1995 Saturn SC 1
Summary:
Not a pretty car, but perfectly reliable and cheap for years
Faults:
Rear spoiler "paint" pealed off in 2002-2003.
Headliner shredded due to dry rot.
Cloth on door panels came off completely.
Dash board cracked down the middle and across steering wheel.
Driver's side window handle does not work.
Driver's window slides down.
Rain leaks horribly on driver's side, passenger side, and rear passenger side seats due to the metal molding around the door, and window frames bending over time and coming loose.
Tape deck stopped working in 2001.
Part of the clutch cable broke off, but a mechanic fixed it for $30, rather than replacing the whole cable.
General Comments:
Aside from the above mentioned cosmetic problems, which really make driving in the car with passengers an embarrassment, this car has been wonderfully reliable!
It does use oil quickly, which is a common problem with Saturns from what I'm told, but I have shamefully gone 5,000 miles between a couple of oil changes before, and had no problem with it.
Along with regular maintenance, we have had to replace a radiator hose, spark plugs, and I think maybe alternator as well, and fix the clutch cable. Other than that, there's really nothing mechanically that we've had to do with this car.
It tends to overheat when in stop and go traffic, or when on long trips, now that it is older, but it can handle it as well.
I would recommend Saturns based on what this car has been through for the 12 years we have had it, and the mileage it has racked up with no mechanical problems. I trust that since this was an early model for the Saturn company, they worked out their interior design and quality problems in later models... hopefully.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th December, 2010