1994 Saturn SL from North America - Comments

EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valves needed to be replaced roughly every 80,000 miles.

Manual crank window on the driver's side stopped rolling all the way to the top at 96,000 miles. I never fixed it. (I just push the glass to the top with my hand.)

Alternator went out at 172,000 miles.

Replaced valve cover and oil pan gaskets at 246,000 miles. Car doesn't lose oil any more!

Drivers seat springs broke at about 250,000 miles. Haven't replaced it yet; I sit on a pillow instead.

Original upper radiator hose blew at 256,000 miles. (My fault; I should have replaced it sooner!)

Second belt tensioner pulley failed completely at 261,000 miles, as did the odometer. I now have to use gallons of gas to estimate the mileage.

Consumer Reports says old Saturns have terrible maintenance reliability. My car is proof that if you maintain it well from the start, you can get great life out of it (262,000 miles and counting). Is it possible that American vehicles are rated below the Japanese because those people who punish their cars are far more likely to buy American?

I still gets 28 miles/gallon in the city, and almost 40 miles/gallon on the highway. The single cam engine with throttle-body fuel injection isn't real peppy, but with gas at $3/gallon, who cares? I've since gotten a Toyota Tacoma truck, so the Saturn is now the perfect backup/commuting vehicle.

So YOU must be the one that got the GOOD Saturn!

Oh Please! There are plenty of good Saturns. We have a 1994 that has been a gem since new. I can say that Saturns are not cars for the ham-handed or people who are not maintenance-minded. Oh wait, that's EVERY car!!! I've driven a 2000 Ford Escort which Consumer Reports lauded for being very reliable and while I do not doubt the reliability, I found the Saturn, though older, to be a much more polished machine and more richly appointed than other economy cars of that era.

A followup to this original post: I retired my Saturn at 298,000 estimated miles, thanks to a trucker on the interstate who made an improper lane-change, which totalled the car. Luckily, I wasn't injured. Prior to the accident, there was nothing mechanically wrong with the car, except for a slight manual transmission shudder. I miss it already! I'm currently looking for a slightly newer Saturn with less miles that I can use for commuting, now that gas has reached $3.60 a gallon, but I'm having no luck so far.

I completely agree with the first comment. I bought a 1995 Saturn SL with a 5 speed. Ran strong for as long as I had it and that's saying something. I have ran many cars into the ground and the Saturn is one of the ones that wouldn't break. I redlined it in every gear every day. I ramped it 2 times a day at about 95 miles an hour on my way back from school. I did powerstalls (burnout in one place) as long as I could keep my foot on the gas pedal. I drifted it every day on gravel and pavement. I did reverse 180s all the time.

Out of all the stupid things I had done the car, it still ran perfect and never made me do anything except put numerous sets of tires on it and do a couple of oil changes. I drove it until I was hit by a Mercury Granada (really big car). Not my fault by the way.

All in all, I have never been able to find another one like it for sale because the owners like them way too much. I'll have to say that it was probably my most favorite car I have ever driven that I owned. I will for sure buy another one if I can find it.

Thank you, all of you! My daughter just purchased a '94 Saturn with 80,000 miles for school transportation. A trusted mechanic assured me of the reliability of this car but hearing your comments sealed it!

Great car - I have a 1994 and it still runs, not like it use to but gets the job done. I never thought an American car can last this long. Love it! Easy and cheap to maintain, regular tune ups and it will probably run forever.

I have a 1994 SL and it has 269,000 miles. Listen to this: I have ORIGINAL engine, clutch, transmission, radiator, gas tank, fuel pump, water pump, exhaust system, and rear brakes (yes, the rear brakes) and many other items. Only unusual repairs have been alternator, tie rods, and the engine coolant temperature sensor. Most years my only maintenance costs would be a few dollars for a few oil changes. Of course I regularly need new tires and battery, and occasionally belts and hoses. The car is amazing. However it may be on its way out. This past year I have incurred about $1000 of maintenance, most of which was new tires, tie rods, front brakes and rotors. I bought the car new and have always babied it. My brain tells me to get rid of the car, but my heart won't let me do it. Currently the car is running beautifully although the Service Engine Soon light came on yesterday. I'll take it to Auto-zone for a diagnosis. Usually I'm told it's swapping out some pollution control device. But the car still operates smoothly.

94 Saturn SL.

Bought the thing for $600 bucks. Had the motor and rack and pinion swapped right before I got it, but the odometer says 26x,xxx miles. Hasn't worked since I got it. But it rides, eh, half way decent, and runs like a champ. Reminds me of my old Cavalier.

Like that guy said up a few comments, I beat the living hell out of that car, and rusted out with 200,000 on it. This seems like it will be the same (only plastic doesn't rust). I am having the same window and seat problem as others, but I have gotten my money worth and beat the crap out of this one. Still runs great. I never was a Saturn fan till now, I really do appreciate this car.

My 94 Saturn has over 131,000 miles on it and I love it. It still runs great and the outside looks good too. The only problem is the interior is starting to fall apart, but it is a 15 year old car so what do you expect. It probably is worth fixing the interior but I think I'm just going to sell it because it is an automatic and I really have my heart set on getting a 5 speed, most likely another Saturn.

I have a 94 SL1 with well over 200,000 miles on it. I can't give an actual amount due to the fact that the odometer went out a little over 6 years ago with 122,000 on it. I have averaged between 17,000 to 20,000 miles a year for the last several years and close to that before. It has been costing a few more dollars each year to keep up, but it is still minimal. I still get between 28-30 mpg and will drive it until it will go no more. Last year we purchased a 98 SW2 and put 23,000 on that one in a year. Saturn makes some of the most reliable cars, and I tell everyone I can.