2008 Saturn Outlook Performance

[MDMom]

I've noticed the problems people have been having with the 2007 Outlooks and I was just wondering if there have been similar problems with the 2008's. I guess I was hoping that Saturn has been correcting the problems they've seen in 07's when they are producing the 08's. Your thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.


Justed Ordered:

2008 XE FWD

Carbon Flash
Black Interior Cloth
Preferred Package
Convenience Package
XM Satellite Radio (Standard)
7 passenger seats with middle row captains chair

[compnurd09]

Originally Posted by MDMom

I've noticed the problems people have been having with the 2007 Outlooks and I was just wondering if there have been similar problems with the 2008's. I guess I was hoping that Saturn has been correcting the problems they've seen in 07's when they are producing the 08's. Your thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.




Justed Ordered:

2008 XE FWD

Carbon Flash
Black Interior Cloth
Preferred Package
Convenience Package
XM Satellite Radio (Standard)
7 passenger seats with middle row captains chair

Are there any specific problems you are referring to?

[montrealvue]

I think he is talking about what most others on here are talking about with their '07's. The transmission defects.

[compnurd09]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

I think he is talking about what most others on here are talking about with their '07's. The transmission defects.

I wouldnt call it a defect. It is a new tranny that is being tweaked. At least they are working on it instead of releasing it and letting it be.
If this is what you are referring to, test drive a 08 built after 08/07. It will have the newest update and will have the one your car will come with. The new update has just been released for the 07's and the people in the Acadia forum love it so far.

I have an 08(built in July though) i just got the update and love it. Tranny is responsive and shifts very smooth

[beach109]

Exactly. It's ALL programming, and in the lastest iteration, which is now on '08s, most people are reacting very favorably.

[montrealvue]

Originally Posted by beach109

Exactly. It's ALL programming, and in the lastest iteration, which is now on '08s, most people are reacting very favorably.

I agree, its software that is being tweaked and not the transmission itself. The only thing is people don't understand this. If you look at every consumer feedback site (Yahoo, MSN, Edmunds etc), people complain that the Outlook transmission is defective and is a weak spot for the vehicle. In this case, perception is everything and too much negative can often mean the difference between a sucessful model and a failure. I am hoping it is not the latter.

[FalconXR]

Originally Posted by compnurd09

The new update has just been released for the 07's and the people in the Acadia forum love it so far.

I have an 08(built in July though) i just got the update and love it. Tranny is responsive and shifts very smooth

Could you please provide more info on the update for the tranny? I had one update shortly after getting my XR in Febuary and was wondering what the new will do.

TIA.
Falcon

[compnurd09]

Originally Posted by FalconXR

Could you please provide more info on the update for the tranny? I had one update shortly after getting my XR in Febuary and was wondering what the new will do.

TIA.
Falcon

The new one is supposed to stop the tranny from "gear hunting" in certain ranges and speeds. Shifts much smoother through the gears getting to 6th at higher speeds. also gets rid of a "lag" during like a 40-50 accleration. will hold previous gear longer to provide better acceleration

MPG has not been affected so far

[mkaresh]

There are minor problems beyond the transmission. I provide vehicle reliability information, and the repair rate for the 2007 was on the high side even though I exclude reflashes from the analysis.

The next update will be in November. The repair rate could come down for the 2007 if GM has been making fixes, and I could also have an initial result for the 2008s.

[montrealvue]

Because of all the first year bugs I've decided to wait until the '09 MY. Like any new model, there are always a couple years of details/issues that have to be worked out. Its too bad the Outlook isn't any different, JD Power rates it very low as a result

[sixsigma]

Understood that it is not a defect. However, don't you think that someone that test drove the preproduction models would have noticed that it shifted like crap? This programming should have never made it to the market. It is good that they are working on a fix. However, I should not have to take time off of work just to get a transmission working properly when they knew it was bad before it was launched.

I do get why it was launched with such a poor tranny. Remember what was going on back then. GM's management was desperately trying to solve the massive corporate losses. All of the big SUV's and crossovers were being pulled up to get them to the market sooner. They simply launched it before it was ready. Those that bought the vehicle got a nice automobile for the most part. We just have to go back to get it items fixed that were skipped over due to the advanced schedule. I don't remember a GM vehicle in the past 20 years where this was not the case. Next time I will know not to buy first year from them. Don't get me wrong. I like the car. I just should not be surprised by the lack of final execution.

mkaresh, how do I share quality information with you to assist in your survey? We have only had two issues. The door pull on the front passenger door came apart and there is a (massive) rattle in the dash. Both are going to be looked at this week.

[beach109]

Originally Posted by sixsigma

Understood that it is not a defect. However, don't you think that someone that test drove the preproduction models would have noticed that it shifted like crap? This programming should have never made it to the market. It is good that they are working on a fix. However, I should not have to take time off of work just to get a transmission working properly when they knew it was bad before it was launched.

I do get why it was launched with such a poor tranny. Remember what was going on back then. GM's management was desperately trying to solve the massive corporate losses. All of the big SUV's and crossovers were being pulled up to get them to the market sooner. They simply launched it before it was ready. Those that bought the vehicle got a nice automobile for the most part. We just have to go back to get it items fixed that were skipped over due to the advanced schedule. I don't remember a GM vehicle in the past 20 years where this was not the case. Next time I will know not to buy first year from them. Don't get me wrong. I like the car. I just should not be surprised by the lack of final execution.

mkaresh, how do I share quality information with you to assist in your survey? We have only had two issues. The door pull on the front passenger door came apart and there is a (massive) rattle in the dash. Both are going to be looked at this week.

No, it was ready, through and through. As was said, the engineers just developed a tune at first that they thought was right...though further, especially outside sourced, testing said otherwise. It happens with EVERY manufacturer, especially in regards to programming.

Granted, it should obviously have been done better from the start, and not taken several iterations, but the 6-speed is a completely new thing for GM, as well as the Lambda vehicles in general, and they are still very much in an "experimentation" stage with all of the possible combos. They mastered the 4-speeds with time, and the same will be true here.

The design was fully developed, thought out, and tested for a long time. These are just normal, every manufacturer, things that arise throughout the lifetime--especially early--of a new vehicle. Things get reprogrammed, designs of little parts get re-figured after real owner feedback comes back, etc.

As for the small bugs that seem common with 2007's, those again are not common to everyone and every car, and the norm for every car maker.

[mkaresh]

Originally Posted by mkaresh

There are minor problems beyond the transmission. I provide vehicle reliability information, and the repair rate for the 2007 was on the high side even though I exclude reflashes from the analysis.

The next update will be in November. The repair rate could come down for the 2007 if GM has been making fixes, and I could also have an initial result for the 2008s.

Just wanted to confirm that I will have a result for the 2008s in a few weeks. Most of the sample is of the Enclave, but also a few 2008 Acadias and Outlooks.

The 2007 had a larger number of teething problems than the average new vehicle. Not everyone was affected, but a larger than average proportion of owners were affected.