So sorry you had to review the back seats of another SC2, but thanks for the video. And for those wondering, the Saturn show Zack references is Saturn Nationals.
Your videos are like the SC2: not so serious, just easy-going fun, even with somewhat more mundane cars like this. And I love--LOVE--that you do them! There's a bit of pushback against it, but so much of our automotive media is about the expensive, powerful, overbuilt, overcomplicated, overweight stuff that almost no one needs, but marketing has convinced so many they WANT. To see simple, cheerful reviews of simple, cheerful cars....It just makes me happy! Early 90's simplicity is a value we need to get back to!
I loved my 95 SL2. With that lightweight body and snappy twin cam, it was a fast car for 95. My only complaint was the transmission. But it wasn't saturn fault. I would shift that car at 6000 RPM's without lifting. I put the differential pin through three different transmission cases 😂
Saturn had a pretty decent reputation on the SCCA circuit, and the asking price for one of these was a little over $14,000 to start and ~$17,000 with options. Adjust for inflation, and that is right in line with the number you stated for a Toyota GR86.
My 2nd favorite car ever was my 1994 SL1 manual! Bought it new in 1994 and drove it up to 190K with surprisingly few problems. It was slow and people clowned me for it but it was a real trooper. Still break my neck any time I see a survivor SL drive past me.
I test drove a one of these back in 1996 at a Lou Sobh dealership near Gwinnett Mall. I must admit I was impressed and considered buying it, but I changed my mind and got something else.
The band I was in during my first year of college would pile into one of these with our guitars to drive to practice and gigs. Also once a guy growled at me and my brother from an sc2 when we were kids
Pretty comparable. Back in '95 for me it was between this and the Z24. Ended up going with a 5 speed Z24 mainly because the SC2 was clearly NOT built for people over 6 ft tall! It was a fun car to toss around, but I got tired of hitting my head on the headliner!
There was no comparison. I bought the Ford/Mazda Escort GT new, after test driving all the others. The new escort was a huge leap from the previous model and felt premium compared to the competition. The Mazda Drivetrain was stronger, smoother and more durable. The interior materials were better and as a 2 door, it had an actual usable back seat. That being said, the Saturn looked better. The Saturn was the best GM had to offer. The Cavalier, Sunbird/Sunfire, were garbage.
Well I still own a '91 Escort Pony with the BulletProof Mazda 1.9 SEFI. I briefly dated a girl in college who drove a '93 Escort GT. And my now x-wife bought a '98 SC2 loaded. I like driving the SC2!😎But comparing late 90's cars to the early 90's is like night and day.🧐🧐
Saturn would still be around today if GM let them keep building cars like this. Lightweight, cheap, fun, and good enough. GM's forced platform sharing is a big reason for the downfall of most of their defunct brands. I'm glad that there are people who appreciate these mundane cars.
It was a spectacular concept, and they could have changed the automotive industry with it. But the union auto workers didn't want that to happen. And unfortunately we know the rest of the story after that. Sad to think what GM would have become if it wasn't stopped with, greed, I guess?? Don't even really know what to call it. On one side you've got employees that have done it for decades and the other side you've got this new organization that's Getting treated better and doing it better. I could see why they were upset but if the all transition to the new ways, maybe everyone could have been better off??
@@richdiscoveries I don't recall the union having a beef with Saturn. If I recall correctly, they workers at the Spring Hill plant had a different contract at the time. It was the other GM Divisions that hated Saturn, as they were all fighting for money. The Saturn S-Series also competed with the Chevy Cavalier and the Pontiac Sunbird/Sunfire, so that was added cannibalization. Eventually, Saturn was made to start platform-sharing with other GM cars in a bid to grow the brand, eventually losing their unique identity, as well as losing customers. They were also never profitable. I once owned a 2002 SC1, and the only thing I didn't like about it was that it didn't have standard ABS. That was a great little car, but I got sweet-talked into trading that in for a 2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe.
@henryd1981 yes, exactly that. I just thought it was the union for the regular workers that wanted it gone. But now that you say it , I do remember an issue with saturn given money and the other divisions not liking it. I thought it was union, but what you said sounds a lot more correct with everything. That's when they started making them use traditional gm chasses ect. Then soon enough it became the same as every other car they offered. I am still a GM guy. They have had thier ups and downs and they still do. And I hate to put it like this, But GM cars will run like shit, longer than most cars will ever run at all.. Meaning everything will break everything will leak, ive even lost transmissions and was still able to drive them home. Barely but I didn't use a tow truck 🤣 And I might feel the same way if I knew a different vehicle as well as these, but these damn things just keep going. Not always happily, but they just keep rolling
Feeling very nostalgic rn over this. I had a 1993 SC2 5 speed as my first car, and I loved that thing. It was a beast in the snow, loved to carve up back roads, and was dead reliable for the 6 years I had it. I ordered parts from SPSwebpage back in the day, and it sounded awesome with a Monza Pacesetter exhaust.
