First-gen S-Series for MotorTrend to drive

[MiSaturn]

That's a drop dead gorgeous SL pictured. Just a little under hood detailing would make that vehicle a real stunner. Would be proud to drive anything in that condition.

[StarLady]

I wish I could be part of the MotorTrend story, but I'm now in Hawaii.
As many of the regular members here know, I have had my 1992 Saturn SC for over 31 years, in four different states. And just like my signature says, "Bought it brand new, and still loving it today." I can't tell you how many people approach me to compliment my car, ask questions, and even a few wanting to buy it from me (and offering good $).

I'm thrilled that MotorTrend will publish an article about these wonderful little cars, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

[StarLady]

Whatever happened with this?
Was that article ever published?

[onlinebilerv2.0]

Article is online....

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1...rewind-review/

[onlinebilerv2.0]

Funny thing though -

They advertised " looking for a gen 1 saturn"...

96 is a gen2. It just LOOKS like a gen 1 on the outside.....

[2NDSOUT]

Originally Posted by onlinebilerv2.0

Article is online....

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1...rewind-review/

Interesting enough- Barbara Schreiber; used to be on these forums. I don't know if she is still here.

I remember back in the day. That was almost 30 years ago.

[Signmaster]

Originally Posted by onlinebilerv2.0

Article is online....

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/1...rewind-review/

I had it bookmarked to post the next time I was on here. It showed up in my newsfeed.

Originally Posted by 2NDSOUT

Interesting enough- Barbara Schreiber; used to be on these forums. I don't know if she is still here.

I remember back in the day. That was almost 30 years ago.

EVERY good Saturn owner has at least passed through these forums at some time. With so few miles on her car, there was probably not much to ever fix.

[Sid]

The article mentioned the exhaust note being similar to other GM cars. But do the Gen I Saturns with headers have a different sounding or more pronounced exhaust note? Does anybody know if there is a reduction in efficiency between the Gen II exhaust manifold and the Gen I headers? The manifold looks somewhat tuned, how does it compare to the headers?

THX, I've wondered about this for a while.

[onlinebilerv2.0]

Originally Posted by Sid

The article mentioned the exhaust note being similar to other GM cars. But do the Gen I Saturns with headers have a different sounding or more pronounced exhaust note? Does anybody know if there is a reduction in efficiency between the Gen II exhaust manifold and the Gen I headers? The manifold looks somewhat tuned, how does it compare to the headers?

THX, I've wondered about this for a while.

Never noticed any real difference in the sound on the 92 SC2 we had. I suspect if it had been run without the catcon and resonator it would have been different than a manifold run the same way....

[StarLady]

So glad to see that the article was finally published.
And that Satty is gorgeous! Although it's not a 1st Gen, I think the writer chose well. Kudos to Barbara Schreiber for doing such a great job keeping that Satty looking and running great. BTW, what was her user name here? Is she still visiting SF?

I'm so jealous and inspired.... I wish I could've kept my car in such great condition, but it's the only car I have. I love it anyway.

[MT Aaron]

Hi all!

Thank you for the kind words about the article and for your help in finding the right Saturn. Settling on Barbara's gorgeous coupe meant we had to say no to other beautiful and equally-deserving Saturns. For me personally, it was really cool to see how many people are devoted to the preservation of this unique chapter in American automotive history. And, of course, we're grateful to Barb for letting us spend so much time between the wheel and sharing her own Saturn experiences.

Regarding the generational thing: Yes, the fact that Saturn released the second-gen SL and SW for the 1996 MY but held the SC for '97 seemed odd (though we've seen similar things before). Digging through all the old MT and Automobile articles and reading the contemporary reports, I felt the '96 SC clearly qualifies as a first-gen car, despite receiving the updated interior, and that MY97 marks the second generation for SCs.

The updated interior was a consideration for us -- I wanted to experience the Saturn as it originally appeared -- but I thought the opportunity to drive such a low-mileage car owned by its 1st buyer was too good a chance to pass up. Also, there were other factors in our decision... well, what the heck, let me take you behind the scenes a bit...

Our photography staff is primarily based in Los Angeles and for logistical and cost reasons, we do most of our pics close to him. Problem is, this gives the photos a sameness that drives us up a wall. Along with everything else it had going for it, Barb's car gave us the opportunity to shoot in a location that was visually different from Cali, the American West, or Detroit, the timing worked well (we had to be in the area for the Chicago Auto Show and another '90s story in Michigan), and (amazingly for a Midwest winter) the weather even cooperated. The stars really did align on this one.

Bottom line, Barb's SC2 is one of several good options we were fortunate to have. I'm glad we went with her car and pleased with how the story and Brandon Lim's beautiful photos came out, and I hope the Saturn community will agree!

