1993 Saturn SW2 | Retro Review

[@Motorweek]

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[@Bama1963]

I was one of the first 1000 hired at the Saturn plant, I had been laid off almost 3 years from GM when I went there. The place was great to work at and had great team members to work with, they encouraged everyone's input in the builds, teams had input into their jobs and most every job was rotated in a team so no one got stuck in the less desirable jobs all the time. Saturn encouraged team members to get involved in their community. The UAW and GM worked hand in hand at the plant and in the community to help better everyone's life. Its a shame that internal politics at GM killed Saturn. Not only was it a loss to the workers but all of America lost a good quality automobile.

[@putinslittlehacker4793]

yea, they really were no longer as good as they were when they forced them to part share with the rest of gm. lost what made them good in the first place the clean sheet design with the priority of duribulity

[@Cokie907]

Thank you for building my hunter green 96 SL2. She's still a beauty at 250,000 miles except for the rot hole in the hood. 😂 (She was delivered to Saturn of Clarence-Buffalo, lots of salt on them roads). I keep thinking about grabbing a hood at Pull-A-Part in Knoxville but then I gotta paint it. Ugggh.

[@Bama1963]

@@Cokie907 your welcome.

[@palebeachbum]

Thanks for sharing your story. What a neat experience to have had. You are a part of automotive history.

[@bkucinschi]

​@Cokie907 : I owned a rainforest green '97 SC2 1.9L 5 speed manual up to almost 200,000 miles. Man, I loved that car. No major repairs throughout its life, reliable, frugal and good-looking.

[@kalebm9302]

Every *single* time GM does something right they decide "You know what? This is a really good product that everyone likes, let's *completely destroy it"*

[@anthonypantliano6911]

It’s too bad GM let Saturn rot. They could have been something great, but infighting ruined the brand.

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

I agree saturn and Pontiac was the unique brand for gm.

[@MrMenefrego1]

@@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106 Yes they sure "was".

[@seanv1556]

Lazy commend..

[@richardmiller6422]

UAW killed Saturn!

[@trashrabbit69]

With the market nowadays, Saturn wouldn't be able to survive even with it's dealer strategy. Sign some papers and get handed the keys to a (pretty much) brand new vehicle? It's called Craigslist and 90-month term leases. Hell you could say most crossovers are just an evolution of Saturn's use of all-plastic body panels. They were unwittingly doomed from the start, GM's insipid mismanagement only sealed their fate.

[@manthony225]

The 90s Saturns were true competitors to import brands and they had a dedicated, repeat- buyer following. Somehow GM managed to screw that up.

[@basshead.]

So it's GM's fault that people like you didn't buy Saturns? You GM haters are pathetic.

[@bandombeviews6035]

basshead Yeah it is GM’s fault. They had a good thing going, then in-fighting within GM made them just another GM brand making the exact same cars with the exact same parts exactly like every other GM car

[@basshead.]

+BandomBeviews Saturn brand was made by GM.

[@bandombeviews6035]

basshead I know, but it was run differently

[@basshead.]

If those old Saturns were so good why people didn't buy those cars? Saturn was DOA. Good riddance.

[@williamfswann]

I think this was GM's Best Brand and they let it go.

[@kaidenbrennfoerder4304]

Agree.

[@indigoberrypie]

Especially when Saturn was turning around. Definitely a mistake.

[@DJEddieXZ]

Most definitely

[@crowdnine878]

It was corrupt ppl in high up areas of GM. Imo ppl are trying to kill the American auto makers!!!

[@chetos3790]

Your smoking fucking crack

[@chazl2663]

I kinda wish Saturn was still here...

[@robertburton8055]

Guess you never drove one?

[@chazl2663]

Robert Burton I feel like it could of been a pretty cool funky brand if they did it right.

[@RoadCone411]

chaz l Some of the later Saturns were downright terrible. I rented a Vue about 10 years ago - it was putrid. Cheap and horrible to drive. I know it sounds mean but the only people who would buy such a device would be fleet buyers and those who truly could not afford a RAV4 or CR-V. Or those blindly loyal to the Saturn brand as it was. Even the Escape was far better executed! A missed opportunity for GM for sure.

[@DStabs720]

I choose pontiac!

[@DStabs720]

@@RoadCone411 some Vues had Honda drivetrains

[@Spike-ej4st]

I worked at a Saturn dealer from 2000 till the end, so many repeat buyers and brand loyalty, when you treat customers as "guests"as we called them they come back. When the Relay van showed up..we knew the end was coming . How GM didn't get it still amazes me.

[@jareknowak8712]

How much did earn dealer on one car in %?

[@Spike-ej4st]

Not sure of exact % per model, it varied, the one price non haggle was nice for everyone

[@jgrothou]

There was so much potential.

