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Feb 20, 2009 -- Warranties, resale value are concerns for select GM owners

If you're an owner of a Hummer, Saturn, Pontiac or Saab, you may be worried about news that GM is considering phasing out these four brands.

Rest assured that your warranty on any of these cars will be honored as long as GM is in business.

The big concern, however, is resale value. Clark recalls when Oldsmobile folded and became an orphan brand. The value of axed vehicles tends to drops significantly.

On the other hand, there is something to be said about the antiquity factor of a car that's no longer in production. Well-preserved models may be worth a pretty penny decades down the road even though they're unloved today. For example, Clark speculates the PT Cruiser (not a GM model) may experience this simply because it has such an unusual and uncommon design.

If you are leasing a Hummer, Saturn, Pontiac or Saab, don't be tempted to buy the car at the end of the lease. You'd be best off just turning it in.

One final thought: For potential used car buyers, there will likely be some sweet deals on these GM brands if the axe does eventually fall on them.

Do you have an older car and you're unsure if you should get collision and/or comprehensive insurance?

If the cost of insurance is greater than 10% of the car's value, you'd be better forgetting about collision and comprehensive and only having liability coverage.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • 2008 Cadillac CTS
    GM should go out of business. My 2008 CTS with mileage of less than 7K was having PINION BEARING REPLACED while my wife & I were out of state over Thanksgiving holiday “GM Roadside Assistance” told us we would be reimbursed for expenses of getting home while car was being fixed. After a week I was called to travel 1100 miles (one way) to recover the CTS. Now 3 months later the roadside assistance sent us a check for 40 cents on the dollar we spent for rental car (cheapest rate available) & travel expenses to go to and from to recover the car. DON'T BUY GM!
  • really good
    hello sir i like to read thanks for information :)
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    mark jones
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    Auto Insurance Quotes--Auto Insurance Quotes
  • PT Cruiser resale value
    I would have to respectfully disagree that the PT Cruiser may be worth "a pretty penny" just because it no longer in production. A a car collector I would cite the following similarly unique cars (original price/resale); Chrysler TC ($36k/$2k), Cadillac Allante ($61k/$11k), Buick Reatta ($36k/$3k), Plymouth Prowler ($44/$30k). Even the mighty Viper which is still in production loses value. A used 2008 model is worth about $15k less on average. That said some cars may attain collectible status but this doesn't always translate into increased value. I have a loaded 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible Turbo so my opinion isn't based on a dislike for the car.
  • Re:car insurance
    He is talking about the annual premium. But you have to consider your personal situation too. Could you afford to have a wreck that is your fault and get nothing for your car if it is totaled? Or stolen?
  • car insurance
    Clark recommends not to have collision and comprehensive isurance if the cost of insurance is greater that 10% of the car's value. What time frame is he referring to reference the premium cost of insurance. Is it what you would pay for a month, six months, a year, etc.?
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