Tech Review | Saturn S-Series
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- Today, I will tell you about the Saturn S-Series (1991-02). In this video we are discussing common issues, reliability, and a bit of vehicle history and ways to fix some of those common issues.
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I can not say this enough, thank you everyone that helped contribute to this video.
I bought a new 1996 Saturn SL 26 years ago for $10,900 and still have it and love it. I have had to replace my shifter cable twice and my A/C compressor in 85000 miles, but that's not bad for 26 years. And my Saturn has never needed any oil. I just change the oil once a year. Gets 31 mpg in town and 40 on the highway. And the dark red paint is still shiny after all these years. I hope to keep this car forever.
Your car must’ve been stripped or maybe it’s an SL1 which was quite a bit cheaper (I guess). The sticker on my loaded 1996 SL2 was like $15,500 (can’t find the sticker and I’ve looked all over). I bought mine in 1998 with 20,000 on it for $9,300 which I thought was a good deal. Still driving her 25 years later as she’s pushing 250,000. I’ve replaced a ton of parts but nothing was above my pay grade. Doing the clutch at 200,000 was probably the most difficult. Thank God for Rock Auto!
Thank you for this, I just bought a 2001 Saturn S series and this makes me feel better about buying it.
Don’t listen to the negative reviews, real Saturns before gm really got involved were basic great cars, in 2000-2001 ish Saturns I’ve seen haven’t done well
As with everything, do your research . As with any car including your ,"new: S Saturn.
I learned this with my 2003 Saturn Ion, That is my experience.
Furthermore, I'm 61 now. But, at 50 I was still terrified about anything mechanical
My kindly old neigjbours cured me of those fears..
I can honedtly say vehicle mechanics no longer terrify me. No more!!!!
My young neighbour must learn this. He must be nearly 30 yet doesn't have a driver's license!!!!
Sweet! I have a 01 SC1, still running like a champ
Scooped up a 97 SL2 for 3500 with 33000 miles off an old man. Pretty sweet. Sat in a garage the engine cradle was rot on the drivers side. Ordered an new one online GM for 350$. Replaced it now have a pretty much brand new car. So far so good.
My maintenence over 10 years for 2003 Saturn Ion:
Engine control module, Ignition control module x 2, used, junkyard parts, $40 +150 = $190
Starter x $25 + $330
Ignition switch $70
Windshield wiper ? transmission $100 (?)
Radiator (my fault) $400
Got it for free. Did much work on my own as shade tree mechanic ,but lots of labour.
Parts (used = $190
New rad, wwt, parts = $500
labour $400
+ additional labour $400.
Total parts & labour = parts = $1200 labour $1200
= $2400.
I've had this car for going on 12 years.
Daily driver.
Runs perfectly.
267,000 kms ( x.6 miles = ?).
Never burned a drop of oil. I put 5/30 Pennsville synthetic canned every 3000 miles.
New winters $560.
So for $3000 total I've been fortunate to have a great car for $3000 ÷ 12 years.
I did not have confidence in this car in the beginning, but as I did my own research and great neighborly advice, it'll run for another 12 years to 500,000 klms with necessary maintenance.
Best car deal I ever had!
Thanks.
David
Alberta
(P. S. Numbers are rounded off, but trust me they are close).
P.S. 2 Research common failures and you can fix them.
I just bought one of these with 41,000 miles that used to be a tow behind car! Thank you for the video!
Thanks for watching
Nice! I just got a '98 SL2 with 50,000. There aren't many of these cars left, so cherish it.
You did a great informative video. I was given a 1999 Saturn SC2 that I have been working on. I have been scouring TH-cam for all the information that I can find on Saturn S Series so I will be checking out your other videos.
Thank you, I appreciate it and if you have any questions about them let me know!
I like 👍 this because I have exactly the same one including the color. Another words I have your twin and everything you spoke of makes complete sense. I like the twin overhead cam in mine same as yours. Kinda slow on back roads because of low end torque but on the interstate doing 80mph barely on the gas. I do wish mine had the 5 speed manual trans but I have 4 speed automatic. As one guy said on Utube " old Saturn's never die people kill them by not checking the oil" its apparent that you take care of yours like I do, good luck with it.
Thanks, it’s been a great car and that is true about the old Saturns never die. I never driven the automatic one before but the manual one feel like it has some sort of power to it.
A very informative video.👍 I have a 2001 SC2 which I bought new 22 years ago, in the time I had it, the major repairs were intake manifold coolant pipe, AC compressor clutch, and radiator.
Second gen started in 1996 but it had the analog odometer. I'm still driving her 28 years later. 😊
I just got my 98 sl1 running again, fuel pump died, but it sat with bad gas for a while, don't do that.