[@CardboardSliver]

Funny enough, I bet that car is still running. Saturn's, until GM got their grubby hands fully on them, were runners. I hardly, if ever, see a Saturn broken down when I visit the States. A mate of mine has a 1994, and has 376k miles, and he says it runs like a dream.

[@shanet7511]

Part of the reason you don't see broke down Saturn's on the side of the road is there's hardly any around

[@stephanieharries7746]

I have one

[@LucasFernandez-fk8se]

@@shanet7511to be fair there are hardly any 30 year old cars in the US. 30 year old cars are for Latin Americans and middle easterners. Google street view in South America or Arab countries and it’s all 30 year old cars. The average age of a US car is 12 years old

[@bikes7777]

We loved the 3 Saturn's we owned over the years. Not fancy but very reliable.

[@tmseh]

My Dad had 2 that ran forever.

[@albear972]

I hear ya! I'm still driving my L100/SE that I got brand spankin' new with 2 miles on the clock back in June 2002 Was paid off with GM's 0% interest financing in June 2007. It has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. It currently has 104,000 miles and has never let me down, it always starts at the very first twist of the key. And doesn't burn an ounce of oil. We don't believe in wasting money on new cars just to impress strangers. Just this Saturday I washed it and it still looks about 95% showroom condition. Instead of getting new cars we have invested $$$ and that has shown wayyyyyy nicer results! 😎

[@JJPMustang]

@@albear972 you're averaging less than half the average American's annual mileage; I'd certainly hope it holds up well for you, for a long time!

[@bikes7777]

Our 2005 VUE has 165k, has cost us about $150 in repairs. Had it since new. The 2004 Ion was bought for $2600 in 2010, driven 3 years, and sold for $2800! No repairs at all.

[@tmseh]

@@albear972 Nice! My Dad had two SL1s. He was doing sales and had New England as his territory. Easily 60k plus miles a year. One day he took the first car in for service at the dealership and came home with a brand new one that had a lower monthly payment after the trade. Good, American made and affordable. It's a shame it couldn't last.

[@Matt_Dagostino]

This car was way ahead of its time! Four wheel disc brakes, ABS, fog lamps, traction control in a '93 was unheard of. And honestly I think the wagon model actually looks pretty cool. Slightly aggressive but not over the top styling. And a simple yet functional interior.

[@chrisfreemesser]

If I could find an SW2 5-speed in good low mileage condition I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Great commuter cars...well-designed and easy/cheap to work on. Had two SLs years ago, both were great cars.

[@BigWheel.]

There was one for sale in my area being sold by an old lady , 3 weeks later and some 18 year old with a Honda snapback was selling it as a mechanic special because it looked like he hit somthing and he said he ruined the motor.

[@AWDfreak]

The SW2 w/ 5MT is one of the few American cars I would buy for a daily driver. A Saturn SW2 with the 5-speed manual is likely to remain a dream with how rare they are...

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

Wagons are so much better than SUVs.

[@Tool0GT92]

I agree except when you need the extra ground clearance in bad snow.

[@seanv1556]

The market doesn't think so.

[@deanstevenson6527]

Because of tighter turning circles and less front and rear overhang...x overs and SUV's make it over the old style low riders. Toyota sold the other body styles with the other even bigger 2.4 and it was well received overseas. Its important to realise that Saturn from 93 to 97 was exceptional, and it wasnt progressed to the next steps. Left to rot...GM didnt know how to Cross Over or SUV it. Those were where the growth was, so the rot happened just like Mopar found with the Neon. Cucumber shaped cars dont make it in the market these days. Fat'n'Frumpy Does It Everytime....

[@MrMrich69]

@@Tool0GT92 That's why the Subaru Outback is such a success. You just lift a wagon to increase it's ground clearance without being so ridiculously tall. Therefore you don't completely sacrifice the performance and handling of a car to give consumers their false sense of security because their driving a taller vehicle. Also still not prone to rollover because it doesn't have a higher center of gravity like most SUV/CUVS

[@saturndesigns2339]

Tool0GT92 I've never had a problem with ground clearance in any car and I live in MA and NY. Most crossovers have like barely anything to none more clearance than most cars.

[@klasseact6663]

When Saturn became corporate GM it was over....memo to the next company who does something like this, keep it separate from the rest of your company and don't mess with success💡🛎😉

[@jasonvogelsang7034]

Yup around 2003 in 04 . they were cobalts Malibu and Equinox badged saturns although they still had the plastic skin.. i still see 91- 2003 SL and SC Saturns with factory paint shining...

