Reliability of a high mileage 1998 Saturn? Any good? Should I buy?

Hi all,

I've been looking for a reliable low cost 2nd car... I had mainly been
looking at early-mid 90's Honda's & Toyota's since that put me in the range
of money I wanted to spend and they have a reputation for running to high
miles.

Recently though, I came across a 1998 Saturn SL2 for a good price... it
has 107k miles - it's the automatic sedan with traction contol.

How many miles could one expect this to run relatively trouble free for? I
know no one can say for sure, but I'm just looking to see if generally they
become money pits at high miles, or if they can be counted on to keep on
ticking with little more than regular oil changes, etc.

Thanks!

 

Recently though, I came across a 1998 Saturn SL2 for a good price... it
has 107k miles - it's the automatic sedan with traction contol.

How many miles could one expect this to run relatively trouble free for? I[/QUOTE]
(snip)

I don't know, but for what little it's worth, we bought our 1998
Saturn SW2 stick-shift wagon at 74k. It's certainly into the 80's now
and our regular garage tell us that it's in good shape.

-- Mark

 

we have a 94 SL2, automatic with traction control....my son is still
driving it with 165K and loves it. Recently had to put some tie rod ends
in it but other than that, change the oil every 3K and replace
tires/muffler/brakes as needed.

 

That's almost a spitting image of what's in our garage now. I have seen
no indication that it's going to die any time soon. I expect another
50-100k miles out of it.

 

My 95 SL2 has 108K, just had a tune up and runs great. It's a manual, so I
can't vouch for the tranny. I'm thinking it best get it in to have the
timing belt changed, since it is original

If it has a sunroof, don't forget to clean out the drain lines. A baby
aspirator and hot water with a little soap works for me.

 

We have owned a 1996 SL1 for just over 2 years. It's been driven by my son
who has put about 25K miles or so on it in that time period. I did
everything to it with regard to preventive maintenance I could when we got
it (tune up, plugs, wires, oil, filter, trans filter, fluid, air filter, gas
filter, PCV, cleaned the throttle body, replaced front & rear brakes, etc.

Since then, we have replaced the EGR valve, a muffler, the 4 tires, and
added a can of Freon for the AC. There have been no other expenses at all
other than fuel and insurance. It still runs great today and has been a
very reliable and cost efficient vehicle.

Bob

 

High mileage......107,000 miles.....?????

It amazes me how most consumers are still stuck in the pre-1985 mentality
that cars are high mileage at 100,000 miles.

I go to auto auctions regularly. ( I hold a dealers license, more as a hobby
than a business.) Anyhow, I see true high mileage Saturns ie 180,000 miles
plus go through that I'd drive anywhere. I saw a '93 yesterday with 245,000
miles.

In fact, when I see consumers and dealers paying what I consider ridiculous
prices for high mileage toyotas and hondas (triple what a comparable saturn
can be bought for) I'm considering buying and selling nothing but saturns
and selling them exclusively. Reasoning, I can buy an historically reliable
car cheap, add a reasonable profit and still sell it cheap. After all, the
people who need a reliable car the most are the ones who can afford it the
least.

Same is, was true for the Chevy Nova / Geo Prizm. Same car as the toyota
corolla but if I saw two comparable go through the auction the toyota sells
for $1,500 more....???

Last but not least........Changing your oil every 3,000 miles....??? Your
being manipulated by the "oil change industry" and pre-1985 supposition of
cars and lubricants. Read your owners manual. 6,000 miles between oil
changes is fine.

I don't expect to sell anybody here a car but if your curious here's my
website: www.webuycars.biz

 

You dont have a timing belt.

 

Timing chain?

I'm looking at the picture in a Haynes book

 

Yes, it has a chain.

 

My '02 SC2 just turned 225,000!!! I bought it new in July '02 with
every available option except AT. I use it as a courier vehicle for
the mileage (38-40mpg hwy). The only serious expenses I've had has
been several sets of tires, ONE change of brakes, one water pump (two
weeks ago), one battery (warranteed less than 20k), two fenders from
various deer and old people drivers, two sets of front bearings, and
one PS steering knuckle assembly from sliding into a curb in the
winter. I love my Saturn, and highly recommend them.

