Saturn VUE Vancouver BC Dealer Network Stinks

[Kev]

:xI wonder if anyone else has run into this problem, either in Canada or the U.S.

I have a 2004 Saturn VUE with VTI. Luckily, (especially with the VTI), it has given me great service to date. I have 60,000KM (37500 miles) on the clock.
I would love to have a new view when the time comes. However, my dealership, Morrey Saturn, in Burnaby, BC, closed, and the closest full service Saturn dealership now is in Langley, an hours drive in traffic. Not that this is an issue, it's just the time I have to take off work, just to get the vehicle serviced. I can get general servicing done, at Morrey in Coquitlam, a 10 minute drive, but they say they cannot perform some of the Saturn specific services. Example, anything to do with the transmission changrs on the VTI.
The Morrey dealership is run as Morrey Nissan.

It just bugs me when a dealer is so happy to sell you a vehicle, and then leaves you in the lurch once the sale is done.
Because of the extremely low number of dealeships selling Saturn product in BC, I doubt if I will purchase another Saturn product.

Why does Saturn do this to an otherwise loyal Customer?

Cheers
Kev

[BradJK]

I'm surprised Morrey closed up shop other than a horribly congested parking and sales area at that location. I went there a couple of times for an oil change, decent people and service. Maybe the price of that very very valuable property played a part in them closing.
I usually go to Springmans in langley, as I live in Mission. It's still an hours drive for me as well, but the service there is worth it.

[Kev]

Thanks Brad,

Makes me feel a lot better I'm not the only one. I wonder why Saturn does not have a more comprehensive dealer network?

Anyway, thanks for the reply,

Cheers
Kev

[Kooler King]

... I wonder why Saturn does not have a more comprehensive dealer network?

Better quality than quantity? Saturn used to set very specific requirements to become a dealer or sales person (e.g. could never have worked in retail auto sales previously) so that they didn't become like all other brands. As it is, some of the regional mega-dealerships Saturn does have are not much different from the competition.

Many less profitable GM dealerships have been closing in our area recently ... it would be rather difficult to force a Saturn dealership to open in a weak market and not be able to sustain itself. I don't know what the answer is as I live 40 miles from my Saturn dealer, but they were a far better alternative than the bowtie guy 5 miles down the road from my house.

[Kev]

Thanks Kooler King,

Guess I'll stay with Saturn. Your comment of "Better quality than quantity" makes sense and made me think.
Love the comment on the bow tie guy :)

Cheers
Kev