2002 Saturn S-Series Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Owner Pros and Cons by Fischingerfarms
Member4496
Fuel economy
With the SOHC engine and MT,heavy AC,I get 35-38 MPG cruising at about 70MPH 10% ethanol gas.Gas without ethanol gives about 10% better fuel economy but is not available in most places near me.It makes no sense to add 10% ETOH if mpg drops 10%
Ride smoothness
Very comfortable ride for such a small car.I went up one tire size taller,sumitomo HTR T4 same width, and it improved the ride and handling and still fits.Great tires,long wearing
Price or payments
Compared to a honda civic it is much cheaper to own and operate and the saturnfans forum provides great how to maintenance tips with many how to videos.
Reliability & durability
Was using or leaking oil(qt/500miles) from a stuck ring when I got it (130K)but was able to eventually get it unstuck with tips from satrunfans forum and now uses qt/1500 at (195K)Easy and cheap repairs in general.
Quietness
A loud buzzy car at 70MPH or faster,coarse sounds at high rpm,feels a bit unsafe going much faster than that...Needs throttle body cleaning yearly,do it yourself in a half hour and save hundreds...
Powertrain performance
Not much performance to speak of....Great economy makes up for it,even with ethanol gas,I can squeeze 40MPG highway with heavy AC use if I cruise(I had aftermarket cruise installed,about $500) at 65MPH or less..
Handling
Wallows with a lot of understeer,SL model has no rear antiswaybar,if I ever get time I will look for a junkyard rear antisway bar from an SL2 to retrofit...
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