1999 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews

Bought new and still have 13 years later!

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan

Review

I bought my 99' SL2 at 18 years old. It has been the best car! It fits me like a glove. The gas mileage has always been close, or above 40 MPG. The car is spoiled. It has all proper maintenance performed, and the car looks great inside and out. The paint has started to fade only on the rear spoiler. I am thinking of having that touched up. I do have the sunroof option, and the drains need to be cleaned once a year so they do not clog and cause leaking. I have had to replace the speakers, one power window motor, and the alternator all after the 10 year mark. When it came time to make the repairs I really did not feel bad because the car never gave me any trouble before.
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My Milage Did Vary

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SW1 4dr Wagon

Review

I purchased my Saturn used, with 52k miles, for $4k. Given the price of the car, I didn't demand much from it. I could forgive the uncomfortable seats, the anemic engine, the spartan interior; all I wanted was good gas milage and reliability. I was partially satisfied. A wiring problem killed the headlights at 85k. At 90k, the rear wiper stopped working. The car began burning oil in this time period as well - I was a lot less impressed with the fuel economy when I was routinely adding other fluids to the car. 100k, and the engine mounts loosened, adding more to an already-obnoxious rattling while driving. At 115k, the transmission went kaput. I had expected to drive the car further.
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Best-Quality American-Made Car of the Late '90s!

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan

Review

I bought my 1999 Saturn SL1 -- used -- in September 2002. It had just over 31,000 miles on it at the time. Nearly nine years and over 186,000 miles later, I won't part with it until it finally dies -- or I die, whichever comes first. Even today, with more than 217,000 miles on it, my Saturn still runs very smoothly. And aside from the usual parts replacements you'd expect to have as your car ages (brake pads, battery, shocks & struts, spark plugs and, of course, tires), it has never had a major mechanical failure. As far as I'm concerned, the 1999-2002 Saturn SL1 and SL2 were the best-quality cars that Saturn's Spring Hill, Tennessee plant ever produced.
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A good, if not exceptional, sedan

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan

Review

I bought a SL2 new in early 1999. I went with the 5-Speed manual with a power package, ABS with traction control, alloy wheels, and the AM/FM cassette w/EQ. Overall, I had a good experience with the car. It was reasonably fun to drive, got excellent fuel mileage; 40 MPG on the highway regularly, and I never had a problem. When I had to replace the tires at about 40k I got slightly wider 60 series (rather than the stock 65 series) tires and that improved handling significantly. The manual shifted crisply and the engine was happy at higher RPMs. I put 68k miles on the car in 3 years and traded it on a new 2002 Mazda Protege ES, which was a much better car for about the same price.
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Great Car

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan

Review

This is our 3rd S series car, and like the first 2, a very reliable ride. The S series is very simple, economical transportation. Routine maintenance is all that has been needed. This car gets around 32 MPG, 36 on the highway. We bought this one with 70k miles. It now has 200K miles. 2 sets of tires,drive belt, and and cleaned the EGR valve once. Thats it. You will get bored with it before you wear it out!
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Great little car

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan

Review

When I bought my Saturn I never expected to have it for 11 years! Hardly a problem. Tires replaced once; brakes replaced once; just keeps going! Great gas mileage. One downfall; burns a lot of oil so you have to keep up on changes, not the greatest in the snow.
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This car has served me well

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SC2 3dr Coupe

Review

I've had my Saturn for 6 years now, and am just now considering selling it because I need a bigger car. I have literally driven this car across the country and back, in the summer and winter, through mountains and desert and never had a problem. This car has been my baby and I've taken very good care of it. At around 125,000 miles I had the brakes replaced, and about 1000 miles later had to replace the heater core and thermostat. It has about 130,000 miles on it now and it needs a new front wheel bearing. The engine, transmission, clutch and exhaust have never given me any problems and still have no signs of wearing out. This has been a fun but reliable car for me, and I'll miss driving it.
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=)

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan

Review

Best car I've ever owned! great gas mileage, no major problems, 182,000 miles and still going strong.
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The most reliable car I've ever owned

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan

Review

I drive short hops. This is hard on cars, I know. Prior to this I had a VW which I loved. It was fun. My SL1 isn't as much fun. But it just goes, day in and day out. I get about 30 mph. I've only had one --one!-- problem and that was only a matter of needing a tune up. I am so sorry Saturn was shut down. I personally think they had the best of all the American cars. So sad.
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What a deal

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan

Review

I bought this car almost exactly 1 year ago today. It had 172,000 on it when I bought it. It now has 202,000. It still runs perfect and shows no signs of quitting! I have only had to do basic maintenance on it. No major mechanical repairs. I travel a lot and the gas mileage is very impressive! I get about 30 in town and about 38 mpg on the highway. If I slow down and run about 65 mph I can get it over 40 mpg. This has been an excellent car. I am hoping it will last until I finish college. I think it will! I paid $2000.00 for it. I think I got a great deal! Too bad they have phased out Saturn. No wonder they have to take government bailouts! They stop building their best cars! Just my opinion!
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