17th Apr 2008, 21:04

We own a 97 Saturn SL... 187,000 miles and pushing and have had generally a good experience and use of the vehicle. I agree with the comments of one of the writers earlier... you have to maintain the vehicle for it to last. I have had problems with the low oil issue as well... and am going to try the oil stabilizer along with using synthetic oil.

20th Apr 2008, 18:38

I have a 1996 SC1 Saturn; paid $350 for it in 2007.

Just last week the fuel pump went out of it. A new one is $250, plus the cost to put it in. Didn't want to pay that so went to the junk yard and got it for $50 with a 30 day warranty.

Also I'm leaking oil a lot. And I'm hearing a noise where the belt is located. If someone could tell me what this could be, I would greatly appreciate it.

3rd May 2008, 10:22

Wow, after looking at all the problems you guys had, I guess I came out lucky. I own a 1995 Saturn SC1 with 116,000 miles on it. Knock on wood to this date I haven't had any problems with anything except a noisy belt pulley. But I will definitely keep my eyes open to the fact that this car may have some of the issues found in this forum in the future.

27th Jul 2008, 00:42

I own a 1996 Saturn SW2. Bought it from original owner 2 years ago with 97,000 for $3,000. During test drive, the alternator went out (I should have heeded this warning).Since then the belt tensioner pulley wore out. It has eaten four serpentine belts. The gasket around one spark plug well leaked, and flooded the spark plug well with oil fouling the plug. One of the main engine seals on the passenger side started leaking oil, and it steadily worsening. The water pump went out. The transmission began to slip, then grab violently when started cold and put in gear. And, this week, the power steering pulley disentegrated, stranding my wife on the hottest day of the year so far. I have concluded that I would save money by replacing it with a gas guzzling SUV. My daughter's 1992 Pontiac Bonneville is still purring along. My 1995 Geo Metro is doing great even though a town car used it for a ping pong ball a couple of years ago.

7th Aug 2008, 04:59

Well, I did come to the site thinking I had a problem with my '96 SC1; 144,000 miles. It has developed a starting problem in hot weather, particularly if it has been going a long time; stop & go; using the AC; etc. Yes, the sunroof was sealed long ago for leaking, ruining the headliner and not doing any favors for the upholstery. Yes, the idiot lights and bells are quirky. But, other than that, Kato is a running, faithful little rat, handling better over 85 (emergency run to hospital) than 65.

Perhaps more of you need to name your cars?

23rd Sep 2008, 01:36

I have a Saturn SL2, and my back left side rear window was off track. Here is what happened; I locked the keys in my car and forced the window down hard all the way, plus shook it a little. This is how to get it back on track. Mine now is OK and back to working again.

7th Oct 2008, 15:18

I'm on my 3rd Saturn SC2. The first, a 92 I purchased with 30k miles in 95. At 50k miles it died on the highway. Called the closest dealer, they called a tow truck, brought it to the shop in a hour they had replaced a failed ignition module. Cost $300 including the tow. A couple weeks later in the same town my battery died. Called the dealer, they sent a guy over and jumped the car. Cost nothing, said it was a service they provide for their customers. In the end I replaced a clutch at 180k miles drove the car to 270k and was still running when the junk man came.

2nd is a 95, purchased with 125k miles. Has 215k and still going. Thought it was going to the junk yard when the front wheel bearings started to make noise and the tires were worn. But I found a wrecked one with good tires for $300. Took the wheel bearings and tires and resurrected the 95. Still driving it daily.

About a year ago my wife saw a 96 on the side of the road for sale. 60k miles $3000. My daughter is driving it now has 80k. The alternator failed the day I bought the wreck. Took the alternator from the wreck, cost free. The belt tensioner failed a couple months ago. Cost $35.

Helps if you can do the repairs yourself.

Overall I think Saturn made a great product. yes they burn some oil, my 95 uses a quart every 1000 miles. The 92 with 270k miles burned about the same. The 96 uses about a quart between changes.

12th Nov 2008, 20:42

I have a 1996 Saturn SL2 with 176,000 miles on it. I really don't have any complaints. I am now faced with the decision to invest about $1,500.00 into it or move on to a new car. It has normal wear and tear problems, gaskets that leak, brake work and ball joints needing to be replaced.

25th Nov 2008, 16:07

Owned a few Saturn's @ about 200,000 klm the rings fail.

2 Things you can do at this point-replace engine/rebuild.

I have rebuilt & replaced prefer rebuilt seems stronger and adds piece of mind to the repair thou can be pricey.

17th Jan 2010, 14:06

Just wanted to say that I have a 93 SC Saturn with 246,000 miles and it still running strong. Yes there are issues with burning oil as it is 4 a cylinder with many miles, but I will be replacing the oil pan and valve cover gasket myself this weekend. I've had to replace a crank sensor and oxygen sensor. Along with new front end parts, struts, radiator, motor mount, exhaust and alternator but this is all a part of regular maintenance.

It’s funny how everyone is complaining about their regular maintenance car problems. After a car is about 5 - 7 yrs old things will start to go, and you will experience those unwanted issues unless you are doing preventive maintenance.

As everyone drives a car, I think a lot people should at least be required to take an automotive maintenance class; this would give people the ability to recognize some of their problems and save yourselves a few dollars.