Too bad we forgot to take off the front plate for the photos. You have no idea how much guff Brandon and I took (and continue to take) for that.

If you get a chance to pick up the print version of the magazine, Angus McKenzie wrote a Saturn history as well, in which Barb is quoted. That story will appear online at some point soon, I believe.

Thanks again, everyone, for all the help you supplied, and to everyone who was willing to let us drive their Saturns. I hope the fan community will look back favorably on our efforts!

Aaron

[MT Aaron]

Originally Posted by Sid

The article mentioned the exhaust note being similar to other GM cars.

Just a note on this -- I was talking more about mechanical noise and refinement rather than exhaust. Probably should have been more specific about this in the article.

Aaron

[2NDSOUT]

Originally Posted by MT Aaron

Hi all!

Thank you for the kind words about the article and for your help in finding the right Saturn. Settling on Barbara's gorgeous coupe meant we had to say no to other beautiful and equally-deserving Saturns. For me personally, it was really cool to see how many people are devoted to the preservation of this unique chapter in American automotive history. And, of course, we're grateful to Barb for letting us spend so much time between the wheel and sharing her own Saturn experiences.

Regarding the generational thing: Yes, the fact that Saturn released the second-gen SL and SW for the 1996 MY but held the SC for '97 seemed odd (though we've seen similar things before). Digging through all the old MT and Automobile articles and reading the contemporary reports, I felt the '96 SC clearly qualifies as a first-gen car, despite receiving the updated interior, and that MY97 marks the second generation for SCs.

The updated interior was a consideration for us -- I wanted to experience the Saturn as it originally appeared -- but I thought the opportunity to drive such a low-mileage car owned by its 1st buyer was too good a chance to pass up. Also, there were other factors in our decision... well, what the heck, let me take you behind the scenes a bit...

Our photography staff is primarily based in Los Angeles and for logistical and cost reasons, we do most of our pics close to him. Problem is, this gives the photos a sameness that drives us up a wall. Along with everything else it had going for it, Barb's car gave us the opportunity to shoot in a location that was visually different from Cali, the American West, or Detroit, the timing worked well (we had to be in the area for the Chicago Auto Show and another '90s story in Michigan), and (amazingly for a Midwest winter) the weather even cooperated. The stars really did align on this one.

Bottom line, Barb's SC2 is one of several good options we were fortunate to have. I'm glad we went with her car and pleased with how the story and Brandon Lim's beautiful photos came out, and I hope the Saturn community will agree!

Too bad we forgot to take off the front plate for the photos. You have no idea how much guff Brandon and I took (and continue to take) for that.

If you get a chance to pick up the print version of the magazine, Angus McKenzie wrote a Saturn history as well, in which Barb is quoted. That story will appear online at some point soon, I believe.

Thanks again, everyone, for all the help you supplied, and to everyone who was willing to let us drive their Saturns. I hope the fan community will look back favorably on our efforts!

Aaron

Thank you for the write up. Good article. Having been wrapped up in Saturn since 1997... I had a 1994 Sport Coupe (SC1). Had that car for 11 years, and it wracked up 340,500 miles on the original engine/automatic transmission before the engine gave up on me.

The first gen Sport Coupes- from 91-94, were a bit different on the interior. All of the 91/92 model years had an oil gauge as well, that didn't work very well, and was discontinued after Customer complaints. 91 model year Sport Coupes also didn't have an upper motor mount. The lower Dogbone mount was also different too- not to mention that the Transmission Gear ratios were different too.

Those 91 SC cars also had the flip up headlights, whereas the 93/94 model year Sport Coupes had the front end that resembled the Sedans.

Subtle differences over the years...

[onlinebilerv2.0]

Having owned and worked on 26 S series - 1992 - 2002 - (with exception to 2000) - I feel qualified to say a 96 is the first Gen2 car.

There are multiple major differences from a 95 (which was my first sc2) to 96 ( my SO's first sc2)

The big one - the electronics.

96 is first year of OBD II.

Different heads, different injectors.

If those were the same - a 95 would be first Gen2.

[cgg17]

Originally Posted by onlinebilerv2.0

Having owned and worked on 26 S series - 1992 - 2002 - (with exception to 2000) - I feel qualified to say a 96 is the first Gen2 car.

There are multiple major differences from a 95 (which was my first sc2) to 96 ( my SO's first sc2)

The big one - the electronics.

96 is first year of OBD II.

Different heads, different injectors.

If those were the same - a 95 would be first Gen2.

I would place them on a spectrum between Gen 1 and Gen 2. Not a complete Gen 1, nor Gen 2.

Engine, dash, and electronics wise, they are Gen 2.
Interior options, body style, and wheelbase, they are Gen 1.