[@rileysmith9843]

@@jasonvogelsang7034 The plastic body panels are a godsend here in the snow belt, because they will not rust with the salt on the roads. I see vehicles with rust spots on the doors, whereas these Saturns’ doors are not damaged a bit by the salt.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you for digging up this GM video. It was interesting see how Saturn did everything right in the beginning, and then things changed at GM. I laughed about the Oldsmobile comment because it is true. This car was like the Oldsmobile Firenza someone got right. I remember when there was talk of making Oldsmobile and Saturn on brand under GM. It did not happen. What killed Saturn was GM corporate and infighting, mismanagement and Saturn building a better small car than Chevrolet.

[@carwrtr1]

OLDS98, you’re right. Saturn looks like their designers came from Oldsmobile, and that’s a good thing. Saturn woke up GM as a whole, and Chevrolet may not have liked Saturn, but Saturn helped improve GM quality.

[@303nitzubishi4]

GM overextended themselves in that era and the contracts with Toyota, Suzuki, and Isuzu meant that Saturns were cannibalizing some sales from the Geo brand as well as Chevy and Pontiac. The smartest move would have been to abandon the J bodies after 94 and instead invest in R&D at Saturn to insure that Cavalier/Sunfire customers didn't defect to Honda/Toyota/Mitsubishi. All hindsight though, GM has had a long history of gross mismanagement and unfortunately the Saturn is only one of many, many chapters

[@kmart3697]

RIP SATURN :(

[@tmseh]

Really good cars for the money.

[@COYGunners]

No one: Not a single soul: John: WE MISS THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

Lol not lie i owned a 1995 saturn sl1. I bought it used for 100 dollars needed a transmission. I called the junkyard they had a low mileage used one for 200 dollars they also installed it for me for another 200. So basically paid 500 dollars for it. That car was actually dependable never any major issues with it. As long as you keep a eye on the oil cause it did burn oil. Even when sold it 8 years later still was running.

[@IanDunbar1]

I had a 1994 as my first car. It burned oil too, but I don't think I ever put one drop of oil in it outside of oil changes (I was young and stupid). Even so, it never once broke down on me.

[@CodeineAbdulJabbar]

S series saturns especially the 1.9 DOHC are bulletproof as long as you keep oil and water in them

[@jaxandmore440]

The DOHC engine was infamous for valve problems and oil burning. The SOHC engine was notorious for blowing the head gasket and cracking the head.

[@MatrixDiscovery]

Saturn was one shining light for GM, but the demons working at GM let Saturn die.

[@VelocityLabs]

I'm rocking a 1997 SW2 as my daily driver in 2019 ^_^

[@Ebbsilen]

1995 SL2 here! Bought it as a winter beater 2 years ago, decided to keep it as a summer ride for it's 25th anniversary since it still looks brands new and is reliable as hell. Worth keeping it for a loooooong time!

[@ericbuist8218]

I bought a 2000 SC1 for $500 with a broken control arm just to fix and flip, spent another $300 to fix everything i could find wrong with it... now 5 years later i still own it and it's my daily driver.

[@apexalphalabs6408]

I had a 93 SW2. Bought it for $800 in 2008 and drove it till it died 5 years and 200,000 miles later. Junked with 362,000 miles. Good cars. Never let me down. Never got stuck In the snow either!

[@ethanmeatzie6179]

Hell, I've got a 5 speed 94 SW2 that I don't even know what mileage it's got on it. Odo canked it at 325,160. Already run the thing dry on oil more than three times and it's still kickin' harder than my 84 Camry LE ever did.

[@gshep42]

@@ethanmeatzie6179 my first car was a green '97 SW2 stick shift no ABS

[@grantmills4184]

This thing is sick, I’m lowkey falling in love with a Saturn station wagon lol

[@palebeachbum]

I miss '90s Saturn as a brand. I always thought they were really stylish economy cars for the time. I still love the styling. I really respect that they tried doing something VERY different for the time. It's a shame the quality wasn't better and the brand failed. I briefly owned a '97 SC1 5-speed. I loved the car, but by 70k miles the sunroof already broke and the SOHC 1.9L developed a cracked head, which was a common issue with the SOHC engine. The DOHC version was notorious for internal issues causing excessive oil consumption.

[@seanv1556]

VERY different, huh?

[@palebeachbum]

@@seanv1556 Yep, they were revolutionary in many ways for an auto brand of the time. Plastic, dent resistant body cladding. Distinctive styling. Fixed, non-negotiable pricing. No-pressure sales. Customer factory tours. VERY different.

[@apexalphalabs6408]

Don’t forget, pop up lights on the SC2!

[@davidaubin3902]

4:36 John: ALTHOUGH WE MISS THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE! LOL

[@albear972]

I'm surprised that he didn't mention missing the ampere meter, and the atmospheric pressure sensor.

[@Hotlog69]

I bet like one time in the 70's John had a car blow up because he didn't know he lost oil pressure. Now he needs it on every car!

