NEW YORK --- If a battered corporation like General Motors doesn't want its Saturn brand, is there any reason a new car buyer should?

The line is one of four being jettisoned as part of GM's plan to emerge from bankruptcy as a leaner, more competitive auto maker. The Saturn, Saab and Hummer are expected to be sold off, while Pontiac is being shut down entirely.

GM plans to move forward with four core brands -- Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC.

Even though the federal government is guaranteeing the warranties of all GM cars, buying a brand with an uncertain future raises some concerns. In particular, new car buyers might worry about the ease of replacing damaged parts and the resale value of a brand that's no longer in production.

That said, the historic restructuring could nevertheless present some bargains.

"(Some brands) are going to be priced aggressively and the value should be substantial," said Gary Dilts, the senior vice president of global automotive for J.D. Power and Associates.

Those interested in buying a cast-off brand might want to move quickly to get the color and model they want, since production has shut down for the foreseeable future.

"The next 60 days will be the time to move," Mr. Dilts said.

Here are risks to consider before heading to the dealership.

New parts

Finding replacement parts for Pontiacs shouldn't be a problem, since so many of the car's parts also are used in other GM models that will still be manufactured.

Automakers also are required to keep an inventory of parts for several years beyond the date of a car's final existence, said Mr. Dilts. Those spare parts could be sold to another vendor, kept with dealers or within GM's distribution system.

Finding a replacement for a more distinct Pontiac part could get more difficult as reserves dry up several years down the road.

That doesn't mean some parts will simply vanish with time. Junk yards often salvage usable parts to circulate to vendors. And third-party manufacturers likely will continue building parts that are still in demand.

"And with the Internet, it's a lot easier to locate those parts now," said Karl Brauer, the editor-in-chief of auto Web site Edmunds.com.

Replacing parts won't be a problem, of course, if brands continue production under different owners. But a new parent company is no guarantee that a brand will survive.

"Even a new buyer might not be able to keep the Hummer going. It's a very targeted market that seems to be dying," said Robert Wiseman, a professor who specializes in corporate governance and risk management at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.

The eventual demise of a brand would be more of a concern with Hummers, since the parts are more distinct and not as easily interchangeable with those of other GM brands. The same might be true for select Saturn parts. But Saab is a viable brand and has a lower risk of being discontinued, Mr. Wiseman said.

Servicing

Where car owners go for servicing would depend on whether the brand is shuttered or spun off.

For Pontiacs, servicing will continue at GM dealers. The catch is that the automaker has notified 1,100 dealers that their contracts won't be renewed next year, meaning owners might need to travel farther depending on where they live. The implications for brands that are spun off are less clear. Servicing would likely be wherever the car was purchased, Mr. Brauer said.

GM has not yet confirmed buyers for the three brands, although it said a deal for Hummer was imminent and one for Saturn should be announced within weeks.

Resale value

A final consideration is how much the car will be worth after a few years. The average GM owner trades his or her car in after 5.2 years, according to Edmunds.com.

But the resale value on a failed brand likely will be lower, Mr. Wiseman said. That could be true even if the car is in top condition and there are no issues with replacing the parts.

The mere stigma of a brand no longer in production could diminish the value greatly.

"Although someone might like the novelty of it," Mr. Wiseman said, "like buying the last DeSoto."