If i had a nickle for every time someone told me saturn is horrible, blah blah blah
well who's laughing now in 2022 :)
i love how simple these cars are, just enough electronics to be efficient but not enough to be a hassle.
wonderful for people who tinker, since they're plastic, the side panels and stuff are kinda rare, so keep that in mind, it's because they explode on impact.
Old Saturns don't die, people kill them. Change your oil.
I have been a Saturn S fan since 2004 when I bought my 96 SL1, and I've owned 3 more since then. (They dont hold up to collisions) If you take care of them, they will take care of you. But dont get the auto.
One additional quirk, every S I've owned would refuse to turn on it's coolant fan unless the AC was on. Never figured out why, just jumped a hot wire to the battery and ran it to an under dash switch.
It's either the ECTS or it's connector is jacked up, corroded etc. Get a good brass ECTS and clean the connector, your cooling fan should kick on as programmed in the PCM.
thank you. i think your judgement is solid! I own 4 SL2s from '97 - '17. I saved a TON of money driving these used.
Listened to the rest of the youtube and never had any of the problems you talked about and I still own a Saturn Ion 2 with 160000 mile s on it.
The video was made more for the Saturn S-Series and not the Saturn Ion.
I had a 1997 SL1. 200k miles. 5 speed. Very reliable but I always kept a case of oil in the trunk. It was about 1 quart per gas tank. The fantastic gas mileage made up for that. I sold it when the A/C crapped out. Thinking back, might have been smart to have that fixed and keep driving it.
That Saturn I've been riding doesn't burn enough oil smoke, but there are two hairline cracks in the plastic valve cover. Keeps the cover slightly wet. I'll add 1/4 quart every three or four gas stops, avg 35mpg.
I have a 97' sw1. This was the only car I put any thought in before I purchased it. I was looking for something that was simple. Thousand dollars or less. 4-cylinder 5-speed. It was a tow behind car I see the evidence from the front bumper. It was neglected. After replacing all the parts and fluids that it needed it hasn't gave me too much problems after that. It's ridiculously inexpensive car operate. Not too bad of a car for only paid $850 for and being 25 years old
No kidding, I wasn’t actively looking for a saturn, or a car for that matter but i found mine for cheap and decided to jump on it and haven’t regret it since
I just got a 1996 sc1 with 75,145 miles on it and it's literally perfect. Nothing wrong with it and has ac and heater. Best 2k I've spent.
That’s awesome my guy, if you take care of it, it will last
I bought my first Saturn a 1992 SL2 which was silver with blue interior, 5 speed and moon roof and rear spoiler. It was a great car although it did start using a lot of oil like you indicated. My next Saturn was a 2004 Ion3, electric blue with gray leather and moon roof. Still have it with 82k. Love it. Also have a 2007 Vue. I wish they still made them.
Yea me too, they were great cars. I know the vues have the honda V6. Really good cars when taking care of.
Mine is all wheel drive with the V6 and It has great power. It has only 92k and I take extreme good care with it, so like you say they should last for many more miles.
Absolutely
I just sold my 2000 SL. It was a great little commuter, great fuel economy, and very reliable. The thing that finally convinced me to upgrade was that it didn’t have power steering. Driving a manual transmission car with manual steering in town, or in parking lots was a chore. Next time I’ll make sure to find an SL1 or SL2.
I can imagine, hope you can find a nice sl2
Have a 98 sl2 with 138k miles on it, because of this video I'm seriously considering upgrading it as it's my first car.
Go for it
I did mine it still goes close to 250,000 miles and yes engine was redone and interior also and bunch other stuff that was needed
Great info. I appreciate it.
good info.
nice video, I just bought a 97 sw2!
I really like those, auto or manual
@@theskinnytechnician lucked out and bought a manual, really like it so far just for a cheap daily
Those are cool wish i had one
Excellent! Looking for one now . Let us know your thoughts on the car !
Richpin thank you for the videos they’re very helpful. Is this bushing the reason I can’t get into 1st gear easily when I’m stopped in traffic? 2-5th work fine ,when the cars off it shifts into 1st gear fine ??
Wrong channel, 😂 that issue sounds like a shift synchronizer issue.
We have the single port SL-1. Almost 300,000 on it. It's been a champ.
1st gen was 1991 to 1995 , a little off but great post.I have a modified 95 SL2 and can attest their reliability. The diff pin suicide issue gets solved with the installation of an MFactory LSD or phantom grip LSD conversion kit.
