1997 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews

Best car ever owned

Written by: little green sat on 04/03/2009

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SW2 Wagon

Review

We had to sell our truck when we found out we were going to be parents. We decided to look for a small car that would be good on gas and most important a reliable car. We took a look at this green saturn wagon and decided it was great so we bought it. It has been the best car we could have imagined. It now has 157,000 miles on it and still runs great. I have had to replace the ECT, crank posistion sensor, and just maintaince stuff which if pretty easy on this car. Even with the AT I get 38+ MPG on the highway, and highway driving is almost all I do. It was really nice when gas was 4 bucks a gallon to have this car. The brakes are the second set and still at 40%. I love it

Favorite Features

gas mileage 38-40 MPG, How fun it is to drive, How cheap/easy to work on.

Suggested Improvements

Lots of rattles as she gets older, need more screws in place of the plastic pins. Better seats, I can feel the busted disc in my back on long drives. A quieter ride.

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1997 Saturn SL

Written by: paul on 03/31/2009

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Bought this car new from Saturn of Albany. These cars have similar problems that go wrong, like coolant temperature sensors/tensioner pulley/burning oil in later years/EGR valve cleaning/ throttle body cleaning/upper motor mount/ etc. These cars are easy to work on and inexpensive to own if you do your homework.. I now have over 180,000 miles on my Saturn and expect it to last another 180,000 miles.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage average in the high 30's. I get 36-40mpg. Plastic exterior panels that don't rust. Car looks new still. Ease of maintenance and repair. (OBDII software) most auto parts stores will scan the error codes for free. Comfort and ride- I have a bad back

Suggested Improvements

Use an undercoating on the A-frame to slow rust down- I live in the north east. The A-frame can rust through and cause car failure before the motor wears out.

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Piece of junk dont waste your money

Written by: zap101392 on 02/28/2009

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 2 Dr SC1 Coupe

Review

has 127,000 on it and it has problems weekly my girlfriend has had it in the shop every month since she bought it, Transmission problems, stalls, wont start, speedometer and tach dont read accuratly, radiator leaks, burns a little oil, Headlight plastic discolors over time and makes for a very dim set of headlights. Now about the car it likes to wander on the road sound system stinks ,accelerations is terrible, seats are very very uncomfortable Yet the car was perfectly fine when it was purchased the only good thing about the car is the gas mileage about 27-34 mpg

Favorite Features

if you don't mind putting it in the shop all the time then it is good for the gas mileage

Suggested Improvements

Make a better quality car

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Got hit by a semi and walked away

Written by: KM on 12/04/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL2 Sedan

Review

Have had this car 10 years & have taken care of it. It's served me well. Last week a semi hit me twice, once broadside, on a 45 mph hwy and I walked away with just some bruises -- and the car still drives. Will buy Saturn again.

Favorite Features

Everything is the perfect distance from where I sit. Engine always starts. Safety.

Suggested Improvements

Driver seat could be more comfortable and trim could be better finished.

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Wow

Written by: Billy on 10/27/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL1 Sedan

Review

I bought this car about a year ago. Since I bought it, lets count what has died (considering it had 139k on it but cmon...) oil pressure sensor, shift linkage, water pump, and so much more i don't have room to list. The dealer wants me to buy an entire shift linkage cable set for $300 but the damn cheap plastic piece of crap costs like $.50. All of the parts Ive had to buy are expensive. I don't think the dealer likes you to fix it because there's no room to do anything and you have to take off half the engine to get to the water pump and oxy sensors. God forbid you fix your own car. Interior is cheaply made, ceiling falls apart to dust when you touch it. poor quality plastic fails.

Favorite Features

Gas, plastic body

Suggested Improvements

If you rebuild the car its great but saturn has alot of people to fire that made this car

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Great Car!

Written by: Guillermo on 10/16/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL2 Sedan

Review

This was the first car that I bought and it had 115,000 miles when I got it. Never the less the car has always been a reliable vehicle. Also servicing the car is very cheap, about $22 for an oil change at Firestone. The only "major" problem that I've had with this car was replacing the ignition switch which cost me $120 at the Saturn dealer and it came with a free 2 year warranty. I also replaced the tires due to normal wear and they cost me $250 and they also came with a 3 year warranty. This car is very reliable and very cheap to service or repair (except for the transmission like in all cars!) if the need be. I highly recommend it.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive, great gas milage and since its a small car it fits in a lot of parking spaces that other car can't!

Suggested Improvements

The transmission lags when going up hill, specially if you have passengers! Make the transmission stronger.

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Pleasantly surprised with used Saturn

Written by: vedi on 09/20/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 2 Dr SC1 Coupe

Review

After my teen-age daughter wrecked our one remaining family car, I was in desperate need of transportation. A co-worker sold me her Saturn for $800. Our little car takes everybody where they need to go with ease and efficiency. We have made several long distance trips recently and the car has been reliable, fantastic on gas and comfortable for two adults and two elementary school age kids in the back. Despite the fact that the A/C doesn't work, interior is worn and the shift linkage is held together with tie rods I still prefer to drive it over our newly inherited Yaris. Friends who also recently purchased used Saturns are equally pleased. It's a fun car to drive, good recommendation here!

Favorite Features

I love the manual transmission and the gas mileage is great.

Suggested Improvements

Despite fold down seats, it is difficult to fit any type of large item into trunk or back.

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Wish they still made this one

Written by: mjw on 08/17/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 2 Dr SC1 Coupe

Review

I bought this new and have had it 11 years. Apart from interior damage due to careless kids driving it is a great way of getting from A to B. If it were left to me, Saturn would have only improved the interior design and left the model alone. I still get comments about the "new" car, as on the outside you'd never guess it was 11 years old. Still gets great mileage, and the only money I've spent on it was for a new gear lever part that snapped apart when going into reverse. Just buy brakes, batteries, and tires, and of course, gas! As I said, "wish they still made them."

Favorite Features

Still looks new on the outside, even after 11 years.

Suggested Improvements

Move the cup holders so they don't interfere with the gear lever on the manual transmission.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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What do you expect?

Written by: brianschmizzle on 07/24/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL2 Sedan

Review

My father in law bought it for my wife when she was still in high school with 74000 miles on it. It burned oil slightly at the time but he told me to keep it full of oil and water and we'd be fine. Well...100,000 miles later and all I've done to it is replace the tires, 2 tie rods, and a lot of oil! I still take the car for my long trips because it is ridiculously reliable! Yes it is noisy, uncomfortable, loud, and the stereo system sounds like a junior high band, but the car got us through college with no more than $180 worth of maintainance! Sweet deal if you ask me.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage! On my last trip, I drove 80 mph with 2 passengers and the air conditioner on and got 37.5 mpg!

Suggested Improvements

Add a disclaimer that if you want a Lexus, get another job and buy a Lexus!

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Sad to say good-bye

Written by: mimi on 07/22/2008

Vehicle

1997 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL1 Sedan

Review

I have had this car for almost 10 years, and only in the past few months has it started to feel old- noisy, rough going up hills. I don't like the new Saturns and only wish I could get another 1997 Saturn brand new again. It gets good gas mileage, looks good (even when it's dirty), & has given her all over the years. I have had no major repairs. If you take care if it, it will take care of you. I will be getting an '09 Toyota in a few days, and topping off the gas tank for the last time tonight made me very sad. She gave her all for 143M miles, and still has more to give to the next owner. My dog will miss sitting in the back window, I am sure.

Favorite Features

Nice body design, especially the arc in the rear windows; reliable, great MPG.

Suggested Improvements

None. Saturn should revive this body style again. It's classic.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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