Saturn Relay Challenge

[michael_downs]

I have not posted a new thread in a long time. I have had 7 Saturns. My wife and I have a 2007 Aura and a 2005 RELAY. We have had our minor problems in the past but they have been very very minor. Saturn of Michiana has been an awesome dealer. They are really on top of things. I realize that some dealers are not as good as others. This can be true with any Saturn automobile too.

Which leads me to my post. I want everyone to know that the Saturn Relay I have had since June of 2005 is one of the best Saturns I have ever owned. I guess I am one of the lucky ones!!! It is wonderful that I can take my grandchildren and their parents along with my wife and we don't have to drive another car to go some place together. My grandchildren love the DVD player. The XM radio is very very nice. We love to listen to the Disney channel or the XM kids channel.

So... I want to challenge those who have a RELAY...I would love to read about all of the great and positive things about RELAYs. Vactions...Trips...What have you hauled in your RELAY? What makes driving your RELAY fun?

It's great to post problems to help others out! That is one great thing about posting a thread... to find out about problems and how they can be solved. I am still not happy about seeing some of the same old stories on new threads. People have tried to help but there is always some excuse!

So...those of you who enjoy your RELAY! Awesome! To those of you who have had problem but the dealer has helped you....Awesome!!!! Those of you who can't seem to get the problems fixed....Do something about it!

If you don't have anything to say ...that's ok. If you want to complain... do it on a new thread...not this one.

If no one replies...then I must be the only happy RELAY owner! OR Those who have had a RELAY did something and got rid of it.


Thanks

[onefunkar]

i sold my wifes parents a new 05 relay 3 in 8/05. it has about 35k on it. he says its the best car hes ever had. he had a radio problem and abs problem almost right away handled by the dealer no problem. and later front warped rotors which were replaced no charge no problem. they live in phoenix. last fall we flew down there and i drove with them in the relay to palm springs. 300 mile drive and no one goes under 85mph. loaded up with luggage and golf clubs and drove smooth as can be.

[4littlemonkeys]

Originally Posted by michael_downs

People have tried to help but there is always some excuse!
Those who have had a RELAY did something and got rid of it.

Nasty.

Some of can't do anything more then what we have done because we are financially stuck. If I were to do anything else it would to trade it in. I tried and on a little SUV that won't hold my entire family and no options my payments were over $700 because of the value of the Saturn.

So some of has have busted our butts trying to get Saturn to do something and they won't. This is on them. We are stuck because of them. They won't stand up and do the right thing. So we, the little guy, are stuck.

So suggesting that we always have an excuse is really nasty. We have a reason...which means we have no choice. We would love to do something more but we have exhausted all avenues.

[michael_downs]

onefunkar

Hey thanks for your reply!!! It's nice to read positive things about the RELAY.

Thanks!

[JonLawHastings]

I challenge you Michael to drive my relay for a week and we'll see what you post at the end of it. I DOUBT it will be a glowing review.

[kaviation]

If you have read any of the posts about the Relay on this forum, then I can't believe you expect people not to submit any negative replies. I'm willing to bet you'll get more neg's. than pos. replies.

As for 4littlemonkeys, he has had an impossible time with his vehicle, and has proven it by even going as far as showing videos of his problems. To come on here and expect what you are asking is not going to happen.


Sorry.

[4littlemonkeys]

Originally Posted by kaviation

As for 4littlemonkeys, he has had an impossible time with his vehicle, and has proven it by even going as far as showing videos of his problems. To come on here and expect what you are asking is not going to happen.


Sorry.

Heck I wish we had recorded more...like the time I drove many miles with the constant dinging or the time I could shut the door even on manual...heck some big guy stopped to help and he couldn't close it.

I would love to trade it in but it's financially impossible. Some of us have other obligations and things we have to deal with. The fact that the van is unreliable is especially bad when you consider the medical issues I have with daughter (cerebral palsy, myopathy, feeding tube). We've had to rush her to the ER because she was quickly becoming unable to breath. To have something so unreliable really sucks. Right now her tube needs to be changed. I couldn't do it this morning because of the way her stoma site is. I know that we are starting to have issues with replacement of it and if it doesn't go well she needs to get to a hospital fast or she will end up in surgery. I needed to wait until my husband was home because I needed to make sure I have a vehicle that works.

