1994 Saturn SL (base model) review from North America

This is not a luxury car (about 13K new), so you get what you pay for. But overall, you get a lot for your money.

The dash is created from several different parts, which causes mysterious buzzing from time to time, as these parts rub against each other. Apparently, modern Saturns don't have this design flaw.

This car is definitely 9 years old.

Some of the plastic parts have cracked with age, unfortunately, these are parts that hold interior pieces in place. These are cosmetic faults that were fixed with a little ingenuity(such as velcro), not serious mechanical faults. The cloth on the seats have faded somewhat (due to the California sun).

The car is somewhat underpowered (newer Saturns have higher horsepower), so sometimes you'd like more power when passing or on the freeways. It's more of a reliable car than a sporty speedster.

The stock radio is nothing special, so I replaced it with a Kenwood CD player and Polk Speakers. I don't blame Saturn for putting an average radio in a budget car.

The seat belts actually have two parts, and the upper part moves when you open the door. Saturn has (thankfully) eliminated this clumsiness in later years. It's annoying to have to explain the seat belt system before people get in the car.

Although I've had this car for almost 9 years, the total amount I've spent on repairs is only about $300. I had to replace the alternator and battery a few years ago. So, in summary, this has been a very reliable car.

Of course, I'm not counting normal wear and tear maintenance, such as the usual oil and filter changes, and the occasional new brake pads and tires. But overall, maintenance has been very inexpensive.

Would I get another Saturn? I bought the 1994 SL when I first entered the job market. Now that I can afford a more luxurious sporty car, I'm not sure if I'd buy another Saturn. But I would certainly recommend Saturn as someone's first car, or for people on a tight budget.