Used 1996 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews
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Don't Buy
brittnb, 02/28/2011
1996 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I got this car because I had to. I regret it. This is the cheapest made car I have ever owned. My back windows won't stay up no matter what I do. I have them duct taped at the moment. My car shakes and rattles and no one can figure out why. I had to replace the radiator and muffler. The muffler has been replaced twice actually. It goes through oil very fast and I have to change the oil every 1,000 miles or so. I have to put coolant in it every other week or so. The one good thing about this car is it gets great gas mileage. I do not recommend this car to anyone.
The Lemon Lottery
Marcus Derry, 04/12/2004
1996 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased new 8 years ago. Very good (38-40) MPG and trouble free in general (maybe $200 in non-routine maintenace costs over 8 years). Religously followed the service schedule. However, be aware that some SOHC engines from this time period were shipped with defective heads. These defects (casting defects which can result in cracks in the head around the cam shaft--which will then allow oil and coolant to mix) may not show up for some time. It struck my car out of the blue at 98,000 miles. When/if they do crack one is looking at replacing the head, which is $1,500+. For my car, the cost to repair would equal the book value.
Salvation froom an Escort ZX2
Voca164e, 07/27/2003
1996 Saturn S-Series SW2 4dr Wagon
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We needed a four door car once our son was born. We got our '96 (two years older than our trade in vehicle) with 83K and have now owned the car for about six months and have put 10K trouble free miles on it. The car is great to drive, with excellent handling, decent acceleration, and good brakes, and it's economical. I have a few complaints. The blower is noisy on high, there's a few creaks and rattles. The transmission was shifting harshly, so I serviced the transmission, and it seems to shift well now. The A/C isn't quite as good as our old Escort.
It's a good car
It's a good car, 11/21/2009
1996 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've had this car for 2 years as of the 27th of December. It's a good car, but u must keep up with it. I've had to replace my intake gasket, get a motor mount, and constantly keep oil in. I just replace a fuel injector and a EGR valve a few months ago, but other than that it's a good little car. I have another year to keep before I give it up.
Saturn no more
Donovan's driver, 08/12/2004
1996 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
For the third time I've had the same electrical problem with my car - the dash, amber & red running lights go out, though everything else works. This was a good car when I first got him, but I just want to get him through inspection, then it's dig out the title & trade him in. And since they've discontinued the SL2, it'll be another make/model.