What a weird interior. It's a mix of late 90s Saturn and early 90s Saturn. Late 90s Saturn dash but early 90s Saturn door panels. I"m guessing it was only like that for 1995 as they were redesigned in 1996. The generation following this one had the third door which made the back seat easier to get into at least.
The closest modern equivalents to these (small, sporty FWD coupes) would've been the Honda Civic coupe, as well as similar Hyundai and Kia models, when they were still making those, which they aren't anymore. So as of 2025, there's nothing on the market like this.
So sorry you had to review the back seats of another SC2, but thanks for the video. And for those wondering, the Saturn show Zack references is Saturn Nationals.
and show info can be found here for next years spring show!
I heard the big freaking bottle fail sound in my head when got in the back seat
Your videos are like the SC2: not so serious, just easy-going fun, even with somewhat more mundane cars like this. And I love--LOVE--that you do them! There's a bit of pushback against it, but so much of our automotive media is about the expensive, powerful, overbuilt, overcomplicated, overweight stuff that almost no one needs, but marketing has convinced so many they WANT. To see simple, cheerful reviews of simple, cheerful cars....It just makes me happy! Early 90's simplicity is a value we need to get back to!
Saturnday! Saturn Saturday!
I loved my 95 SL2. With that lightweight body and snappy twin cam, it was a fast car for 95.
My only complaint was the transmission. But it wasn't saturn fault. I would shift that car at 6000 RPM's without lifting. I put the differential pin through three different transmission cases 😂
poor car
No lift shifting oh geez.
Saturn had a pretty decent reputation on the SCCA circuit, and the asking price for one of these was a little over $14,000 to start and ~$17,000 with options. Adjust for inflation, and that is right in line with the number you stated for a Toyota GR86.
I had this exact same everything of this car. It was a really fun car when I was 18. It's like a little go cart
My 2nd favorite car ever was my 1994 SL1 manual! Bought it new in 1994 and drove it up to 190K with surprisingly few problems. It was slow and people clowned me for it but it was a real trooper. Still break my neck any time I see a survivor SL drive past me.
I test drove a one of these back in 1996 at a Lou Sobh dealership near Gwinnett Mall. I must admit I was impressed and considered buying it, but I changed my mind and got something else.
Such nice looking cars.
This SC2 is unbelievably clean, holy moly
Great review Zach! That owner really should cutt/buff/polish that paint. Would love to see a before & after.
It’s got Tiger Paws on it! Enjoying those on my 07 Impreza! Best value shoes on the market.
It's what my local tire shop has in stock usually and I haven't had any complaints with them on my Saturns.
The band I was in during my first year of college would pile into one of these with our guitars to drive to practice and gigs. Also once a guy growled at me and my brother from an sc2 when we were kids
i owned this and then a 2001 sc2. the 2001 was really neat. i loved the interior of the 2001
LMMAO😂😂😂 Evaluating your life, then the look in the camera...priceless. I always enjoy your videos. Love from Charlotte N.C.
Loved your skit dude
Totally!!😎 Saturn was The Little Engine That Could.❤ But corporate ignorance and accountants got in the way! Grade "A" for effort!!😊
Always wondered how the Saturn SC2 of that era compared to the Ford Escort GT and Cavalier Z24 . 0-60 ,ride and handling
Pretty comparable. Back in '95 for me it was between this and the Z24. Ended up going with a 5 speed Z24 mainly because the SC2 was clearly NOT built for people over 6 ft tall! It was a fun car to toss around, but I got tired of hitting my head on the headliner!
There was no comparison. I bought the Ford/Mazda Escort GT new, after test driving all the others. The new escort was a huge leap from the previous model and felt premium compared to the competition. The Mazda Drivetrain was stronger, smoother and more durable. The interior materials were better and as a 2 door, it had an actual usable back seat. That being said, the Saturn looked better. The Saturn was the best GM had to offer. The Cavalier, Sunbird/Sunfire, were garbage.
Well I still own a '91 Escort Pony with the BulletProof Mazda 1.9 SEFI. I briefly dated a girl in college who drove a '93 Escort GT. And my now x-wife bought a '98 SC2 loaded. I like driving the SC2!😎But comparing late 90's cars to the early 90's is like night and day.🧐🧐
Saturn would still be around today if GM let them keep building cars like this. Lightweight, cheap, fun, and good enough. GM's forced platform sharing is a big reason for the downfall of most of their defunct brands. I'm glad that there are people who appreciate these mundane cars.
