Saturn SL

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
My mother had this car for about 4 years and even though it took her from point A to point B she really did not like the car. The ride was uncomfortable for her and in the 4 years of owning the car her car stalled and turned itself off twice (she has automatic) while at a stop light or stop sign.

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from Saturn of Woodbridge

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 manual sl2

Summary:
I love this care very easy to drive. I learned how to drive manual in this car. Although it loves oil it is very reliable. I have had this car for 3 years now and have put a good 140,000 miles on it and it still purrs like a kitten. Although I've read in someone elses review something about the car bottoming out over large bumps. I can't say that has ever happened to my car of same make and model may want to get that checked. So far over the 3 years aside from oil changes, tires etc as needed for a used car. I have replaced the tensioner and a rotor. Other than that no other major work needed. Usually it's something small and cheap to fix. I highly recommend this car to anyone who needs a reliable car. Lots of love to saturn for a great car.

Strengths:
Reliable
Able to accelerate well for merging
Easy to drive
Fun to drive

Weaknesses:
Cup holder just above 5th gear a bit annoying for long trips
loves oil

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Private party

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 Saturn SL2

Summary:
Never in a million years would I ever expect that I'd own a Saturn, but sometimes, strange things happen! I bought this car mainly because I was tired of dumping money into my gas guzzling 2001 Silverado(see review). My buddy desperately needed to get rid of this car because he owed DMV $500 for expired registration (it was his wife's former car), it had bald tires, and no functioning stereo. Also, it had sat for over a year and he was tired of looking at it.

Amazingly, after not starting for well over a year, we charged the battery and it fired right up. I paid $1000 cash, $250 for 4 new tires, and $250 for a stereo and speakers. I immediately changed the spark plugs, changed the oil, flushed the radiator, and changed the fuel filter.

Now, 8 months and 8,000 miles later, I'm glad I bought it. I commute to work in it every day and drive my luxurious, gas guzzling Silverado for pleasure. The car gets amazing gas mileage (averages about 24 CITY; 38 HWY; much better than 15 CITY; 19 HWY in the truck) and accelerates quite well for a four cylinder. Also, I've had it up to 110, so there is plenty of power. The five speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and the ride is pretty good as long as you don't go over speed bumps too fast; it will bottom out making a horrible THUMP sound.

The car doesn't have a ton of room but it has enough for being a commuter. The interior design is typical for a low-cost, compact car; nothing spectacular. The seats are marginal with respect to comfort; therefore, a long drive would require regular stops for stretching. I hate where the cup holders are located; right in front of the gear shifter-so when I shift into 1st, 3rd, or 5th, sometimes I hit my coffee and it spills; oh well. The horn was designed poorly; two buttons on each side of the steering wheel make it easy to honk when you don't mean to(embarassing) and tough to honk in a panic(dangerous). I rarely use it, but the A/C works great.

As for the outside, the car has literally no style, but let's be honest; IF I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT STYLE, I WOULDN'T BE DRIVING A SATURN. The dent resistant Saturn thing must work because I can't find a dent on it!

I've noticed that the car doesn't like being in traffic. The temp gauge creeps up past the mid-point if traffic stops too long, then retreats once the electric fan switches on. Perhaps this is normal for Saturns but I've never owned another car that did that. I live in So. California and have been stuck in horrible traffic on I-405; it's never overheated, but I wonder what would happen on a super-hot day?

THIS CAR BURNS OIL!!! I change the oil every 3000 and in between changes, I add about 1 1/2 quarts. I know it has a VERY minor oil leak because I can smell burnt oil sometimes. I'm sure most of the oil is consumed internally because there is NEVER oil on the ground underneath. I check the oil once a week and I keep the oil level at the top line; adding a bit now and then. So if you get a Saturn, KEEP AN EYE ON THE DIPSTICK!!!!

*****THE BOTTOM LINE*****

I paid very little for this car and the up-keep is very cheap. I drive it through the $2 car wash from time to time and I change the oil every 3000-that's it. The gas mileage is so good that this car will pay for itself within a year. I feel as though I stole this car and if it dies tomorrow; so be it.

Strengths:
-AMAZING fuel economy (38 MPG on HWY)
-Respectable acceleration
-Great handling
-Very, very reliable
-Compact size lets you park ANYWHERE

Weaknesses:
-DRINKS OIL like alcoholics drink gin
-Engine gets HOT in heavy traffic
-Fairly uncomfortable seats
-Bad cup holder location
-Bottoms out on speed bumps too easily
-No anti-lock brakes
-Annoying horn location

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from Private owner

Year / Model Reviewed:
1997 SL2

Summary:
This is a 1997 SL2 with manual 5-sped transmission, power locks, alarm system, and for some obsure reason, a rear spoiler.

I purchased this car used with 175,000 miles on it. (Previous owner commuted 110 miles a day.) It has needed repairs but only the normal wear and tear for a car with that many miles on it. I think the most major repair was to the heating system last year. The only current problem is that the struts are wearing out.

I've seen many reviews complaining about small plastic parts breaking off, but I haven't had that problem. The last mechanic to work on it told me, "Ah, the SL2. Keep changing the oil and it'll last forever." Considering that it's still going strong at nearly 10 years and 176,000 miles, he's probably right.

Strengths:
* Very reliable.
* Rather good mileage.
* Parts are easy to find.
* Good safety rating.
* Great a/c - I'm the only person I know with a used car with a good a/c.
* Good suspension.
* Can stop on a dime.
* Plenty of space for 4 adults, not bad for 5.
* Attractive but unpretentious.
* Back seat folds down easily in two sections.
* Is not an SUV.

Weaknesses:
* Could have a better turning radius.
* Is not tolerant of being driven in the wrong gear.

Similar Products Used:
This is my first car, but it is much more comfortable than my roommate's Metro sedan from the same year. (More powerful too, but that goes without saying since the Metro is only 3 cylinders.) The gear shift is easier to work than the gear shifts of either of the two cars I learned on.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $3200.00 from from parents

Year / Model Reviewed:
1994 Saturn SL1

Summary:
First of all let me say that I love this car! My parents bought it brand new in 1994 and drove it for eight years before deciding to get another saturn and sell it to me. I have had it for the last four years and have had very little trouble with it. The alternator went bad at about 100,000 miles, and the radiator finally got a hole in it after 140,000 miles. But other than that this car has been just about the only thing I can depend on in my life. It seems that when Saturn was a new company, they had something to prove by giving people a quality, affordable vehicle for a fair, or some would say cheap price(my parents paid approximatly $11,000 for it brand new).

Strengths:
price, dependability, gas mileage.

Weaknesses:
lots of road noise while driving, no cup holders, only 88 horsepower(but what should I expect for the price?)

Similar Products Used:
1994 Dodge Neon
1995 Acura Integra