1993 Saturn S-Series Review
1993 Saturn S-Series Review
View more photos
Used S-Series for sale
Appraise This CarSaturn S-Series model years
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Saturn adds a wagon to the S-Series lineup. Passenger space is on par with the sedan, but there's almost 29 cubic feet of luggage space in back, making the wagon the most practical of the S-Series cars. The wagon comes in SW1 and SW2 models, which have the same equipment as the SL1 and SL2 sedans respectively. Also this year, a lower-cost coupe called the SC1 (equipped with the base engine) joins the mix; the existing model is renamed SC2. Although the same dimensionally as the SC2, the SC1 comes with exposed headlights rather than the stylish pop-up variety on the SC2. In other news, a driver-side airbag is now standard across the line, while the automatic transmission gets improved shift logic to reduce hunting on hills. S-Series cars optioned with the automatic and ABS now come with traction control as well. The SL2's suspension has been retuned to improve ride quality; it also gets a new front fascia and larger 195/60R15 tires. Foglights are optional on the SL2 and SW2. Inside, all models now have the same gauge design, and all except the base SL get new seat fabric.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1993 Saturn S-Series SC1 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$156/mo for S-Series SC1
S-Series SC1
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1993 Saturn S-Series.
5 star(43%)
4 star(33%)
3 star(14%)
2 star(10%)
1 star(0%)
77 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Better than the Energizer bunny!
gelfling42, 09/10/2013
1993 Saturn S-Series SC1 2dr Coupe
I bought my car used in 2000 for $5k. Best $5k I ever spent! Previous owner didn't take care of it, so I had a few problems at first (plugged catalytic converter, bad belt, etc.), but once I got her cleaned up, she just ran and ran. I don't know how many miles she has, because the odometer died 4 months after I bought it. If I had to guess, I would say over 250k. (I drive a LOT!) It … loves the open road and gets wonderful gas mileage.
It has had a few mechanical problems. I've replaced the alternator 5 times (!), and in the last three years, I replaced the clutch plate, a control arm, and the fuel sending unit. And the motor on the driver's seat belt died LONG ago. Still a good car.
*UPDATE* I sold the car to my brother in 2014. It's still running. He's replaced a few more things (mostly for increased performance reasons) but it still runs reliably. *Update again* As of 2017 he still has that car and considers it the best money HE'S ever spent. She's showing her age, but he buys a new part and she runs again.
4 out of 5 stars
Good Ol' Bessie
KLAS, 03/20/2004
1993 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
I'm sitting here with a heavy heart
today...after eleven years with good Ol'
Bessie, I have purchased a new car and
have decided to donate Bessie to
Melwood. I bought my new car 3 weeks
ago, but I can't stop driving Bessie.
My friends have been kidding me about
it, but I truely do love my Saturn. I
need to feed her a quart of oil every
week, but she's been a fantastic car … and
has never let me down.
1.63 out of 5 stars
The Money Pit
Allen, 08/25/2005
1993 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
I bought the 1993 Saturn SL2 used from a private party in August 2003 w/ only 45,000 miles on it. From the very 1st day I had it the car was nothing, but a money pit even though it had a clean Carfax record!!! 1st of all the car burned a ton of oil ( a quart every 600-700 miles and after reading many reviews this seems to be a problem on this model. 2nd - The A/C Blew out on it and had … the compressor replaced 3 times because the clutch on the compressor kept burning out for some reason that mechanics couldn't figure out. 3rd - Went through 2 alternators. 4th - My favorite here went through 3 tensioner pulleys, which Saturns seem to go through all the time. Out of space but can go on!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Perfect First Car
Kurtis, 01/17/2008
1993 Saturn S-Series SC2 2dr Coupe
I got a good job out of high school, but is over an hours drive there, an hour back so I've put lots of miles on my Saturn. Bought it w/114k miles on it. I put 14k on it myself in the last 2 years and it still runs like it's brand new! Great handling all seasons, comfortable, affordable, low insurence, and relatively fast for a 4 cylinder.
1993 S-Series Highlights
Wagon
SW1
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $156/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 28.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Related Used 1993 Saturn S-Series info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Kia Cadenza 2015
- Used Nissan NV200 2015
- Used Honda Insight 2013
- Used Nissan Versa Note 2016
- Used Lamborghini Huracan 2015
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Aviator
- Ram 1500 2024
- Audi Crossover Q3
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2024
- 2025 GMC Yukon XL News
- Buick Envision
- 2023 Ford F-150
- Porsche Macan
- X5Mcompetition
- Yukon GM
Other models
- Used Kia Borrego in Bozeman, MT
- Used Chevrolet Cruze-Limited in Mc Kees Rocks, PA
- Used Oldsmobile Alero in Nicholasville, KY
- Used Toyota Rav4-Ev in Bloomington, IL
- Used Tesla Model-X in Victoria, TX
- Used Ford Transit-Van in Palmyra, PA
- Used Chevrolet Tahoe-Hybrid in Severna Park, MD
- Used GMC Sierra-2500Hd-Classic in Jurupa Valley, CA
- Used Pontiac G3 in Mableton, GA
- Used Acura CL in Ft Mitchell, KY