Any opinions of the 1999 Saturn SL series?

jwells777

Senior member
Feb 18, 2001
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I am considering getting a 99 SL1 or SL2 for about 4 grand. Anybody have any thoughts on this car? Any major reliability problems? I am not worried about the general lack of engine power.

Any thoughts on how this would stack up in terms of cost of ownership and reliability of a 93-95 Honda Accord (Also about 4 grand)?

Thanks,

J
 

Freejack2

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2000
7,751
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I used to own a 98 SC2. Was a nice peppy little car. I didn't have any real problems with it. Never died on me or anything. Got decent gas mileage and from what I hear they are good for a few hundred thousand miles. At the national average of 12,000 miles a year a 99 Saturn will have close to 48k on it now. A 93 - 95 accord will have 132,000 to 108,000 miles on it. While Accords are roomier and have a high reliability rating, the car will have a lot more miles on it. My parents have an 88 Accord beater car that has about 130k on it and it's needed a LOT of repairs.
If I could pick between a 99 Accord or a 99 Saturn I'd of course get the Accord, but a 93-95 Accord vs a 99 Saturn, I'd much rather have the newer car.
 

jwells777

Senior member
Feb 18, 2001
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That is kind of my thinking as well. I am extremely partial to the honda/toyota line as I have taken an Integra to 275,000 miles after doing unconscionable things to the engine (i.e. 15,000 mile oil changes, temp red-line many times, ran without the better portion of the radiator for 10,000, etc.). My dad has a toyota truck going on 200,000 with virtually no maintenance as well.

Despite this, I just can't seem to justify the "huge" price premium for H/A or T/L in older cars. If I were buying a car that was 0-2 years old, it would make sense because despite the 10-20% premium, total cost of ownership is lower since the comparable american car will depreciate like crazy. After the major depreciation on a Saturn though...it becomes a much more difficult decision.

The thing that really boggles my mind though is that people are still paying 10-12,000 for 90-91 Lexus cars with 150,000 plus miles. I mean, it was a great car in it's day, and I am sure it is still a reasonable car...but it is 13-15 years old now!

Anywho...I'll appreciate hearing more opinions on the debate though.
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
12,689
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the late 90's SL series where butt ugly compared to the original...but $4000 for a 99, you really can't go wrong
 

PeeluckyDuckee

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
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Where's the best value to be had? On heavily depreciated, newer year, lower mileage domestic sedans or higher priced, older, more mileage imports? Reliability is a concern, but when you factor in the 30 - 50k difference in mileage and around $1500 difference in price between domestics and imports, it makes that decision not as obvious as to which to choose.

If you don't plan on reselling, domestics are a good value. Buying used imports, you pay a premium. Whatever the premium and whether its worth it or not is up to each potential buyer.
 

Freejack2

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2000
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The Saturns are nice cars but they are no tanks, if you run 15k without an oil change or 10k without much of a radiator you will kill the Saturn pretty quick.
Other than that, I recall that the SL2's have the DOHC engines which have 25 more horse power (that thing had torque!) but consumes more oil than the SOHC. Also the SL2's have 15" instead of 14" wheels, variable speed power steering, and come standard with air conditioning (newer non cfc ac unit). If you can get your hands on a low mileage SL2 or SC2 go for it. It's a lot more fun to drive than the SL1's and still gets decent gas mileage.