1996 Saturn SC SC2 review from North America

Cam cover gasket leaked. Dealer had replaced it for the previous owner less than a year before and they covered it under warranty.

Driver side manual window regulator mechanism had stripped teeth (by previous owner). If your window clicks as you crank it up and doesn't roll up all the way, you need a new one.

Previous owner had messed with the wiring harness, as a result it was pulled up near the pop-up headlights and the opening and closing caused wires to be cut and marker lights and windshield washer pump to stop working. Easy fix.

Rear suspension link seized and needed replacement.

O2 sensor failed at 112,000 miles - cheap to replace.

Radiator end cap leaked, replacement radiator was almost $400. It may have been damaged in a minor accident.

Interior ventilation fan rattles at low speeds.

Cigarette lighter doesn't work - It may be due to corrosion as I've never used it. Found out when a friend tried to charge their phone.

I'm on my 4th horn. Kind of funny because I almost never use it.

The car is very reliable and as trouble free as any car I have ever owned. Aside from the lighter socket, everything still works and works well at almost 115k. I live in the rust belt (upper Midwest) and no rust is a plus - the car still looks almost new.

A mechanic friend told me Saturns are way better built and easier to service than most comparable cars. The engine compartment is pretty easy to navigate, with the only remarkable exception being alternator, which is a bit of a bear to get to.

The oil filter is tough to get to without a lift, so I take it to the dealer for oil changes. Dealer service is good. Before buying a Saturn, you should go to a dealer and have them print the service records so you can see if the car was properly taken care of.

The engine is a bit raspy, but acceleration performance is very good. Fuel economy is also good. In town mileage is 22-25MPG. All highway drives at 70mph give about 33MPG, slightly more on 55mph highways. Overall pretty close to the EPA estimate of 25/35.

The car handles very well, with minimal body roll and very controllable understeer. Poor tires on a poorly maintained vehicle would be the only reasons for a contrary opinion.

Visibility is great, better than any "sporty" car I have driven.

Road noise is low at 55mph, but a bit noisy at 70; but let's face it, this is not a Lexus.

The only other issue I have is that the blinker control stalk is a bit clunky, sometimes when turning off blinkers you have to push so hard that the stalk goes all the way to turn the opposite blinker on. The headlight control is also on this stalk (the end twists) and I have inadvertently turned off the lights a couple times.