1999 Saturn SL review from North America

Rear defogger button, horn, various switches and trim panels have failed. A lot of squeaks and rattles. The car is somewhat low in mileage, but the seat (drivers) is worn out worse than my old Taurus (and the Taurus has close to 300,000 miles). Just before I bought it, the shift linkage failed (very common). Almost everything I've had trouble with, I can go to Saturn fourms on the internet and find many examples of people who had the many of the same issues with their Saturn.

The 1.9L has been well maintained, but has developed a lifter tick that is very pronounced upon start-up (I now run Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W30 which has helped from whatever the prev. owner had in it). However, the car does not seem to be using much oil and otherwise runs well. The trans sometimes does not like to be downshifted into 4th gear from 5th (Overdrive).

Overall, it's a decent car to drive, with a few annoying quirks unbecoming of a car of this mileage and age. My other car is a 1992 Ford Tempo with almost 170,000 miles. The Tempo quieter, quicker, smoother, more comfortable, and although its never had major work done, the engine doesn't knock like the Saturn's. The Saturn has a lot more NVH from everywhere.

On a more positive note, it is very frugal (gets about 400 miles on a tank if I drive conservatively) and so far it has not given me any mechanical trouble other than a failed O2 sensor.

I bought the Saturn to use as a daily driver/commuter/gas-saver. For that purpose, it does well, just don't expect much more.