I have been in the Saturn family for a number of years. However, this is the last time I will be purchasing one of their cars. I have a 1998 Saturn SL2, and about a year ago, with less than 50, 000 miles I realized that my car was utilizing about one (1) qt of motor oil every 500 miles. Because my car was past it’s 36, 000 mile warranty, I would be responsible for all costs & repairs. I was livid. I started researching this problem, and found I was not alone.
The ’’O’’rings for the intake valves are not at the manufacturers specs. Ok, knowing that there is this problem, I contacted Saturn. Basically I am on my own...do I recommend their cars. NO...absolutely not. No wonder more AMERICANS buy HONDA’S, TOYOTAS, VOLKSWAGENS etc...American’s complain that all the work is going outside of the country, well, obviously there is a reason for this. Not stating that the goods that are made elsewhere are just as good or better, but come on. This car in 1998 was close to $20, 000. I could have bought a small BMW or Mercedes and gotten much more for my money...I am still driving the car, I just paid off the balance of the loan. I don’t want to go out & buy another car at this point & am just ’’maintaining’’ and buying my time. What a disappointment this whole experience has been. I see people buying & driving Saturn’s new L series or the SUV they are producing & want to let them know that I hope that their buy is a great value & that there aren’t the SERIOUS problems that were there in the earlier models.