Faults:

Since having my Saturn, I have had to replace the clutch 2 times, and today it will be my third tranny.

Something is wrong with the trannies in this particular model/year. My last tranny had some sort of pin loose on the inside, and I believe some sort of bearing or something loose inside on the one before that (I'm an 18 yr. old girl, so I don't know the actual part names particularly).

Apparently the head gasket cover seems to be a problem in these cars, which I have also found out for myself :)

It cracked once around the first time I bought it, and when I brought it to the shop today to pull the tranny, the whole thing broke and oil was spewing out all sides of it over everything.

I've also done other repairs throughout the whole 3 years I've had it. The 2 other thing that I can think of off the top of my head were the exhaust had problems (something with the catalytic converter) and wheel bearings have gone out twice..

Front speakers were blown when I got it.

Almost all of the exterior is plastic.

Have some antifreeze leakage.

Window motors come and go, along with the driver's door locks.

So about in the last 3 years, I have spent more in repairs than the actual worth of the car :)

General Comments:

Generally, it's just me and a friend or myself in the car. Space isn't really a problem, and I put some seat covers on and it's relatively comfy for me (but then again, I like little cars).

My lil car is quite speedy! Got it up to 115, but it was still climbing (slowly), but we were running out of road..

Handles good.

I love it because it is a stick.

I drive about 30 minutes to college on mostly highway every day, and even at 191000 miles, it still gets 35 mpg, which is amazing.

I like the coupe design/style a lot.

Mine doesn't really burn oil, which is pretty good.

Have a custom head unit, speakers, subs, amp, and exhaust now, so those are nice.

Faults:

Replaced battery.

General Comments:

An extremely reliable car. This car only required a new battery during the entire time I owned it. It had 10 owners previously, had evidence of at least one engine overheating, but only required minimal maintenance. I was sad to let this car go.

Faults:

Radiator sprang a leak at 130,000 miles.

Serpentine belt shredded when the tension pulley went bad at 140,000.

I see some one else has the battery problem; the connection gets lost and you have to fiddle with wires. I got new ones and it's never done it since.

General Comments:

This car is a real trooper! I live in Minnesota where they dump corrosive salt on the road in winter, and my car still has great paint, but yes muffler brackets are getting weak. Just wash your car once in a while and it's fine; spattered bugs on the paint eat it away, again wash your car once in a while and it's fine!

I get 40+ MPG and car has never let me down! Rides smooth!

I now have 177,000 miles and have only put about 500 bucks into it, including new tires, and I bought it for only 1,200 bucks!

Faults:

Leaking fuel injector - rough starting.

Idle air control - low & fast idle periodically.

General Comments:

My SC1 looks sporty, but it is not. It has a turning radius of a full size pick-up truck. It has 100 hp; that is adequate, but that is all.

It is very difficult for me to exit because I am old, stiff and somewhat fat. I have to slide the seat to the rear most position to get my legs and feet in a place where they can be forced out the door; then it is some effort to fold myself and push or pull to get up. In contrast my Lancer is easy to exit, even though it is a 4 door and perhaps a smaller car. A trim, young person will have little problem getting out of the SC1, but if you have any restrictions you will suffer.

I average 27 to 29 mpg, and aside from needing to clean or replace the IAC, the car seems as reliable as a my stove. If I have to budget, I would buy another in a heart beat. If you can afford a better model Saturn like the SC2 or new ION, you will be making a wise choice.