Saturn Corporation was begun in 1985 by General Motors as a “New Kind of Car Company”. The first product arrived in 1990, the S-Series, and they were built and sold differently than those in the typical GM (or industry) mold. Sadly, the company became a victim of the Great Recession and folded in 2010 after a transfer in ownership failed to take place. The seller’s 1996 sedan is a one-owner car that has been well taken care of with 136,000 miles on the clock. Located in Reno, Nevada, this daily driver can be had for the Cheap Wheels price of $3,000, here on craigslist.
Saturns used plastic body panels instead of metal ones, so rust could only attack the undercarriage of these cars. Saturns were sold with no-haggle pricing, something consumers were unaccustomed to with a GM dealer. During the early years of the company, a special kind of culture developed between the employees and customers, which included annual rallies with hot dogs and soda pop. We owned two of the S-Series and two of the Vues (SUVs) over the years. They weren’t fancy, by any means, but were reliable and got the job done.
This little sedan has been a member of the seller’s family for 30 years. So, if it could talk, it would probably have some interesting stories to tell. Nothing over the top here with an inline-4 and a 5-speed manual transmission. But it should be good on gas, which would be important today if you need a third car. We’re told it runs and drives well and recently passed a smog test. The tires are new, as are the battery and the clutch. No other repairs are mentioned, done, or needed.
In nearly 20 years, about two million Saturns left the factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Yet, you don’t see many of these on the road or in the Walmart parking lot today. This is not a car to buy if you’re interested in impressing the masses at Cars & Coffee. It’s a simple machine that should get you from points A and B with reasonable confidence. A thumbs up to Rocco B. for the tip!
I bought two Saturns and they were the best new car buying experiences I’ve had. None of the usual nonsense. They were very reliable cars. Too bad GM could not make this division work.
That car is the cheaper “S1” model with gray bumpers and the SOHC mill. The one to really have is the “S2” with the DOHC engine and fancier trim. The double-cammer gave much better performance.
Just to clarify, the model designations were “SL1” and “SL2”, with the “SL” being the actual entry level model for the sedan line. (Wagons were “SW1” and “SW2”, while coupes were “SC1” and “SC2”.)
I got a ’93 SL2 by happenstance, the old man dealt with a dealer that got a lot of auctions rejects. They had several $500 beaters, the Saturn was one. Once I shoveled it out, disgusting how some people live,,,,had a lot of miles, like 220K, but everything worked as new. Had a couple issues, starter took every extension and swivel I had,,, oil filter was in a poor spot, had to remove RF wheel, belt tensioner, THAT was a bitxx, ign.coils shorted out, but I drove that car at least another 20K, and sold it for $500. Talk about almost cost free driving. It still delivered a solid 30mpg on the highway, and was the influence for my daughters 2nd car, a ’99 SC1, that she loved. Not sure about the twin cam performance, it was dependable, never used any oil. Lot of trips up nort'( from Milwaukee) with that car.
So wha’ happened??? Seemed like the perfect import fighter, but thing was, not many folks that had Asian cars thought of buying a Saturn, so its sales were mostly folks that wanted a small US car. That, and recalls for the Ion didn’t help, and I read, Saturn didn’t turn a profit since 1998. My SIL had a Vue that was a good car, but in the end, just couldn’t compete with the Asians, and GM pulled the plug. Another swing and a miss, and proved once again, you can’t go up against the big guys.
I want to thank the staff for featuring more affordable cars too.
If the tippers stay away from fancy car dealership showrooms featuring fully restored cars, there are lots of affordable buys out there to write up on BarnFinds.
I had a ’96 SC1 with the 5 speed I bought used. It was strangely difficult to shift. I even went as far as replacing the clutch in an effort to remedy that, with no success. Interestingly, while 5th gear is overdrive, 4th gear is not drive. It got phenomenal fuel mileage for my 130 mile daily commute, but it was comically underpowered. I had to turn off the A/C to safely pull into traffic. I don’t miss it. Remember to fill up the oil and check the gas. LOL!
I had a 2004 Saturn Vue SUV. Black, gray interior.
Aunt and uncle in Maine had one and that convinced me to get one. O ly there’s was red, 4 cylinder, base model. When I bought mine it was from a three year lease with less than 30,000 on the odometer. Filly loaded with the Honda V6, which I found out later those were the. Very desirable ones to have.
Dumbass husband totalled it in Vegas. Had it for ten years.
Took all the “Saturn” identifying emblems off of it. Replaced with Cadillac emblems.
Ended up calling it a Satillac.
You gotta hand it to GM and Saturn for sticking to their no hassle, no haggle business model. That and the shopping experience. A red carpet event I’m told. People would tell me that I should sell them. Turned out as I expected. GM got bored and the bean counters cut back on the brand’s exclusivity. Next thing you know they’re gone. I driven a few. Good transportation.
I just bought this 1995 Saturn SC2 off of Bring A Trailer last week. I owned a couple of SC’s many years ago, and they were good cars. Despite the plastic body panels, rust did in many of them in my parts (MN & WI) by rotting away critical structure underneath. The SC2 I just bought is nearly new underneath, having been owned by the same older gentleman since new in Arizona.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-saturn-sc/
In 1994 I worked for Alhambra Saturn in Alhambra Ca. Great place to work, great cameraderie amongst the staff. Good car by any reasonable standard, regretted leaving that place. The money wasn´t great, but at my age level and in my burned out status, it was the best place I can remember in a long time, almost better than Northridge Kia – another marvelous to work for.God bless those guys.
The price has been reduced to $2850 already. Desperate seller here for anyone interested, could pick it up for even cheaper.
I bought a 94 SC2 leather, sunroof, 5 speed. $18032 in March of 1994. Loved that thing! Drove it 170,000 miles in 6 years and sold it to one of my friends. It’s too bad that no one buys cars anymore, or manuals anymore, and that new Honda Civic Si is close to $40k!
Having been a Saturn Technician for 15 years, right up until the end, it has to rank right up there as the most pleasurable job experience in my nearly 50 years of turning wrench! The Saturn experience was unlike any other. From the retailer all the way to training in Spring Hill Tennessee. I had spent the bulk of my years professionally at GM dealerships and although somewhat hesitant at the time, the switch to Saturn in 1996 was the best thing I could have ever done. These S Series Saturns were a joy to work on! And unlike GM at the time, very few electrical or computer related gremlins! Pressure for new larger cars, SUV’s and minivans signaled the end of the S series cars. Saturn was never the same after that and to end up with nothing but re- badged GM products was a sad ending for Saturn! The feature car looks very nice and being in that climate Id bet it looks almost new underneath! Hope it goes to a good home! Rare color too!