| Model year | 2002 |
| Year of manufacture | 2001 |
| First year of ownership | 2002 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2013 |
| Engine and transmission | 4 cylinder Manual |
| Performance marks | 3 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 1000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 233000 miles |
Summary:
Reliable
Faults:
Ignition failed around 170,000.
Clutch went out 232,000.
General Comments:
Not a sports car, but a perfect commuter.
Great gas mileage, very reliable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 10th January, 2013
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2008 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2011 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.8 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 86000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 137800 kilometres |
| Previous car | Pontiac Grand Am |
Summary:
A poor-man's dream
Faults:
Nothing but tire changes, brake changes, general maintenance, and the key needed to be replaced due to wear.
General Comments:
If you're interested in a value vehicle and don't mind the stigma associated with driving this car, then you have a winner.
This car consistently gets 30+mpg - especially when it is driven < 70km/hr. If however you do a lot of highway driving, this car probably isn't for you, as I find the mileage goes down significantly because the rpm rev higher (i.e. 3-4,000+ rpm) when driven 100+ km/hr., particularly in hilly areas.
Otherwise though, this car is great. It has loads of room for a sub-compact, and the back seats can be lowered for long items. The gas use is great, and the overall reliability is much better than average.
It's true that this car feels EVERY bump in the road, so just watch the potholes and your suspension should be good for the life of the vehicle. The car even drives remarkably well in the snow as well, even without snow tires.
This car has been the best value ever. This car can easily go another 100,000km no problem - all for under $5,000.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th February, 2011
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2009 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2010 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9 SOHC Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 2 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
4.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 75000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 94000 miles |
| Previous car | Geo Metro |
Summary:
A Saturn money pit!!!
Faults:
The car has had a lot of problems; firstly, the transmission wouldn't shift into reverse when the car got hot; you would have the hold the brake and press the gas to get the car to engage into reverse. This would cause a neutral drop scenario, which caused the transmission mount to fail.
Secondly, the engine has burned tons of oil. I have to add 3 quarts of oil in-between oil changes to keep it in the safe range on the dipstick. The engine light came on one day, and the engine stopped in the middle of a 3 lane highway, I pulled the car over, and the tow truck that came, told me the engine was seized. Once it went to the dealership, they told me the engine had spun a bearing, and I would need a new crankshaft.
After that 2,000 dollar bill, the interior started rattling like crazy, and the engine would idle erratically. Once I find a reliable car for a good used price, I'm going to trade it in, because I can't keep up with the repairs any more.
General Comments:
The car is a MONEY PIT!!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 11th December, 2010
| Model year | 2002 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2010 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
4.0 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 48000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 71000 miles |
| Previous car | Plymouth Sundance |
Summary:
The Saturn SL1 has been a money pit
Faults:
Exhaust pipe broke twice.
Knock sensor replaced once.
Knock sensor needs to be replaced again.
Oxygen sensor replaced.
Driver's side spring coil broke.
Driver's side brakes replaced.
Timing belt replaced.
Vacuum hose re-connected (idling high).
General Comments:
Every year I have to get the car inspected, I blow $300-600 dollars just to pass NY state inspection. The check engine light is ALWAYS on.
I hardly ever drive the car; 23K miles in five years.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 31st March, 2010
Move your car off your lawn and you won't have parts rusting and braking under your car... just because you don't drive it, doesn't mean it's not exposed to the elements. That could be even worse if she sits for long periods of time. Gas gums up, oil gets sludgy, metal oxidizes, yadayadayada.
It's a common misconception that cars that are rarely driven rarely have problems. Cars that are driven the least usually have the most problems. Oil degrades, transmission fluid degrades, rubber gets tough and things rust more easily. A regularly driven, well maintained car, is a happy car.