[@danmccarthy4700]

My neighbor has one of the last Saturns, an Astra 3 door. How ironic is it that what was once GM's most domestic nameplate ended up selling rebadged imports at the end?

[@apexalphalabs6408]

GM ruined the brand. I do like the Saturn sky (aka opel roadster) and would buy one today if I could find em.

[@jgrothou]

It’s a very believable outcome.

[@KittRembo]

“Newest gm division” Dies 15 years later lmao

[@CirocObama.94]

Thanks Obama

[@tmseh]

@@CirocObama.94 Blame Obama? Get a life.

[@poopsmcgee2k6]

@@CirocObama.94 fool

[@CirocObama.94]

Oh so we're just going to act like the Obama Administration didn't save GM and literally tell them that the Brands that aren't doing good axe them before he approved them for the loan from the government that saved the company........sooo.....yea thanks Obama

[@tmseh]

@@CirocObama.94 Roth Henderson probably "liked" his own comment! 😝

[@jhancock1575]

The 1st generation Saturn were very reliable, well built cars. They stood a part from the other GM divisions. Then, sometime during the early 2000s, the quality went south as they took away the distinction of the brand.

[@ATRichard]

I have a 2008 Saturn Aura 3.5 V6 that just won’t quit. It’s had some recalls/issues over the years, but overall it’s tough! Got it in April 2011 and drove it thru the last half of high school and thru college, my first and now 2nd jobs out of college too. Added Pioneer speakers to it and orange mood lights to match the gauges inside. It has ~103k miles on it, and I’m putting it in the shop soon to fix up some stuff on it. I also bought a 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada with 88k miles (it’s at 91k miles now) and leased a 2018 Jeep Compass. I don’t EVER intend to get rid of the Saturn or the Olds, so long as they keep running well. GM did those brands no justice in the long run... Long live Saturn and Oldsmobile - gone but not forgotten. 👍🏾

[@allewis4008]

Amen. I own an 07 Aura XE and she still rides like a dream.

[@allewis4008]

I love those old Saturns so much. Tough, reliable and would keep you safe. Not fancy or anything, almost no extras, but a wonderful little ride for a low budget. I still see them on the road today 20 years on.

[@matthewlibanio8227]

The cool thing about Saturn's is no matter how old they get, they still look great and rust free. Hahaha. But they were handsome designs. GM had some very progressive ideas here. Saturn as an EV or Hybrid brand? It made loads of sense. A different kind of company. A different kind of car. Absolutely. 😊

[@Trance88]

GM did lease the GM EV1 at Saturn dealers.

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

Exactly! They really were something else type cars. Well saturn and pontiac anyway.

[@matthewlibanio8227]

@jason9022 nice and classy reply. I am an idiot now in your opinion. Whatever. 🙄

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

@jason9022 im curious to what made you think he was an mechanic or in the auto business? The point is rust probably was there but if one cant see it then obviously there is no rust. No regular auto owner gone be taking there car apart looking for rust

[@lukerinderknecht2982]

@jason9022 LOLOL trolling strangers on a SATURN retro-review from a public TV program. Yeah looks like you've got it all figured out to give that advice 😅

[@ZImpresive]

1993? This car is better than what GM Makes today.

[@Ebbsilen]

Many other brands and models from today too. I have a 95 SL2 and without being perfect, i still can't find any modern car good in so many aspects.

[@yyeezyy630]

David Girard yea it's hard to find a slow underpowered kinda cramped ugly compact that isn't known for reliability... oh wait the chevy Cruze

[@Ebbsilen]

@@yyeezyy630 The S Serie was nothing you said. The Cruze seems to be, tho. Never had any, but what i herad from owners, they're not too great. Everybody i knew who had an S Serie was totally satisfied with it tho. They only wanted to have something more recent, bought an Ion and decided quite early that they wouldn't buy any other Saturn.

[@ATLOffroad]

This just made my month. I sold my 93 SL2 just 5 years ago. My 3rd Saturn. All of mine had 5spd manuals. I miss those cars and this video brought back so many memories.

[@Sanpedranoazul]

A car with character, it was nice to look at, nowadays...

[@ekscalybur]

Ah, this retro is a 93. Will we see dem acid washed jeans? Not disappointed!

[@oliverdelgado6952]

We looked great in 93

[@halohunter5217]

Pump up the Jam

[@daniellowell2157]

I swear, John will not stop until every car in existence has an oil pressure gauge.

[@teresapflaumer5717]

And a voltmeter!

[@jtckentucky3481]

god I love John Davis’ motorweek windbreakers in these videos and I want one!

[@oliverdelgado6952]

Same here !

