1995 Saturn SL SL1 review from North America

In the almost four months that I had the car:

Blew a hole in the transmission. (Replaced.)

Had to replace all brakes and rotors.

Had to replace both front seats due to metal in the seat coming through.

The ceiling would leak and had to be refurnished.

The head gasket blew within two months.

Had to replace the alternator.

Got 48 miles per half a tank due to twelve leaks. (Despite all efforts to locate the leaks, it was unable to be fixed.)

Had to replace all lights every two months.

Had to replace the battery twice, even with economical use of the battery.

Repeated battery failure.

Car ran cold even when left sitting to warm up.

Needed an oil change far before the 3,000 or 3-month limit, though there was no oil leak.

The gas cap would not stay on the car and fell out. Ended up duct-taping it.

Problems with the coolant, transmission, brake and all other fluids – constantly!

The oxygen sensor had apparently died long before the car even came into my possession – the original owner goes so far as to say the oxygen sensor died within months of purchasing the car brand new.

The Service Engine Soon light stays on constantly even after the car has been fixed on mercilessly.

Would not pass an emissions test for the life of it.

The interior roof powdered out when brushed, or when a bump was driven over.

Interior roof also leaked along the front, causing the sunroof to no longer work and be stuck in an open position.

The light on the radio blew out and the entire radio had to be replaced.

The transmission, even when new, would slam into reverse.

Muffler and catalytic converter needed to be replaced by the original owner at just under 99,000 miles.

The timing belt was replaced and still made an obnoxious amount of noise.

When the lights were on at night, and the windows rolled down, the lights would fade down and eventually turn off.

When a stereo system was installed, even by a professional, the car would not start.

Even with the constant oil changes, gas consumption, and good care, this car didn't do very well for me.

I would recommend a newer model, as I have heard and experienced nothing, but good things with the newer models.

The '95 did not live up to everything I had heard about Saturns.