1998
Saturn SL

Starts at:
$10,595
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New 1998 Saturn SL
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Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • SL Manual
    Starts at
    $10,595
    28 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SL1 Manual
    Starts at
    $11,295
    28 City / 39 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SL1 Auto
    Starts at
    $12,155
    27 City / 37 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SL2 Manual
    Starts at
    $12,755
    26 City / 36 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • SL2 Auto
    Starts at
    $13,615
    24 City / 34 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas L4
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

The good & the bad

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Safety review

Based on the 1998 Saturn SL base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
5/5
Frontal passenger
5/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
3/5

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Consumer reviews

96% of drivers recommend this car
4.5 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.0
Interior 3.8
Performance 4.2
Value 4.7
Exterior 4.0
Reliability 4.7

Most recent

  • By CASATURN from Tarentum pa
    Owns this car
    June 10, 2023

    Sa… turn the life back in these cars

    Honestly, this car is very reliable shamefully a customer abused it didn’t have the periodic maintenance performed and almost ran it into the ground. So as a mechanic I bought it for scrap price it had 64,000 orig miles did everything that was needed to get roadworthy and this thing sips fuel even with the DOHC engine! I feel like finding these and resurrecting them cause they’re the underdog of economy cars…..
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By LeslieFuredi from Dunakeszi
    Used to own this car
    March 31, 2018

    Saturn

    Dear Office, It is fantastic car in Europe. Simple and relaxedcars, whereI feel safety travel. Since drive: 2008. In Europe not enough safety, because some peole wanted stole. David and Leslie 2548
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Toddfry from Erlanger
    Owns this car
    February 10, 2018

    Love this car

    This car is over 20 years old now but it has been a great car... If you find one with low miles and it is gonna be cheap you cannot go wrong... So great on gas, my Saturn just hit 200k and still goes strong. Muffler is loud and some minor stuff starts to break but honestly it has been a wonderful car thats never let me down...
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By SpecVbud from Atlanta, GA
    Owns this car
    July 4, 2017

    Super ant is what I call it

    I love this car never let's me down great on gas a little sore on the eyes but it's reliability will make you fall in love with it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Doc from PAsadena Tx
    Owns this car
    June 1, 2017

    Put Over 300000 miles on 3 different SL1s.

    A an outside salesman, I drove approximately between 3000 and 5000 miles a month in my work around the hot Texas environment. These cars are the most dependable, low maintenance, and economical vehicle I have ever driven. I had one fuel pump go out on one car, cooling fans go out on most of them(Texas), and no other problems. You will not go wrong purchasing one with over a hundred thousand miles on it. Just check the fans:).
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By saturn2go from Baltimore, MD
    Owns this car
    July 5, 2016

    Great car

    This was my first (and only) new car, bought in November 1998. It has 322,000 miles on it, and is finally on its last leg. Repairs were minor: replaced ignition tumblers twice, gear shift rod broke (simple duct tape fix), EGR sensor, normal wear/tear such as timing belt. Upholstery is still in great shape and was always easy to clean, even dog hair, although the fabric on the ceiling and sun visors is finally starting to dry rot. Consistently gets 34 mpg! Still has original clutch. I would definitely purchase another Saturn if they were still in business. This was just a reliable, inexpensive and simple car, will really be missed when I have to get rid of it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By RevKen from Raleigh, NC
    Owns this car
    June 11, 2015

    Wish they were still made

    Bought the car new in 1998, just click over 300,000 miles and it is still going strong. Over the course of the years, other than routine maintenance, I had to replace a starter, alternator and water pump. It still has the original clutch in it! I don't know how much longer the clutch will last, I am teaching my first daughter, who came home from the hospital after her birth in this very care, how to drive a standard.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Beautyfly from Clinton TWP MI
    Owns this car
    May 14, 2013

    My First Car

    I bought my Saturn SL2 a year ago and i can say it is VERY dependable.. it one previous owner before me with about 98,000 it well pass that now and still runs... I've had to replace radiator because i didnt put any antifreeze and it bust..A/C compressor hose because it was very old but nothing major, a little noisy when driving fast and mine smoke when its time for an oil change, and the roof interior is falling ...but i love my little car it fits me!!!!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Saturn Fan from Alberdeen, NJ
    Owns this car
    May 8, 2013

    Nothing to brag about...but great value!

    Moved to Jersey 2 years ago and didn't even knew what a Saturn looked like. Read great things online and they're dirt cheap to buy and run. Bought my 99 SL with a couple of problems, but fixed myself. Great car so far, couple of mechanical problems but nothing big considering its 180,000 miles. Interior is not pretty and it feels like you're sitting on a bath tub. Exterior looks great and paint still shiny after 14 years, amazing!. Fuel economy is outstanding and with a manual is very fun to drive.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By texasmacuser from Arlington
    Owns this car
    January 3, 2013

    Saturn SL1

    bought our car used in '01 with 25k on it. Just passed 282k 12 years later and have only had to replace parts for wear so far... I do the work myself because my mechanic used to laugh at the car when I would take it to him. Wouldn't trade it for anything...
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By I<3Saturn from Pontiac, MI
    Owns this car
    December 5, 2012

    I Own 3 sl2's and love them all

    I bought my first 98 sl2 in 2005 with 25k on it and it has been the best car i have ever owned, no major repairs nessisary unless you beat on it, but it has been such a great car i have now bought 2 more sl2's to add to my colection and they are both exclent cars aswell....
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By 98saturn from Colorado
    Owns this car
    June 6, 2012

    saturn sl1

    I purchased my saturn from a saturn dealer in 2005. It was used and had two previous owners. Ive put 70000 miles on it and its on 120000 miles now. Its a great car never had to repair it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all reviews

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1998 Saturn SL?

The 1998 Saturn SL is available in 1 trim level:

  • (5 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1998 Saturn SL?

The 1998 Saturn SL offers up to 28 MPG in city driving and 39 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 1998 Saturn SL reliable?

The 1998 Saturn SL has an average reliability rating of 4.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1998 Saturn SL owners.

Is the 1998 Saturn SL a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1998 Saturn SL. 96.2% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.5 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.0
  • Interior: 3.8
  • Performance: 4.2
  • Value: 4.7
  • Exterior: 4.0
  • Reliability: 4.7
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