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

jason9022 lmao 😂

[@MarkMeadows90]

My parents almost bought a 1998 SL2 model. My dad test drove one and thought the automatic transmission was sluggish. He almost bought one in manual, but turned down an amazing offer. Later in the years, he actually bought a 2009 Astra. He loved that hatchback. Only thing he wanted improved was the radio display. He said it was a little too small to read all the words.

[@kaileysweeney4240]

It looked futuristic. Add stickier tires, another 16 BHP, and a manual transmission and you have a decent little sports wagon.

[@halohunter5217]

Just put the zetec from a ZX2 into an Escort wagon. The Mazda platform is better.

[@yyeezyy630]

halo hunter they both kinda suck to be honest nothing special about either

[@MrSGL21]

who ever designed these cars should have gotten a medal. i have a sw2 and its the easiest to fix and service FWD car i've ever owned.

[@BigWheel.]

The factory workers and service techs worked hand in hand with the engineers to design these when they made prototypes so they could be built and fixed quickly.

[@MrSGL21]

@@BigWheel. i'm not surprised. i had to replace the fan motor . it took me 20 minutes and didn't have to take apart 1/2 the car like my civic when i replaced that cars radiator. i'm gonna buy another s series to have as a spare car probably in Jan.

[@saturnmedia1]

RIP Saturn. It was truly a remarkable car brand. It is still alive in many people’s hearts.

[@ARAR148]

I loved my early 90s Saturn coupes, favorite car I’ve ever owned

[@theKevronHarris]

Rear taillights look quite similar to the Geo Storm Wagonback.

[@Ebbsilen]

Damn! That's my answer to the question i was asking myself just right now. "Those taillights reminds me another car, but which one?"

[@havicap5489]

Proud owner of a 2002 sl1 right here. Love Saturn cars!

[@maxxas5067]

Saturn is like Toyota's Scion brand for GM in my opinion

[@albear972]

Your opinion makes sense. Early Scions were nice cars at the beginning. The first generation Xb was cool as all heck! But it grew to an ugly abomination over the years.

[@foxtrot685]

It's a direct comparison actually. Like the comment above said the 1st Gen Saturn's were great and made sense. But just like Scion, gm forgot why this brand was here and made desicions that were against the mission of the brand.

[@pqhkr2002]

I haven't driven Scion, I feel Saturn have similar driving feeling with Honda.

[@303nitzubishi4]

Not exactly since Saturns were developed from the get go for our market, and the xA & xB were rebadged/revised JDM Toyotas

[@Karmy.]

I daily an '06 xB and I fucking love it

[@ScanMan79]

I still own my 92 SL1 5 speed. Still going strong! Although it is getting harder and harder to find parts for her. :(

[@Celicarz11]

Found one for sale, what can you advice to look at and make sure it's worth purchasing?

[@ScanMan79]

@@Celicarz11 It's hard to really say on a vehicle this age. Unless you happen to find one owned by an older person you has been sitting in a garage somewhere it's really gonna come down to personal mechanical skills or getting a mechanic friend or hiring a mechanic to look it over before making the purchase. On my '92 SL1 I was lucky and got it from the original owner when the clutch went out and they decided to fix their other vehicle and sell their Saturn. It wasn't perfectly cared for but it was taken good care of for the most part and the only major things I've had to deal with was replacing the transmission (an internal support failed and caused it to self-destruct while driving down the highway at roughly 150K. It's a manual and I've heard this was a fairly common issue, but my current one is the only one that I've had this happen with.) The only other semi-major item was the radiator started leaking. That happened at around 170K. Oh I guess there was one other thing, not really major but a bit of a pain to fix was the plastic bushing where the shifter connects to the shift lever wore out. Wasn't too expensive just a pain to fix. If it's an automatic then that wont be an issue. They are super easy to work on if you are mechanically inclined, but the parts are getting rather hard to find on a lot of the stuff nowadays. Hope that helps.

[@LrulestheworldM8]

No touch screens, no push button trans, no turbo, no cvt, no 'safety" features that arent needed, and no backup camera. Just a simple, no bs wagon that is faster than most other cars in its class these days, will haul stuff, is reliable, and affordable. That's all the market really wants these days.

[@musicanoofficial7233]

My father bought a 1994 Saturn Sl1 with 104k miles in 1999. It was in perfect contrition when he bought it, not a single issue with it. He ended up putting 391k miles on. In 2012 it got hit by a red light runner. That car would’ve still been in the family today. A dream of mine is to buy a Saturn SL1 similar to the one my father had, and give it to him as a gift. He always mentions how he misses that car.

[@jtstanley26]

Growing up in the 90’s my mom had one of these but a 1996. My dad had a 1989 K1500 silverado. Extended cab long bed with the 5 speed manual and the 350. What a great truck

[@NightChasers]

I've been waiting for this! Makes me miss my Saturn.

