Three problems related to manual transmission have been reported for the 1999 Saturn SL2. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My manual transmission 1999 Saturn Sl2 1. 8 ltr sohc was driving down the road and the shifter went limp. I was almost hit from behind. I found it was the cheap plastic shifter bushing which attaches the shift cable to the stick. I don't have the money to buy the entire cable, Saturn does not sell the bushing only, went to a junk yard and got the part for a dollar.
While driving fourth gear on the manual transmission doesn't engage properly. Dealer notified.
Consumer was informed the transmission fluid was burnt.