Need input from Saturn owners

[bif]

My wife wants to buy one. How happy are you with yours? Should we buy one?

[matcom]

1. 98 SL2 Owner Here

the ONLY complaint i have with ours is the engine is a little noisy (nothing wrong with it, always been that way)

ours has 90k on it and still drives like brand new. only thing done to it has been regular oil changes

the new models are larger and look REALLY nice.

i have known owners with 300k+ on theirs. damn things will never die.

hopefully they have quieted the engine a bit since 98

[HerbieHeadhunter]

2. I have a 96 SL2 and have yet to have a problem...

except for somebody breaking the back window to steal my stereo system. The engine is a bit loud, but the car runs great and never has any problems. I've almost traded it in over the past 2 years, but have waited to see how many miles I can get out of it. I believe it has around 135,000 on it so far.

[pagerbear]

3. Every Saturn owner I know

...loves his Saturn.

[trotsky]

4. I have owned 3 Saturns.

Loved every one. (Traded in the first for the second, the second for the third.)

I've driven a 1994 SL1, a 1997 SL1, and now a 2002 L200. The L-series is a fine automobile, I have no reservations whatsoever recommending Saturn not only for the brand quality but the overall sales experience.

Thumbs up all around.

RE: Engine loudness. Yes, that was more of an issue with my '94 and '97. The L200 has much better soundproofing.

[BayCityProgressive]

5. I have a 2001 Saturn

I LOVE it. After my last piece of shit car it was such a relief to have a car where nothing ever goes wrong lol. It is noisy...thats the only thing about Saturns. They have low gas emmissions that even meet california standards though..so its a good liberal car!:)

[bif]

6. Thanks for the input.

They're unloading the 2003s for a great price. That's what we may go with, although I'm aware of the bait and switch possibility.

[trotsky]

18. Don't you worry about that.

When you hear the hype about Saturn's no-pressure sales pitch, you may be inclined to think it's hooey. But it truly is no-pressure. I have never felt as comfortable buying a car.

[Hoosier Democrat]

7. I drive a Saturn VUE

And I love it! It's big enough to be practical, yet small enough to be driveable. For a small SUV, the gas mileage is UNREAL! Over New Years weekend, we made a 300 mile road trip and didn't have to stop for gas until the end.

This is my second Saturn and I'm committed to them!!

[XNASA]

10. Saturn let me take home a VUE for the weekend last fall......

And I thought it was great!!!

We were buying for Mrs. XNASA and she wasn't impressed with the interior, so we bought a Tribute instead.

But of all the small SUV's I test drove, and I drove 'em all, the VUE was the best handling, had the most comfortable ride and just seemed to be the happiest of all in typical around town traffic.

It's got a nice long wheelbase for a small SUV so it tracks well on the interstate too. I was impressed by the VUE, and I am with all the other Saturn products as well.

[K8-EEE]

8. I Have A 2002 Wagon....LOVE IT!

The only thing is, the Jetta Wagon was prettier and had better gas mileage. Not a huge issue for me since I live in town and am not a distance commuter -- just buzz around short distances all day.

There didn't seem to be a lot of difference between the pricing of the Jetta and my Saturn wagons until I started with the options. The VW, I would have had to pay $520 just for a CD player!!

The Saturn I got fully loaded (6-disc CD Player, heated front seats, leather seats etc.) for $21,000 (this was a couple of years ago) and the Jetta would have been almost $31,000 for the same stuff.

I LOVE THE STEREO!! The sound is better than some luxury cars I've driven in.

It doesn't drive as quietly and smoothly as the Jetta but it has been really reliable, no problems and I drive a LOT -- stop and go city traffic. I would definitely buy another one.

[Chef]

9. Saturn

I own a 1996 SL2 with 181,000 mostly highway miles on it. It has been an ok car. It burns a lot of oil now, which may be excusable, given the mileage (my Subaru with 165,000 miles does not), but it still has the original clutch and transmission. Having said that, I think the car is overrated. I have heard it called a "Caviler with plastic doors". The buying experience is better in that you don't get involved in the dealer/customer middle eastern bazaar haggling that many find of-putting. This would be a great thing if the cars were a superior products, but I don't think the quality merits the trade off or the increased cost. Dealer service has been good, but I have had problems with the brakes wearing out.

The plastic body is the best feature in that it still looks new and does not dent. The downside is you have more road noise because of the way it has to be put together.

Most reviews comment that the mechanical technology of the cars is not really state-of-the art. Consumers Reports have not given it as high as a rating on repairs as its competition.

Car buying sometimes can be an emotional experience and depends on what your needs are and what you want out of a car. I might consider buying another, but it would probably not be my first choice. I'm looking to trade mine for a Honda or another Subaru. Hope this helps.

[bif]

12. Well, I work in Detroit for an ad agency that handles a domestic automaker

So I'm very inclined to buy American. And seems like the Saturn is pretty well liked by its owners.

[Chef]

13. Domestic

I also am inclined to buy American. Depends if you mean an American company, or assembled here, or the domestic content of the car. Hondas and Subarus are both build here. Many Chrysler (owned by a german company), Fords and General Motors cars are built in Mexico and Canada and some assembled here have foreign parts. Yes many owners are pleased with Saturns.

[Shananigans]

11. I am buying one on Thursday!

I get my loan check on Thursday and will be picking up my 2002 Saturn SL1. I am so excited!!!

I have done extensive car shopping and so far Saturn is the only one that has fit all my desires and been at a reasonable price.