[@Trendyflute]

I'm impressed the Saturn's specs and package looked so appealing back in 1993. I feel like that package would still be generally competitive in the economy car segment into the early-00s; a full ten years after it was released. Guess I should've given Saturn a ltitle more credit back in the day?

[@624radicalham]

I feel they gave it alot of credit. Just look at what small American cars looked and drove like only 3 years before, and even in the 90's alongside Saturn. The American motoring press hailed Saturn as a company of the future that was finally competitive with the Japanese. 16V engines and they constantly commented on the BIG readable gauges with big fonts like a Honda. Finally an American car "doing it right". Of course it didn't compete with the Japanese at all, but it was a step in the right direction and was revolutionary and they never stopped saying so. And it developed a huge cult following too.

[@MissAmazanda]

I bought a very low mile 1999 black SC 2 Saturn last year that had been driven very little and it's a great car. Even though it's 20 years old there is almost no rust on the undercarriage and it runs like a new car. Some rich couple bought it for their daughter in 1999 for a college car and their daughter left state with her boyfriend and never used it so they put it in the garage and only put 40k miles on it and then finally after two decades decided to get rid of it so I bought it for $3,000 bucks and it's almost like buying a new car. I also own a Buick Lesabre which i drive probably 5 days of the week so the Saturn still isn't logging that many miles. Wonder if there might be a collector's demand for a sporty 2 door saturn someday?

[@Bull3tBikes]

One of my neighbors has one of these wagons and it’s lowered with some very 90s aftermarket wheels on it, has been pretty reliable for him as well

[@ryannatividad3137]

It's kind of fun seeing the seemingly new early 1990s suburban culdesac suburb as the backdrop for this car. It really adds to this video review's place in time.

[@LucasFernandez-fk8se]

It’s honestly shocking how new those houses look. They look like 1997-2004 era homes. I bet they were like 175k too 😭😭. Today they’re like 500 probably

[@ShineYourLightDetailing]

I LOVE Saturn S-Series. Owned several & still own one..... A '98 SC2 5-Speed. Love it! :-)

[@mike479]

I am on my 6th Saturn. These cars have such character to them and they are just fun to drive. I appreciate the simplicity, yet forward thinking designs. I have had two 00-01 SL1 sedans, three 00-02 SL2 sedans and an 05 Ion Coupe. Easy cars to work on, parts are cheap and the fuel economy is fantastic. Saturn had a great thing going until 2003. I’m a huge fan of the S-series. The ion coupe I had for a short time was decent, but it just didn’t have the character and feel that a real Saturn did. Really felt like I was driving an awkward Cobalt.

[@johnnyreb86]

I still have a 1996 Saturn sw2 that I drive daily! 188,000 miles and the only major repair has been a new clutch and shifter cable! It’s a great little car and made in the USA! 🇺🇸

[@razrramonel4077]

Don’t forget about the Saturn Station Wagon 300 with a 3.0 Liter V-6 engine.

[@RLC2020]

The first car I learned to drive was my moms manual 5spd 1997 sl. I loved that car, it was basic and fun to drive.

[@obsidiantree_4632]

I have a 2001 Saturn Sl1, has 535,000 miles on it, and it still runs perfectly fine, but the transmission went out when it was 15 years old

[@capitalisteconomist]

I am currently looking for an older s series wagon with a stick shift. You can easily get a decent running one for under $1000. They get 35mpg, have a mostly dent resistant body, and can last for 200k+ miles if taken care of. Too bad gm later ran the company into the ground.

[@briancrystal415]

In today’s landscape, Saturn would have been the perfect GM division for electrification. The Volt and Bolt may have been better received as Saturns. Also, Saturn dealerships were used to sell the original GM EV-1.

[@joshuagraham3222]

We had a lot of Saturns in my family. They were excellent cars. It’s sad that GM ruined them when they had such a good thing going.

[@robertl.fallin7062]

The things you see are often dictated by things unseen.

[@davidgiles9751]

Might not be the most popular post here, but we bought a brand new SL2. Had it for about 5 years before it started falling apart. Brake issues and engine stalling that the dealership's service department couldn't figure out being the main issues. The brake pedal would go to the floor and they still wouldn't grab. Took it to the service department and the tech said "that's just how the brakes are on these cars." REALLY??? The engine would stall after pulling out of my driveway, getting down to the end of our street, and also at the next stoplight. Service department's response - shrugged shoulders. After owning it for 7 years it was so bad that I couldn't sell it with a good conscience to anyone. My salvation from it came with a hail storm in 2000 while it was parked at DIA. The storm totaled the car and my insurance company paid me way more than I could have sold it on my own. Took the money and ran - and never looked back at that piece of junk. Toyota killer - I don't think so. Maybe mine was built on a Monday...

