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-   -   Need used Saturn purchase advice (http://www.autobanter.com/showthread.php?t=13279)

Darius January 15th 05 07:37 AM

Need used Saturn purchase advice
 
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.


Art January 15th 05 05:59 PM

You could also check Consumer Reports at the library to see what the repair
record is on this car. Also search this group using the groups page of
www.google.com




"Darius" > wrote in message ...
> 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.
>




Paul January 15th 05 10:24 PM

What is wrong with GM twin-cam engine? I thought it is more reliable than
SOHC (crack head).

"Darius" > wrote in message ...
> 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 January 16th 05 06:44 PM

People!
If I really wanted to browse Consumer Reports to tell me how reliable
(unreliable cars are) I would (and did actually) check out those sites. However
these suits have never sat inside a Saturn. I wanted an actual owner feedback.
Yes, I checked out carreviews.com, carsurvey.org etc. These are mostly written
by folks who never maintain their cars, have tons of problems with their
vehicles and like to vent it somewhere, but are hardly ever addressing the
specific problem areas. I am looking for trouble spots on a specific car (SOHC
and manual tranny SC1), rarely do you see reviewers specifying equipment of
their test car, and in most cases they drive the top model with all the
features and options. I just need to know what your experiences are with the
basic Saturn coupe, what problems have you experienced, and what are some of
the signs of things potentially about to break.
If you are going to try to point me to a website, it better be a good,
informative one, but I'd much rather hear from an actual owner telling his
horror stories, although I'd prefer to hear good stories:)
This is why I posted to a Saturn-specific newsgroup.
Thank you again.



You could also check Consumer Reports at the library to see what the repair
record is on this car. Also search this group using the groups page of
www.google.com


Art January 16th 05 08:05 PM

Have you looked at the groups at www.edmunds.com. And by the way, CR
specifies the major options in the cars they test. And I am sure they sit
in the cars when they drive them for testing purposes. By the way, it is
preferable not to post HTML in newsgroups.


Quoted portion below this point:




"Darius" > wrote in message ...
People!
If I really wanted to browse Consumer Reports to tell me how reliable
(unreliable cars are) I would (and did actually) check out those sites.
However these suits have never sat inside a Saturn. I wanted an actual owner
feedback. Yes, I checked out carreviews.com, carsurvey.org etc. These are
mostly written by folks who never maintain their cars, have tons of problems
with their vehicles and like to vent it somewhere, but are hardly ever
addressing the specific problem areas. I am looking for trouble spots on a
specific car (SOHC and manual tranny SC1), rarely do you see reviewers
specifying equipment of their test car, and in most cases they drive the top
model with all the features and options. I just need to know what your
experiences are with the basic Saturn coupe, what problems have you
experienced, and what are some of the signs of things potentially about to
break.
If you are going to try to point me to a website, it better be a good,
informative one, but I'd much rather hear from an actual owner telling his
horror stories, although I'd prefer to hear good stories:)
This is why I posted to a Saturn-specific newsgroup.
Thank you again.


You could also check Consumer Reports at the library to see what the repair
record is on this car. Also search this group using the groups page of
www.google.com



Darius January 17th 05 12:40 AM

If you reply to someone else's post it is also preferable to stick to the topic
in newsgroups.

Art wrote:

> Have you looked at the groups at www.edmunds.com. And by the way, CR
> specifies the major options in the cars they test. And I am sure they sit
> in the cars when they drive them for testing purposes. By the way, it is
> preferable not to post HTML in newsgroups.
>
> Quoted portion below this point:
>
> "Darius" > wrote in message ...
> People!
> If I really wanted to browse Consumer Reports to tell me how reliable
> (unreliable cars are) I would (and did actually) check out those sites.
> However these suits have never sat inside a Saturn. I wanted an actual owner
> feedback. Yes, I checked out carreviews.com, carsurvey.org etc. These are
> mostly written by folks who never maintain their cars, have tons of problems
> with their vehicles and like to vent it somewhere, but are hardly ever
> addressing the specific problem areas. I am looking for trouble spots on a
> specific car (SOHC and manual tranny SC1), rarely do you see reviewers
> specifying equipment of their test car, and in most cases they drive the top
> model with all the features and options. I just need to know what your
> experiences are with the basic Saturn coupe, what problems have you
> experienced, and what are some of the signs of things potentially about to
> break.
> If you are going to try to point me to a website, it better be a good,
> informative one, but I'd much rather hear from an actual owner telling his
> horror stories, although I'd prefer to hear good stories:)
> This is why I posted to a Saturn-specific newsgroup.
> Thank you again.
>
> You could also check Consumer Reports at the library to see what the repair
> record is on this car. Also search this group using the groups page of
> www.google.com



marx404 January 17th 05 01:14 AM

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



Darius January 17th 05 04:04 AM

Thank you, marx404
Just as I was going to unsubscribe from the newsgroup, somebody finally pulls
through.
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



Art January 17th 05 07:01 AM


"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

>




jdoe January 17th 05 10:06 PM

Your mechanic has it backwards.
Larry
"Darius" > wrote in message ...
> Thank you, marx404
> Just as I was going to unsubscribe from the newsgroup, somebody finally
> pulls
> through.
> 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

>





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