1997 Saturn SC SC2 from North America - Comments

Burns about a quart of oil every 1000-2000 miles.

The plastic sides of the radiator were cracked when I purchased the car, replaced for about $120, with two hours of work.

O2 sensor was bad when I purchased the car, I replaced it for $20 and 5 minutes of work.

Replaced brake rotors, calipers and pads, $150 and about 4 hours of work. This was routine maintenance on a car with high mileage.

The car has been amazing! I bought it with 120,000 miles for $2500 and I still get 36MPG around rural Ohio! The highway mileage is slightly worse since it's geared so low, I get 32MPG on the highway, but I was carrying about 1500LBS while traveling 80MPH+.

It has a surprisingly large amount of cargo space for a small car.

It's no sports car, but it handles well and the ride is comfortable. Acceleration is good, but not great.

The gears (manual) are far too close ratio, and overall, the car should be geared slightly higher.

I bought the car with several problems that were easily fixed, since then, it's been running stronger than ever.

When traveling over 50MPH for prolonged periods of time (5 minutes), the "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" light turns on and blinks. The computer gives a "Multiple random cylinder misfire", but the car still runs perfectly fine. I believe it is a sensor error.

It's not the most manly car, but it's not as girlie as a Mitsubishi Eclipse either.

Other than the burning oil, this car's been great to me.

The plastic side pannels are great, it's nice to not have to worry about anything ever denting your car. You can also let off some steam by kicking the doors.

I'd definitely buy another Saturn over any Japanese car on the market. Just don't settle for the Single Over-Head Cam, the DOHC is a much better choice if you want any type of power.

Re:

"The plastic sides of the radiator were cracked when I purchased the car, replaced for about $120, with two hours of work."

My Saturn sat for a good 4 months, then when I went to start it, being the mojave desert my battery was completely dead with very little water in the cells. I had an aquaintance come and give me a jump start. With very little trouble my Saturn purred awake, not wanting to shut the car off I cruised around the neighborhood. Everything smooth no problems at all. Then I Let it idle and it suddenly went from normal temp to steaming geiser-like sprays came from under the hood. The first thing I did was shut my car off. No Sooner than I went into my friends house to pee, They had turned the hose on... I know... I know...

When I ran back outside I stopped them, but too late.

There on the drivers side of the radiator where the top hose comes into the radiator plastic piece water was spewing from a seam that has cracked. Laws of heat and expansion rates do apply to industrial grade ABS Plastic Heat-tempered it is, but don't plunge it into >58*f cold hose water...

My Question is::

WHAT IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO REPAIR THIS???

ANY IDEAS WOULD BE APPRECIATED?

THANKS,

jcsurvives@hotmail.net.