Faults:

A/C compressor went out at about 70,000 miles.

General Comments:

My parents bought this car when it came out, it's now mine. I've done so much to it mechanically that I don't need to have a mechanic check on everything. Kinda sad that there really aren't many parts that fit on this car; if I do find some, typically it's pretty expensive.

Faults:

Water pump, back up sending unit, tail light, seat track malfunctioned. Nothing big. The dealer tried to get me to replace the rear oil seal for $2200, but I put in a can of sealer and it stopped dripping.

General Comments:

This model Saturn is no speed burner, but is economical.

It can go 80 and hold it's own, but acceleration is not impressive.

A nice feature is the plastic body parts, no dents or dings.

Nine years old, and it looks like new.

I'm sorry they went out of business.

This is our second Saturn, I find it a little cramped, but it's not the car's fault that I'm too fat.

My wife loves this car.

Easy to park.

On trips we get 40 miles to the gallon.

I may have the cc's wrong. We have the smaller engine, whatever it is.

Faults:

Timing chain broke at 34,000 miles.

Front tie rods have been replaced 4 times on each side.

Brakes have been replaced 2 times, including the master cylinder each time.

Rear shocks have been replaced twice left and right side.

Rear right spring has been replaced.

Wiper motor replaced, including the wiring.

Alternator was replaced.

Starter had to be replaced.

I go through a set of 4 tires (80,000) every year, because the front end will not stay in alignment.

Exhaust system has rusted out twice.

General Comments:

Really disappointed with the car. Purchased it new. Drove it off the showroom floor.

Every time I took it to Saturn to have something repaired, they would tell me that the part wasn't covered under warranty. Until Saturn closed, you could not get secondary market parts and had to purchase all parts from a dealer. This often meant that the parts cost you twice what an aftermarket part would cost.

Really unhappy when at 34,000 miles the timing chain broke, and Saturn said, gee, too bad, it's out of warranty.

I'm glad they are out of business; I would never buy another product from them again!!!

Faults:

65k Km air conditioning pipe 1

90k Km air conditioning pipe 2

120k Km alternator

140k Km rear passenger manual window assembly

Had to replace rack and pinion direction assembly with the power steering pump (1000$), at 165 000 Km. Now the pass-key seems to have intermittent problem at 170 000Km.

General Comments:

I find my Saturn reliable and comfortable enough. Considering the fact that it was $6000 cheaper than the Accord or Camry base model, I though I was making a good deal at the time, even if I knew it would depreciate a lot.

The suspension is stiff, but the car handles well. The Ecotec engine is very reliable. I think that GM should have all their engines designed by Opel.

The thing I like the most about my Saturn is that there is very little wind noise at highway speed, so the ride is quiet. It wasn't the case with my Mazda Protege and my Honda Civic.

I was satisfied with the car until recently with the last repairs. I went to a dealer to buy a new car and they would only give me $500 for the trade in! How long will the timing chain last?

Faults:

AMAZING!! OK, I live in Los Angles. Driving at 70 miles an hour average on the 405 freeway! Driving home from work. My car just stopped. Completely went... Ffffzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and then nothing.

So I had it towed $165 to mechanic, and they charged $95 to tell me the compression was at 0; this means the timing chain broke and my pistons pushed through my valves and destroyed my engine. "WHAT WHAT" they told me $5,000 to fix the entire engine. The car has sat there and I have no transport. I have taken the bus and cut back on my work in Los Angeles. Miserable!

Needless to say, I have made 2 car payments to a car that sits under the palm tree collecting bird "luck"... Check this out: I check the mail 2 days ago. a big red stop sign says RECALL I read it, and it says the timing chain has been recalled on this car and at no charge to me, they will fix it. Today I am having it towed to them.

I see this in two ways: Yes man messed up this car, but had it not been for divine intervention (God) and me seeing this small post card, almost junk mail. Today is November 18, 2008 and I am having the car towed to Saturn here in CA. I will be back to tell you how this turns out... jeniferizhere@yahoo.com

General Comments:

Nice decent American made car, until... timing chain.

My car is silver and is stick shift. I guess it's one of the 20,000 made in America.