25th Jul 2007, 00:07

I purchased a 1991 Saturn SL1, manual transmission in 1994 with 54,000 miles on it. The most dependable, low cost of operation vehicle I have ever owned. 40MPG on the highway as well.

With 167,000 miles on it, it still runs great and the body looks great as well, due to the polymer dent resistant door and fender panels. Normal maintenance has only been needed during the last 13 years, with one radiator replacement and two alternators. For a car that is low in cost out of the chute, I don't know how America can ask for much more.

I have so much confidence in Saturn, we have purchased 4 more for the family. One we purchased with 213,000 miles on it, and it has been taken care of by a one owner so the car looks and runs great.

Saturn cars are probably the best kept secret in the auto industry. That little 1.9 engine has a timing chain as well, and at 167,000 miles no need to change timing belts.

Try a Saturn, you will love it.

12th Dec 2007, 11:26

I have purchased a 1995 Saturn SL2, and have NEVER found any of the problems mentioned on this. Maybe it just takes a person actually taking care of the car. Best car I've ever had.

13th Dec 2007, 13:54

I bought my 1995 SL2 new. I have went through one alternator. I think that is about the only non-maintenance thing that has went wrong. I have two minor complaints. It burns oil like no ones business and it doesn't idle very reliably in the winter. If I had to do it all over again, I would.

26th Jan 2008, 18:44

Well I have a used SL2 no into my third year of ownership. One set of front brake pads and 1 a/c hose. That's it. 140,000 now. I would buy another one.

25th Feb 2008, 13:47

I own a 95 SL2 and I bought it in good condition at 120,000 miles and now it has 143,000 miles on it. I replaced the brake pads only because the car sat for 6mo before I bought it, got a new air pump and new muffler. Other than that kind of normal wear-and-tear it has been a great car. We also have a 95 Ford Contour which is falling apart at the seams, and this Saturn has much better pick-up and a great engine. A little over 30 miles to the gallon and only burns oil every 1200 miles. My next car will be a Saturn I think.

15th Apr 2008, 22:52

We bought a 1995 Saturn SL1 as a dealer used car with about 24K miles on it. It is now up to 311,000 miles with nothing but the expected maintenance and normal worn parts and very good observance of 3000-mile oil changes. The engine stays almost as clean as on the showroom floor. I get 38 MPG at 75 MPH highway.

Yes, the door seals have a seam at the top that creates an annoying drip in heavy rains. It has some loose interior plastic molding along the windshield supports that rattles at times. The trunk lid drips water into the car when you open it, and two or three of the speakers have been blown over the years. I call those things character.

This has been the best, most trouble-free car we have ever owned. I am looking to add another one to soak up the mileage on my 75-mile one-way commute. I was sorry to read the poor experience of the original poster here, but I am posting this just to say that not all Saturns are bad, particularly the earlier ones -- you see more and more of them still on the road as other makes disappear into the junkyards.

6th Sep 2008, 05:46

I bought my 95 saturn sl2 used with 160k miles on it (motor has 80k) On the day I bought it, it drove fine during my test drive. Once I started to drive it home, Service engine soon light came on and it would stall at stops but, would start right back up. I took it into a repair shop and find out my map sensor and EGR was bad and had to replace it. About 1 month later, I was at Walmart and the car wouldn't start at all. Engine would not turn over. I have had it towed into a shop and that is where its at now so we'll see whats wrong with it. I don't think I would ever buy a saturn again and if anyone one is looking a one, I'v got a deal for you!

19th Jan 2009, 16:04

Had a '93 SL1. Slushbox. SL stands for SLOW. Other than that, great little car. Alternator went at 110K (Florida-hot-AC). Repoed at 147K. Medical bills. Sad sad day.

Reason for post: watch out for Bosch Platinums. Had a set in an '89 6000 2.5 Iron Duke, cracked insulators within 8K miles. Started running like absolute garbage - couldn't be plugs, they're brand-spanking new. Turned out three of'em had cracked. Iron Duke vibrates A LOT, don't know about Subie Boxer.

Anyway, I'm gonna find me another SL1, this time not of the shiftless variety. Pre-'96, just cause I dislike driving a little bar of soap. There are still a ton of 'em out there. Must be a reason.