Saturn SL2
I've already put on record what I think of the Saturn SL2, but since it fits the Our Cars theme, I'm going to include two photos of our Saturn which sum up our entire experience with that car. And, to give me some text to flow around the photos, I'll reprint the most pertinent section:
In our first weekend of ownership, the Saturn sprang a coolant leak that left the car smelling vaguely of antifreeze for the rest of our time together. After the leak and a near-overheat situation, there emerged a curious squawk from the engine that sounded like a leaky hose or a bad seal. The shop, of course, couldn't find a problem.
Since there were no cupholders, we used to rest our drinks in a convenient divot in the center console; unfortunately, the collected condensation from our drinks worked its way down through the plastic and shorted out the whole electrical system. The clutch had to be replaced and the gearbox rebuilt. There were also random but seemingly impossible-to-find oil leaks that left the underside of the hood soaked in oil.I suppose I can't blame this on the car, but two tires (both with good tread life, at good pressures) blew up massively on the freeway, one cutting the wires to the fuel pump and leaving my wife and I stranded on the freeway on our way to a vacation for our first wedding anniversary. I still have a photo of my wife sitting despondently on the hood of the Saturn that day, grim and depressed. Happy Anniversary, honey!
The Saturn was supposed to be our nice newer car; it was pampered by the first owners, was only six years old, and only had about 70,000 miles on it. Instead, it was thoroughly outclassed in every way by our much older 250,000-mile Volvo 240. When I subsequently bought my beater 1983 Chevy Malibu Wagon, I was struck by how markedly superior the decade-older Malibu was in every respect.
But the Saturn's real crime against humanity was sucking out part of my enjoyment of driving. Before the Saturn, I trusted and enjoyed my cars, pushing them to their limits, confident that the machinery would do its part. But the Saturn destroyed my psyche; the effect is not unlike that of a betrayal by a loved one--regaining the ability to trust takes time, and I am only slowly recovering from that damage.
The photos here are from the Saturn's breakdown on our first anniversary trip. The second one to the right is one of my favorite photos of all time--I love the weary, beaten-down depression and disgust that fills my wife's face there. Frankly, I'd love to see that picture in Saturn's marketing.
Just looking at pictures of this car makes my blood pressure rise to an unhealthy degree.
--Chris H.
Jay on July 04, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Strange. I have a 95 Saturn SL2 with around 150k miles, and I loved it. It has a plastic body that hides dent, doesn't rust, and looks exactly like metal, double overhead cams on a i4 engine, and a timing chain, instead of a belt. This was one of the last cars to include an actual chain. They expected this car to last. I have loved it for over 15 years(Bought it in 94). Of course some stuff dies after awhile, like I had to replace both window motors, one at 10 years, one at 13, but it's nothing compared to other cars, which are meant to die after 100k miles. I also replaced all 4 speakers and the stereo, but you can't expect them to live for 10+ years.
a fellow on August 03, 2009 at 09:02 PM
I once own a 1993 Saturn SC2, bought it new, although it looked nice for the time being, the car itself was not on par, have to add about half quart of oil every three weeks or so, but was never being able to find out where the oil went, had add to a quart of water and anti-freeze every 1 1/2 month, even though I didn't travel far with it, driving past 70 mph was always a fun experience, since the whole car trembles inside and out, trunk lid can be opened with the old kicking technique( dealer later fixed it for free upon a recall), as for the wire that was being cut when the tire were blown as you mentioned, I remember I wrapped and shield those cables when I was applying sound insulation coating to the fender well( road noise was unbearable), and yes, I had a cup holder that fold out transformer style like someone mention above, a very fragile device, headlights were never bright enough to shine the road at night, it also has the darkest back up light there is, 2 rear bucket seats with a center console and built in cup holder made out of cheap plastic, very bad weight distribution along with lousy ABS brakes had me crashed the thing on one rainy night, drive several cars since then, and never even bother to visit any Saturn dealer thereafter.
Charlie on October 06, 2009 at 09:07 AM
being a saturn owner myself i have to disagree with this.