 

Valve body at 75,000 k
cylinder head gasket 126,000 k
rear sway bar link ($100 each) 110,000k
2muffler + brake + battery

Denis

 

Put it to you this way...

my 92 SL1 has been running virtually trouble free for the past 14 years
(I bought it in 91).
I've been putting in Castrol Syntec since the car had 60k miles on it,
and change it every 6k miles( about 4-5 months). I put in 4 quarts and
drain 2.5
I never ever check the dipstick or add oil in between oil changes.

Majority of the car is still original parts. This includes the exhaust
system (right up to the muffler) and the clutch.
During its lifetime, the car has only been towed once. That was last
year when I was on a business trip and the alternator failed (after 13
years).

Couple of weeks ago I checked the compression and recorded low 180's in
each cylinder.

The car has been passing every emission check so far (yes, on the
original cat).

The car now has 451,000 km on the odometer (290,000 miles) and my goal
is to get it up to and past 500,000 kms (310,000 miles). If all goes
well, this should occur in June 2007.

Would I sell the car? Hell no.... three reasons:

- excellent gas mileage, even after 14 years I'm getting 41 miles to
the gallon.
- virtually maintenance free. The car has been paid off eons ago and it
owes me absolutely nothing.
- I would get peanuts for it so why get rid of it while it works great?

Just my two cents.

Alex

 

See my comments below. Otherwise, I agree with your basic sentiment on this
being a good and very economical vehicle. You clearly use high quality oil
and I presume a good quality filter as well (although you do not say), and
most likely do other regular PM as well, so why do you not check your oil
between oil changes? Seems to me that you are only shortening the life of
the engine (maybe it would go 1M miles?) and risking junking it due to a
very expensive major mechanical problem for something that would take you
less than 5 minutes and cost $2-3 every 4-5 months.

Bob

This means that you are running on just 2.5 quarts in a system designed to
hold 4 quarts so you are 1.5 quarts (37.5%) low!

Why? Seems you should be adding a quart by the time you reach 3K miles.

This is good. Why don't you keep the crankcase full so it will stay that
way?

Good luck. You have received excellent service form the vehicle and I hope
this continues for you. As it is now much older and is burning or leaking
oil, it is all the more imperative that you check the oil level and make
sure it stays at or near the full mark.

 

If they offered me a big bag of peanuts for my 94 SL1 I might take it.
OTOH , having just shelled out $515 for a new starter I'm considering 2 new
tires so I can keep enjoying 40 mpg (@ 60 mph without AC-ymmv).
ron

 

Bob... your points are very valid and I appreciate you trying to get
this in my head. The reason I never check the dipstick is... force of
habit ( force of bad habit, I should say). I got so used to this car
being so reliable that I simply don't do it.
There are no oil leaks on my driveway at all so all my gaskets are
probably fine... with 180+ PSI in each cylinder I don't think the car
is burning that much - although I might be wrong.
One thing I want to replace are the valve guide seals. I'm hoping this
will drastically reduce the oil consumption. I plan to do this right at
the next oil change, which should be next month or so.

Thanks again.
Alex

 

$515????

I'm assuming this includes labor costs as well.

With my car being so old I rarely bother with brand new parts anymore,
unless it's something critical.
The alternator that died on me was pulled from a junker. Brand new it
would cost me a pretty penny but I paid $40 for an older one. Real pain
in the rear was trying to take the old one out and putting this one
it.... the alternator isn't very easy to get at.

Alex

 

It included parts, labor, and 6 days of "storage" - I had it towed in on a
Friday morning and got it back the following Wednesday evening.
ron

 

Hence the reason why I prefer work on the car myself. Mechanics sure
like to milk it.

 

While we are on the subject, just what is a GOOD brand of oil filter for
this Saturn ??


--James--