Faults:

PCV Valve and Hose replaced at 63K. The car would start to stall at idle and surged when started. Turned out that the pcv valve failed and the vacuum caused the hose to close up. Replaced parts for $7 w/tax Front Oxygen Sensor replaced at Engine Manifold cover at 147,000 miles. Check Engine light came on indicating problem. Replaced part for $41 w/tax.

General Comments:

This car has been a terrific vehicle. I bought a commuter car, since I drive 150 miles/day. Therefor, I didn't get any options like cruise control, power locks/windows, etc. The only option that I did get was air conditioning, which works moderately well, however with the dark color of my vehicle, can take over 20mins to get to a comfortable cool level in 100degree heat. I have never had a more reliable vehicle. Started every time, in 100 degree heat, and -10 degree winter mornings.

Faults:

The doors have always leaked when raining or washing the car.

I had to have the oxygen sensor replaced 4 months ago.

My head gasket blew at 59,000 miles, for no obvious reason.

Sometimes the ignition switch gets stuck and will not turn.

General Comments:

It is good on gas.

I've never had a major problem out of it until this year.

Customer service at both dealer and company is not what they preach it to be.

Faults:

Some wind and road noise from the beginning. Minor dash noise.

General Comments:

Best car on the market for the money in 1996 and again in 1999. I traded the 96 SL2 for another one in 1999 because it was the best value for the price. Handles well. Peppy for a 4 cylinder engine.

Faults:

Wind and Road noise loud at high speeds. I adjusted the doors on the car so that they would press better against the weatherstripping using nothing more than a ratchet and a T30 star socket. Now it's quiet in there.

That's it for my baby!

General Comments:

The Engine on this car is great quality. It's a 124 bhp in-line 4 cylinder SPFI (Sequential Port Fuel Injection) with a Timing Chain (not a belt like Civics) and counterweights on the engine crankshaft to minimize vibrations. It also has computer controlled ignition (not a distributor, also on my 1997 civic). All this adds up to some real quality for a domestic vehicle.

Amazingly, for a big 1.9L engine it gets around 35-40mpg on the highway and about 26-32mpg in the city.

It's no rocket, but if you learn how to drive the tight 5-speed then you can take off faster than most sedans, not to mention you get better gas mileage.

I was disappointed by the sound, but my car only came with a radio (not even a tape deck). I spent about $120 dollars on a nice Clarion Deck (was $299) and installed it myself. Now I absolutely spend most of my day in the car as much as possible.

Servicing these vehicles is easy with the service manual (Haynes). I just do oil changes every 3,000, just finished with changing the spark plugs, and I might change the coolant at 36,000 miles even though I believe it is DEX-COOL 100,000 mile coolant in my car.

If you want to do some of your own work on the vehicle, you can pickup the "special" star sockets at Walmart for about $6 dollars. You can find a Haynes manual at either Checkers or Autozone. Do not substitute for another manual unless you can get the Saturn shop manual (usually $50-$200).

It's sad to hear that reliable cars do every once in a while have lemons, Even Honda's. My timing belt broke off the Civic after being serviced two months earlier between Phoenix and Yuma in July, how sad is that. My engine was gone, and I had to fight about it just to get it fixed under warranty. Of course, you won't hear these stories from Honda. The 1992 Saturn my parents have is still running. Granted I had to change both power window units because someone tried to break into the car, and the odometer stopped working at 88,903 two years ago, but it still drives as smooth as the day it was bought. The only thing I complain about is the dashboard on the old car since it tends to rattle.

I bought this car at about $6000 dollars off the lot, it was going for about $9000 in the ad. I practically got it for trade-in value and the car had been on the lot for about a month.

It's brand spanking new, and the day I got it I put nearly 1,500 miles on it driving to Portland. It drives great and handles well, and no up-shifting to get up any of the hills on I-5. Driving in Phoenix is a blast, and although I can't race a 5.1L T-Bird at the stop light I can squeal my tires in third gear which is more than I can say about the civic.

Faults:

The tires are too slim does not stick to the road.

Saturn should have put fat factory tires on her.

General Comments:

I love my car, It looks great warms up fast, takes off when you need it to.

I recommend buying it rather than a Cavalier or Sun-fire, it is just a lot more comfortable to drive.

The SATURN SL1 is Spacious and Economical.

Faults:

After putting over 20,000 miles on the Saturn the only thing that needs attention is the brakes. Front need rotors turned and rear need shoes. Other than that nothing has gone wrong with the vehicle.

General Comments:

This car was designed for economy first, performance second and comfort third. It is very economical to operate, is quick and agile in most situations, but could use some more comfortable seats. With a little more ground clearance it would be better on the two tracks and in snow, but it still goes places easily where rear wheel drive cars would have difficulty. If Saturn would put an all wheel drive system in this car and some comfy seats it would be the perfect car.

Faults:

Nothing serious has gone wrong so far. I hear a random rattling noise which nobody can seem to pinpoint, but other than that, I have had no problems with my Saturn.

General Comments:

This is definetly not a high performance car, which is the only problem I have with it. It is very cheap and reliable. It is an absolutely gorgeous car inside and out. Everyone that sees it thinks it's a 2002 and I love the color.