1999 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews

R.I.P. My Best Car Ever

Written by: Barry on 03/20/2009

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL2 Sedan

Review

I bought my ’99 SL2 used in the summer of ’05 and it was even a savage title and had 97K on it. On March 12, 2009 I was hit head on and walked away unhurt thanks to the cars great safety engineering, in that time I put 144,000 more miles on it and it was still running strong, only showing a few signs of slowing down. In that time the only major breakdown was a pin in the transmission came lose and caused a bad leak at around 110K. Since then the alternator (at 230K) oil, breaks and tires, it is by far the best car I’ve ever owned. The only complaint is the headliner started to come down and carbon built up on the window switches and had to be cleaned.

Favorite Features

I liked the layout of all the controls, you could easily reach everything and for a cheaper car it was pretty good on comfort. (I drive 140 miles a day so its important) and good gas mileage, I got around 24 in town and 32 on the hwy.

Suggested Improvements

Better headliner (but that seems to be a problem in a lot of cars), do something with the power window switches so carbon doesn’t built up causing the windows not to go up. Could be made funner to drive.

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Black Beauty

Written by: My Black Beauty on 01/28/2009

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 3 Dr SC2 Coupe

Review

I recently Bought my SC2 3 door from a mechanic. The car has 202,000 miles on it runs like a top. It's peppy and comfortable also great on gas. I have 2 Saturns prior to this one. Very cheap to maintain unless the tranny goes..

Favorite Features

Sunroof, leather seats. 3rd door and trunk space

Suggested Improvements

Tires could have been wider and also maybe the weight of the vehicle could have improved in snowy conditions. Watch out for the transmission around 200k

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Reliable and affordable

Written by: l on 01/04/2009

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 3 Dr SC1 Coupe

Review

Originally purchased for affordable price, gas mileage, reasonable insurance costs associated (especially for a coupe), and reputed low maintenance. All true. Low cost car that lasted 10 years well. Body stills looks stylish and paint looks good. Repairs were genenerally the normal wear and tear, excepting 2 components. 1) the front license plate holder would constantly be knocked off by even the slightest tap of someone parking in a major metropolitan area. I had to have the dealership reattach it 5x before I finally convinced that that the clips were a poor design. 2) the slightest barometric change leads to the engine light going on. Saturn never finds a problem-but inconvenient to me.

Favorite Features

3rd door is so handy. Trunk space is excellent and the drop down back seat. I've managed Christmas trees in there! appearance remains great for age

Suggested Improvements

Windsheild wiper blade changing is not easy with the design.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Little Car

Written by: Busta on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL1 Sedan

Review

I love my little Saturn. It's my starter car (I'm 17), and I bought it in January 2007 after my grandma's uncle died (it was his) for next to nothing. It's a great little car, and while it's not flashy and it doesn't have a big engine, it gets me where I want to go and it's fairly comfortable. It's very reliable and I get about 380 miles on one tank of gas. I was rearended last month while driving my Saturn, and a Honda Accord was the car that hit me. The front end of the Accord was bashed in and the hood crumpled, but the only damage I had was a small scratch in the paint on my bumper. Shows that I've got an awesome little car here! I love this thing and am taking it to college with me.

Favorite Features

Great gas mileage and fairly decent build quality

Suggested Improvements

I wish it had a slightly bigger engine in it, as I have to press on the gas very hard to get up to speed for the highway, but oh well.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Fine car for 4 buck gas

Written by: Chaz on 08/15/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 3 Dr SC1 Coupe

Review

I purchased this car for my then college kid daughter. I've been driving it for 4 years and love the 38mpg economy. Maintenance costs are average for Vermont with our horrible roads. So far so good with no engine work or transmission costs. As you would expect with a car this small, long trips are a pain in the usual spots. 107k miles and counting.

Favorite Features

Those cheap fillups and nimble steering. Sunroof is a nice feature but be sure to close it in a land of near constant rain.

Suggested Improvements

A five speed standard would be a better match than the rather sluggish 4 auto trans.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Amazing!