[@rightlanehog3151]

Thanks for the reality check. GM stands for General Mediocrity and Saturn died for a reason. There was no actual substance to go along with all the 'good feelings' associated with the brand.

[@71vwdriver]

Sharp look on the front of these. Hey motorweek, got an old review of the Acura CL Type S 6speed??

[@asdfghjqwertyu1858]

I for some reason miss the Saturn Astra.

[@eamon317]

There is a pearl white 2 door one where I live and it looks so good

[@cobracharmer6178]

@jason9022 ; Correct me if I'm wrong. The Saturn's used Honda engines?

[@Daniel28021991]

It was just a rebadged Ople Astra and it was also sold as the Astra Vauxhaul in the UK and Holden Astra in Australia.

[@laurajohnson4446]

@@cobracharmer6178 The only Saturn to use a Honda engine was the 2004-2007 Vue V6 (I own one). Saturn engines in the '90's were made right at the Saturn Sprint Hill complex.

[@cobracharmer6178]

@@laurajohnson4446 ; Thanks Laura. Sorry, I didn't do any research. John

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Incredibly reliable. Saturn was a happy company. Great no nonsense sales practice

[@lucasworktv]

This car‘s design is out of this world ❤

[@BigWheel.]

I really miss my first car, it was a 2001 SL1 in silver, I had a lot of fun with it and I plan on buying a coupe with a 5 speed eventually if I can get one that's clean.

[@Mrjrainey]

Such a great division that should still be here.

[@MixingGBP]

I had a 1993 SC1 coupe. All black....looked like Kit from Knight Rider's little brother. Loved that little car.

[@AK-ub4ri]

I still remember the commercial where the guy said " Saturn isn't going anywhere " 3 or 4 months later it was gone. Still remember the one we had growing up. My mother traded it in with just over 350,000 miles. Highly reliable car.

[@kippaseo8027]

OK so aside from the incredibly rare traction control feature General Motors obviously added sound Deadening Material to this non production model because one of the biggest complaints of the SL, SC, And SW models of any year or generation was that they were incredibly noisy and crudely sprung and appointed little cars. They were decently reliable though especially when compared to The cavalier And sunbird/Sunfire And especially more reliable then the Dodge/Plymouth Neon turds I mean twins.

[@drg5352]

My parents bought a '95 SW2. 300,000+ miles and running over a deer later, it drove onto the trailer that took it to the bone yard. As long as you kept putting water into the radiator (which was busted by the deer), it would drive anywhere.

[@rallyecars7449]

keeping Buick was a mistake GM Pontiac and Saturn were far better divisions

[@steveespinola7652]

I agree 👍 with you on that.

[@andrewcolsen]

Buicks are much better. They rank the highest in reliability and build quality of any of the present or past GM divisions.

[@kippaseo8027]

It's too badd that GM never made a profit on the Saturn division. The 1st 2 generations of the Saturn SL , Sc, And SW models We're certainly very reliable when compared to its other GM siblings however the car's felt dated even back then. I had a teacher around The mid nineties who had her heart set on a brand new SW 2. She had decided on either getting the SW Or the Mercury tracer wagon. She said that she saw a newer Corolla wagon Parked in front of the supermarket. It piqued her attention so she also added it to her list. I remember her going on and on and on about the Saturn and how great it rode and drove so when She rolled up in a new Corolla DX wagon We were surprised period from that point on all she ever talked about was how noisy and rough riding the Saturn was and how it felt like she was driving a small pick up truck And how she fell in love with her Karolah wagon even before she Drove off the car lot on the test drive. The materials were much nicer and of a much higher quality then the very cheap feeling GM plastics.

[@coolbasset]

I owned a 1994 SW1 in blue. Was a great car. Wonder if it would still be running if I hadn't traded it in in 2000.

[@youtubasoarus]

Not a fan of GM, but Saturn was cool. This was a good brand, I think they should have kept it going. Oh well.

[@w41duvernay]

I miss my 95 SW2. It handled great. I used it to deliver pizza in Aspen, Colo, and occassionally drive to Denver. The dohc engine moved the car impressively.

[@rfaradiofreeamerica8392]

I must admit . As a previous owner of several mid 90s Saturn's.SL2, SC2, these were good little cars . They were fun, competent, albeit plastic laden. I got about 170k miles on them when I sold em ,years back. But I kinda miss my 97 SC2 Saturn coupe .

[@SubieandFriends]

Wow traction control on this 93 Saturn? Man who knew..... traction control was a very new technology in cars back in 1993 and typically only found in luxury/expensive sport cars and even then it was rare to have....way to go Saturn.

