, if I want a 2 seat convertible, I'll go with another Miata. Loved my
1990 one and I'll buy the newer style in a heartbeat, given the funds.
BTW the Sky is better looking, but not better performing.

Zombie you bring up a good point. I don't hear "you did a good job" often enough, but the pay makes the bills, and I have some perks I won't discuss here. A previous job I hear the all important phrase a lot, but the pay wasn't there. One day I'll get both. One day....

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Strange..I liked my 2007 Solstice GXP much better than my Wife's Miata. Both fun to drive..but the GXP performed much much better with the turbo. All around a much beefier sportscar. Sorry they discontinued it and Pontiac.
HD

 

[Wally_Hood]

What kind of FWD?

I made all that stuff up.

 

[Gregg Axley]

Strange..I liked my 2007 Solstice GXP much better than my Wife's Miata. Both fun to drive..but the GXP performed much much better with the turbo. All around a much beefier sportscar. Sorry they discontinued it and Pontiac.
HD

I went back and read the hp on the Sky turbo, and yes it's a bit beefier than the Miata.
From production it will embarrass a Miata owner. Of course with the 302 v-8 mod, the Miata will do just the opposite, but it's not factory.
Yeah leave it to GM to discontinue a good thing, thus shooting themselves in the foot.
Case in point, this car.
Great gas mileage, room for 4 people, and if it had wings it would have left the ground.

 

[jamespowers]

Strange..I liked my 2007 Solstice GXP much better than my Wife's Miata. Both fun to drive..but the GXP performed much much better with the turbo. All around a much beefier sportscar. Sorry they discontinued it and Pontiac.
HD

Geez, they all look the same so you might as well go with better performance.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Geez, they all look the same so you might as well go with better performance.

My GXP Turbo looked a little different...

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Here's the Solstice V8 LT1 mod. If I remember correctly 430HP..