What Saturn should I get?

PurdueGuy · 02-01-2006, 12:11 AM

Just thought this would be a fun topic...

If all goes according to plan, within the next 6 months both my wife & I will graduate, move, and have well-paying jobs. Once we're settled in a little, I want to start looking for a Saturn to modify. So, what should I get?

A few important notes:

-I plan to daily drive the project car whenever it's working properly, letting my wife drive the current SC1. When the project car isn't working correctly, we have a '93 LeSabre that will be used. That said, I can experiment with stuff that will require time to work out bugs (did someone say turbo?), but I want to keep creature comforts as well as building power. No stripped-down track star for this project vehicle.

-While we will have well-paying jobs, we also plan to buy a house. This means that the less the car costs, the more/sooner I can do custom work on it.

-I plan to build this car RIGHT, and keep it a long, long time. That said, while a chaper car has advantages in a sooner start on custom work, I'm in it for the long haul and want to like driving the final product (if there is such a thing) on a regular basis. I don't want to cheap out up front and regret it later, but I also don't want to necessarily spend a fortune up front, either.

-Usability is a factor - I don't want to be the guy who buys a nice car, has kids, and has to sell it 'cuz the car isn't practical.

-I have some preferences, but don't want to express them yet. I wanna see what you all think is the best way to go, so this is open to all Saturn (heck, even non-saturn I suppose) models & years.

So, what should I buy for a project car?

Sleeper SL2 · 02-01-2006, 12:37 AM

Ummm. An eclipse

(not just because i own one either) , First gotta be a manual, wether it be a gs-t (fwd turbo) or gsx (awd turbo) because you can get one for a reasonable price (around 2g's - 7g's) and the mods and power pontential for them are ENDLESS. Plus the hp gains when adding mods are 100 times better than alot of cars. Just be ready to know what the hell you are doing (also these engines can be a great learing tool) and if it already doesnt come with one get a tranny oil and engine oil cooler because the 4g63 (engine code) doesnt like a little thing called heat soak AT ALL and you will be going through trannys mostly and engines possibly like no other. Crankwalk is another BIG problem with eclipses but the main reason it happens is if you have the incorrect oil, oil starvation, or dont change oil on time. The crankwalk problem is more common in the 7 bolt 2nd gen (95-99) than in the first gens. Also the stock block on an older eclipse can hold like 400hp easily and RELIABLE, also there is no need to really investment in internals but i would still reccommend in doing it. Stock hp on a turbo eclipse is 195 for the 1st gen's (90-94) and 210hp (95-99) and thats only running at the factory 10psi. You invest in a dejon tool intake, cat back exhaust, boost controller (manual one from joe p which is a company), boost gauge, turbo timer, possibly an apexi s afc (if you wanna do it right), and egt gauge and you can be pushing anywhere from 240-270 hp (and only boosting at 15psi). Whats that like $1300 total and are already pusing way more hp than a 1.9l saturn could with a $3-4000 kit. Im not bashing saturns but its just the facts. Plus stock handling on the eclipse is great. Add some eibach springs and kyb agx (adjustable) or just the gr-2's struts, and a front and rear strut tower bar and you will be set for awhile. Total thats like $750 (not including labor if you know how to do it, and includes an alignment). Above are just some of the mods i have done and have gotten alot of help and advice from the guys over at dsmtalk.com.
Or all else fails get an ion redline.

micah_sl2 · 02-01-2006, 01:26 AM

my preferences:

-it absolutley has to be a Sx2 (DOHC) coupe or sedan

-No rust on the frame --it's ok on the hood or trunk (watch out for rust under the rear doors of early sedans)

-never been in an accident (not even a fender bender)

-from the southern states (no salt)

-absolutley no aftermarket modifications, especially anything that required cutting or drilling into the car-(except maybe a cd player or speakers if a wiring adapter was used so none of the wires have ever been cut))

-obviously; no salvage title- flood, fire, etc.

the only part of the body i would worry about would be the roof- any other panel could be easily replaced or repainted (off of the car)

-well maintained (not as important, because you can always swap/rebuild the engine)

thats what i would look for in my next saturn- which wont be for a while...

edit: as for what car to get, i would assume you are looking for a first gen because they are cheaper. i really like the sedans, 93-95, if you want a coupe, i think you should get a later one 95-96? (the kind with the reflector that goes all the way across)

as for color- i'd stay away from the more "wild" colors- such as purple, and turquoise, i personally don't think those look good

my favorites are, in order: black, blue black, red (coupe), silver, and white-

it would be great if you could find a '94 homecoming edition

the only body style that i really dont like are wagons, the second and third gen sedans- it seems to take more to make them look good (not that nobody has)

impulse93 · 02-01-2006, 02:31 AM

for practicality and funtionality, i'd say a 95 SL2 or a 96-99 SL2.

