Alternator died twice.
Starter died.
Power steering died.
Motor was using one quart per 100 mile before the engine was replaced at 181,000.
Auto transmission was slipping at 180,000. Replaced at 181,000. Transmission valve body is now going in new transmission.
Radiator died.
Head liner sagged.
Ignition had to be replaced.
Timing chain guide broke 2 months after replacing it.
Car if fun to drive.
Plastic body panels hold up well.
The car is not reliable at all.
Car is not reliable at all? It has over 180000 miles on it! Overall Saturns are quite reliable for the price paid, especially when compared to their competition. Other than the car burning oil (early Saturns are famous for that) the other problems should be expected with that many miles. Remember what you paid for this car---It isn't a Mercedes or Volvo, so don't expect it to be perfect. At least they are generally cheap to fix.
Its all about the saturn yall just need to take better car of your saturn I raced mine 1997 sl2 stock nothing really went bad after racing it for two years trans finally went out.
I am in complete Agreement, Having myself had the misfortune to encounter ownership with an SL2.This car was absolute Junk. I am a skilled Mechanic and even I struggled to get this thing down the road. In the end I gave up and just decded to rig things instead of buying replacement parts that did not last longer then 5 seconds. I got it to 283k miles before I decided I had had enough. I tied a brick to the Gas Pedal and launched it into a loaded skip. The ensuing fire finished things nicely.
Yeah, 263,000 miles... what a pile. Normally, cars go for twice that.
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