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Saturn S-Series

1418 messages,  Last post on Sep 11, 2012 at 4:19 PM

You are in the Saturn S-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn S-Series, Sedan

Messages Page 41 of 143

#393 of 1418 Mom's Saturn by chasmala

Jul 10, 2000 (4:12 am)

I purchased a 1999 Saturn for my mother just as the '99 models came out. It is now just a month and a half short of being two years old.
I periodically drive it when she comes over to my house to make sure there are no rattles or funny noises and because I enjoy checking it out and driving it. I am so very impressed with this little car. It's an SL2 and only has 8,500 miles on it and I think, for the money, it is a great car.
It rides great and there have been absolutely no problems with it to date. The people at Saturn were a pleasure to deal with and I really feel she is in good hands if ever she needs to have anything done to it. I would like to get one myself but I am tempted to wait until the 2002 model because I understand there may be a major face lift and would like to see if it has even more appeal. Does anyone have any inside information as to what the 2002 SL model will look like compared to the present model? In some ways I hope it doesn't change too much.

#394 of 1418 to chasmala by traveler

Jul 12, 2000 (1:30 pm)

Your best way to find out what the 2002 saturn looks like is to peruse the car magazines (motor trend, car and driver etc) as they do show 'spy' photographs of the coming years models. Probably be a year before any 2002 pictures are printed by them. The latest issue of popular mechanics has a picture of the saturn suv. The picture is quite small so hard to tell just how big it is.

#395 of 1418 Help by sorcerer

Jul 12, 2000 (3:09 pm)

Does anyone know where I can go online to order stuff for my Saturn?


Specifically, I am looking for touchup paint for my '95 SL2 (med Blue Green)


There are a couple other things I need, but this is the main one, & the dealer nearest me is only open during the hours I work, & is 50 miles away...


They do not want to send me the paint in the mail, (actually expect me to take a day off of work just to drive over there!)


Any help would be great!


Stephen

#396 of 1418 stephen by dhanley

Jul 12, 2000 (4:01 pm)

Well, as long as you want the dealer to mail it, it doesn't matter which dealer it is, right? You can call out of state ones, whatever.


dave

#397 of 1418 cracked cylinder head by j_coleman

Jul 14, 2000 (8:27 pm)

This topic has been pretty quiet lately, what gives?


Has anyone had a problem with a cracked cylinder head on their '96 SL with the SOHC engine? This was the problem that Saturn sent letters out about a year or two ago. Our SL's coolant is still clear pink and the car is not losing oil, so I think we are safe for now. Of course she only has 49K miles on the car, so the problem could still develop. I would be interested to hear from someone who has been through this, and how it was resolved.

#398 of 1418 Saturn? by chrissy6

Jul 19, 2000 (4:40 am)

I have been test driving cars for awhile now under the 15 grand range and my fav's have been the focus and the saturn SL2. Until I just read a bunch of posts about saturns cookie sugar coating the buying part and turning around and giving people a hard time when something goes wrong. Honestly, now I don't know what to think! I loved the way the SL2 handled..the power..the clutch..the layout. Only thing I'm uneasy about in buying a car is that I want at least 150,000 miles out of it. I own a 92 Mercury Tracer LTS with 158,000 miles on it..original clutch and all and it's still going great and I want to be able to put that kind of wear and tear on my next car. I'd appreciate any input as to how the Saturn's really hold up after putting on some hefty miles. Thanks

#399 of 1418 Chrissy6- The choice is up to you! by saturnboy

Jul 19, 2000 (5:08 am)

   Chrissy6


       If I were you I wouldn't put too much faith in a messege board where mostly people only come to complain about a car, and thier unfortunate experiences. In some cases, in this room and others at edmunds.com, stories from supposed owners often cannot be proved as to thier authenticity.


        As for Ford, if you liked your tracer so much why not give the Focus a whirl. On the other hand, for 2000 Saturn achieved a number 2 Spot in overall Customer Satisfaction from JD Power & Associates, www.jdpower.com Saturn did better then BMW, Mercedes, Acura, to name a few. In the end, some Ford's will hold up better then others, and Some Saturn's will hold up better then others.




     Keep in mind that the Saturn was rated a best overall value by Intellichoice, www.intellichoice.com under 15k. The Saturn also received the highest Crash Test rating possible from www.nhsta.com. At this point you might as well flip a coin to decide good luck.

#400 of 1418 Some help by afk_x

Jul 19, 2000 (5:47 am)

Saturns have had some minor reliablity issues. You could pretty much count on a Saturn needing a new alternator around 80K miles. Also due to vibration you usually need an engine mount replaced about the same time. The average life expectancy of an S series vehilce engine has been between 150K - 200K, but a rebuilt engine actually doesnt cost very much.


The new Saturns have signifigantly less harsh engines than prior years and I would expect that the need for replacing the engine mount is over. Also they have made changes to to increase the life of the alternator.


All that being said, I would not buy an SL2. I would spend a little more (very little) and get an LS. Its not much more and its WAY better in every way. Although it doesn't have a long track reccord I can point to, they are fantastic cars.


Whatever you decide, good luck

#401 of 1418 Chrissy by ken1776

Jul 19, 2000 (8:36 pm)

A lot can be learned from how Saturn has handled those unfortunate customers who have not had the greatest Saturn experience in the world. Although it might be true that this board is over negative because angry people tend to voice their opinion more often then happy ones, just remember that most of us are angry because Saturn made us angry. And if you think our opinion is biased, well think twice about the opinion from someone with "Saturn" in his name. And I am of the opinion that although Saturn is probably a better built car then many, it's still just another division of GM.

#402 of 1418 My oppinion on Saturns by sorcerer

Jul 20, 2000 (7:03 pm)

I got my '95 SL2 in october of '94, I ordered the exact car I wanted, and the dealership got one for me directly off the production line. I recieved the car with 3 miles on it, and after a 4 mile test drive, I signed the papers, and it was mine. I have had so few problems with this car, that I am reluctant to stop driving it. However, my lifestyle has changed somewhat and I now have the need for something a bit bigger (read SUV). Since I love the SL2 so much, instead of trading or selling it, I plan to give it to my younger brother who is 16 now, and is in need of a reliable car.


In the nearly 6 years that I have had this car, the only things I have had done to it, (aside from regular maintnence) is replaceing the clutch that I wore out. (my fault entirely: couldn't afford to have my brake pad's replaced, & used the clutch to slow my self down for several months(chicago traffic))
I had never owned a new car before this one, and I am still amazed at how little this car has costed me over the years.


I'm not trying to convince anyone to buy one, just thought that I would share a positive experience on this board.


Stephen

Messages Page 41 of 143

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