I owned a 1997 SC2 1.9L DOHC 5 speed manual up to 200,000 miles. The engine never burnt oil, normally doing 36 mpg highway. Once I drove at night from Chicago to Toledo OH and did 41 mpg, checked with my first GPS ( it was in 2005 I think). What killed it was the rust on the bottom... salty roads in Michigan and Ohio. It was a great vehicle. Too bad GM cancelled the brand.
The rust on them can be killer, They are great cars.
My Saturn SL has 467,000 miles an I’m barely changing the fuel pump . What a gold mine
Great video . And very informative about things to look out for . Looking for a sw2 manual now . Is there still a community for performance parts for the 1.9 Dohc? How’s the clutch travel and do you feel to could handle 200 hp stock trans . Keep the videos coming . Seems like Reliable car and easy to work on . Also less than 2,500 pounds . Unheard of nowadays.
The sw2 are hard to find especially in manual, really want one myself. There is a decent aftermarket community for them i believe, the clutch travel is really good great for beginner drivers that want to learn but i would not know about 200hp going thru them stock.
My 2001 saturn sl2 5-speed has 370,000 miles on the body and suspension. Had a rebuild at about 120,000 miles ago. Has power windows, power mirrors, powered sunroof, defrost able windows, heat/cold running strong, really the only issue there is is the burning oil but honestly idk makes the oil change faster cause i dont have to wait on so much oil
Makes me wonder if mine might be special, I have a 92 sl2 and it has power everything, windows, locks, mirrors, defroster, sunroof, ac. I’m still new to Saturn but they definitely seemed to like to keep things simple.
I had to replace the plastic top of my engine kept breaking more and more and had trouble at the time finding one find a part from a 95 that wasn’t plastic but same engine mines a 97 and fixed my issue no more cracking mine SL2 1997 5 speed close to 250,000 miles yes engine and other things was redone and the inside as well
Gen 1 was 1991-1995 Gen 2 was 1996-1999 and Gen 3 was 2000-2002
My Saturn doesn’t burn oil and I push the shit out of the car like burn out and take offs but yet again I use 20w 50 going 20700 still strong 💪
20k miles is really low
The one and only decent GM models that are were not bad vehicles from all economy cars
being made by GM for many years
First gen for the SL and SW was 91 to 95. The SC was until 96 before moving to second gen with the SL and SW. 🙃
Thanks for pointing that out, after the video went live is when i saw that.
@@theskinnytechnician np. Hope u wasn't mad for pointing that out to u. Didn't want no one to slam u hard for it. I'm glad I can help tho 😌.
Im not upset, im glad you did for other to see.
So, what kind of oil and oil filter do you use in your SL? I just bought a 2002 SL1, and want to change out the fluids asap. It didn't come with an owner's manual.
What kind of coolant do you use? Mine if dirty. I will need to flush it, so I think I could use any coolant intended for a Japanese aluminum engine. IIRC, Honda took issue with Saturn's dexcool, so I would rather not use dexcool.
Ive used dexcool in mine just because when i use to put the green stuff in other GM cars i had it created issues, i also just use a stp oil filter and 5/30 oil valvoline
@@theskinnytechnician Thank! I read that dexcool will not mix with anything else, but since I will have to flush the system anyway, I am considering Honda coolant. What color is dexcool?
Dexcool is orange and ho da coolant is typically blue
The biggest misconception, is that saturns burn oil. The better explanation not spoken here is the lack of better knowledge regarding crappy owners. With a good owner, and maintainer, you have yourself a great car, and will have it for a good long while.
I can agree but with how low cost these were new, it was rare for someone to properly maintain one.
@@theskinnytechnician Here's what I know for sure. I am a part time mechanic for an 02 SL2. I have maintained it for many years. And it has never been a "lemon". I myself made the decision, hey I know this twin cam engine well enough and this car is made well enough, so I bought myself a Saturn SW2. I used to be a big Honda civic enthusiast, until I went and looked at them out on the market. What was on the market surely wasn't worth my hard earned money. And nine times out of ten, I could get the owners to lower their asking price lower than what they wanted versus what it was actually worth. You know what was different with this Saturn and the Honda's? Was that it turned on with the key in the ignition, it didn't smell like a barn, and it wasn't missing anything regarding engine pieces or interior. So lemme ask, whats better. A fuel efficient Honda that starts by jumping the starter solenoids and has missing pieces such including interior, or a fuel efficient Saturn that is already know efficient by me, faster than a civic, and actually american made. Like I said, I used to be a fan of civics. But I have since walked away from that since all they are is SHIT. A saturn makes more power anyways. SO as you probably can already assume, I am a huge fan of saturn now since I have known the ins and outs for a while and know the truth for what it is. And just a little bit for anyone wondering, insurance for a saturn is cheaper than insurance for a civic. Now, I can only attest to the s-series reliability and nothing like the ion, redline, aura, or lumina. The s-series was made in competition with the past civics and other foreign small cars. And I'd say the s-series served its utmost purpose even now, since it made me, a previously civic only fan, become a saturn only fan. And I mean come on, it's sad when you go to look at a civic and the saturn is the more logically right option since most civic owners want more for less. Most saturns you see on the market, are complete, whereas a civic will have missing parts nine times out of ten.
