1998 Saturn SL SL1 review from North America

Fuel line component (don't remember exactly which) needed replacement.

Seat belt mounting recalled and replaced free of charge.

Interior grab handles and visors come loose easily.

First I should say that this car is very practical. Fuel economy, even with the automatic transmission, is excellent (around 29 miles/gallon in city driving). Saturn dealers don't try to rip customers off on service; their rates are reasonable. It has been eminently reliable; the one time it showed the "check engine" light it remained driveable until we got it to the dealer.

And of course, the Saturn buying experience is top-notch. They are polite and friendly to a fault; the degree to which they go on about the "Saturn Family" and the "Saturn Way" is nauseating. In the end, they still end up with your money.

Where the car fails only becomes evident after a few months. It is positively frightening to drive on the interstate or near a major city. The engine is so s-l-o-w that merging into traffic sets your heart racing. The automatic transmission doesn't help any. Handling is okay at low speeds, but don't try sudden lane changes or turning corners above 20 MPH.

Comfort is also lacking. The ride is actually pretty good for a small car. But the seats are confining and not adjustable enough. The cabin is small and the roof is low. The door armrests are too small for anyone but a two-year-old, and there is no center armrest (It's a $100 after-market option). The surfaces are cheap plastic, and the interior has a toy-car feel to it. The engine is very noisy.

The "Dent-Resistant" plastic body panels are ridiculous too. They don't dent, but they scratch easily and many other panels - trunk, hood, fuel door - are metal and susceptible to dents. My guess is that plastic panels are cheaper than steel.