2002 Saturn SL SL2 review from North America

Every thing.

In 1992 I purchased a new Saturn SL2, taken in by the hype of “A different kind of car, a different kind of Company”.

After approximately 1000 KM, going on my first long trip I noticed that the Cruise Control would cut out after about 15 minutes of driving. Resetting the control would again last for about 10-15 minutes and then it would cut out.

The dealer said he fixed it, nothing much wrong he said. After that it would work intermittently. Talk about frustration. Never got it to work right and just did not use it anymore for the past 10 years.

Also, the temp. gauge would go up almost to the red mark, Dealer told me that was Normal. I told him that the engine-cooling fan did not cut in. Again, that was NORMAL.

At about 50,000 Km the power lock relay would start to click after activation and closing the door, the only remedy was to put the key in the door lock and wiggle it; otherwise it would run the battery down overnight. Each time I took it to the dealer, the darn thing would work just fine.

At 110,000 Km the computer module went, cost me over 1000 bucks for a new one, including installation, plus another $ 730 for having the valve seals replaced, because the engine was sipping almost as much oil as gas.

After that the power-window motor on the driver side gave out, the Radiator developed a leak and one of the brake lines bust. Of course the radiator cannot be repaired, because it is made of plastic.

At 135,000 Km one of the Exhaust Valves burnt out (probably because the high engine temp. was normal) Also the piston rings on one piston had to be replaced, which required that cylinder to be honed out.

At 154,000 Km the power-steering rack had to be replaced. 20,000 Km later the trans-axle started to act up, big clunk each time the transmission shifted. Using the performance setting for the transmission it sort of worked a bit better.

The passenger side wiper arm broke, dealer wanted $62 for a new one, a wiper blade would have added another 18 bucks (plus tax) so I picked one up at the Junkyard for

$ 11.50 (taxes included.)

Looking at my bills on file, I spent over 6000 bucks in the past 4 ½ years (this includes regular oil changes and other required routine maintenance) With the dealer charging

$ 97.00 an hour for labor, it adds up.

Would I buy another Saturn? Perhaps if I had a front-end lobotomy first.