Im thinking of buying, but?

[psions5]

I currently live in England and Have Just recieved my Immigrant Visa to live in America. I need a car when I get there, but I thought a Saturn would be a good car, cuz they are cheap to buy. In england most cars have small engines cuz of the really high fuel prices. So I don't fancy a big V8 Lincol e.t.c though in petrol it probably wouldnt cost me more than a 2.0 Hatch in England. I noticed most saturns have fairly small engines, and manual boxes (Very,very European).To sum It all up I would feel at home in A saturn. Why do people put down Saturn Cars. Is there something I should know? (Are they Cheap n' nasty e.t.c)

[sierrap615]

all car have design flaws, saturns(i refurring to the early s-series; VUE, ION, and L-series have had these problems fixed) have a few weird ones, like blowing head gaskits, alternaters, and very bad oil life. the people who have lemons complain way to much, half the time they don't take care of their cars anyway. saturns are fine cars, but if you own one, you'll need to take care of it(I.E. check oil, change every 3000 miles, normal stuff). My 1994 SL2 has 155K miles, oil is a quart down after 2000 miles, replaced one head gaskit, two alternaters, but on the other hand, i had the orginal 9-year old muffier on up until last month. so if you do buy a used saturn, make sure the last owner keeped it in good shape. read the forum for what series you are going to buy to learn more about the wierd little things. i think the best thing to do is find one and take it for a test drive, look under the hood, and all that good stuff. so final word - they are cheap, they are not nasty, but they don't take care of themselfs.

[MadcapMolly]

I am a Saturn sales consultant for over 7 years, and I have owned Saturn vehicles since 1999. My husband had a 93 SL, I owned a 99 SC2, and now own a 2002 SC2 and a 2003 VUE. I have to admit the earlier Saturn models had a few character flaws, but they have been worked out. In fact, the engines that Saturn uses in it's current 2003 models are highly dependable engines that have been used for years. The engine used in the L-series is an engine that we have had in the L-series since 2000, that's 4 model years of having to work the kinks out of it. I do not hear problems occuring with this engine as I did with the earlier 1.9liter S-series engines. The Ecotec engine in the ION and VUE is a great powertrain, and will be used as GM's global engine through out the world and GM vehicle line. How a person maintains their vehicle is a major contributor to how, and how-long the vehicle will provide dependable performance. I believe that for the most part, people who have never visited a Saturn retailer, are very ill-informed about Saturn vehicles. Saturn makes very affordable, reliable, dependable and safe vehicles. If you really want to find out what people really think of Saturn, visit a Saturn retailer on a Saturday morning, and talk to the customers in the service department bringing their cars in for maintenance and service. This will give you a realistic and honest opinion from a very trustworthy source...the people who are actually driving, paying-for and living with a Saturn. Word of mouth advertising is the best advertising in the world. No car is perfect, there will always be a problem or two, that's just how machines work, but in my opinion, Saturn offers a great model line, with vehicles that will provide you with everything else the competition can and more, but at a lower cost of ownership in the long-term-your best value is a Saturn. Good luck and safe journeys to you.

[flamewalker]

Saturns are awesome daily drivers... IF you keep them maintained properly like any other car. Mine has 193000 miles with no major work. Saturns are also one of the safest cars on the road, like Hondas and toyotas.

Gas mileage is pretty decent too.

I would recommend a saturn as an inexpensive daily driver. They are not however, all that powerful (except the newer suv's). But they get you where you need to go and will last almost as long as a Honda.

The main thing is... do keep the maintenance up properly and youll be ok.

[polyatomic ion]

i am 7 months into owning a new ion, and am extremly happy with the service, and the overall appeal of the car. it is not quite a racer, but is is small and peppy enough to still have fun with. the service and support is great, my ion came with a faulty clutch assembly, and the dealership promptly replaced it and gave me a loaner and a free wash and detail. i highly suggest getting a saturn

[malcolm brumley]

I highly recommend a saturn. I buy late models that are wrecked then i rebuild them and sell them. I have built 54 so far. I have had many repeate customers and some that will drive nothing else. The ION has corrected the short comings of the S series and is very easy to rebuild and comfortable. I have just finished a 03 level 2 ION. I sell them for N.A.D.A. loan value.