Saturn SC1 reviews

1999 Saturn SC1 Walkaround

The coupes are on the same 102.4-inch wheelbase as the Saturn sedans and wagons. These cars are stable at high speeds. They offer a good ride quality and decent headroom.

The SC1, priced from $12,385, comes with a 1.9-liter, four-cylinder single overhead-cam engine that produces 100 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 114 foot-pounds of torque at 2400 rpm. Our test car had the standard five-speed manual transmission, but a four-speed automatic is optional.

The SC2 uses a double overhead-cam 16-valve version of the same engine, which produces 124 horsepower. The SC2 also comes with more comfort and convenience features, bigger wheels and more aggressive tires, which add about $1,300 to the cost of an SC1.

Our test car had a $1,930 option package that included power locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control and a power right-hand mirror. An optional anti-lock braking system packaged with traction control added $695, which brought our Saturn SC1 to $15,010.

Model-to-model comparisons are difficult to make because different manufacturers roll items into packages, but it's possible to get a base Chevrolet Cavalier or Plymouth Neon with air conditioning for less than a Saturn SC1.

The SC1 is a good-looking coupe. Unlike the first generation, all Saturn coupes come with exposed headlamps. The roof takes a gentle arch to the rear glass, then down to a stubby deck lid. The rear bumper is massive and is a significant styling feature. It's also body-colored, unlike basic editions of the sedan and wagon. The trunk lid opens to vertical and the lift-over height is quite low, which makes loading easy. The rear seatback has a 60/40 split.

All Saturn bodies use a space frame that allows the use of polymer doors, fenders, quarter panels and fascias, a feature that helps keep Saturn owners so loyal. This material is highly dent-resistant, rust-proof and recyclable. Major repairs require the simple replacement of a panel.

Saturns use a standard MacPherson strut front suspension with a tri-link design at the rear--two unequal-length links control lateral movement, with a single longitudinal link controlling fore and aft movement.

Brakes are disc in front, drums at the rear.

The optional traction control system can be switched off if the driver desires. Standard tires are P175/70R-14; optional tires for the SC1 are P185/65R-15 radials mounted on aluminum wheels.