I think they were designed to use a little oil. In order to increase gas mileage they chose to use lower tension oil control rings on the piston…I check my level every 500 miles and have to add less then a half of quarter..Also some choose to use 40 weight all…
Mine doesn’t burn oil 2002 SL1 SOHC 5 speed
Here in the mile high city. Car thefts are highest in the nation about 100 a day. I just take my fuel pump relay out of my Saturn S-Series is located right inside. I can leave my keys in my car they're not going anywhere
Sounds tough that you have to do that, but if it works it works
Thanks for this great introductory video!
I have a '96 sw1 and was wondering if you know anything about vapor lock with this car? Thank you.
I dont know much information about vapor lock on fuel injection vehicle, mainly carbureted vehicles
4:35 my Saturn did not burn oil. It was an exceptionally reliable vehicle. I had a 99 SL1 and my wife an 01 SC both were very reliable and other than regular maintenance we did not do anything else. We had my 99 in the family and run well over 375k miles before it was sold.
A saturn that doesn’t burn oil sounds sus. Its hard making more videos about mine due to the fact that it doesn’t break.
Great video but there were changes in the dohc motor for the third gen. Don't believe me find a third gen and sit in it while it's idling you'll know right away
Curious, i need to find someone here with a third gen, however in my research i haven’t found anything major but will look into it.
The intake manifolds are different and I think the crankshafts have different counter weights to improve NVH
how do replace the cabin filter on this car??
There is no cabin air filter for this vehicle.
Take out the blower motor, clean in that area.
Ask it nicely
Take out glove box squeeze sides out it comes not hard
I have a 2003 Saturn Ion.
One incorrect piece of info… before 2000 model year, more than 80% of Saturn customers were considered conquests, they didn’t own another GM car and, in most cases, wouldn’t even have looked at a GM brand. Saturn was a wholly owned subsidiary of GM, not a division like Chevy or Pontiac, their advertising didn’t mention GM at all.
I got this same gen Saturn. mines an SL2 1999
Thats the exact one i have
I have the 98 white hot with the auto only the true die hard Saturn fans will know about it. I only ran into one guy that knows of it.
That is so cool, do you have pictures of it
@@theskinnytechnician yeah i do
If they didn't use any GM parts. Why does the map sensor say GM?
Because it was still made thru GM however the parts made for the s-series was made for the s-series and not for chevy, GMC, buick,and Cadillac
...my nissan truck has had 6 clutches installed....still not fixed.. Willing to trade 5 speed hard body truck for Saturn station wagon
That sucks I’m sorry to hear that
Compared to Hondas and Toyotas they're crap but stupidly simple to work on and that's what makes them worth keeping like a child. You can damn near rebuild the whole drivetrain yourself with little instruction. I have a 95 sl1. Gets good mpgs and resists rust really well. All in all they are worth keeping. Just don't think you can neglect them like a Honda. 420k!?!?!???!!??
Thats a fair statement and i can agree with it. I can’t remember who drove his saturn 420k miles but it was a gentleman on reddit he does consistent updates on it.
Honda paints sucks..The car is well engineered and you will pay the much higher price…A Saturn with its higher quality paint and being it’s mostly made of plastics will usually still look new after 25 years..The Honda will look like it’s ready for the scrap yard That’s the drawback…..
I had 3 s series and 1 Ion, none burned oil.
Sounds sus
I wish I had a Saturn Skye convertible.
That would be nice!
2004 cvt
love that you only care about the mechanic aspect of the car, really reliable car had one I bought it in 2012 for 1,500 with 130k miles. Drove all over the east coast for 3 years. trade it in for a 2015 WRX STI. only did oil change and tires it had 227,000 miles.
What do you guys think of the 99 SC2? I’m looking for a daily city driver that won’t break the bank. Thanks
Those cars are good cars same platform but a 3 door version, I would recommend the manual if you know how as they are easier and cheaper to fix if they go wrong. The automatics are good but they do leave the car feeling under powered.
@@theskinnytechnician cool thanks. Manual are hard to find. So far I’ve found only automatic transmission.
@@theskinnytechnician thank you for replying!
They are, especially with the twin cam motor.