Faults:

A seal of the power steering leaked (at around 120000km), causing the belt to slip and throw oil under the hood.

Developed bad rust in the rear doors sills and less bad, but still not good, rust in the metal part beside the rear doors triangle-shaped window.

Plastic trim on A-pillar (beside the windshield) loosened. No easy or inexpensive fix found. Looks bad, but not a problem.

General Comments:

For an econobox, the car has great handling, behaves very well in the snow (with winter tires, factory 4 seasons Firestone are VERY BAD in the snow).

The 89hp engine is appropriate. By no means a "fast" car, but the performance is decent. But the engine could be softer.

The polymer body panels really are a plus. Didn't dent, crack or anything. And the paint still looked like new after 8 years without any particular care.

Fuel economy is great. Used to pull around 600km from a full tank.

Interior is OK. Functional. Seats are average, not very good for long trips.

Faults:

1 month after the standard warranty ran out the alternator failed for the first time. After much arguing with the dealer they finally replaced it for $100. I'm now on my 4th one with 89,000 miles.

The engine also began heavy knocking. Saturn's service department told me they could fix the timing chain for around $2,000. I called my local shop who informed me there is a TSB regarding the timing chain - they'd fix it but said Saturn should take care of it (the TSB reported the orifice on the idler pulley was designed too small putting excessive tension on the chain causing premature stretch). Not only did Saturn's service department claim ignorance, but also the service manager and the home office in TN. When we showed the manager the TSB he finally admitted to knowing about the situation, but still wanted to charge us $600 to fix. Again after a great deal of arguing, they repaired it for $100.

The seals on the water pump blew at 85,000 miles.

The check engine light has remained on for the past year.

The brake pedal, when applied the first time after starting, does something that feels like it's losing pressure then pulses back to position. Our shop says this is not right, although Saturn assures me it is.

The seat belt carriage stays in the 'open door' position about half the time.

I also have all the rattles, creaks and engine vibrations.

General Comments:

Their attitude changed the minute the warranty ran out.

The doors may not ding, but the paint chips easily.

The home office is as bad to talk to as the dealership. They all but told us they don't care what problems we've had, they won't be responsible for anything - even design flaws.

One thing it does well is handle in snow and ice with traction control.