Neither Saturn nor Saab, two small automakers that used to be part of the General Motors aegis, really capitalized on the cult following that their products engendered, and that has meant that most of the options available to prospective consumers are pre-owned Saturns and used Saabs in New Jersey.

Part of that reason is that Saab has been bought by Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg and doesn’t have a new car to release before 2010, leaving new cars sales at 8,500 in 2009, according to Motor Trend. The goal is to have an updated Saab 9-5 and 9-4x crossover both available by 2011, but dealerships now are currently surviving on maintenance needs of existing owners and the pre-owned market.

General Motors’ handling of Saturn led the in-house upstart to experience problems as well, although a Wharton School of Business analysis cited by Forbes. The business management consultants noted that while Saturn’s innovations in terms of worker compensation and other means set it apart from the rest of GM, it was hamstrung by an inability to differentiate itself from the other brands offered.

The light at the end of the tunnel for buyers is that many Saturns and Saabs are still on the road, and a used Saturn or used Saab in New Jersey could make for a low-cost alternative to new cars now being offered.