Noobie- possibly looking for a new car

intlcutlass · 02-21-2008, 06:38 PM

I have certain criteria that I want my next car to meet and I think I have found it, but I want/need to know all the little pitfalls/problems/opinions. I need everyone to chime in.

I done want a new car (Loose too much when you drive them off the lot)

Plastic body

l4 dohc

semi-sporty

AMERICAN

I really like the look of the 94 SC2. Stick or auto , doesn't matter (but I would prefer stick)

Who can give me their opinion with regard to problems with this model, or what to look for when I am ... lookn....

I should also note I am extremely knowledgeable with cars. I have had my Cutlass for 10 years plus, which in Ohio winters is more like 30 years...

I have a 88 Fiero Formula as well, but that is more like a project car.

I have done everything from suspension work to paint, to brakes.

RC1488 · 02-22-2008, 04:47 AM

Oil. First thing to check and ask about. Saturns burn oil like youll never believe. make sure it never ran low and was changed regularly. lack of oil changes can lead to tons of problems mostly with the timing chain. If the timing chain goes, these are interference motors, so your valves will be done also.
Make sure the fan works
Check the A/C, windows, etc (the little things)
Valve cover gaskets usually need to get replaced as they start to leak
listen for a nice idling engine
Ask about eh Engine Coolant Temperture Sensor. See if its been replaced or not
Ask about maintanence done to the car (alternator, water pump)
If auto, make sure the tranny fluid has been changed every 30K. MOst of the time, reverse slam syndrome can be traced back to the lack of fluid changes on the tranny by the owner

Brianritchie21787 · 02-24-2008, 09:54 PM

I've owned 4 american cars... 86 Olds delta 88 (3800 V6), 84 olds delta 88 (307 V

, Saturn SL2 and a 01 Jeep Grand cherokee (4.7 powertech)... and i'd have to say, buying a used nissan was the best idea i ever had. American cars arent what they used to be.

denisond3 · 02-25-2008, 12:16 PM

RC1488 told you most of what you need to know about Saturns, though I dont know how anyone can really learn if the motor oil was or was not allowed to run low, or if the tranny fluid was changed regularly (or ever). My preference is to buy a car whose miles were put on by someone making a nice long commute, not all in short trips to the grocery store and back. I also prefer a Saturn that wasnt driven by a teenage maniac. I suppose you can go to the other forums to find out about the other makes. I like the Saturn S series cars; 1. Because they are now going for low prices and all parts are still easy to get. 2. Because this is a good forum (and there are others on the Saturn), and because I prefer American made cars. We have two of them in our family. And yes, we check the oil each time we fill thegas tank. With a car having over 100,000 miles on it, (or over 200,000 miles on it) I dont consider that a big deal.
I think with any used car you buy you should assume the maintenance was neglected or ignored. So figure on doing some catch up. To me that means changing belts, pulleys, hoses, and keeping a journal of what you fix, the mileage and date. Then think about what might die next - and replace it when you have a weekend with good weather. I Very Much prefer fixing something in my driveway at my own pace, rather than getting the car towed to a repair facility in another county or state - where they dont want me to be in sight while they work on it.
I also go to ebay and look to buy replacements for the major electronics. For each of our cars I have replacement PCMs, replacement air bags, ignition modules, coil packs, etc. Those parts are fairly cheap if you buy them ahead of time. We take them in the trunk along with my tools when we go on a long drive. Get the Saturn manuals too. There are several of them, but they are very well laid out and thorough. I got mine on ebay.

And having bought a 92 Saturn SL2 from Cleveland & fixed it up for my daughter, it would be nice to buy one from someplace further south - where they dont salt the roads so much in winter!!!!

perfectvue · 02-29-2008, 02:19 AM

Definitely assume maintenance was neglected. If they didn't neglect it they probably wouldn't be selling it in the first place cause its still working perfectly. I still strongly like an American car and the S series is a good example of why. Picking up spare parts and doing repairs/maintenance yourself using the manual is the best way to keep in touch with your cars needs and prevent issues.