01 Saturn SL1 is really impressing me

[R.W.Dale]

Originally Posted by Daschicken

Is the A/C smell only when you first turn it on? Try turning off the A/C a few minutes before you complete your trip, leaving the fan running.

The problem has been solved. It was a combination of leaves and crap in the evaporator and a non functioning blend door stuck on recirculation

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by R.W.Dale

It was a combination of leaves and crap in the evaporator and a non functioning blend door stuck on recirculation

And it's usually not the easiest to access in order to repair.

[KDulcimer]

I had one of these! They're a fantastic car, and the SaturnFans forum is top-notch.

I had an 02 SL. Not an SL1, just SL. Manual everything. My high fuel economy mark was 42.3 MPG. I basically don't hypermile. I think I averaged 32 MPG.

[R.W.Dale]

I've gotten a few more mpg calcs since last posting and the car just does 40mpg give or take slightly

My 50 mile daily commute is virtually all highway miles and I do try to hypermile as much as possible.

But because my driving is disproportionately steady highway speeds it almost doesn't matter of I drive like a douchebag or hypermile. (See my fuel log for details)

The only thing I don't like about the car is it's not a hatchback. Compact sedans have no redeeming qualities from a practicality standpoint

[freebeard]

The only thing I don't like about the car is it's not a hatchback. Compact sedans have no redeeming qualities from a practicality standpoint

The whole time I drove my Notchback, I knew the Squareback is more practical, but it sure was pretty.

[KDulcimer]

Originally Posted by R.W.Dale

The only thing I don't like about the car is it's not a hatchback. Compact sedans have no redeeming qualities from a practicality standpoint

They're not super common, but the SW1 "wagon" version exists, and it's a more practical version, with maybe tiny sacrifices on fuel economy.

My SL was replaced with a Ford Focus wagon, and I averaged 32 MPG with it, although I never got 40 MPG on the highway. VERY practical car, wish I still had it.

[saturndude]

I've had about 6 Saturn's over the years. The first one ihad for 13 years and 350k miles. They are amazingly relibke and economical. Super cheap to buy and maintain. The dual overhead cam has 25% more power and actually delivered better fuel economy than the sohc. I used to tow a travel trailer with my SC2!
Best mpg was 42, average was 38mpg

[ctgottapee]

If you find it cheap or have other uses, a can of orange foaming evaporator cleaner sprayed into the vents works wonders. The foam drags down all the vent gunk and then drains; can help clear up the drain too.
Of course a pressure sprayer into the vents outlets will do it as well.

Micro coolant leaks that don't show up in the engine compartment are often leaks in the gaskets of the water pump, etc, and burned collected into oil. But no issue an pretty common for older high mileage cars.

Sounds like you have yourself a nice Lil beater.
Likely the only real improvement left that's not drastic would be LRR tires, or possibly a lighter narrower rim but I'd guess you already have about the most economical option on the car.

I've always wondered how much a block heater or coolant heater would give ya, run before startup to optimum temps. Toyota thought enough of it to put coolant into a thermos like container after shutdown on the prius. And either wouldn't cost too much to try.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by KDulcimer

They're not super common, but the SW1 "wagon" version exists, and it's a more practical version

Even though Saturn had never been officially available in my country, there was a demand for grey-imports in the '90s. I have seen mostly the sedan and a few coupés, and only one wagon in '08 or '09.

with maybe tiny sacrifices on fuel economy

Doesn't really seem to justify any sacrifice on fuel economy.

[R.W.Dale]

I decided after spacing the seat up and actually getting comfortable in the car that it was worth spending a little money on.

My first mpg mod, a set of racing disc hubcaps