In white, so it'd match the coupe in front of the house.

don't rely solely on a carfax, take the car out to the sun, look to see imperfections in the sun light. misaligned doors/panels speak alot.

Get under the car, flash light and all and look for welds, folds, crushes, bends, anything objectable on the car.

Buy from the original owner, they won't lie too much, 2nd 3rd or 4th can say "i only have maintenance from the last year"

Mileage doesn't matter, because if you're properly building it, it will essentially have a new motor.

Remove the cupholder/ash tray if the car is stated as a non-smoker. A little ash will indicate that it was smoked in, maybe not within the last few weeks to get the smell out, but never the less it was.

Are the headlights aligned? If not, check for accident clues.

engine look too clean? ask them why.

Smell the oil, you'll understand that.

check the color of the coolant.

There's lot of small things, and i know you didn't ask, but thought i'd mention it anyways.

I'd say get a sedan though. MT of course.

PurdueGuy · 02-01-2006, 03:54 AM

We'll clear a few things up.

Of course if it's an s-series, it'll be an S(x)2 manual. Also, not that I don't appreciate the comments, I'm experienced with looking for things with used cars, and will be careful to get something in good condition (or get it cheap enough to make up for things I have to fix).

I guess I'll throw some of my pref's out too, and people can give their thoughts of pro's and con's of each option.

1st gen SC2
1st gen SL2
1st gen SW2
3rd gen SC2 (not thinking I want a 2nd gen SC, cuz that's what I already have - want some variety)
Ion QC, maybe redline depending on cost (<not sure I can/want to justify the extra cost of going with an Ion, feel free to defend S-series or Ion, whichever you prefer

)
Vue (probably not, but it might be interesting. Would more likely like a Vue as a daily driver in the future)

**Ssicarman** · 02-01-2006, 04:01 AM

House=hauling things for repairs and renos.

Possible to probable kids=hauling tons of kid things.

I'm thinking a nice SW2.
Get one with the washer nozzle on the roofline area instead of the washer arm pivot.

Drprelude · 02-01-2006, 04:01 AM

Well since he did say saturn i'd say the same as impulse

96-99 sl2, sunroof, non spoiler addition, 15 inch rim version, standard.

It's practicle, you can build on it a hole crap load and still maintain a decent %tile for gas mileage. It looks superb lowered....you can cram a northstar in there for fun! lol

the best thing about the sl2 compared to the sc2 is it's the ULTIMATE sleeper.

Seriously only people such as us can appreciate the look, feel of driving, options and style that comes with a saturn. To anyone else it's JUST A SATURN.

So when they pull up next to you in their riced out civic or turbo'd talon and laugh at you because your driving around in "just a saturn sl2" and/or they pull a rice boy fly by just to have you hit the gas and beet the pants off them..it's a good feeling.

(it doesn't happen often but with the right build it will)

In conclusion sl2 with a little pimp to it, lowered ride height...keep the stock rims with new shoes (maybe clean the rims up a bit) and mod the **** out of the engine...but still have a ride you can take your family to wal mart in and come home with 10 bags of groceries. Thats what you should do...in fact thats what im doing right now (except im putting rims on it lol)

PurdueGuy · 02-01-2006, 04:10 AM

I don't think I'd go with a 2nd or 3rd gen SL/W2, personally. The 1st gen's lines are much more crisp and just look better, IMO. The 2nd and 3rd look... bland. Sure, there are a number of them out there that look sweet, but... I dunno. Just not for me.

impulse93 · 02-01-2006, 04:42 AM

I'd say stay with a 95+ with whatever you get.

New interior.

scottyr94 · 02-01-2006, 01:58 PM

I got a 94 SL1 up for sale right now

. You've seen it Jon. The engine still runs great, just burns alot of oil, needs rebuild for sure. Body is in good shape, could use a hood if you don't like the dents where the tree fell on it, put some SL2 bumpers on it, would look great. Everything is already swapped over to dohc, just have sohc block still in there.

I'm working on some minor repairs right now to bring it back up to tip top shape in prep for selling it soon. I got rid of the yellow interior panels, but I can include and probably will include those along with the rims that used to be on it and probaby the stock alloys from my SC2. Oh and it also has a rear disc setup, but I think it might need a new caliper on the passenger side. 110,000 miles on body, engine is unknown.

I'm putting a price on it locally for $1000, maybe an option for you. I would love to see it turn into what I never got around to doing.