Faults:

My 1997 Saturn SC2 engine started using oil excessively around 50,000 miles (About a quart every 1,000 miles!). At 65,000 miles, the engine suddenly ceased. No prior indicator lights or noise. Replaced the engine with a used 38,000 mile engine. Now, with 108,000 miles on the vehicle, about 81,000 on this engine, it ceased again. I have had regular 3,000 mile oil changes and no prior significant notice of loss of oil. Again, no indicators--no warning lights, no engine noise, just ceased.

General Comments:

I didn't know about these sort of sites on the Internet. I think it's great. Had I done my homework before, I would be in this mess for a second time. The first time it happened, Saturn did not give me any indication that this was a common or known problem. I will never buy another Saturn again and may very well go back to foreign made vehicles.

Faults:

It seems like every other month I hate this car. When the car is working fine, I love it, but my repairs have been expensive. I replace the whole fuel management system over the winter. I guess the cold got to it a little too much.

Usual maintenance.

Muffler hanger was broken when I bought the car... cheap to replace.

Breaks and rotors go about every year.

Rattles like no other, lots of road noise.

Replaced the alternator twice.

Something went with the radiator, turned my coolant into oatmeal... flushed the system twice, and its been fine.

Other stuff, just don't have maintenance records in front of me.

General Comments:

Great on gas, but small tank.

Little too light in the rear, but OK handling otherwise.

Too small for anything in the back seat.

Ample space in the trunk.

Can get up 'n go if you're rolling, OK pickup from a dead stop. Decent jump if you're cruising, and hop on the gas.

Faults:

Needed new spark plugs and wires.

Needed new engine coolant temp. sensor -- these go bad on these cars often. A bad one will cause bad gas mileage, trouble starting in warm weather, and the car may overheat because it can't tell that it is getting hot to turn on the radiator fan. The part is about $15, and very easy to replace.

Needed new brakes.

Air filter -- somehow had mice in it. About 1/4 of it was eaten...

All routine maintenance.

Trip meter does not work.

General Comments:

I love this car! Some people complain about the space, but for those of us who happen to be a little short (I'm 5'3) it's great. I had to use a big pillow to see over the steering wheel in my last car. And, my brother fits in it fine, and he's 6'1. I really appreciate the adjustable lower back support on long trips.

I've had practically no problems with the car, and it was mildly neglected by the previous owner (he changed the oil only once in 14,000 miles of ownership). It does use a bit of oil, about a quart every 2,000 miles, as many Saturns do. Check your oil, it's a good thing to do on any car. Change it every 3,000 miles.

I've taken it on various long trips with no problems. I live in West Virginia and drove to Maine, then Virginia Beach, then back home, a total of 4,000 miles, starting with 177,000 miles and ending with 181,000. It got around 36 mpg consistently on that trip, and I went through mountains on back roads or drove fast on the Interstate.

It has plenty of power for normal driving, and it can go pretty fast. It never slows down on big hills, even when I'm going about 80. And, it handles well on curves and in snow.

I love the polymer panels! My car will never rust or dent, and it's still a very cute and practically new looking after 7 years and 183,xxx miles.

Good website to learn things about the cars: www.saturnfans.com. There are Saturn techs and just people who know a lot there, who can tell you how to fix minor problems on your own, and help with diagnostics.