My car is a blue 2009 Saturn Sky. Some would call me a spoiled kid. which i guess is true in the aspect the my parents bought it new for my fifteenth birthday. I live in SD and the snow around here is RIDICULOUS. i was terrified about how this car would do on the road. but it handles them very well for being a car not made for snow. When we bought the car i thought i would have a ruined transmission for sure. Being taught how to drive manual on this car was very easy thouugh. It took me about three days until i could go a whole day without grinding at least once when i shifted. i am very happy with the car. My mom drives an ion. she loves the car so much that she bought me the new car instead of herself. (The ion was supposed to be for my birthday, not the sky.) my whole family drives cars of the saturn brand. we never have problems with them
mdt on November 11, 2009 at 08:46 PM
I suppose I can't blame this on the car, but two tires (both with good tread life, at good pressures) blew up massively on the freeway, one cutting the wires to the fuel pump and leaving my wife and I stranded on the freeway on our way to a vacation for our first wedding anniversary. I still have a photo of my wife sitting despondently on the hood of the Saturn that day, grim and depressed.
hey genius it should be my wife and me stranded on the freeway, you wouldn't say if left i stranded would you?
and it really looks like she is sitting on the trunk, not the hood, but it is not my picture
Kathleen on November 15, 2009 at 03:39 PM
2001 Saturn sl 70,000 milles- replaced transmission $2500.00
New radiator, still leaking coolant-back to the garage
Saturn dealership customer service is AWFUL-no wonder thet are going out of business!
Don on March 22, 2010 at 08:16 PM
1994 saturn sl2 140000 miles.... best car ive ever driven
dino on September 03, 2010 at 12:15 AM
'96 SL2. Family owned since new. Only about 70,000 actual miles.
Pros: 16 valve engine is peppy and gets about 32mpg highway.
Cons: Nothing about the car suggests that "quality" was a consideration anywhere in its design. Everything about it feels cheap. Burns about a quart of oil every 3 gas ups. Has a turning radius of a large truck. Handles like crap. Cooling system leaks spring up regularly. Water pump burned up at 65,000 miles. Gear shift lever connections (manual) were designed badly and will break leaving you stuck wherever you are.
The only way that anyone could ever be happy with this vehicle is if they'd never gotten to experience a well-made car. My '85 Saab feels like a Bentley in comparison.
Evan on November 04, 2010 at 07:45 PM
I have a 1994 SL2 with 216,000 miles on it. I am the second owner, since 45000 miles. I drove it hard and long around Manhattan, competing with cabs, for 5 years. It took trips across the county 4 or 5 times, up and down the Eastern seaboard, and now it runs around with me on Oregon mountain roads and passes.
The driver's seat is basically collapsed, with metal rods sticking out in places... not very safe. When it is really really cold and really really wet/humid, the seatbelt dinger starts going like mad.
Runs like a charm still, on it's third clutch, had a couple water heaters, standard stuff. It's probably the cheapest per mile car you can find.
No Love for Econos on November 06, 2010 at 10:54 PM
"Just looking at pictures of this car makes my blood pressure rise to an unhealthy degree."
Hey man, I know exactly what you feel!
Jim on December 26, 2010 at 07:44 PM
I had a 2000 Saturn SL2 that I bought used in February of 2002. I just traded the car in with 195,000 miles (December 2010). Just check the oil every time that you get gas and the car will run fine. If I would not have hit a deer I would still have the car.
LR on February 02, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Ok, be honest. For those of you who had major problems: How many of you with major problems either bought the car new and were consistent about keeping up with regular maintenance? How many of you bought the car used from someone who had maintenance records and were consistent about it? I'm guessing not so many, although I'm sure there are some.
I bought my '93 SL1 from someone who was really good about the maintenance thing, with 89,000 miles, for $4,000. I now have 231,000 or so on it, and it's 12 years later. The clutch made it well past 200,000 miles. The engine goes more than 2,000 miles before it needs a quart of oil, and I think that's partly because of minor leaks. Yes, once in a while it needs a repair, but I think I'm still WAY ahead of the game and I don't expect I'll ever have another car that takes so long to die. For all I know I'll get another 100k out of it.
Seems like in general cars do well if you take care of them. All the cars I've gotten rid of, other than the Volare, rusted to the point that I didn't want to drive them anymore. Everything else seemed to be repairable. Generally, the previous ones have lasted into the 150k mile range, if I recall correctly, and the Saturn, at $4,000, was the most expensive one.
paul morin on July 12, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Bought an old '94 SL2 for $2K a while back ( + 5 years ! )
My Mechanic knew the 2 Previous Owners & knew that the car had been well maintained ! ( Very Important ) I had only minor problems: broken belt tensionor, 2 worn wheel bearring, broken axle seal on tranny & a muffler. I changed the thermostat, it was running cold & burning a lot of gas ! Engine ran rough & my Mechanic told me to change the spark plug wires. I changed them only after I had changed the spark plugs & twin coils !
MEMO: Listen to your Mechanic ! ... lol
After 2 winters I got the AC refilled & it broke 2 years later after I gave it to my bro. He loved it.
Now my nephew has it & it runs like shit, lol.
Previous Owner had the rad. hose break & overheated the motor, put on a used head.
Rebuilt the AT. Original Starter & Alternator / AC unit.
I would buy a new Saturn if it had Not been Discontinued.
Shitty GM Dealership ! ( Saturn !)