2002 Saturn S-Series

I bought my 1995 Saturn SL2 at the end of August 2009 with 103k on the odometer. 26k miles later, it's still doing well for itself. But it's not perfect. The car came from PA, so it was rusty underneath. I've dumped more than $1,600 into my $800 car. It's showing its age, but it got me out to California without much issue. The transmission feels lifeless. The clutch feels worn despite having lots of life left in it. The ECU for the engine fan let out, so I have a mechanical switch in my car now. It's a bit dated, but it can still do over the EPA 33 mpg on the highway. It's been a great car for me with relatively minimal investment. Sure, it's old, but if you don't mind throwing some oil into it every so often and you don't mind the lack of refinement from mid-1990s GM interior design, it's a perfectly capable commuter car that should last for a long, long time with a widespread and affordable parts availability.