The Worlds Most Loyal and Dedicated Saturn Family

[Charlie]

A new story entry has been added:

[drupal=3207]The World’s Most Loyal and Dedicated Saturn Family[/drupal]

Earlier this month, Al Clapsaddle's wife took delivery of a brand new 2009 Saturn Aura XE

[rossao1]

WTG AL!

[David 93 SL2m]

I'd be more impressed if the 47 Saturns in the Clapsaddle family were owned and driven by 47 different family members.

How many of those 47 Saturns purchased by the 9 people in the Clapsaddle family are still owned and driven by them?

Does Al still own and drive the 7 Saturns he bought for himself?

• 1994 SL2 (Gold),Al
• 1996 SL2 (Green),Al
• 1998 SL2 (Pearl White),Al
• 2002 Vue 4 FWD (Silver),Al
• 2003 Ion QC 3 (Orange),Al
• 2005 Ion Redline (Red),Al
• 2008 Aura XE 4 cyl (Techno Grey),Al

Does his wife still own and drive the 7 Saturns she bought?

• 1995 SC2 (White),Al's wife
• 1997 SC2 (White),Al's wife
• 2000 LW1 (Blue),Al's wife
• 2003 Ion 3 (White),Al's wife
• 2005 L300.2 (White),Al's wife
• 2006 Ion 3 (White),Al's wife
• 2009 Aura XE (White),Al's wife

Does his son still own and drive the 7 Saturns he bought?

• 1993 SC1 (Aquamarine),Al's son
• 1996 SL2 (Silver),Al's son
• 1999 SC2 (Black Berry),Al's son
• 2001 SL2 (Silver),Al's son
• 2003 Ion 3 (Green),Al's son
• 2005 Ion 3 (Silver),Al's son
• 2008 Astra XE (Black),Al's son

Does his brother #2 still own and drive the 6 Saturns he bought?

• 1996 SL2 (Green),Al's brother (#2)
• 1999 SL2 Homecoming (Light Green),Al's brother (#2)
• 2001 SC2 (Yellow),Al's brother (#2)
• 2003 Ion 3 (Berry Red),Al's brother (#2)
• 2006 Ion 3 (Berry Red),Al's brother (#2)
• 2008 Astra XE (Black),Al's brother (#2)

Does his brother #1 still own and drive the 5 Saturns he bought?

• 1994 SL2 (Gold),Al's brother (#1)
• 1996 SL2 (Gold),Al's brother (#1)
• 1999 SL2 (Gold),Al's brother (#1)
• 2003 L200 (Gold),Al's brother (#1)
• 2003 Vue 6 AWD (Silver),Al's brother (#1)

Does his brother #3 still own and drive the 4 Saturns he bought?

• 1998 SW2 (Green),Al's brother (#3)
• 2003 Ion 3 (Blue),Al's brother (#3)
• 2005 L300.2 (Silver),Al's brother (#3)
• 2006 Ion 3 (Silver),Al's brother (#3)

Does his daughter still own and drive the 4 Saturns she bought?

• 1999 SC2 (Red),Al's daughter
• 2006 Ion QC 3 (Black),Al's daughter
• 2007 Ion QC 3 (Red),Al's daughter
• 2008 Vue XE 6 AWD (Silver),Al's daughter

Does his sister #1 still own and drive the 4 Saturns she bought?

• 1995 SC2 (Light Plum),Al's sister (#1)
• 1996 SC2 (Black),Al's sister (#1)
• 2002 SL1 (Gold),Al's sister (#1)
• 2004 Ion QC 2 (Black),Al's sister (#1)

Does his sister #2 still own and drive the 3 Saturns she bought?

• 2002 SC2 (Green),Al's sister (#2)
• 2003 Ion 2 (Blue),Al's sister (#2)
• 2004 Ion QC 3 (Black),Al's sister (#2)

[Low Saturn]

I've personally have owned 23 S-Series. I currently own four.