In todays industry id personally COULD or MIGHT. I would hope in consumers doing the right thing and choosing normal cars though
Sunday morning it is from New Zealand
Back when GM was good not like today where they’re made in Mexico or other countries
It was a spectacular concept, and they could have changed the automotive industry with it.
But the union auto workers didn't want that to happen. And unfortunately we know the rest of the story after that.
Sad to think what GM would have become if it wasn't stopped with, greed, I guess?? Don't even really know what to call it.
On one side you've got employees that have done it for decades and the other side you've got this new organization that's Getting treated better and doing it better.
I could see why they were upset but if the all transition to the new ways, maybe everyone could have been better off??
@@richdiscoveries I don't recall the union having a beef with Saturn. If I recall correctly, they workers at the Spring Hill plant had a different contract at the time. It was the other GM Divisions that hated Saturn, as they were all fighting for money. The Saturn S-Series also competed with the Chevy Cavalier and the Pontiac Sunbird/Sunfire, so that was added cannibalization. Eventually, Saturn was made to start platform-sharing with other GM cars in a bid to grow the brand, eventually losing their unique identity, as well as losing customers. They were also never profitable.
I once owned a 2002 SC1, and the only thing I didn't like about it was that it didn't have standard ABS. That was a great little car, but I got sweet-talked into trading that in for a 2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe.
@henryd1981 yes, exactly that. I just thought it was the union for the regular workers that wanted it gone. But now that you say it , I do remember an issue with saturn given money and the other divisions not liking it.
I thought it was union, but what you said sounds a lot more correct with everything.
That's when they started making them use traditional gm chasses ect. Then soon enough it became the same as every other car they offered.
I am still a GM guy. They have had thier ups and downs and they still do.
And I hate to put it like this, But GM cars will run like shit, longer than most cars will ever run at all..
Meaning everything will break everything will leak, ive even lost transmissions and was still able to drive them home.
Barely but I didn't use a tow truck 🤣
And I might feel the same way if I knew a different vehicle as well as these, but these damn things just keep going.
Not always happily, but they just keep rolling
5:34 feels
My first car! Ate 3 transmissions
The fwd 2 door coupe that is cheap and sporty is a car segment that doesn’t exist anymore.
Feeling very nostalgic rn over this. I had a 1993 SC2 5 speed as my first car, and I loved that thing. It was a beast in the snow, loved to carve up back roads, and was dead reliable for the 6 years I had it. I ordered parts from SPSwebpage back in the day, and it sounded awesome with a Monza Pacesetter exhaust.
Hell yeah!
What a weird interior. It's a mix of late 90s Saturn and early 90s Saturn. Late 90s Saturn dash but early 90s Saturn door panels. I"m guessing it was only like that for 1995 as they were redesigned in 1996. The generation following this one had the third door which made the back seat easier to get into at least.
How about back seat friggin body test?
You earned that hoagie bro
Nice paint, definitely a nice looking car. I would throw some coilovers on it and leave it alone.
Peak Saturn! Except maybe the weird 3 door coupe they did later.
Had to start with the earliest
Always loved how these cars looked until they got rid of the pop up headlights
That skit tho
Cool looking car! 😍😍 You have WaWa in the MidWest?! I thought it was a Pennsylvania,New Jersey,Delaware ,Virginia area chain?!
Florida too...
look at the plates on the car. I bet he had a Wawa sub or even dare I say, a Taylor Ham after filming
Here in bowling green, KY we’re getting one soon.
Looks so similar they might as well called it a Saturn Sunfire.
The closest modern equivalents to these (small, sporty FWD coupes) would've been the Honda Civic coupe, as well as similar Hyundai and Kia models, when they were still making those, which they aren't anymore. So as of 2025, there's nothing on the market like this.
My very first car (still have a video of it on my channel)
Mercury capri???? Japanese??
mazda engine and transmission
I loved Saturn in the 90s. And then GM had to ruin it.
Saturn died after these. You can’t convince me otherwise
As a 41-year-old, no one wants to hear a 27-year-old complain about age. Enjoy it while you got it.
Ok boomer
I'd Pay to be 41, again.
@ and I’d pay to be 27 again
@@OldDirtyCollector 😂...But we have to bring All the knowledge we've acquired back in time with us!!🤓
@ you clearly don’t know what the hell a boomer is. I’m not remotely close. I’d have to be in my 70s. 🥴