Used 1997 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews
Great car for the money
I bought by Saturn my second year of law school when my other car died. Needless to say, I did not have a lot of money and was despirate. We looked at Honda Civics and Ford Contours, but bought the Saturn to get what I wanted (power windows/locks, cd player) for the amount I could afford. I have had no major problems with this car except for a defective recalled part in the Summer of 1999 which was replaced without cost. I recently put a new alternator and battery in it. It has 110,000 miles and drives like the day I bought it. I am planning on keeping it another three years (gotta pay those student loans off first!) and maybe get a VUE.
Terrible Car--DON'T BUY!
While our car was in for major service for the 4th time in 3 months, we learned from other people in the waiting room that ALL thier saturns had been in for major service just past 30K miles. With 62K we were told that our car needed a new engine, despite following all the recommended service from the dealership. Having relatives in the auto repair business, we aquired Saturn's service bulletins, proving that our dealership (where the car was service exclusively) had ignored telltale signs of major problems. Still, both the dealership and corporate refused to help, let alone return calls. Stay FAR AWAY from Saturn's faulty products!
Not Bad
Bought this car with 130K, now have 139K on it. Bought to save on gas and keep my truck in the garage. It is now my dependable, little work car. Small on the inside for someone 6' or over (I'm 6'4") but I get 33 mpg+ and my truck only gets 18, so I love it. For a plastic car, its not bad but it rattles like a can of spray paint. Put new plugs in when I bought it and the dealership had just replaced the clutch. Other than that, no problems to report. I drive it to see my folks and that is a 6 hour drive. Not a bad car.
Long time Saturn owner
Bought my Saturn used in 2001 from the dealership. I was the second and the last owner of the car. Although the "check engine" light remained on for most of the past five or six years it was a dependable go to work car. I will always recommend a Saturn to anyone who asks my opinion. My Saturn saved my and my daughter's life due to its good construction and duel airbags. My Saturn is totaled but will not be forgotten.
Great Car
My Saturn 97SL has been nothing but a great car. This car get's 32MPG and has never needed any major repairs other than the normal tuneups and oil changes. My Saturn has 93,000 miles on it and it still runs like it did the day I bought it. It's great for my family and it has NEVER, in 5 years, broke down anywhere (knock on wood).