Used 1997 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews
Used S-Series for sale
O.K. CAR
bruce, 02/27/2002
1997 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car has had more repairs than I feel should be necessary for a vehicle with 61,000 mile on it. I have had the alternator replaced, the stereo replaced, the rotors replaced, an engine mount replaced, a cv boot replaced and the spark plug wires. I had a corolla before this that had about 130,000 on it with not as many repairs. I hope things don;t get worse from here on out.
Great value
valope, 08/16/2004
1997 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Saturn new after several years of consideration and have never regretted it. I now have almost 200,000 miles on it, and outside of routine maintenance (oil, brakes, etc.), I've had only one item require repair (starter). This is not the car for you if your priorities are performance (have to turn of the A/C to merge on short highway on-ramps) or style, but if you're looking for an economical, reliable way to get from point A to point B, you won't do better.
Unhappy Saturn Customer
Nothappy, 01/06/2003
1997 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
97 Saturn 2 door SL1. Drinks oil. Between 2001 and fall of 2002, I replaced the generator assembly, the water pump & coolant, the EGR valve twice) and the 02 sensor, coil, wires & spark plugs (three times), the drive belt (twice), the drive belt tensioner, the brake pads, cylinders & rotors all around. The check engine light is on again, it's running rough, and they tell me I need an engine teardown, and possibly a new engine, at 98,000 miles. Total maintenance/repair cost since my warranty ran out at 60,000 miles: $3700. And that's before the $450 teardown and the possible $2400 for a used engine.
I love my Saturn
mike mo, 09/10/2004
1997 Saturn S-Series SC2 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
From all the talk I hear of increased oil consumption from this model, I can truly say I havent experienced any. My SC2 gets about 28-30 MPG in the city, and nearly 38 on the highway, so I can always expect to get 300 miles at least out of my 10 gallon tank. The handling is great, the acceleration is peppy, and for a Saturn, it's really easy on the eye.
An Amazing Car
saturnspeed_12, 11/05/2004
1997 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I got this car, I thought to myself why did my dad buy it. Well after driving it, I was amazed. I picked up so quick and I could feel the potential for power to be released. So you can guess I have been modding it, and its been taking alot of abuse. I pushed it beyond its redline many times and finally ive had to pay for it. It is now finally burning a tiny bit of oil. Most people have problems with burning oil but me I never had a problem. I have had to replace fuel pump, no problem though. Interior design, I believe, is fantastic(fabric sucks). Very comfortable for long trips(im 6'1 150lbs), handles great, picks up great, great gas mileage, just so much great about it.
Good if not perfect commuter car
Cory Gifford, 01/10/2003
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I just got this car no problems yet got it for 3000 dollars and worth every penny.
I love it!
Andy, 12/05/2004
1997 Saturn S-Series SC2 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've owned 3 Saturns in my life, and I will definitely buy another when the time comes. Great gas mileage, fun to drive, well put together, and the people at the dealership are always very helpful.
Good Car
Jon G., 12/03/2009
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've driven my Saturn SL2 for 7 years with no major problems beyond minor repairs. It's never broken down on me except one time when the battery needed to be replaced. I started with 64,000 and now have 189,000 miles on it, driving through rush hours traffic every day to work. It has been a good and dependable car. I've taken it on multiple long distance trips without any problems. The road noise is not very good in this car and the only annoying thing has been that my power locks and windows have not worked correctly (some not at all) for the last couple of years. Besides that I would say this is a good and dependable car that doesn't cost too much and hasn't required much maintenance
Great Commuter No problems Cheaplybuilt
Pete from CO, 01/10/2003
1997 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought new after college, wanted something with a warranty and reliability that wasn't going to drain my wallet. This is what I got, I now have 84K mi on mine with NO problems. I did replace a front axle, but only after hitting a huge hole in the road. Everything else has been routine maintence. If you can drive a standard transmission, the 5sp shifting is smooth and you'll need it on hills + hwys w/only 100 hp. Down side, handling is average, stlying average, "fun to drive" factor is low and the fit and finish are below average ("sweaks", enough that I installed an aftermarket stereo system)
Runs good!
mjmiron, 02/20/2005
1997 Saturn S-Series SC2 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Overall I am very pleased with my Saturn. It's the second one I own along with the Vue. The major problems were the alternator going out at 65k, and having my front rotors ground every 12k. Other than that I have had good luck with the car and it's really easy to work on. I am also running Amzoil so I change my oil once a year which is great.