CD Article: Saturn S-series, 1996-2002

[CD_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:


GM's second-generation, American-built Saturn S-series sedan, coupe and wagon have a record of engine and transmission problems, says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  But a well maintained wagon "should be easy to find for $4,000 or less," he writes.
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[Honda Owner]

My mother has a 1997 SL1. I also have a 1996 Civic, bought new, that my son drives. I recently drove both cars.

First, the Civic. The Civic now has 214,000 km on it. The all the shocks were recently replaced, the brakes three times and several sets of tires. The timing belt has been replaced twice. The car drives tight, the controls all work like new, the interior has no rips or tears and there are no rattles or squeaks.

The Saturn, to its credit, has not had many repairs. It now has 73,000 km in it. It has had a radiator and water pump. The car squeaks, moans, rattles, squeaks and shakes. The entire car shudders at idle, leaving me to believe the motor mounts are done. It is loud and crashes into bumps, a sign of worn bushings. The controls are awful, for example you have to take your hand off the wheel to use the signals. One seat belt retractor is inop. The glove box door doesn't latch well.

The Civic feels like it is going to last another ten years. The Saturn feels like it is on its last legs. Mom will not buy another car but after driving this Saturn, nobody in my family will buy another Saturn, or GM car for that matter. We are too used to trouble free driving to be bothered with anything else.

[Greg B.]

^ You now have zero credibility on this (or most any) subject.

[silverpontiac]

Wow, she's had a lot of problems with her car. My car is a 2003 with just over 145,000km. I've only had the front right wheel bearing and fuel pump go. Those were replaced by warranty. The only other problem which happens on occasion is my front right ABS sensor fails (ABS won't work). No matter to me though as I refuse to replace it unless the wheel bearing breaks (they are one piece).

Other than that, I don't have headaches with my car.

I believe quality design and assembly are very important in a car. However, the way you drive the car (not abusing it, using a block heater in the cold, etc.) and following your owner's maintenance schedule play a significant role in the longevity of the car, regardless of what you drive.

[Honda Owner]

^ You now have zero credibility on this (or most any) subject.

Well, Greg, seems the author of this article is part of the conspiracy. 

Wow, she's had a lot of problems with her car.

Fortunately, less than you have but the mileage is lower.

The abs failure is common to Saturns and J-bodies of era. It is usually the right front. The hub bearing assembly also fails but replacement is cheap. The part is common on both cars.

But none of my three Hondas has ever had a warranty repair or a non-wear and tear failure. I consider shocks, brakes and timing belts wear and tear.

[FiestaTT]

Almost as bad as Barrie...

[Seafoam]

One advantage to these cars over the imports was the polymer panels.
My neighbour across the street has one. A 96 that looks great but has a blown engine.

[Honda Owner]

A 96 that looks great but has a blown engine.

They tend to do that about 160,000 km. The twin cam ones go before that.

[silverpontiac]

And here's the funny thing, in my immediate family, we're on our 4th Civic (first one my immediate family got was a 1996. A 1997 was added. The '96 was traded in for a 2000 Civic which was totaled, dad moves to a 2003 Toytoa Celica which was also totaled. He currently drives a 2005 Honda Civic 2 door.

The Celica had it's share of problems (catalytic converter had to be replaced twice, oxygen sensor, computer replaced and the track to move the driver's seat forward had to be replaced)  but they were covered by warranty.

The only bad things with our '96, '97 and 2000 Civics was premature rusting and that the headlights yellowed/hazed over quickly and/or water leakage into the headlight assembly. At the time, we didn't know why and the dealer jerked us around with the yellowing/hazing. Now I know how to fix the headlight hazing/yellowing.

Regardless of what you drive, they all have problems. Some have more than others.

[Honda Owner]

Regardless of what you drive, they all have problems. Some have more than others.

That is very true. However, here on the Wet Coast we are very fortunate that corrosion is basically a non-issue. The number of road salt days would be less that ten a year and sometimes none at all. Because I live downtown near the water, if there is any snow I just don't drive until it is gone and my son has the same orders.

My 1996 Civic has lived in a garage all of its life and had a sponge bath once a week along with two annual waxings. It has never seen an automatic car wash. It looks like new. I have no doubt I could get $5k for it on Craigslist.

And of course, there has not been a lot of sun to bleach its paint or damage the clearcoat!

[Seafoam]

A 96 that looks great but has a blown engine.

They tend to do that about 160,000 km. The twin cam ones go before that.

In this case it was from his stepsons hard use ,a shame really.And it was a twin cam