so tell me about Saturns...

mikefaulkner · 03-11-2003, 06:44 AM

I'm looking to buy another car, and I'm investigating used Saturns. I really don't know much about them.

Obviously you all like these cars, but can you answer a few questions?

1. Where are they manufactured? I know Saturn is a GM company, but are they American-made cars?

2. How reliable are they? How many miles will a well-maintained Saturn go?

-Mike

Matt · 03-11-2003, 06:48 AM

1) Yes, saturns are American made. They're made in Spring Hill, TN.

2) They are very reliable cars. I've seen well maintained saturns run 250,000 miles easily.

mikefaulkner · 03-11-2003, 07:02 AM

So that means the engine/transmission will go that far if properly maintained? I'm also considering Hondas (which I know will last that many miles), but Hondas are more expensive.

What would you say the biggest problem with Saturns are? What most commonly breaks that is abnormal? I'm looking at a mid to late nineties with with around 80k miles. Anything to look out for?

Thanks.

saturnd00d · 03-11-2003, 07:18 AM

saturns have plastic endtanks on their radiators. If you drive your car hard ALOT, the endtanks will evetually form a hole (usually in the seam where the plastic is fused together).

Another thing is the differential pin. If you like to race your car, and do massive peel-outs in your car, be aware that the differential pin in the transmission may evetually vibrate loose. This is only if you really do huge burnouts mostly. I've never really heard of anyone who's driven a saturn normally or occassionally street race that has had this problem. All in all, they are really really good cars. They do develop rattles in the interior over time like any other car, but other than that, if you drive your car normally, and maintain it, you should enjoy it for quite awhile.

Malice Racing · 03-11-2003, 07:22 AM

i've got a good hard 205,000 on my wagon and it is just now experiencing transmission problems (i've been really hard on this car)

however the manual transmission is near bulletproof except for the troublesome dif pin. but thats no biggie if you don't do burnouts all the time... i dissasebled a 5-speed with 100K hard driven miles on it to rebuild and install a phantom grip in. the transmission had no visible wear and looked brand new inside.

i'd say the biggest issue with saturns is the piston rings leading to above average oil consumpsion. just change your oil regularly and add fresh oil when nessisary.

in earlier saturs there were issues with valvecovers leaking, the later models used a different valve cover to prevent this.

early model saturns also had an issue with the seatbacks, but that is few and far between nowadays because of the recall. (the only recall BTW)

saturns of course have plastic (polymer) body panels so they can look brand new for many years. the body panels are lightweight, which had many advantages including better gas mileage and better tire wear.

the spaceframe is the same type used in the fiero (which is a hell of a lot safer than people suspect) and is much like a roll cage.

the car was build from the ground up using all original parts. it was designed from day one to be easy to maintain. everything comes off and goes back on the way it's supposed to.

saturns are everywhere, and since their drivetrains are modular, replacement parts can be had cheaply.

the SOHC engine is really sufficant for everyday use, sipping cas and producing peak fower at a low and usable RPM.

the DOHC is certianly enough power for the street and holds it's own on the track.

saturns 4 wheel indepentant suspension and lightweight body make it handel extrodinarily well for a car of it's type.

i fear neither shopping carts, nor hail. and i can park near a baseball feild or golf course without worrying.

saturns are built in spring hill tenn by red blooded american men and women.

anything else

saturnd00d · 03-11-2003, 07:27 AM

well said...

mikefaulkner · 03-11-2003, 07:45 AM

This is exactly the type of info I was looking for...excellent! Much appreciated.

One more question? Is the gas mileage as good as advertised? I'm looking at a '97 SL. Do they really get 29/40 as http://autos.msn.com claims? Mostly concerned about freeway mileage since that's the bulk of my miles.

saturnd00d · 03-11-2003, 07:58 AM

it all depends on your driving methods. I don't like to drive slow, and I also accelerate quicker than I should, and I also take my car to redline quite a bit, so with driving habits like mine, good gas mileage is only a dream. If you drive it normally, you can expect good gas mileage. I know of a few people who did report of how good the mileage actually is. Saturns are indeed good on gas if driven properly (IE not my methods of driving)

mikefaulkner · 03-11-2003, 08:00 AM

Yeah obviously if you drive fast your mileage is going to suck...

I mean if I'm just driving regular on a long freeway trip can I expect the posted numbers?

Malice Racing · 03-11-2003, 08:01 AM

i've gotten almost 400 miles on a tank in the sedan. ofcourse my
GF was driving it at the time, running 18 inches off the rear bumper of the wagon, drafting all the way to joeys show.

the wagon punches a huge hole in the air, and keeps it open much longer.

i'd say a SOHC saturn can acheive 40 MPG in perfect highway conditions.

expect 26 -32 though. highway