Used 1997 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews
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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.
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).
Our dependable little wagon
W C Goodrich, 03/23/2005
1997 Saturn S-Series SW2 4dr Wagon
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Our Saturn wagon has been everything that the company advertised. After many years of driving Oldsmobiles and Buicks, we decided to try a "sensible car". We wish we'd done it much sooner. The Saturn wagon has been very economical to operate and extremely dependable. We have only had it worked on three times in 71/2 years. One repair was covered by warranty, and the two others cost us a total of only $750.00. We recently purchased a new 2004 Saturn L sedan to take into retirement with us.
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!
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.