[2NDSOUT]

I've met Al a few times at some Saturn get-togethers in Columbus; but I had no idea that he has had this many!

Interestingly...only a few L-Series and VUEs...why so few?

Pretty cool, though

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by 2NDSOUT

Interestingly...only a few L-Series and VUEs...why so few?

Probably because S-Series are a dime a dozen and IONs are quickly doing the same.

[LotusLord]

Originally Posted by Low Saturn

Probably because S-Series are a dime a dozen and IONs are quickly doing the same.

True, but the styling of the S series is much nicer IMO. I never got over those center mounted gauges.

[plato]

how do people afford buying a new car every other year?

[crystal scan]

i don;t think i will that loyal

[crystal scan]

Originally Posted by plato

how do people afford buying a new car every other year?

because they are rich, and some reason are sucked in

[crystal scan]

Originally Posted by Low Saturn

I've personally have owned 23 S-Series. I currently own four.

you have lots of money, my dad has owned 2 this is second one a 1993 sl1, then 2002 sl2 my dad keeps ohis cars a long time

[eRic 02sc2]

Originally Posted by 2NDSOUT

I've met Al a few times at some Saturn get-togethers in Columbus; but I had no idea that he has had this many!

Interestingly...only a few L-Series and VUEs...why so few?

Pretty cool, though

because S-Series rock! and they were in production from 1991-2002 which is longer than the rest. I own(ed)
1992 SC 5-spd man, no ABS
1996 SC2 5-spd man, no ABS, no TRAC
2002 SC2 5-spd man, no ABS, no TRAC

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by David 93 SL2m

I'd be more impressed if the 47 Saturns in the Clapsaddle family were owned and driven by 47 different family members.

Really? Buying one Saturn would be good, but one person going back to buy the same brand of car over and over again speaks volumes for their enthusiasm and loyalty to Saturn.

You guys are a tough crowd -- 47 Saturns purchased by one family is quite a feat!!

Why take what should be a happy and momentous occasion and be so critical?

Charlie

[adventureoflink]

Originally Posted by plato

how do people afford buying a new car every other year?

that's what I'd like to know, whatever happened to people keeping vehicles till they either:

1) spit out all their coolant and/or oil
2) engine pops
3) tires roll off the axles
4) transmission pops
5) any combination of the above

?

Originally Posted by eRic 02sc2

1992 SC 5-spd man, no ABS

I thought ABS and TRAC went hand-in-hand (can't have one without the other?)

[David 93 SL2m]

Originally Posted by Charlie

Really? Buying one Saturn would be good, but one person going back to buy the same brand of car over and over again speaks volumes for their enthusiasm and loyalty to Saturn.

I think it is most impressive when somebody buys and drives a car for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles or perhaps even millions of miles. Luke and his 1995 Saturn SL2 with over 500,000 miles and Irv Gordon and his 1966 Volvo P1800 with almost 3,000,000 miles both come to mind.

If somebody's front yard has 14 Saturns, or if somebody is buying a new Saturn practically once a year, then I start wondering about them.

1. 1994 SL2 (Gold),Al
2. 1995 SC2 (White),Al's wife
3. 1996 SL2 (Green),Al
4. 1997 SC2 (White),Al's wife
5. 1998 SL2 (Pearl White),Al
6. 2000 LW1 (Blue),Al's wife
7. 2002 Vue 4 FWD (Silver),Al
8. 2003 Ion QC 3 (Orange),Al
9. 2003 Ion 3 (White),Al's wife
10. 2005 Ion Redline (Red),Al
11. 2005 L300.2 (White),Al's wife
12. 2006 Ion 3 (White),Al's wife
13. 2008 Aura XE 4 cyl (Techno Grey),Al
14. 2009 Aura XE (White),Al's wife

To each his own...

[plato]

Originally Posted by adventureoflink

that's what I'd like to know, whatever happened to people keeping vehicles till they either:

1) spit out all their coolant and/or oil
2) engine pops
3) tires roll off the axles
4) transmission pops
5) any combination of the above

?