[@amak1131]

If I ever get a new car, it sadly has to be a Honda. My Saturns have been reliable or needed simple fixes over the 20 years we've had them. I've yet to see any other American car meet that track record and many throw issues within a year or two (looking at you Ford and Chevy). GM was handed a prime opportunity to compete with Honda and decided to piss it away.

[@plant_next-store]

93 Saturn 4door was my first car ran like champ was taken from to soon by kid texting now have 03 ion almost 200k miles runs great snow rain though the mountains like champ i only change oil when car tells me suspension has been replaced 2x from pot holes and battery it as the beater car it outlasted and performs more reliably then my jeep and kia

[@sedona3495]

4:36 what in the world was goin on between motorweek and oil/voltmeter?

[@Davids-fb9ub]

95 saturn sl1 getting ready to hit 113,000 miles soon...keeping an eye on that oil every week...drive from my house to miami no problem school wise! Very reliable car, was my grandmother's who bought it near new back in 98. Also a childhood car in the family rothe memories with my grandmother in it!

[@ericbuist8218]

When i first got SC1 a few years ago i had to be sure to add oil every 1,000 miles or so. Since I've owned it I've been only using "high mileage" oil and can definitively say that its oil consumption has gradually decreased noticably over the years to the point that I hardly have to check the level between changes these days.

[@RandomTechWZ]

Those fog lights were a rare option that seemed to rust out quite easily in the salt region states.

[@frankbjr1250]

I miss this company. Can’t help it. Had a lot of potential.

[@sjgrall]

My mother had one. It had so many issues, didn't even make it to 100k miles. Died at a stoplight on a busy highway. Ate catalytic converters for breakfast. "Service Engine Soon" nearly every week, no matter how many times it was serviced.

[@intermissionbuffalo]

I made an emergency maneuver in my 4 door SL 2 when the brade line rusted and gave way(at 13 year old) and the car responded amazingly.

[@landyachtfan79]

Saturn's first station wagon!!!!!

[@AaronSmith-kr5yf]

Saturn was a classic case of GM mis-management IMO. This car should have been the new Cavalier/Sunbird/Sunfire for 1990. They spent a TON of $$$$ developing a new sales channel, ads, dealers, etc for Saturn that could have gone into just making the car itself better. Not to mention all the $$$$ they wasted also developing/improving the Cavalier/Sunfire in the late 80's/90's, they should have just canned that car and gone with this design, dumped all that development $$$ into the "Saturn" design and made it nicer/better. IMO that's why Toyota/Honda/Nissan/etc succeeded in small cars, you make one product, not 3 different designs that compete against eachother like GM. IMO the original Saturn was a GREAT looking design, it was screwed together way better than any other Detroit small car(still not as good as a Civic or Corolla though), proved to be pretty reliable and developed a cult fanbase. Then it seemed like after 1997 or so GM just quit giving a crap about Saturn, didn't invest any money and it just became generic rebadges from other GM divisions or oversees Opel stuff we really didn't want anyways(L series midsize, Astra hatchback)

[@TheKagedd]

Love it or hate it, Saturn knocked this out if the park. Low cost, reliable, and efficient. Saturn was on top their game until the 2000s hit and GMs sloppy management finally caught up to them. Saturn was a forward thinking company with ass-backwards management.

[@charlescarter5069]

Miss my old Saturn. Had a 97 SL1 that I drove from 98 to 2017. Still drove when I traded it in for a new car...

[@mattw8332]

That's quite an attractive looking car for 1993. Shame about those front seatbelts.

[@brandonS227]

Best cars ever made. Best reliability in over 200k miles in mine

[@maxdreher1430]

Easiest car to steal . With a pair of pointy hair scissors you can open the doors and crank the ignition hahaha

[@davidpistek6241]

My 94 was far better than any domestic small car, it was corrola good loved that car

[@daniellowell2157]

Plus these quirky little cars last forever. I don't see too many of them anymore (I live in Connecticut, that's why), but the ones I have seen are running like champions.

[@Landric134]

I bought a 1999 SL2 new and drove it for several years. Great car, great gas mileage, and I was able to get it with all the options I wanted without having to settle for stuff I didn't want (I had AC, ABS, Cassette w/ EQ, cruise, power windows/locks/keyless entry). My wife drove a 1993 SW2 wagon she got from her mother when her mother bought a newer SL2, and my mother drove a 1997 SL2 for 10 years she bought used in 2000. My mother's Saturn was an automatic, all the rest of them in my family were manuals. It is a shame GM killed Saturn, it was clearly too successful for GM to allow to live.

[@tylerlooney8058]

Did the 1993 sw2 ever come with a manual transmission?

[@shartingfish5761]

These were easily the best compact cars GM will ever produce, inexpensive, well built, reliable, and good looking.. RIP Saturn.

[@RoadCone411]

What happened to the Ford Escort at 05:20?