Are Saturn's good cars to own?

Question

My '88 Chevy Silverado is starting to five and dime me and I may need to look for a new vehicle. I prefer trucks over cars, but I got sick of spending around $70 to fill up my chevy and it got horrible gas mileage. I am thinking of buying a more economical vehicle like a car. I am not dirt poor, but I do not have a ton of money to spend on a vehicle. I was wondering if Saturn's are a good vehicle to own? If not can someone make a suggestion of a vehicle in the Saturn price range that gets descent gas mileage and is reliable as well.

Answer 1

i own a repair shop,and any model of the Saturn's you look at is a good choice they really are good cars,,i service a few of them,,but have never had to do any major repairs to them as of yet ,and a lot of my customers are turning to them as alternative vehicles to drive because of the high cost of fuel now days,but you wont go wrong with a Saturn,and they have a good warranty to back them up,also,but you need to drive one of them to see for your self,good,luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Are Saturns Good Cars

Answer 4

I would say that as of 2005 Saturns are good cars to own. It used to be that they would run forever but they sucked to live with because they had such poor interiors and drivability, but GM has completely revamped the Saturn line now (2007) and its interiors are vastly improved.

Additionally, the new car architectures and build quality are improved and the Ecotec engine is a bit more refined. The Aura is getting good reviews, and the Vue is supposed to be good too, but I'd stay far away from the Ion.

For around $20-25k, you might want to look at the Subaru Forrester - its like a truck but gets decent mpg and is proven reliable. If you only want American, the Chevy HHR is decent, and the new Ford Escape is good as well.

Answer 5

'Good' meaning dependable, low maintenance and fairly cheap. It will probably do whatever you ask of it though it's styling is so bland you will be reminded of a Hertz rental car everytime you see it in your driveway. Locate a 2003 model in good condition -- the depreciation hit is mostly done and the car should travel 100K+ no problem. The money you will save (used Saturns are almost free) will far offset any repairs you may encounter.

Answer 6

I just looked up whether Saturn's were considered good and it brought me here, I know this is long dead, but for anyone out there who stumbles here, I bought a 94 SL about a month ago with 250,000 miles for $350 and it's been great, interior squeaking will drive you insane though.

Answer 7

This sounds like a question for www.CarTalk.com. You could try checking out their website...it's pretty complete when it comes to cars, and Click & Clack's Car Talk show on Saturday mornings on NPR is entertaining, as well.

My own personal recommendation is "buy a Honda." But you have to do what feels best for you. What is it you want in a car or truck? You want decent gas mileage and reliability. How decent is decent?

I bought my first Honda, an '81 Accord, in 1985, and had it until 1991, when I bought my second Honda, an '87 Accord...which now has 270,000 miles on it, belongs to my ex, and has outlasted my marriage. I bought a new '95 Odyssey, put 316,000 miles on it, and traded it for a 2003 CR-V last year. I started buying Hondas after researching through Consumer Reports in 1985 for a good, reliable car that would start anytime in the winter and would be safe for extensive travel, and fell in my price range. The '81 Accord was wonderful and perfect.

I love my CR-V. I can haul around my dog in his crate in the back, play CDs, transport up to five people at one time (including dog), and it's got on-demand 4-wheel drive, whatever that is. Came in REAL handy early this spring when I almost got stuck, but good, in the muddy, wet, slimy sandhills of Nebraska near the Missouri River.

So far I'm glad that it "came with" an extended warranty. That saved me $1200 in A/C repairs. That's been my only issue with it so far. I've taken it to Wyoming, Michigan, Ohio, South Dakota, and Oregon since March of this year, with the dog, and it's been just great! Mileage is about 22 city, 27 highway, almost identical to my Odyssey.

If you want better mileage than that, there's a new one called the Honda Fit. It looks just about exactly like my first '81 Accord inside, and gets fanTAStic gas mileage, probably in the 40 mpg range. It's versatile, meaning you can seat two in the back seat comfortably, or three little kids, plus pile the groceries in the little trunk behind there; and if you want, the back cover comes up, the seats fold down, and when I was driving my '81, I put the most bizarre things in there and hauled them home. Like a big wicker table and a bunch of other things that I bought at an auction.

It's always amazing to me just how much I can fit in my Hondas, since they look so small outside. One time I fit a love seat in the back of my Odyssey to haul to college for my son's dorm room.

Hondas would be my choice. They've always been good to me.

If you don't mind the looks, (I think they're godawful-looking) and if you're thinking "truck," check out the Element. It doesn't get as good gas mileage as a CR-V, though, but you could put fifteen dogs, cats, kids, teenagers, camping gear, surfboards, AND your mother-in-law in the back of one of those, go camping at the beach, bring it home, and hose out the whole thing, and you're good as new.

All depends on what you want.

I think I've heard on Car Talk that Saturns "were" a good deal, in the past...and the times of the "good" Saturns has come and gone...but then check out the Car Talk website for more detailed information.

Happy shopping!

Answer 8

I bought a 2002 L300 with 204,000 on it and have driven 2000 miles so far and it runs smooth as anything.

Answer 9

saturngood cars

Answer 10

everyone I know who owns one swears by them, of course there is no trade in value but why worry about it if you can keep on driving it