[crkeehn]

Yes people have had unpleasant experiences with the Saturn Relay as well as the corporate twins. Others have had very pleasant experiences with the same vehicle. We have had a pleasant experience. We purchased a used 05 Saturn Relay 3 in July. It did have its share of problems, all corrected by the dealer. We did have the flickering light issue which was corrected and had the difficult horn pad corrected. Otherwise the car has been very pleasant. It takes regular trips to either grandparents homes in stride, it's a comfortable ride, the DVD player keeps the children amused and the back is large enough to haul the boxes of stuff that my wifes mother generally has for her. Gas mileage is even not too unpleasant a surprise. We generally meet or exceed EPA standards both in town and on the highway.

BTW, if people haven't looked at the NHTSA site recently, the NHTSA has opened an engineering study on the sliding door issue with the GM vans.

[michael_downs]

crkeehn,

Thanks for your positive reply. My wife and I get the same gas mileage that you are getting. We were also surprised but felt great about it too.

We put on 200 more miles on the RELAY last weekend to visit our grandchildren. That DVD player is awesome!!

Thanks

[BradJK]

3.5 years and almost 40'000kms. It's been a good run so far.
Van doesn't have any squeaks or rattles.
Only 4 repairs so far, one of them a trim piece, A new alternator and a
noisy suspension part was replaced.
Brakes and rotors were also just replaced.

It's been through a few nasty 10 hour road trips with 5 kids and
the DVD player has earned it's keep.

I just finished moving my brother in it....again.
Truly amazing how much stuff you can cram in there with the seats out.
I should have taken a picture.

I also got enough wood in there last year to build my 16x12 deck!
I should have made 2 loads though because the rear suspension was compressed so low I ripped my mud flaps off. Whoops!

All in all, There are 3 things that I wish were designed better, But I trust my vehicle and am sure it'll make it to it's 10th birthday with minimal fuss.

Considering what I paid, Money well spent.

Now I have successfully jinxed myself and I'll be posting to complain about something next week!

[michael_downs]

BradJK

Hey thanks for taking the time to post a positive reply. I hope that you have not jinxed yourself either!

I agree that you can put a lot of stuff inside when the seats are out. I know... I helped move my daughter and her family a couple of years ago. We were amazed how much space there was.

I can sure understand how the DVD player is handy for you with 5 kids. I know my two oldest greadchildren love it!

I think is awesome about hauling wood for you deck too!

Again thanks so much for the great stories!!

[steffy628]

OK...I'll bite. I have owned multiple minivans over the years. I can honestly say that our 2005 Saturn Relay 3 AWD is, by far, the best van we have ever owned. We bought it in September of 2006 in Atlanta, Georgia with about 15k on it. I especially love the way it handles in the snow and the conveniences that come along with it (i.e. Power Doors/DVD player/XM radio, etc). It currently has between 33 and 34k on it and we are planning a road trip to Florida in a few weeks that will extend the mileage past the limits of the warranty (Due to expire in June anyway)

I found this forum a couple of months ago when I was looking for a way to advertise my 2006 Saturn ION 2 sedan (I needed to upgrade to a 4x4 vehicle). I was VERY SUPRISED to see so many negative comments about the Relay. Now don't get me wrong, it's been to the dealer twice for warranty work during my ownership, but all the issues (minor but annoying) were corrected. Please know that I am very picky and often described as a perfectionist! Although it is not where I purchased the van, I had my service done by Saturn of Wexford, PA and they have treated me VERY WELL! They are the nearest dealership, but they are 2 1/2 hours away. The service I received was exceptional, including a rental car both times (they kept my van overnight) and one time they even arranged to deliver the van back home to me and pick up the rental. Now if that doesn't say commitment, I don't know what does.

I just wanted to toot my horn. THERE ARE SATISFIED RELAY OWNERS OUT THERE!!!!!

Spencer

[michael_downs]

Steffy628

Thanks for the positive reply! It's great to hear from another SATISFIED RELAY owner. I knew there had to be happy RELAY owners who enjoyed driving there vans.

Saturn dealerships have a part in the enjoyment of a Saturn too. It sounds like Saturn of Wexford is one of those great dealerships!

Hope you have a great trip to Florida!

Thanks again,

Michael

[PC Paul]

I know that this is a really late reply to this thread, but I just have to jump in with a comment. I bought my 2005 Relay 3 FWD in December of 2004. It has done stellar service with us. Many family trips to Utah, Washington and other locales from the SF Bay Area. Service from our 2 local dealers (Stevens Creek and Capitol Saturn) has been very good. I also own a 2004 Vue V6 AWD, another fine car. I had more problems with my last Mercedes Benz than I've had with both Saturns combined.

