When I bought my Saturn Ion 3 in June of 2006, I purchased the Basic Care plan.

The Saturn Basic Care plan includes:

• Engine Oil and Oil Filter Changes
• Tire Rotation

This plan covers these services for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.

((2 oil changes/yr x $56) + (2 oil changes with tire rotation/yr x $96)) x 3 yrs = $912
Basic Care plan = $600

So assuming I actually drive 36,000 miles a year and get my service done in a timely fashion, I’m saving money, right? Seemed like a good deal. Worst case scenario I drive a little less and save a little less.

Well, not so fast.

I did a couple things wrong.

1. I did not have a good handle on how many miles I actually drove. I thought was averaging about 11,000 miles/yr, which would have automatically cut off one of the more expensive (covered) service visits anyway. My average mileage over the 2.5-year life of the car has actually been about 9,500 miles/yr. I just counted: I drove 9,500 miles in the first year, so that’s been consistent, even with my move closer to work.
2. I did not have a good handle on exactly what kind of maintenance goes into a car in the first three years of its life. There’s a little more to it than just oil changes and tire rotation. Namely, cabin air filter changes, engine air filter changes, brake inspections, tire balancing, Saturn’s recommended fuel system detergent, and the 30,000-mile whoppers of wheel alignment, radiator and condensor flush, and something about cleaning a throttle body.

Here’s where Saturn disappointed me.

1. Saturn/GM currently recommends a 5,000-mile interval for oil changes. I did not know this, and was bringing my car in every 3,000 miles, per the Recommended Maintenance booklet that came with my car. This became a problem when they told me I was not eligible for Basic Care services on several visits, because I had not yet reached the mileage to trigger the Basic Care payment. This is especially problematic because…
2. Saturn offers a bonus if you trade in your vehicle and it has received all its recommended maintenance on-schedule. If the schedule you gave me says one thing and that is incompatible with the Basic Care plan you sold me, that’s really scratchafrackin’ disingenuous.
3. The service technicians were never able to clearly explain to me what was going on. They would tell me that I had requested something that wasn’t covered, and sometimes they would make a special adjustment for me. Never once did they explain that my Basic Care only covered X, Y, and Z, and that anything else would cost extra.

I’m due up for maintenance again in a few hundred miles, so I just sat down with all my service invoices and my Recommended Maintenance booklet. It actually deflated me a little bit, because as it turns out, I haven’t really missed anything major. Which is good! I was prepared to have to request a bunch of services I missed before and wasn’t too enthused about paying for them. I do have a list of things I think were skipped. I know that I can schedule 3k service online and then ask them some questions when I get there. Although it doesn’t help that the service invoices I have list different prices and write-ups of what appear to be the same services. I’m not sure exactly how much an oil change normally costs.

So I’m relieved that I haven’t been taking bad care of my car on account of my not reading carefully and/or on account of having been mislead. But I would really appreciate some more honesty and straightforward communication from Saturn. That is what they’re known for, is it not?

I think I’ll end up breaking even on the Basic Care plan. It could be worse. It does make up for the confusion I’ve experienced. I’m just glad I figured it out.

This experience certainly would not prevent me from making another Saturn purchase. If you’re considering purchasing a Saturn and considering pre-purchasing maintenance with it, think about the following things:

• You should know how many miles you drive.
• You should know what the maintenance requirements are. At the very least have a Saturn rep talk you through exactly what the plan covers. Ask to see a recommended maintenance schedule.
• By rolling the cost of the plan into the purchase price of the car, you’re paying interest on it if you’re taking out a loan (so mine is actually costing me more than the $600 price tag). Think about how you’re financing.
• Saturn also offers a CarCare plan (remember, I have Basic Care) that covers all recommended maintenance (not just oil/filter changes and tire rotation). You can also choose the length of the coverage; they offer plans that go out farther than 3 years/36,000 miles. Maybe it’s worth it to you to not have to worry about this stuff.
• The dealer always charges you more. If you’ve got a great mechanic, don’t even think about pre-purchasing maintenance from the dealer.
• Whether or not you have a relationship already with that dealer. I may not have had this communication issue with a different Saturn dealer in town. This one just happens to be the closest to me and also has the best car washes.

Related posts:

1. I Hate Car Repair
2. Saturn Wind-Down
3. To Do List
4. All My Shit Is Breaking
5. Today’s Thoughts on the Auto Industry