All about Saturn cars, fans and company

December 8, 2009

Which Saturn is Noisier, SL1 or SL2?

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 10:41 am

I have a friend who wants to buy a Saturn.   She is trying to get the
lowest cost sedan with air conditioning and with an automatic.  And she is
looking at the ’95s as well as the ’96s.  One of her main criteria is
noise.   So my questions are, are the SL2 (DOHC) cars significantly
quieter than the SL1 (SOHC) cars?  Did Saturn improve the noise isolation
on the ’96s.  Also do the owners regret buying the Saturn because of the
noise?


Tom Quan

Tom_Q…@smtp.svl.trw.com
+++++  All my own opinions  +++++++

7 Comments »

  1. In answer to your second question, the 96 is considerably quieter than
    earlier years.

    As to the SL1 vs. SL2, the engine on the SL2 might be slightly noisier,
    and the SL2 is geared a bit differently so the engine is usually turning
    slightly faster for a given speed.  This also is slightly noisier.  But
    the difference should not be very great.

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    Tom_Q…@smtp.svl.trw.com (Tom Quan) wrote:
    >I have a friend who wants to buy a Saturn.   She is trying to get the
    >lowest cost sedan with air conditioning and with an automatic.  And she is
    >looking at the ’95s as well as the ’96s.  One of her main criteria is
    >noise.   So my questions are, are the SL2 (DOHC) cars significantly
    >quieter than the SL1 (SOHC) cars?  Did Saturn improve the noise isolation
    >on the ’96s.  Also do the owners regret buying the Saturn because of the
    >noise?

    >–
    >Tom Quan

    >Tom_Q…@smtp.svl.trw.com
    >+++++  All my own opinions  +++++++

    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

  2. In article <42g7ej$…@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>,
    Bill Heck  <wch…@freenet.columbus.oh.us> wrote:

    >In answer to your second question, the 96 is considerably quieter than
    >earlier years.

    >As to the SL1 vs. SL2, the engine on the SL2 might be slightly noisier,
    >and the SL2 is geared a bit differently so the engine is usually turning
    >slightly faster for a given speed.  This also is slightly noisier.  But
    >the difference should not be very great.

    At least for the earlier models, the SL2 had a layer of sound-deadening
    insulation attached to the bottom of the hood, while the SL1 and SL
    had no such insulation.  I’ve heard rumors that insulation is now
    standard on all models, but these are just rumors – I haven’t actually
    looked under the hood of any model newer than my ’92.

    Tim.

    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

  3. To:Tom_Q…@smtp.svl.trw.com
    From: linda.terr…@mercopus.com

    TQ> I have a friend who wants to buy a Saturn.   She is trying to get
    TQ> the lowest cost sedan with air conditioning and with an automatic.
    TQ> And she is looking at the ’95s as well as the ’96s.  One of her main
    TQ> criteria is noise.   So my questions are, are the SL2 (DOHC) cars
    TQ> significantly quieter than the SL1 (SOHC) cars

    All Saturns are "noisy"  But one man’s "noise" may be my "road
    feel"

    And I wouldn’t give up the extra enerby and pick up of the DOHC
    just to ge a "quieter" car.

    the 92′s were guieter than the 91′ and the 93′s quieter than the
    92′s etc.  I found the Twin Cam 96 sedan I drove to be very quiet.

    * KWQ/2 1.2i * File not found: Loading something that looks similar…

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    |     Mercury Opus BBS – St. Petersburg, Florida, USA – +1-813-321-0734     |
    |   (Please do not send any attached or uuencoded files to this address.)   |
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    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

  4. In article <Tom_Quan-0209952252400…@m33029.svl.trw.com>,

    Tom_Q…@smtp.svl.trw.com (Tom Quan) wrote:
    > Also do the owners regret buying the Saturn because of the
    > noise?

    Sometimes it really bothers me but I’m an audiologist;)

    I grew up in the north, also used to drive small trucks for income,  and
    never had A/C in the trucks. I like to drive without A/C but on the
    interstate I now consider using ear plugs if I drive with the window down.

    Sure, I could use A/C but I figure that if I’ll use it it’ll break. I
    *know* it’s a ridiculous thought.

    No opinion on comparison between SL1 and SL2.

    Rob


    ————————***———–***———–***————–
    Rob Pluta            "The truth is the light, the light is the way,
    5380 Medical #405    the less folks know, the more they have to say."
    San Antonio TX 78240 –The Remains, c.1966

    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

  5. rpl…@crl.com (Robert Pluta) wrote:
    >I grew up in the north, also used to drive small trucks for income,  and
    >never had A/C in the trucks. I like to drive without A/C but on the
    >interstate I now consider using ear plugs if I drive with the window down.

    >Sure, I could use A/C but I figure that if I’ll use it it’ll break. I
    >*know* it’s a ridiculous thought.

    Just a warning.  Even if you like the feel of the wind in your hair, and
    you want to reduce the wear on your A/C compressor, for best A/C life you
    SHOULD use your A/C NOW AND THEN.  The seals and gaskets are moistened by
    the working fluid inside the system, and if you never use it, that fluid
    sits and those seals and gaskets will dry up, crack, and the system will
    then leak and require expensive repairs.

    So, at least turn your A/C on once or twice a month for a few minutes.
    This includes winter time!  If the temp gets up to 40 F (the threshold for
    when the compressor will turn on), turn on the A/C for a few minutes.

    Another note.  On the highway, opening the windows costs you about as much
    extra fuel (due to added wind drag) as the A/C does.  So don’t open the
    windows to save fuel!  If you want to save fuel, use the vent, even if you
    have to turn the fan on high.  When it gets too hot for that, use the A/C
    and turn the fan down.  Only open the windows if you like the feel of the
    wind.

    Karl
    br…@cadsrv.enet.dec.com
    93 SW1 5-sp 41,000 miles

    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

  6. Yeah, I agree.  A good time to use your A/C in winter is on a rainy 45
    degree day.  You want to keep the windows defogged, so using A/C to help
    get rid of some humidity is worth it.  You can still turn the temp
    indicator to richly give warm air, and the A/C is still running, but the
    air coming out isn’t cold.

    I know, I know, up in Vermont or something, 45 degree rainy days in
    January don’t exist.  I’m talking about more than 1/2 of the U.S., and
    even then, many northern cities get a day or two like this in winter.

    Use it or lose it.

    Ray

    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

  7. In article <42aput$…@ixnews6.ix.netcom.com>,

    Bob R. <luvm…@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
    >    I have just purchased a trailer so I can take my motorcycle with me to
    >Colorado for vacation. My question is, where is the turn signal switch
    >so I can replace it with a heavy duty one. My Saturn dealer does not
    >install their own trailer hitches, and they haven’t had to replace
    >one, AND the service guys were busy. So I am turning to my fellow
    >Saturn owners for info on the location of said switch.

    Are you talking about the turn signal blinker, perhaps?  This, on my
    ’92 SL1, is located along with a lot of other fuses and blinkers in
    the little panel on the passenger side of the dash.  It may be
    in a slightly different place on your newer car, but I’m sure it’s
    listed in the owner’s manual.  Alternatively, just turn on your turn
    signals and follow your ear…

    The actual turn signal switch is located underneath the plastic housing
    around the steering column.  But I seriously doubt that this is what
    you intend to replace.

    I drive my ’92 SL1 with trailers all the time, and I’ve never had
    any need for a higher-current blinker and/or switch.  It works
    quite nicely as it is.

    Tim. (sho…@altair.krl.caltech.edu)

    Comment by admin — December 8, 2009 @ 10:41 am

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