Faults:

The only thing I have had go wrong is oil getting into my water, but no water getting into my engine.

Head gaskets were fixed, but the car is still doing it. I am told it might be the intake or something, but it ain't a big problem, because I have been driving it like that for the last 6 months.

Oh and the rings are bad (I see blue smoke coming from the tail pipe when taking off).

General Comments:

This is the best $300 I have ever spent, even if the car has a problem with the top of the engine. The car runs cold too, and has no problems driving for at least an hour in the summer 100+ degrees. But at night it will drive for like 3 hours before the temp gage starts to rise to half way.

The car handles real well too, and gets to speed pretty decent. Has more power than my gutless Century.

Transmission is very smooth too. Also gets about 40 mpg.

I drive this car everyday to either work or to go anywhere in town. I live 15 miles away from my job too, and my car doesn't even get hot during that time.

General Comments:

I'm very happy with my 1995 Saturn SL2. I bought it two years ago to use just as an inexpensive, lightweight, flat-towable car to pull around behind my motor home (I have two other cars), but it's so fun to drive, cheap to operate, and easy to work on it's become my daily driver.

I've discovered an amazing amount of technical information and good people on the Internet that have been very helpful in my performing routine maintenance, needed repairs, and nice-to-have upgrades. It's really become a bit of a hobby car. I enjoy tinkering with it, upgrading it, and making it better. It's so easy to work on it's almost like a modern Model T. At 133,000 miles, it runs and drives almost like a new car. It does consume a bit of oil, but nothing out of the ordinary for its age and mileage (about a quart per 1,500 miles). It's not an issue if you keep an eye on it. I check it once a week like you should with any car, new or used.

As with any other motor vehicle, how they're used and maintained will have a great deal to do with how they perform. Take care of them and they'll take care of you (and learn to do your own maintenance to save a ton of $$$).

Faults:

Issues with warping brake rotors, finally after a couple sets I went with Brembo rotors and had no problems with warping.

The engine has always burned oil and more so now that it is approaching 200K, switching to 10-40 has helped.

Replaced EGR Valve at around 100K.

Replaced the O2 Sensor twice up to now.

Replaced belt tensioner.

Water Pump Failed at around 170K. (It was making noises so I knew it was going out.)

Been through 3 batteries total over the 14 years (just replaced one at 185K).

General Comments:

Handles reasonably well. Is very economical, I got 40+MPG on the HWY when new, now it gets 35-38MPG on the HWY.

The engine has good low end torque so you can stay in a high gear much of the time to get good MPG.

The drivers seat is showing its age but overall the wear on the car is pretty minimal. I keep it clean inside and out and this has helped with the longevity.

I believe this car may make it to 250K without any major issues. We are getting a new car because the original clutch may not last that long and is $1000 shop replacement cost. Also this car is pretty small so we needed something a bit bigger for our family.