I thought ABS and TRAC went hand-in-hand (can't have one without the other?)

I've seen many cars with ABS but no TRAC, especially before trac became a big thing. I personally don't care much for trac (maybe because I drive a stick) but would never be without ABS.

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by adventureoflink

I thought ABS and TRAC went hand-in-hand (can't have one without the other?)

He listed it that way because the gen-1 5-speed ABS cars didn't have TRAC.

Yeah, tough crowd indeed. Does it really matter whether Al and family still own/drive all those cars? Whatever they've sold off, most of them are probably STILL being driven by SOMEONE. It'd be cool to own a secondhand former Clapdaddy-mobile. Shoot, whoever bought wolfman's "old '97" when he went off the res should be proud of that car's provenance.

And no, I wouldn't say Low Saturn has "a lot of money". Yeah, it's expensive to live where he lives, but he didn't buy all 23 of his Saturns new, the way Al and his family have bought their 47. Low is famous for finding cars and parts that he can buy for the change that's stuck in the cushions of his couch. Al and family obviously have a different approach. Is one approach or the other "better"? Of course not. It's a big enough world, with room for people with wildly different ways of doing things; the one thing that's in common is an obvious appreciation for Saturns, and for Saturn.

HAH, I did manage to find one thing on which to criticize the Clapsaddle family -- 47 Saturns and only one wagon? What were you thinking?

[Low Saturn]

Originally Posted by crystal scan

you have lots of money, my dad has owned 2 this is second one a 1993 sl1, then 2002 sl2 my dad keeps ohis cars a long time

No. Four were bought from dealerships and only one of those was brand new. The rest were found on craigslist or eBay. Most were in the $500 range or less. A couple were $1000. And a handfull were free. Including the 1994 SL2 I just got a couple weeks ago.

Some I buy to do minor repairs then sell, or give to friends or family members. Others get used for their parts and recycled.

[ClapDaddy]

Originally Posted by David 93 SL2m

I think it is most impressive when somebody buys and drives a car for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles or perhaps even millions of miles. Luke and his 1995 Saturn SL2 with over 500,000 miles and Irv Gordon and his 1966 Volvo P1800 with almost 3,000,000 miles both come to mind.

If somebody's front yard has 14 Saturns, or if somebody is buying a new Saturn practically once a year, then I start wondering about them.

1. 1994 SL2 (Gold),Al
2. 1995 SC2 (White),Al's wife
3. 1996 SL2 (Green),Al
4. 1997 SC2 (White),Al's wife
5. 1998 SL2 (Pearl White),Al
6. 2000 LW1 (Blue),Al's wife
7. 2002 Vue 4 FWD (Silver),Al
8. 2003 Ion QC 3 (Orange),Al
9. 2003 Ion 3 (White),Al's wife
10. 2005 Ion Redline (Red),Al
11. 2005 L300.2 (White),Al's wife
12. 2006 Ion 3 (White),Al's wife
13. 2008 Aura XE 4 cyl (Techno Grey),Al
14. 2009 Aura XE (White),Al's wife

To each his own...

As you said to each their own. Some folks buy a new house every 5 to 7 years. I have had 2 homes since 1976.

Some people change spouses every 8 to 10 years. I have had one for 37 years.

When I first saw the article on the front page, I was embarassed but happy. Then I read some of the comments and they were a great "buzz-kill".

To think that I would have to justify my passion for Saturn on a "Saturn Fans" site is amazing.

Oh well.

Here is an explanation of the vehicles that my wife and I have purchased.

1994 SL2 was purchased for one and only one reason. To prove to my son (who was 16 at the time) that Saturns were junk and he should buy a Toyota like I owned. I had a 1994 Camry XLE (4 cylinder).

Unfortunately, I really liked the car except for the diaper like airbag, the gutterless roof and the automatic seat belts.

