98 SL2 w/ 5spd - questions

Discussion in 'Saturn S-series' started by The Millers, Aug 23, 2005.

  1. The Millers

    The Millers Guest

    Never owned a Saturn, but am impressed with the gas mileage an SL2 can
    deliver.

    I have my eye on a 98, 5 spd with 62k miles on it. I think the price is ok,
    but have some questions.

    I drove the car and it felt fine, for a 4 cylinder, stick. Are these cars
    smooth like Hondas, or are they a bit buzzy?

    The one I drove had some buzz/vibration, but not that bad.

    What should I look for in terms of tell-tale signs of problems?

    The shift lever had an awful lot of side-to-side play in it, even when in
    gear. Is this normal? Can it be adjusted or corrected? Also, the clutch
    did not appear to slip at all, but it does grab real high -- same
    questions...

    It's a handsome car, I would like to go back and get it tomorrow, but just
    need some feedback.

    Thanks

    Oh -- CarFax was clean...
     
    The Millers, Aug 23, 2005
    #1
  2. The Millers

    blah blah Guest

    I always felt hondas were just has buzzy/wheezy as Saturns. It's in the
    nature of small displacement 4 bangers.
     
    blah blah, Aug 23, 2005
    #2
  3. You too? I've driven so many 'amazing' 4 bangers, and they all were
    buzzy/whiney and underpowered. I really wish Detroit would get the
    message and stop trying to force them on us. I've NEVER driven a 4
    banger that was as smooth or nice as a 6. And I've driven some shitty
    6s before.
     
    Philip Nasadowski, Aug 24, 2005
    #3
  4. The Millers

    The Millers Guest

    I should have said Accord. You must have driven a Civic...
     
    The Millers, Aug 25, 2005
    #4
  5. The Millers

    The Millers Guest

    Whatever. I wasn't that unimpressed. I went ahead and bought it...
     
    The Millers, Aug 25, 2005
    #5
  6. The Millers

    Mark Carroll Guest

    We own a five-speed 1998 SW2 - IIRC that has the DOHC V4 - also for the
    fuel efficiency.
    I've never driven a Honda, nor have I really noticed "buzziness" in
    anything I have driven, but our SW2 drives fine. The stick-shift's
    remarkably forgiving, actually - it's always easy to get into gear
    with a smooth transition.
    We had some temperature sensor problems that made it idle too high
    when the engine was warm (maybe the automatic choke was confused or
    something), but other than that there's been nothing too surprising.
    (snip)

    I didn't notice anything strange about ours but, alas, I don't have it
    to hand right now - my wife drives it. Sorry I can't be of more help.
    (Her parents have a 1996 wagon, but that's an automatic - no problems
    with that either. I can't compare with my Subaru because the stick in
    that is /very/ different to our Saturn.)

    -- Mark
     
    Mark Carroll, Aug 25, 2005
    #6
  7. The Millers

    blah blah Guest

    V4? You mean I4.
     
    blah blah, Aug 25, 2005
    #7
  8. The Millers

    Mark Carroll Guest

    Gosh, they're all in a line or something? I shall have to look again.
    Thanks!

    -- Mark
     
    Mark Carroll, Aug 25, 2005
    #8
  9. The Millers

    NapalmHeart Guest

    Well, it's 1/2 of the V, anyway! ;+)

    Ken
     
    NapalmHeart, Aug 26, 2005
    #9
  10. The Millers

    Mark Carroll Guest

    The shift lever had an awful lot of side-to-side play in it, even when in
    gear. Is this normal? Can it be adjusted or corrected? Also, the clutch[/QUOTE]
    (snip)

    I tried my wife's 1998 SW2 this afternoon - that lever also has lots
    of side-to-side play in it, even when in gear, so maybe it is normal.

    -- Mark
     
    Mark Carroll, Aug 26, 2005
    #10
  11. The Millers

    Roy Guest

    Compared to Honda they are a lot lower geared. I've driven a couple of
    Civics and they take a little longer between shift (from 1st to 2nd, etc..)
    On the other hand the Saturn has more pull from a stop.
    I've had my 98 SL1 for three years now and I wouldn't even think of trading
    it for a Honda.
    The only time I've had vibration with mine was when the original AS tires
    were on. After I replaced them it's run fine.
    As far as the shifter it does have a little play to it and I guess this is
    normal. The only problem with mine is that sometimes the shifter "sticks"
    going up through the lower gears (1 -2 -3 then 4 and 5 are fine). It seems
    to do this a lot more in the summer with the heat. During the winter months
    it works great.
    Hope this helps with your decision.
     
    Roy, Aug 27, 2005
    #11
  12. The Millers

    The Millers Guest

    Thanks to everyone for the responses.

    I brought it home on Friday and I'm already used to the shifter and I hear
    from a few sources this is normal with cable shifters regardless of brand.

    Did a lot with the car yesterday -- tune up, oil change, new tires, wheel
    alignment, lots of cleaning and getting familiar with Saturnfans.com. This
    car will spend a lot of time on the highway and I've found it is not buzzy
    at all at highway speeds. Early impressions are I'm going to like this car
    for a while.

    -Fred
     
    The Millers, Aug 29, 2005
    #12
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