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.
Personally, a saturn cannot give that much problems.
As soon as I read the first 4 lines, I KNEW you had it used.
The previous owner must have taken no care of it.
Word of advice, Before you buy a car, get it inspected see what they say, tell them the price and ask them for there advice, try some different places. They are mechanics. They are mechanically inclined to do so.
Thank you.
P.S. I bet if you bought a saturn that was 3 years older, and had a owner that took care of it, you would have no problems.
With regards to your 12 Gasoline Leaks. 48 Miles per half a Tank full. That makes this Saturn more expensive on Gasoline than my 1977 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow.
How do you know there was 12 gas leaks if you couldnt locate them??
I have a 1995 Saturn, purchased it when it had 225125 KS on it.. I like the car a lot it gets me from pearson intl airport to button-ville airport on a regular basis.. recently I have had the engine light come on and I've at times have the car rev up a quite a bit and this makes the service engine light turn on and not go off until I have turned off the car and turned it back on.
I would really like any feedback from anyone regarding a similar problem they have faced..
Currently I have a mileage reading of 241100.
I have a 95 with 175k other than the lack of HP the car is good. check your oil on the reg because it some times drops quick, but that's with out a leek. I think the 12 gas leeks is to much. A cheese grater that's what it sounds like your driving. Be good to your car and it will be good to you.
I have a 95 Saturn, and have had pretty much no problems with it. Back and forth to work, I get between 35 and 40 mpg, which isn't bad for being on gravel most of the time.
I purchased the car with 185,000 miles on it, and it did not start when I bought it. Threw a starter on it, and it runs like a dream.
I have put 28,000 miles on it, and all I can say is best $50 I ever spent.
It burns some oil, but so what, oil is cheaper than gas.
I drive probably 70 miles per day and have never had a problem except the occasional flat tire.
I live in Iowa and it get COLD here. Even on the coldest days, the car would start.
It has been a great car, and I will continue to drive it.
Some of the problems you had.. I have too.
The radio light blew out, but not important to me.
For some reason... the car EATS oil.
There is a very OBNOXIOUS noise from the engine.. I don't know if it's belts or something.
Other than that... I've had nothing but good things from this car...
I own the 95 Saturn SL1. Had to have alternator fixed around 67000 miles when I bought it and clutch was replaced shortly before then.
The headliner fell down about 69000 miles.
Had to replace the motors in the doors for the windows twice after getting the switch relay fixed for the windows. First time had to get a welder to get to the motors. Regular bolts and nuts are not used by the Saturn design team. Now that the motors are working there's a plastic piece that holds the windows on track that keeps snapping.
Fuel injectors stay clogged no matter what octane gas you use. I did get 328 miles to the tank (11 gal tank).
Unable to change fuel filter, which should be like adding oil (easy) but the fuel filter is located inside of the gas tank. I'm currently at 206,000 miles. It needs a new catalytic converter & muffler.
My oil needs refilling every 1500 miles and has been that way since around 99,000 miles. At about 200000 miles I was told had a broken head gasket.
Defrost works when it wants to. Sometimes the window fogs to a point you have to stop driving. The defrost could be on blast and not defog the windows. (dealerships are clueless to why).
Had to get radiator and water pump at 197,000. But once they got fixed the A/C stopped working.
The car last long once you fork out big money to repair it, but simple problems are not easy to fix because of the design of the car. I'm not trying to get another one.
I've had a 5 speed 1995 Saturn SL for 10 years. It has been a great car! First 5 years only spent about $125 besides normal maintenance (radiator repair). Second 5 years spent some money on a water pump and something else, don't remember what, about $150.
It had about 96,000 miles when we first got it, 207,000 now, so we drove it for 100,000 miles for under $300. It's getting old now, low on power (it was never great, we've always had to turn off the A/C button to help it up a big hill), and using a lot of oil. We're having to replace the lower control arm and a little muffler work to pass inspection this time but overall, this has been one of the most trouble-free cars I've ever owned. Oh, and did I mention it can get 40mpg?
I have had a 95 Saturn for four years and it works great!
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