Faults:

250,000 Front brakes pads and rotors.

255,000 Left front axle, right front wheel bearing.

266,000 Original clutch changed, complete kit.

279,000 Rear sway bar links, muffler.

290,000 4 new struts (bouncy).

310,034 Complete tuneup, plugs, wires, fuel filter (expensive)

314,000 New starter.

322,000 Water pump leaking (original), also flushed Dexcool out for regular green coolant. Replaced thermostat.

330,000 2 lower ball joints, left inner tie rod, alignment.

340,000 Original radiator caved (plastic tanks on the side).

366,000 Decided to fix oil leaks, new oil pan installed, and valve cover gasket. For some reason the timing case was split on the corner, replaced it with a used one and installed new crank seal while I was there.

384,609 The car left me stranded for the first time, crankshaft possition sensor. The car just died on me on the highway while I was driving home.

Rear oxygen sensor was also replaced at the same mileage.

Oil was changed every 5,000 kms, used about 1 to 2 litres between changes, depending on the weather and the way it was driven.

Fuel mileage was superb, highest honest mileage I got was 46mpg, that was using premium, I only tried that once of course. However highway driving with regular I consistently have gotten 42.

General Comments:

This car suited me fine, I loved the interior, it Had all the options I wanted; if you want a Cadillac, don't expect it from a Saturn, however it got me back and forth to work every day, and here it gets cold (-40), and I have never plugged the car in, And rarely let it warm up for longer than 5 minutes in the morning.

The car had lots of get up and go. It's not a Nascar, however it did good on the highway maintaining speed. Also the car is very light in the rear, so 4 snow tires helped me out a lot, and maybe little weight in the back would too.

Reliable, parts aren't too cheap for it, the fuel filter was I think $120!!! But it has a regulator built into it? I have done all my own labour on it, so that saved me quite a bit, and I'm pretty picky on my vehicles, even if it had 400,000 I made sure I fixed whatever was wrong with it.

When it was time for me to get rid of it, the engine was starting to use a little more oil, probably not bad if you keep topping it up, due to the mileage on the car I don't see it being a problem. The gentleman who bought it from me was very pleased, and I believe he is still driving it with all the new parts that were put on it.

I would definitely buy another, can't find one the same though, BLACK, 2 door, 5 speed, full load without leather and sunroof.

Go for the twin cam, I heard they are better than the singles. I was very pleased with this car.

Faults:

The car's engine coolant gauge won't go above 1/4 for temperature, which the dealer says is most likely a problem with the needle.

At 120,000 miles, two of the transmission rods snapped (probably due to their age and my driving style), but only cost me $350 to fix (including parts and labor).

As with most SCs/Cavaliers/Sun-fires, the strap supporting the muffler corroded through at around 110,000 miles. It's held in place with a coat hanger that is working until I can order the part.

The ECOTEC 1.9's legendary appetite for oil is just that. I have to add another 1 or 2 quarts between 3,000 mile oil changes.

General Comments:

This is the third Saturn S-series that I've owned. It has all but three options (the third door, the automatic transmission, and the traction control), and is very nice.

The transmission shifts smoothly under most conditions, but gets a little touchy in single digit and lower temperatures.

The speakers were all blown when I bought it, but that's a consistent problem with cars I've owned in the past.

It still costs around 25-30 dollars to fill up, which isn't too bad.

My first set of tires lasted a bizarre 102,000 miles.

It's quick, sporty, fun to drive, safe, and above all else, reliable.

The engine isn't over-powered, but torque steer is apparent in many turns. It's light and well balanced, so controlling it isn't a daunting task.

The sunroof is something you should definitely go for.