2000 Saturn SL review from North America

Shortly after I first purchased it, I started it, took off, and noticed none of my gauges were working. I pulled over, turned the engine off, restarted it, and it hasn't done it since.

Once or twice, I have had the clutch slip a little, but it's only happened on really cold days with a cold engine while trying to accelerate heavily.

I have only owned Toyota until I bought this Saturn, and I choose my Saturn because it was such a great price. Since Saturn's don't hold their value like a Toyota or Honda, I was able to get mine for about 1/2 of the price of what any equivalent 4 year old Corolla or Civic with under 30k miles would cost. It has never let me down as far as dependability, but I believe you do get what you pay for.

It's been 100% reliable, but it's still a cheaply built car. It rattles a lot, and has a pretty bumpy ride, and get uncomfortable on long road trips.

The lack of the optional power-steering sucks. I'm still amazed that was only an option in 2000.

The clutch is very finicky, causing the car to buck very easily. I drive it enough to know how to prevent it 99% of the time. Although, if anyone else who is unfamiliar with it drives it, it's never a smooth ride.

I've only replaced changed the oil, replaced the tires, and replaced the battery BUT it WAS 6 years old, which is great in Texas with the heat.

Even with Texas heat, it has an incredible A/C.

For a car that was purchased when I was a student and needed something to get me through school, it has been an excellent car for the price. And, after 4 years, I could probably sell it for almost what I paid for it. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another Saturn.