Any advice on 2000 - 2002 SL1 SC1

tough guy · 02-07-2004, 07:55 PM

I looking to buy a late model 2000-2002 saturn (SL1, SC1) and i'm looking for any reviews or advice on the cars.

Anony00GT · 02-07-2004, 09:31 PM

Good cars, generally reliable. Their only fault is oil burning (due to piston rings) when the mileage gets up there.

If you could be a little more specific on what you want, it would be easier to help you out.

mkbuker · 02-08-2004, 06:45 AM

Spring for the SC2 or SL2, more reliable engine, and more HP. The "2's" get a DOHC motor.

brettmeyers · 02-08-2004, 02:59 PM

I'd go for an SC2, the twin came makes the difference. And I love the styling of the coupe. I've got a '98 SC1, and I haven't had any problems.
All in all, I think they are very reliable cars.

Revolver · 02-08-2004, 05:54 PM

The 3rd generation engines used different piston rings, so they shouldn't burn oil as readily as the older cars. Mine is a 01 SL2 with 43,000 miles and it doesn't burn a drop of oil yet.

Joeybagodonuts · 02-08-2004, 10:03 PM

oh, trust me, the new ones are burning oil JUST as rapidly as previous model years... matter of fact i was on a site today and one of the issues covered was how saturn turbed their back claining there WAS NO oil consumption problem, per say.but it did go into detail about the oil consumption test that saturn makes owners do, who the hell want to go to the dealer, hell WE know its burning, should take a trip every 1k to verify it, FIX THE PROBLEM saturn!

Anony00GT · 02-10-2004, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeybagodonuts

oh, trust me, the new ones are burning oil JUST as rapidly as previous model years... matter of fact i was on a site today and one of the issues covered was how saturn turbed their back claining there WAS NO oil consumption problem, per say.but it did go into detail about the oil consumption test that saturn makes owners do, who the hell want to go to the dealer, hell WE know its burning, should take a trip every 1k to verify it, FIX THE PROBLEM saturn!

Saturn hasn't admitted it?

I found a TSB with dealer instructions on AllData at work.

Saturn's TSB on the oil consumption problem says that if the car is burning less than a quart of oil per 1000 miles, to clean the engine with "GM Piston Cleaner" or some crap. If the car is burning more than a quart per 1000 miles, replace the piston rings.

Bama · 02-10-2004, 01:43 PM

I had a '97 SC2 that did not burn a drop of oil. I had 130k milkes on it when I traded it in. The car was 100% reliable until the end when I had to replace the starter and alternater at the same time. I also had to replace the tie rod ends around the same time to pass state inspection.

I also had a '96 SL1, absolutely zero problems. Traded it at 120k miles.

I just bought an '04 ION3 QC, hopefully I'll have the same luck with it.

Overall I would say the cars are really great quality mechanically speaking. The seat in my SC2 was the most uncomfortable thing in the world. I had a$$ and back pains from it. I am really anal about changing my oil every 2500-3000 miles and tune-ups every year.

I like 'em!

Bill

Joeybagodonuts · 02-10-2004, 04:58 PM

anony let me rephrase that, saturn NEVER MORALLY admitted the problem, yes they admitted it by issuing a tsb but sinc eits not a saftey issue there was no forced recall
now, if gm, dodge, buick etc can recall cars JUST DUE TO PAINT, and god knows early gm didnt give a hoot about its rep, then saturn should SURELY address 5 million oil burners.
its a bad rap and they, the "enviromentally friendly" company that toots its own horn repeatedley about being enviromentally friendly damn sure should not have so many buring oil
bama, very very few owners do not have some form of consumption, the best bet ive seen is cars using regular dino oil then those that switched to a higher number oil like 10-40 as they got up around 40-50k, after that were talking at LEAST A 90% OR BETTER rate of cars that burn oil out of the box.
the ions ive heard NOTHING on oil burning at all so i doubt thats an issue as i see every gripe they have (and damn sure agree that their s series seats sucked for long drives! man and you got a 2 model my wifes single cam had the WORST seats for a late model car ive ever sat in! we switched em to sl2 interior but still they suck, LOL