Written by: Dreams4gotten on 07/30/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 3 Dr SC2 Coupe

Review

I just recently bought this car from a small used car dealership here in my area with a few minor mechanical issues. It had 12000 miles on it and only repair I've had to have had done was a new transmission. Ever since then this car has been there for me at any time! Mileage is great and the third door is great for getting my infants seat in and out without much difficulty at all. Repairs are affordable for the vehicle too! Only problem I can really find with this car is the shape of the backseats. They aren't the most comfortable.

Favorite Features

Trunk space, style, third door, almost everything!

Suggested Improvements

More comfortable seats and maybe a larger gas tank for even fewer fill ups!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very Reliable

Written by: Lumens66 on 07/20/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 2 Dr SC1 Coupe

Review

Bought this car used in 08/99 with 5K miles on it and modified the car (exhaust system, muffler, air intake, ignition system, brakes, suspension, wheels and tires). This reduced the mileage a little bit, but living in a city, I routinely get about 25 MPG. Only things I ever had replaced were a falty crank rotation sensor at 30K which only cost $50, and the radiator went at 85K, which cost $400. Other than that, the AC light doesn't come on anymore. Everything else is in tip top shape and I've never had another problem. It still idles under 1K RPM and I only change the oil. I bought it for $10K in '99 and it has more than paid for itself. I don't think there is an American car more reliable.

Favorite Features

Came with almost no features. No power windows or doors, no sunroof, etc. It's virtually featureless. But I'd have to say that my favorite features were the 60/40 split rear folding seats, and the engine timing chain (rather than a timing belt). This no doubt saved me some cash in the long run.

Suggested Improvements

None

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Hard to believe

Written by: stan on 05/28/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL Sedan

Review

I can't believe after 9 1/2 years I am still driving this car. It remains as reliable as the day I bought it. No mechanical problems ever with this car. The only thing it requires is an extra quart of high mileage oil between every oil change. It has been in two very minor accidents and keeps on going. I have saved a great deal of money by owning this car. The gas mileage has remained great with 40+ on the highway and 35 in the city. I have 181,000 miles and am confident it will make it to 200,000 + before there is a problem.

Favorite Features

Interior layout. Trunk space.

Suggested Improvements

Armrests are uncomfortable.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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A Tough Little Car

Written by: Vicki on 05/14/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 3 Dr SC2 Coupe

Review

I custom ordered my Saturn in May, 1999. This little car has seen some tough times. I've wrecked it twice & it still is around for more! I get 34 mpg (my husband gets 37 mpg since he drives like grandpa jones) & the 5- speed manual is very fun. I love all of the features, traction control, cruise, fog lights. Everyone thinks my car is newer than it is! It's showing signs of age, though, it creaks & rattles like most old folks & the sunroof brackets have worn out. But other than normal wear & tear and routine maintenance, I've only had to replace the oxygen sensor since I've owned it. Definitely got my money's worth!

Favorite Features

The 3rd door is awesome! Great gas mileage, maneuverability and low maintenance. Trunk space is great, too.

Suggested Improvements

The interior is tight - a broad shouldered husband with long legs & two teenage daughters make it quite a sardine can! The cup holders are too close to the gear shift. The center console makes it nearly impossible to retrieve a dropped item. The back seat is not for tall people!

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Qwerky but Good

Written by: Dodger on 04/29/2008

Vehicle

1999 Saturn S-Series 4 Dr SL Sedan

Review

I bought this car because I needed a reliable, inexpensive car for commuting. I am happy to say that I got what I was looking for. It has been reliable and gets GREAT gas mileage. When I bought it, it had 80K miles, had poor acceleration and used about one quart of oil every 1000 miles. Then the SRS light came on. I had to replace the catalytic convertor. I also did a top end cleaning (injectors, intake, valves) before replacing the exhaust. What a difference! It runs like a new car, uses only one quart of oil every 3000 miles, and still gets 35-42 MPG!!! Not bad for a car with 102000 miles, huh!!

Favorite Features

GAS MILEAGE, reliability, handling on dry pavement.

Suggested Improvements

Needs a gear indicator light, tighter shift lever, needs a better sound system.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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