SATURNS: Educate me please

[tgferg67]

These cars have quite a few issues.
Oil burning
Drivability problems due to fail sensors/components
Top engine mount failures
Manual trans - susceptible to engine thrust bearing wear/problems
Auto trans- susceptible to loose input shaft nut and valve body issues

If you look at these cars have someone rev up engine at 3k and look at the exhaust to access oil burning.

 

[yaris0128]

My mother has a 2001 SC-1 5spd and she does not take care of it at all and it runs rough but it hasnt broke down yet. Its at 165k without any work done to it at all. Im talking 15k dino changes. Excellent car.

 

[Turk]

The S-series cars rock - one of the best, cheapest, most reliable cars for the price I've owned!

Pick one that's been moderately cared for and you're all set.

Then, calculate all of the savings in gas, etc and you'll LOVE it even more!

 

[Dakota1820]

Theres a lot of nonsense on here. I believe Saturn sl2 to be better than any Toyota. I currently own a 98 sl2 5sp 190k and no issues. It did use oil but I did a piston soak 3 of them and its very easy and now it uses no oil. The other common issue is the temp sensor. Takes 5 minutes to replace 10 bucks and its probably already been done on most of them by now. Other than that there really.isn't other common issues. They are good cars fun to drive and great economy.34mpg all city. The motor mounts are no more prone to failure than on any other car. Find one that's been cared for and you'll be pleased.

 

[tgferg67]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Theres a lot of nonsense on here. I believe Saturn sl2 to be better than any Toyota. I currently own a 98 sl2 5sp 190k and no issues. It did use oil but I did a piston soak 3 of them and its very easy and now it uses no oil. The other common issue is the temp sensor. Takes 5 minutes to replace 10 bucks and its probably already been done on most of them by now. Other than that there really.isn't other common issues. They are good cars fun to drive and great economy.34mpg all city. The motor mounts are no more prone to failure than on any other car. Find one that's been cared for and you'll be pleased.


You have a manual and that is why you don't know how frequent the engine mounts fail and cause vibration in drive when stopped.

I have had the opposite experience with reliability.
Transmission input shaft nut came loose
Re-ringed the engine because it was consuming a quart of oil every 250 miles.
The oil burning prior to the re-ring ruined my cat and caused drivability problems by affecting the EGR, O2 sensor and fouled plugs.
Engine cradle is rusted so bad it needs replacing.
Ignition module failed
Radiator replaced - they all crack by the transmission line.
Seats get rips on the sides where there is vinyl.
Seatbelts don't retract.
Paint comes off the factory alloys relatively soon causing them to oxidize and look like [censored].

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Theres a lot of nonsense on here. I believe Saturn sl2 to be better than any Toyota. I currently own a 98 sl2 5sp 190k and no issues. It did use oil but I did a piston soak 3 of them and its very easy and now it uses no oil. The other common issue is the temp sensor. Takes 5 minutes to replace 10 bucks and its probably already been done on most of them by now. Other than that there really.isn't other common issues. They are good cars fun to drive and great economy.34mpg all city. The motor mounts are no more prone to failure than on any other car. Find one that's been cared for and you'll be pleased.


Right!

...and name me one car that doesn't need occasional maintenance... Sheez!

PLUS - I save WAY MORE on my high gas mileage to offset maintenance costs!!

I'll take my higher than you MPG and laugh all the way to the bank!

45 MPG at 65 MPH, baby!

 

[Virtuoso]

I loved most things about my SL1.

I didn't love the fact the head cracked ($$) or the fact I had to put a quart of oil in the engine every other tank of gas. Towards the end it was more like a quart every single tank.

Not much fun in 0'F Nebraska winters. But hey, the 38MPG was nice, and I did enjoy the way it drove for being on pizza cutter sized wheels.

 

[Dakota1820]

If you change a saturns oil every 3k it won't use oil . If you use synthetic oil amd change it every 3000 to4000 it'll never be an oil drinker. Don't use 5w30 it has to have a lot of viscosity improvers which cokes up the rings over time 10w30 is the best bet. Radiators are common but an easy fix you cannot name one car that has no issues. Saturns are fine get one that's cared for and in good shape amd it'll.run along time

 

[MONKEYMAN]

The advantage of Saturn ownership is a ton of DYI repair info. Parts are cheap if you have ever had a foreign model. Mine burns oil. That means yearly cleaning of EGR, cleaning or changing plugs, and cleaning throttle body. Very easy to access and do.

Disadvantage is some parts are not as readily available. I had mine in a local shop a few weeks ago doing a list of repairs. The ignition cylinder broke while at the shop for repairs. Took 3 days to get to the part. No one had one in St. Louis.

The advantage over Toyota. I wanted to buy a Corolla but could only find a stripped down model for thousands more.

What I like: The cruise on the Saturn works perfectly for my needs. I love the spin on transmission filter. Air filter and PCV takes a few seconds to change. Great DYI car. Steering wheel is comfortable. It is one of the few small cars I can sit in and see the instrument gauges fully. My brother was the same way with his Saturn. I have a long torso and fit well. I just like the way it drives. My problem with Toyota is I do not fit well. I drove a RX300 and preferred the cockpit of my Saturn. I had more lateral leg room.

What I dislike: having to add oil, location of oil filter, they stopped making them...

I have a 99SL2 with 192,000. Runs like a new car. But I keep up on the maintenance. I have had to replace a lot of things. But most with my labor. Maybe flip a coin.

Best...