Need used Saturn purchase advice

Darius wrote:

> I'm looking to get rid of my fairy unreliable 94 Pontiac Trans Sport.
> I want something smaller and (much) more fuel efficient and best of all
> made of polymer, which is about the only feature I still enjoy about my
> van.
>
> I have my eyes set on a 2001 Saturn SC1 with 5 speed and approx. 70,000
> km (or 43,000 miles)
> that I see at my local dealer lot. It seems to be priced right.
> I want to know if there is anything specific I should look out for?
> Mechanically and cosmetically what can (and does) typically go wrong
> with such car that I may be able to spot?
> I plan on taking the car to my mechanic, so if there are some problem
> areas you can point out to me, I'll ask him to check it.
> Also, I have been told to stay away from twin cam engines in Saturns
> (actually GM cars in general).
> Is there tany ruth to that? Is SC1 a better choice than SC2 as far as
> reliability is concerned?
>
> My dad (honda-owner-who-says-he-will-never-buy-american-again) is
> laughing at me for even considering a Saturn. I have owned many imports
> before, but don't want to go there again.
> Please help, and thanks in advance.
>
Darius, check out this website: http://www.saturnfans.com/

Paul

Hey Art, if youre not going to post something helpful in the group go back
to sucking a dick
"Art" > wrote in message
k.net...
>
> "Darius" > wrote in message
...
> > Thank you, marx404
> > Just as I was going to unsubscribe from the newsgroup, somebody finally
> > pulls
> > through.
>
> Too bad. With your attitude we were hoping you would leave.
>
> > Yes, the link helps a great deal. BTW seeing the bulletin scroll
endlessly
> > while checking out my van makes me appreciate the short list devoted to
> > that
> > particular year/model of Saturn.
> > I did take a look at the Saturn I had spoted at the dealer lot, and was
> > instantly turned off of it.
> > Car came from eastern Canada (I live in Manitoba) and was brutally rusty
> > underneath, even hinges under the hood were caked with rust. They
> > (over)use
> > salt to condition roads in the winter in Ontario and Quebec, and salt is
> > rendered useless in our arctic fifty below deep freeze of Manitoba. We
use
> > sand
> > for traction.
> > I also talked to my mechanic (40 years of experience) who said to stay
> > away
> > from DOHC (oil burner) but otherwise had no problems with 1.9 L. in S
> > cars.
> > I maintain my cars, so there should not be any overheating problems,
> > unless the
> > damage has already been done, which my mechanic will check for me.
> > Once again, thanks for the info and the link.
> >
> >
> > marx404 wrote:
> >
> >> Darius, heres someone with the straight scoop. '01 saw some major
changes
> >> to
> >> the SC. '02 was the final year of the S car. There were many minor
issues
> >> in
> >> the '01 model (which not all cars have), not all the same problems
exist
> >> in
> >> the '02 SC models.
> >>
> >> Below are all the recall/bulletins for the '01 SC1. SOHC engines have a
> >> known tendency for cracked heads and overheating when not properly
taken
> >> care of and especially if allowed to overheat. We have 3 SOHC S-cars in
> >> the
> >> family and the only issues with one was our teenagers dogged on the car
> >> and
> >> failed to properly check fluids, thus overheating and blown gaskets
> >> (which
> >> would have lead to a cracked head); after repair, that car is on its
> >> second
> >> teenage driver and still running strong.
> >>
> >> SOHC engines are only 100hp but also have somewhat better pickup on the
> >> low
> >> power end than DOHC. And of course, the gas mileage is better. Here is
a
> >> site with known bulletins and problems on the '01 SC1, the '02 models
> >> also
> >> shared some of these issues but many are not applicable.
> >>
> >> As I said, '01 was the 1st year of the "newly designed" SC models, '02
> >> was
> >> the 2nd and final yr. I drive an '02 DOHC SC2 myself. Hope this info
> >> helps.
> >> http://www.alldata.com/TSB/53/015309FC.html
> >>
> >> marx404
> >
>
>