[nababbo]

whan I saw the title of this thread I thought you guys started a fundraising to help the people stuck with this great GM engineering marvel

[PC Paul]

Originally Posted by PC Paul

I know that this is a really late reply to this thread, but I just have to jump in with a comment. I bought my 2005 Relay 3 FWD in December of 2004. It has done stellar service with us. Many family trips to Utah, Washington and other locales from the SF Bay Area. Service from our 2 local dealers (Stevens Creek and Capitol Saturn) has been very good. I also own a 2004 Vue V6 AWD, another fine car. I had more problems with my last Mercedes Benz than I've had with both Saturns combined.

In the year and a few months since I posted this, I have had to change my tune. I have been struck by the POS power sliding door issue. My experience leads me to not recommend this vehicle or any of it's GM clones. Mechanically, I have done well with this car, it is very comfortable for long trips, but the egregious safety defect of the door design has to trump everything else. I cannot in good conscience sell this car to anyone else, so I will keep it until I junk it. It is paid off and at 68k miles runs well, I have disconnected the door motors and control units. The next step may be gutting the doors and replacing the rear latches with the non-power style.

[BradJK]

Originally Posted by BradJK

3.5 years and almost 40'000kms. It's been a good run so far.
Van doesn't have any squeaks or rattles.
Only 4 repairs so far, one of them a trim piece, A new alternator and a
noisy suspension part was replaced.
Brakes and rotors were also just replaced.

It's been through a few nasty 10 hour road trips with 5 kids and
the DVD player has earned it's keep.

I just finished moving my brother in it....again.
Truly amazing how much stuff you can cram in there with the seats out.
I should have taken a picture.

I also got enough wood in there last year to build my 16x12 deck!
I should have made 2 loads though because the rear suspension was compressed so low I ripped my mud flaps off. Whoops!

All in all, There are 3 things that I wish were designed better, But I trust my vehicle and am sure it'll make it to it's 10th birthday with minimal fuss.

Considering what I paid, Money well spent.

5 year / 60'000km Update...
Still no major issues... General maintenance has been Pricey this month as everything tends to last till 60'000 kms. Wipers, all filters, 4 Tires, 4 rotors and pads all the way around.
The emergency brake portion of the rear caliper seized on one side meaning the replacement of both rear calipers as well. Then the bolt crossed threaded while doing the job and broke the stud. Nice!

Other than that, the Relay mechanically has been fine. However some annoying noises have been making themselves known. The drivers seat creaks every time you accelerate or stop. The sliding door makes a good rattle on broken pavement and there seems to be a faint rattle from the front dash area, though this is very intermittent.

No major stories for the Relay, as all trips in the last 2 years have required flying. This year however I think we're buying a Tent trailer, so more road trips are expected. If anyone has any experiences with towing please feel free to add to the thread.

[AKDRVR]

Hello, All! First post and my fingers are in my ears and I am saying 'lalalalalalalalalala' so I can't hear! Wow! We have just purchased (10 days ago) a 2006 Relay 3. First of all, we love the vehicle. We were driving our little Class C 21' Winnie through Oregon in March of 2012 when my husband contracted sepsis pneumonia. Life support, ICU 2 months then rehab 2 months. Had to sell the little one and I bought a travel trailer since we knew we were going to be here awhile (kidneys failed as a result and recovery from it all would take time). Our retirement housing in Missouri fell through due to tie frames and so here we are. I didn't know what kind of trailer I was going to buy so I bought a used - 1996 - Dodge Ram 3500. Had it til May of this year (did routine maintenance) and decided to sell/trade for something more gas efficient since there was no way I was going to be able to pull this 31'er out of here and hubby can't help. Was told EVERYRTHING was wrong and would cost $6,000 to fix!! So..... I sold it on e-Bay for enough to pay it off and started looking for another vehicle. Voila! Our Saturn! Having shocks and struts put on it and will do brakes soon (original plan was for me to work part-time but I can't now since I am full-time caregiver for my husband) so I am praying that we have one of the Relays that doesn't need a lot of work. We did buy an extended warranty for it, but so many things aren't covered. Don't know what we will do if it turns out to be a problem vehicle, but for now, we love it and it has plenty of room for wheelchairs and walkers. Fingers crossed!