1995 Saturn SL SL2 review from North America

Windshield has become very pitted.

Started out burning a quart every 3000 miles and now burns a quart every 300.

Driver door seal leaks a little water.

Roof is rusting around windshield.

Radio buzzes during wet weather, is a design flaw, but addressed using special plugs? Except after you have the plugs changed or change them yourself. Salesman claimed radio design flaw, but later (year later), Saturn change the plugs or wires.

Belt squeals. Dealer claims to have addressed, after a few thousand miles its squealing again.

For 14,000, I purchased a reliable and cheap to own vehicle. Options? Aluminum wheels, AC and premium stereo.

Negatives:

Much more road noise than civic and corolla.

Seats are a notch below competition, and not really great for long trips.

Engine is very noisy when accelerating.

Burns tons of oil which is common for Saturns. Apparently Saturn has a service note out that claims 1 quart per 2000 miles is normal. My guess is that this means 1 quart per 1000 miles is in the range of normal given that they are probably trying to damage control the oil burning saga. I am seeing 1 quart every 300 and wisps of smoke now at almost 160000 miles.

Positives:

For the money, the car has been awesome. $14000 for 160000 miles and the Saturn has never stranded me! Too bad the engine is going, I doubt its going to be worth the money to put in a new one or rebuild it.

I have put very little money into the car, it still has original struts, the original exhaust. The only dealer services I performed were at 30K and 120K.

Gas mileage is over 33 although I drive mostly highway.

The stereo system is great.

Handling is very decent, (low body roll) and acceleration is very nice for an inexpensive car (this is the SL2).