1996 Saturn SC SC2 review from North America
"Semi-reliable cheap sports car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alternator went out in January of 2001, two days after I bought it.
Alternator went out in November or so of 2001. Saturn just doesn't know how to pair a good alternator with a car.
There is a rattle when going over washboard bumps. I replaced the upper engine mount because I had been advised that the problem could be solved that way. It still rattles. I took it to the dealership for an inspection of the suspension. They said that the coil springs were not seated properly and adjusted them. Still rattles.
At 62,000 miles the engine started consuming oil at about 1 qt per 3000 miles. I have looked around and have found this to be the case with most Saturns once past the 60K mark. The oil rings in the pistons go bad.
General comments?
Car accelerates well.
I love the look of my car.
I think it unfortunate that Saturn still uses the same poor quality materials in their newer models as in the old.
Besides that I really love my car. I plan on driving it till it dies.
Recommended reviews
| Cheaply made and shows it |
|
| Great car for persons with more than one income, from what I have read on this site, good gas mpg |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 5 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 53000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 69000 miles |
| Previous car | Saturn SL |
| Date of Entry | 9th January, 2002 |