1996 Saturn SL

Summary:

Good economy car!

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with this car that was not a routine thing. I did have to replace the clutch at about 65,000, and then again at about 70,000. The first clutch was due to the miles on the car, and the second clutch was due to a defect in the installing of it.

General Comments:

This car is extremely reliable. I have placed a lot of miles on it in the time that I Have had it, and it is still running great.

It is a very light body, I am not used to that. Previously I had driven larger cars...firebird, truck and blazer. This is quite a change.

The car does not come standard with power steering and it does take some getting used to at the beginning. But I can honestly say that my punch is a lot better now!

The value for the car is wonderful. I get great gas mileage and did not have to pay an arm and a leg for the car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th March, 2003

1996 Saturn SL SL1 4 cylider SOC

Summary:

Not worth the money I paid for it.$14,000 Canadian

Faults:

At 110,000 km the head had a crack in it, also the head gasket blew and the water pump, cam shaft and mount had to be replaced. The muffler had to be replaced after 25,000 km. The clutch and tie rods are ready to be replaced too.

General Comments:

For a mid size car it handle very well, but for the comfort level I would give it a four out of ten.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st March, 2003

1996 Saturn SL SL2

Summary:

Get rid of yours before the warranty runs out!

Faults:

Last Spring a mechanic noticed rust on the frame and urged us to get rid of the car. I wish we had followed his advice.

Last April, the alternator went out. That cost $570.

In the middle of last summer the engine died at 73,000 miles. Saturn told us that we couldn't get a used engine. They were going to charge us $2800 to put in a new one. Fortunately, I talked to a friend who works at a Ford dealership, and he managed to get me an engine with 23,000 miles for $1400 installed.

Last month, the ignition cylinder cracked. That cost about $500.

We currently have a problem with the fuel injection. I'm not yet sure how much that will cost.

It turns out that all of these things started happening shortly after the extended warranty ran out. Before that we didn't have any problems with the car.

General Comments:

Anyone want to buy a car?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th February, 2003

1996 Saturn SL

Summary:

A safe car for a great price

Faults:

I bought the car from a private sale so I expected to have some work done to it. Unfortunately that little bit of work turned into a lot.

Saturn of Danvers had to replace the front brakes, the gas tank, and the things that holds the engine in place. So 2,000 dollars later I had a perfect car.

My biggest complaint was that it did not have enough pick up. But then again, I was also used to driving my father's brand new truck which has amazing pickup.

General Comments:

This car was very very reliable. It got me everywhere I needed to go and didn't give me problems at all.

When I last drove it the car had about 136,000 miles on it and definitely would have gone a whole lot more.

I got into an accident with the car a few weeks ago. Someone cut me off and I crashed into him going 40 and didn't have time to put on my brakes. After I realized what happened, and found my glasses in the back seat, I stepped out to look at my car, or at least what was left. The front of my Saturn was crunched and by the looks of the car I was beyond lucky to walk out of the crash with a mere fat lip and soreness.

The seatbelt caught as it should have. The airbags came out and definately saved me from cracking my head open. And the system that Saturn has running through it's body most definately saved my life. This was a very safe little car and I would drive another one any day.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th January, 2003