|
Consumer Test Drive - 1998 Saturn SL2
|
|
| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:51:05 |
| Rating |
 16 ( -2 -12.5% ) | | Author | Christopher Arnold |
|
|
Description:
Overall Rating:
Comfort Rating:
Performance Rating:
Quality Rating:
Appearance Rating:
Favorite Feature:
Outstanding exterior, Customer Service, No haggle priceing, Daytime running lights, fast excelleration both out of the blocks and on the highway.
Least Favorite Feature:
Dashboard Refinement. Delay in exceleration kick.
Advice to Buyer:
Get the cars built in the latter part of 98 or 99 when they become available on the used market. They are a marked improvement over prevoise Saturns in terms of noise. Get only a black dashboad
Detailed Review:
NOTE: This car is basically the same type of car as the coup only with 4 doors. It perfomance on the road is very fast for an entry level sedan. Get the larger engine and you will be more than satisfied with its power verces other vehicles. Stearing is excellent and responsive. Most of the problems you will have with the car are to do with its level of refinement. Consider a Toyota or Honda if you require there to be no noticable problems with your cars' design and layout. However if you can stand a few problems then this companys no hassle priceing and costumer service as well as the cars superior looks and name recognition should lead you to purchase this vehicle or its predesessors.
Actually Owned this car for a year now. Some things that I missed on the orginal test Drive.
Transmission lages when you put the peddle all the way down. I believe that this is just to shift to a faster gear. Nevertheless it can become an issue when merging quickly in traffic, you have to plan ahead for it.
Adaptive transmission was a nice idea if we all drove the same way every day. We don't so I couldn't see any improvement in performance over time, unlike what the dealer mentioned to me originally.
Traction control doesn't work as well in deep snow going up moderate hills as you might think. (I lived in Syracuse NY last winter) It is easier to disengage it and spin your wheels up the hill becuase you can't move otherwise. Anti-Lock works very nicely though so still purchase the option if you can, especailly in northern cities.
Interior leaves much to be desired as the dash belongs in in the late 70 or early 80s (Its that bad). Stereo options are to replace the low end casset deck with your own latter (It won't look good though). The stereo doesn't have enough power to fill the car nicely thought the company has changed their stereo provider starting next year. Cups in cup holder will obscure AC controls. Interior light controls are useless as you will set it to max all the time anyway. Poor material on the dash board only reflects into the very forward slanted windsheild. Test drive on a sunny day befor you buy to see if it will be a problem. Only choose an interior with a black dashboard until they fix this possably in the 2000 module. (I picked Tan and have regretted it since)
Seats are not that bad but roomyness is not to be found. Passenger side airbage looks as though it will go straight into the persons knees.
Trunk is too small for large boxes but rear seats do go down to give a good amount of room for a kid going/leaving to/from college without a large computer. 5 people is a tight squeez and I would suggest asking front pasengers to move their seats up alittle on 20 minutes or longer trips.
Buy the Center arm reat for 90 dollers. Yes it seems tacky but on long trips it is handy to have. (You can steer this car with one hand on a free way)
Exterior is outstanding compared to other sedans and will be redesigned slightly for 2000 to mach the more refined L series, however your car will look modern and new for at least 7 or 8 years unlike the Saturns from befor 95. Plastic body panels shouldn't worry you as Saturn has designed a space frame that would make having thin sheet medal useless anyway. The lower front bumper is hard to clean yourself so a few trips to the car wash may need to be considered.
If maintenace is your thing then all the fluid levels can be seen easily in clear containers. All user servicable areas are labled clearly. Light bulbs in front can be replaced without buying a whole new assembly.
GM Standard security system is a good buy rather than adding it on latter. However panic key is a pain.
Alloy wheels are not tough against granite curbs so expect scratches if you park on a street often.
Defects: The fuel pump that prevented the car from starting on the first try for the first few days I owned it. Supposedly a rare problem with the fuel vapor system Saturn uses. That is it and from what I understand that was the worst problem anybody had. It only required one day in the shop and was covered including rental car.
(Any problems with Saturns reliabily- it actually very good- should be offset by its low mantainence costs that are dwarfed by Toyota and Honda)
Saturn recently extended their warenties on certain parts of previouse vehicles that have had common problems. So you will be taken care of even after your warrenty expires,. Though you can purchase another 3 years on the warrenty just in case.
Cars built in the latter part of 98 where the first to noise supressing insulation. My car is acceptably quite. (I grew up with Ford Station wagons which where renowned for their quiteness) Suspention is smooth for minor bumps and defects in the road however larger bumps get amplified.
Reduced force airbages are another feature that will mean less damege for smaller riders (Kids are still to go in the back though) Recieves average to above average ratings for front, side, and rear crashes. However with SUVs out there you must plan ahead in accident situations and use your manuverabilty to your advantege if you wish to survive in a smaller car. Daytime runing lights are a good feature as people don't pull in front of you as often.
Overall after one year these are the only issues I had with the car. If performece and value as well as safety are your thing then this is your car!
Also Considered:
1998 Honda Civic
1998 Toyota Corolla
Vehicle Purchased:
1998 Saturn SL2
Reviewer Information:
Name - Christopher Arnold
E-Mail - charnold01@earthlink.net
Location - Syracuse, New York
Other Vehicles in Household -
1997 Toyota Avalon |
|
