1999 Saturn SL SL2 review from North America
"Excellent small vehicle, cheap to buy and cheap to run"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Seats became hard & uncomfortable by 30,000 miles -but they were never great even when new.
Typical for Saturn's, I think.
Original tires (Firestone's) had squirrelly handling; new Goodyear's @ 40,000 miles solved the problem.
No mechanical problems at all.
General comments?
Manual shifter & clutch were crisp, very nice.
Fine handling, especially after the new tires at about 40,000.
Instruments are well thought out; all that you need and nothing more.
Excellent cruise control.
The driving position is fair, seats not so good.
Decent power - with the cruise set at 60 mph the car regularly managed 38 mpg.
My wife's similar 1998 (also a manual) never could make 34 mpg. No cruise control on that car.
My SL2 was totaled in a nasty collision with a deer; the vehicle went endow and rolled twice.
The little Saturn held up very well - I walked away with a split lip and sore arms from the death grip on the steering wheel!
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1999 |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 9 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 68000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Contour |
| Date of Entry | 20th May, 2007 |