"Organized" by Lemons Rally and the Detroit Bus Company the night before, the mock protest was a stunt pulled by a group of clunker lovers gathered to celebrate the worst the auto industry has offered over the years.

Despite the intended irony, demand for affordable cars is not a laughing matter.

Microchip shortages

and other auto production issues this year have pushed the price of used vehicles higher than ever before.

Saturns have been off the market for years, but apparently some people want them back.

What happened at the pro-Saturn protest?

As part of their "Rust Belt Ramble" event, LeMons Rally teamed up with the Detroit Bus Company (DBC) to offer participants a tour of city landmarks uniquely suited to the group’s taste.

According to

Jalopnik

, rally organizers and DBC staff added the "protest" to the end of the tour the night before, encouraging their group of junker fans to make up signs in support of the Saturn brand.

While the group prepared their demonstration, DBC staffer and former Jalopnik intern Andy Didorosi contacted local news organizations to see if their prank could get covered.

Although the story has since been pulled from their site, reporters from Fox 2 Detroit who reported on the protest clearly didn’t get the joke, making it all that much funnier.

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Detroit's Recent Rainstorm Hit This Automaker Hard

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What is the Lemons Rally exactly?

Lemons Rally is an offshoot of the 24 Hours of Lemons, an endurance road racing series for cars bought and prepped for $500 or less. Needless to say, these races are not for setting world records.

Lemons Rallies are for rattletrap enthusiasts who would rather enjoy each other’s company and check out all the fun cars than put themselves through the stress of the race track.

Cars are graded based on ridiculous factors like "creative roadside repairs" and "who made your hooptie."

Despite the absurdity, the Lemons Rally does have rules related to safety, driver eligibility, and liability. The number-one rule, though? "Don’t be a d**che."

Jokes aside: how to buy a cheap car in 2021

MORE: Best Used Small Cars Under $5,000

Finding a vehicle for a reasonable price this year isn’t easy. Used car prices are almost as ridiculous as the Lemons Rally protest, thanks to the high demand for vehicles caused by the fading pandemic coupled with a supply shortage in the auto industry.

Thankfully, prices are expected to soften as life returns to normal. Until then, buying from private sellers and cutting down on other expenses like

car insurance

can help you save money.

If you want cheap car insurance quotes fast, go to

Jerry

. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the free Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and even cancels your old policy for you.

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Andrew Koole · Expert Insurance Writer

"B.A., English Literature, MedAndrew Koole is an insurance writer who specializes in writing automotive news articles. Andrew’s mission is to create informative and instructional content car owners can use to reduce costs, master repair skills, and learn more about the automotive industry. Andrew has published over 600 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from automaker history to car insurance deductibles. Before joining Jerry in 2021, Andrew split his time between freelance writing in the entertainment and travel industries and creative writing in poetry and fiction. His writing is featured on a variety of arts and travel websites, including his own Ponytail Press.

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