Used 1997 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews
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Keeps on Truckin'
T Arnell, 02/15/2010
1997 Saturn S-Series SC1 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love this car-as a single woman, reliability is a MUST. Of course, I have kept well maintenaced but runs like a trooper. I was broadsided about 4yrs ago by big Chrysler. The policeman & insurance agent both told me the only reason I lived was because of the double steel bars in the door. Still runs great. The clearcoat is starting to peel but the gas mileage is great. I'll drive til it stops.
I will miss Christine! (fr Stephen King)
Melissa, 02/12/2010
1997 Saturn S-Series SC1 2dr Coupe
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My EX-son-in-law picked this car for me after my Geo died. For $750, and 187,000 miles, I was VERY skeptical. Not the type of car I would buy, bright red is a little flashy for my 60 yr. old taste. Then everything started to go. The clutch, alternator, brakes, water pump, ball joints, tie rods,I was beginning to think she was EVIL! Put about $1500 into her and then all of a sudden I had this amazingly reliable, great on gas, goes thru any weather vehicle! Christine gave me back the joy of driving with her 5 spd pickup and great handling Sadly, high mileage oil use and 1 bad cylinder has me looking for another vehicle. Even on 3 she has more get up and go than any 4 cylinder car I've had.
1997 Saturn S-Series for sale near you
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- SW1 WagonMSRP: $5,9951,223 mi away
One of the best cars I've owned
Doug, 03/09/2019
updated 09/14/2020
1997 Saturn S-Series SW2 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1997 SW2 with 161,000 miles for $1000.00 in 2016. As I am writing this review, it has 207,000 miles, and still gets great gas mileage. It has only needed minor repairs (Starter, Battery, Water Pump), and I was able to work on it myself. I also hit a deer at 35 mph, and it only cost me $50.00 for a used fender. It only took 45 minutes to install it. It turned 221,000 miles in September, 2020, and it has not needed any repairs since writing my original review.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
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- Reliability
- Value
I really love this car!
xeroxalto, 12/23/2011
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I really love my Saturn. This is my second and I bought it for the fuel mileage. I bought it at 160k for $1500 and did not problems with it until 180k when the motor lost power. The mechanic said it was probably because the timing belt was not replaced as he had seen that before. I very sadly sold if for $500 and the man who bought it put another motor in it and sold it back to me for $2500. We're at 205k now. A few tanks ago I took it on a 800 mile trip and I got 40.5 mpg highway so I can't complain. About 33-34mpg around town more if your paying attention to mileage. Besides the motor I haven't had to do much to it. It uses oil but that's what Saturns do. Just keep at it. ; )
Deserves More Credit Than It Gets
DriverDavid, 04/21/2004
1997 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought from a Saturn dealer about a year ago with 72,000 miles - now at 104,000 with no problems. I wanted a reliable American car with good gas mileage, and that's exactly what I got. I average 38 MPG, and over 40 MPG on trips! (to do this, get the SC1 or SL1 with the single overhead cam, and the manual 5 speed trans) I also find the seats comfortable (yes, they are low and firm). I am 6'4" and 220 lbs. and fit in the car fine. Yes, a couple of little plastic bits inside have broken, but look - this is a 2300 lb. car designed for gas mileage. A little noisy at idle, but very quiet at highway speeds. It's the modern answer to the VW bug - just better!
Saturns seem to age quicker at 60000 mi.
Stephen K, 05/11/2009
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
When I purchased this car from a private party at 60,000 miles, it had low mileage for its years and was in pretty great condition for its age. Unfortunately time seems to catch up to Saturns with a vengeance. By 70K miles there were issues with various electrical systems and both the rear power windows and the A/C compressor failed, by 75K miles both rear power windows wouldn't raise anymore, and the engine died at 93500 miles, 2000 miles after the last oil change, because the oil change light didn't come on and the car was running rough. BEWARE of electrical issues on older Saturns!! Other than that, it was a little workhorse...in performance mode (not standard).
MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 1991-1997 ENGINES
jason T, 09/09/2002
1997 Saturn S-Series SW2 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
There is a major problem with Saturn engines from 1991-1997. Manufacturer has a special policy warranty for single cam engines. My 1997 SW2 engine seized at 68,000 miles. Not covered under the policy because dual- cam engine and no single-cam engine.
Why can't GM make more like this?
Tourist1292, 05/22/2009
1997 Saturn S-Series SW2 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I put 109k miles on this car in 13yr. It survived in an accident at 45mph and nobody got hurt. Gas mileage has not changed since day 1. Some oil consumption since last year that needs to top off once between oil change. It has been very reliable otherwise. There was one major repair to replace the wobbling timing chain within the 7yr after market extended warranty. Other than regular oil changes and tune-up, I spent less than $3000 on this car including the cost of extended warranty, deductibles for repairs, 1 after warranty repair, and 3 brake jobs plus ~$900 on two sets of Michelin tires. Just sold it without working AC and rear wiper fluid spray today at 1/8 or original cost.
Good mechanically, but cheap on details
Solitaire, 11/28/2003
1997 Saturn S-Series SW2 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
We bought our Saturn wagon as a family car, but quickly realized that car seats don't fit well in the back seat. And the interior of the car is cramped, to say the least. The seats are extremely low to the ground, making getting in and out of the car difficult. Mechanically the car has performed well, but smaller problems abound: trim coming loose, handles falling off inside the car, the power windows getting stuck, etc. The air conditioner also isn't powerful enough to efficiently cool the back seat. It's a good small station wagon, but not for the claustrophobic and only for someone who is going to take care with the somewhat delicate interior.
Gold 1997 SL
David B, 06/25/2008
1997 Saturn S-Series SL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Most reliable automobile I have ever owned. Great gas mileage, better than 40 miles per gallon highway and 30 around town. Easy to work on for tune ups, oil change, brakes etc. Spark plug wells tend to accumulate dirt so you have to be careful when you change plugs. Fuel filter could have been in a better place, O2 sensor is a piece of cake. Nice smooth 5 speed. Still have the original clutch. Liked it so much a got a second one used same color too.