Used 1997 Saturn S-Series Consumer Reviews
Used S-Series for sale
Well-known oil burner, with 78,000 miles
Bassic Steve, 04/01/2004
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought our used '97 Saturn 3 months ago. I'm accustomed to *not* having to check oil between oil changes on my Honda (every 3000 - 4000 miles). In these past 3 months, our Saturn burned 3+ quarts of oil. Now that I've done internet research on this issue, I've found it to be a well-known problem, though Saturn refuses to acknowledge it. Their band-aid: a $91 "top-engine" cleaning to clear deposits from piston rings. Clearly, this is a design flaw that has no fix. My Saturn dealer admitted nothing and did their best to make me feel like an isolated case. Bottom line: Saturn will have no more of my business. I'll go back to Honda for reliability.
Most reliable car I have owned
BWright, 04/08/2005
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought our 1997 SL2 in early 4/97 after giving our 93 SL2 to our daughter for college transportation. The 97 has 130K plus miles on it and still runs like a new one. Had some minor problems with the sunroof after the warranty was over, but it was an easy fix and not grossly expensive. No other major repair problems. We just change the oil every 3K miles and keep it tuned up and it treats us great. The seat comfort is not the best, but the Saturn is a great commuter car. We moved from CA to CO and discovered the SL2 does great in the snow and ice. We also found out that when the ABS does not stop you soon enough, front end repairs are fairly reasonable compared to metal body cars.
Wish they still made this one
mjw, 08/17/2008
1997 Saturn S-Series SC1 2dr Coupe
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this new and have had it 11 years. Apart from interior damage due to careless kids driving it is a great way of getting from A to B. If it were left to me, Saturn would have only improved the interior design and left the model alone. I still get comments about the "new" car, as on the outside you'd never guess it was 11 years old. Still gets great mileage, and the only money I've spent on it was for a new gear lever part that snapped apart when going into reverse. Just buy brakes, batteries, and tires, and of course, gas! As I said, "wish they still made them."
Great car
mike, 06/03/2009
1997 Saturn S-Series SL2 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased the car with 129000 miles and a rebuilt title. It had been rear ended and rebuilt. The day after I bought it I drove over 2500 miles to Alaska and did not have a problem. Drove it back to Utah the long way (over 3500 miles) and then to Arizona and never had a problem. I averaged 38- 42 mpg on the long trips and 32 in the city. The car ran great and I never had any problems. After 1 year and 25000 miles I was involved in a front end collision and they totaled it out. I wish I had it back. I have always had issues sitting in cars for long trips but the seats in it fit me well and I was always comfortable.
saturns suck!!
unhappy saturn owner, 09/25/2003
1997 Saturn S-Series SL1 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
94-96 saturns had extended the warrentee to 100,000 on the head due to a faulty design. My 97 sl1 had a head go out at 56000 miles and saturn would not cover any of the costs. On going problems of electrical componets and poor service at saturn of appleton is just cause for my feelings of all saturns.