Good luck!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

14. Have a 1999 SL1, truly a basic car...

manual transmission and a radio that was in it when I got it. Gets exceptional gas mileage...up to 40MPG on long distance, freeway runs. Only have 41K miles on it and no problems except TWO blowouts on the rear tires.

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. I was in an accident in one

(not mine, someone else's)

We were rear-ended at a stoplight by someone going about 35, and it was amazing!

The bumper showed no signs of crumpling or anything! The rubbery part had a slight imprint of the guy's license plate, but other than that, the car was perfect.

I almost bought one just based on that.

[spinbaby]

16. I like mine

2001 L300.

No problems with the car, it drives beautifully, and the dealership is great. I'll probably buy another one.

That said, my son had a 2000 L300, had transmission and electrical problems with it, and was not happy with his dealership. He traded it in on a Nissan.

[Kazak]

17. The ONLY problem I've ever had with one...

I've found them to be a little light on headroom. Of course those were older models...they may have addressed that problem.

[trotsky]

19. They definitely addressed that.

That was a "big" problem. I'm not that tall (about 5'9") and yet in my 1994 SL1 my head was within a couple inches of the roof. The redesign in '96 created a lot more headroom, and has not been a problem in my two Saturns since.

[rucky]

20. It's a CULT! Run Away!

On two separate occasions I've been pinned down by Saturn owners who go on & on & on about their Saturn.

They have Saturn owner gatherings.

They have a Saturn cheer.

They wear black Nikes & shave their heads.

[bif]

22. You folks sound like a pretty satisfied lot. Thanks

n/t

[fudge stripe cookays]

23. Did you ever see the episode of Ellen...

where Audrey bought a car like that, and they had to try to deprogram her?

I never watched Ellen much (had school at night), but I caught that one. It was hilarious.

[Catshrink]

25. Are you a fan of oddtodd?

Drinking coffay?

[fudge stripe cookays]

30. Indeed. Ergo, my handle.

[PVnRT]

21. Well, keep in mind

that it's almost as large as Jupiter. Sure, the rings look nice, but, let's face it, the interior is simply inhabitable.

[bicentennial_baby]

24. Love the Ion!

Had an SL2, now have a new Ion, and I loooove it! :bounce:

[Catshrink]

26. I'm on my second Saturn

I now have a 99 SL2 with 81k. My nephew has a 98 version of the same car with 180k. Very few problems for either of us.

My previous car was a 95 Saturn wagon, again, problem free.

My only complaint is that it is so damn boring. But at least I get to work on time and get 32 mpg pretty consistently.

[geniph]

27. I had a '94 SL1 and was very fond of it

It was totaled in a rear-end collision in 1999 (I guess I wasn't supposed to stop and wait for red lights to turn green). I got a very fair payout from the insurance company for it (it held a lot of its value). I probably would still be driving it if it hadn't been totaled.

I only had a couple complaints about it: the brake rotors were badly warped from the get-go (I should have taken it back while it was under warranty, but I never got around to it), the driver's seat was surprisingly uncomfortable, and the seatback latch for the driver's seat was very puny. It broke in the collision and threw me flat on my back. I later found out that'd been a problem with a number of the older Saturns.

It used to be the single most "American" car you could buy - 100% American-made out of 97% American parts. I don't know if that's true anymore since GM pulled them back in. When they were operating independently in Tennessee, they were a good company.

The handling of the 5-speed SL1 was excellent, very sporty.

[rsdsharp]

28. Three in the family, BUT

I'm not looking for another. My daughter bought a '98 SL2 as her first real car. She liked it a great deal, and still has it. My wife decided she wanted one, and we bought the same model a few months later. It now has about 50,000, virtually trouble free, miles on it. Daughter and son-in-law have since bought a 2002 L series, and like it, too.

I'm a very large guy, and the SL2 A pillar is too low to allow me to get into the car with any kind of comfort (or dignity). I don't have the problem with my Acura Integra, or the bigger L series. In fairness, my wife, who is only 5'1" has no problem. I also find the interior leg room on the driver's side to be cramped, and the engine to be a little loud. My opinion is that they are good values for the money, but dull, and not as well designed or appointed as Toyotas, or Hondas. It's not on my list of brands to replace the Acura, although my wife would probably buy another.

The nice part about the purchase is that there is no haggling. It's a take-it-or-leave-it deal. But, picking the car up is a giant pain in the ass, as far as I'm concerned. (It also took 7 weeks to arrive, when it was supposed to take 2, but they did give us some glasses, an extra cup, and a nice golf shirt -- all with the Saturn logo, of course). It took literally 90 minutes to sign the papers and leave, and would have taken more if I wasn't making nasty noises. (We had been told to allow 2 - 2 1/2 hours for the pick up process!)
You are given a FULL tour of the store, including bathrooms, walked through every square inch and gadget on the car (hey, I KNOW what a gas cap is), photographed (I put my foot down here), and given a cheesey cheer or two. THEN the salesman becomes your new best friend for about six months with calls, and letters, and all kinds of crap. "Yes, Jeff, the car is running OK. No, I don't want to come to the picnic with the other members of 'my Saturn family,'"

If you want cheap, dependable, dull transportation, and can put up with the hoopla, go for it.

[northofdenali]

29. 97 SW1 owner and still love the car!

It does great in ice and snow, warms up quickly in the winter (even at more than 40 below, plugged in of course) and rides great.

When I get a new car, it'll be a Saturn.