I wanted to challenge Saturns' return policy with the purchase of my 1996 SL2. I bought one site unseen (except for pictures). I like the 96 SL2 except the handling. That is when I first connected with SPS. I bought the 21hp package and lowered the car. Did various appearance improvements also.

My 1998 came about because I really liked the Pearl-White color that first came out in 1994 (Homecomming Edition). I also modded this car with lowering springs, the 21 hp package, and a high compression head. When the 1999 Homecomming car came out, the "Green" one, I decided to make my Pearl-White car an IMO a REAL Homecomming car. I purchased the interior of a Homecomming Vehicle and had it installed in my 1998 SL2. This car stayed with me through my next two purchases. Finally, put it to bed when it had about 90,000 miles. Because of some personal health issues, I had trouble driving it.

The purchase of the 2002 VUE was to have a vehicle that would fit my son 6'4", my daughter 5'10" and my wife 5'9". Whenever we went some place as a family, we would have to take two vehicles. The VUE solved this issue. The VUE helped in other ways too. My son moved out . When my daughter left, I did not need a SUV and bought the 2003 ION 3 QC. Again I had some fun modding the car. BUT I made a BIG mistake. From a company that I thought was good, I ordered a Turbo. Unfortunatley, the company was changing hands. The NEW Owner must have been clueless. After many attempts to get the car to run right (too rich; too lean) back and forth, they agreed to remove it. But in the process the car kept having issues.

I dumped it and bought the 2005 ION Redline. This and my 98 SL2 were the hardest decisions I had made to get rid of. My wife can't or won't learn how to drive a manual shift vehicle. Some health issues came back and it was NOT safe to not have another person who could dirve the car.

Soo, I purchased the 2008 Aura XE (4 cylinder). I did again mod it, but only appearance items. In hind sight, wished I knew that the 2009 Auras were going to have the 6 speed tranny.

So I hope this explains my Saturn purchases.

Now for my wife's purchases. She had a 1994 Corolla at the time and hated going to the dealer. When she saw how happy I was with my 1994 SL2, she decided to get a 1995 SC2. The diaper air-bag and motorized belts were gone by then. The only real problem that she had was the pop-up lights in the winter.

Soo in 1997, I surprised her with a 1997 SC2. This was sort of a 25th wedding anniversary present.

In 2000, we needed a Vehicle that could hold the 4 of us (see the 2002 VUE above). Well as I have said many tmes before, if the LW1 would have been my first Saturn, it would have been my last. Way to many recurring problems. None of them HUGE but way to annoying.

She bought the 2003 ION 3 and loved it. In 2005, my son who now had a baby, would visit with his spouse and we again had to take two vehicles. So my wife bought a 2005 L300.2.

Unfortunately, they broke up and his spouse received custody of the baby. My wife missed her ION, so we got rid of it and bought another ION, a 2006. It was almost an exact replica of the 2003 ION, equipment wise.

In March of this year, my wife had her first ever Automobile accident. It was JUST a fender bender ($2,800 to repair). BUT she felt uncomfortable driving it.

The Aura with ALL of the discounts made it a GREAT selection for her. She really wanted another NEW ION but they were not available. The ASTRAs that we had left were ALL 3 doors and she could not deal with NOT having 4 doors and the small rear window.

So there you have it!

p.s. I typically am NOT a fan of used cars. Though now with the Certification Process, it makes sense.

Please excuse any spelling mistakes. It is late and I am tired and OLD.

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by ClapDaddy

As you said to each their own. Some folks buy a new house every 5 to 7 years. I have had 2 homes since 1976.

Some people change spouses every 8 to 10 years. I have had one for 37 years.

Between houses, spouses and cars (sounds like a bad movie title), if it's cars you choose to switch every few years, I'd say you have your priorities straight.

In March of this year, my wife had her first ever Automobile accident. It was JUST a fender bender ($2,800 to repair). BUT she felt uncomfortable driving it.

In the ION? Wouldn't that make it a "fender cracker"?

BTW, the banner ad STILL says "32"....