Tripleskate Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) Will be picking up a new beater for commuting. Have done a deal on this one: http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_xmzGtnUfzB_600x450.jpg Excuse the photo, it was taken with a potato by the previous owner. 2002 Saturn SL 5MT. Looking around on line, other than burning some oil between changes (it is an older car), there seem to be a TON of these cars out there with 200,000+ miles. The car has had a few more recent (within the past year) services done, including battery, starter, and water pump. Anything I should really be on the look out for? Edited April 13, 2014 by Tripleskate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 Love Saturn SL's. Dad had one and I drove it in high school/college. Will always have a soft spot for that tossable, indestructible piece of Tupperware. :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhett Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 I drive a 2004 Ion 2. Saturn was a decent car, My family drove them from Saturns launch in the early 90's. GL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coltboostin Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 SOHC or DOHC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoostedAce Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 SOHC or DOHC? What he said, that is the question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripleskate Posted April 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 What he said, that is the question. Why? Is one of them substantially worse than the other? I know the DOHC motors have like a 15% power bump. Anything else I should be aware of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3NN3TT Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 The DOHC's burn oil like it's their job. SOHC is better for a daily driver, and bring home way better MPG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spankis Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I know the DOHC motors have like a 15% power bump. Anything else I should be aware of? The DOHC's burn oil like it's their job. Sounds like it's slightly 2-stroke lolololol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonrottes Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 My Mom has 1997? SC... 1.9l DOHC She loves to hate that thing. But all-in-all It's actually not a bad car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 They all burn oil like crazy, DOHC and SOHC doesn't change the matter, they're basically identical other than the head. Super easy to work on. Ever have any questions you can PM me, I worked as a Saturn cert tech for years, basically know those cars like the back of my hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripleskate Posted April 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I know this is quite generic, but how many miles is too many? The car has 190,000....on the original clutch too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbs3000 Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 if that's true expect to need a new clutch, with those I believe the swap isn't bad but kinda a pain because you are supposed to drop the sub frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verse Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 if that's true expect to need a new clutch, with those I believe the swap isn't bad but kinda a pain because you are supposed to drop the sub frame. Manual trans can be turned and pulled out of the top, super easy job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3NN3TT Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I've owned three of them over the past many, many years; a 95, a 99, and an 01. The DOHCs were always oil burners, but the SOHC wasn't. Luck of the draw, I suppose. Maybe the twin-cams are more prone to oil usage because they have another 1000 RPMs of rev range. I took them all to well over 150,000 miles, all still on the original clutch when I sold or traded them in. They are so crazy cheap to own and operate, and so crazy easy to work on. They really are fantastic daily drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 Every time someone trades one in, they basically say "you can have it for $100, I've gotten all my money and more out of that thing". All of them around 250-300k miles, still running, sagging head liners and shitty seats but always running strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FourString Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 In before Grant starts fapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tealsupra Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Ill agree had a 1997 sl1 burnt a quart every 700 miles but spun like a top. Had 240k miles on mine with original clutch lolz. Sold it with clutch on its last leg. I have a soft spot for these cars and wouldnt mind another for a DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 In before Grant starts fapping. :masturboy: Love mine. 36+mpg and cheap parts. Front pads and rotors for less than $60 installed :lolguy: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripleskate Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Bumping this up. The Owner of the Saturn, and I just couldn't get things squared away in the end. So, I did pretty much a complete 180 in terms of vehicle choices, and bought this last night: It's beat up, dirt cheap, and hilariously fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Is that your burnout in the second pic? :masturboy: Saturns rule, Miata's drool....jk Great pick up as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripleskate Posted May 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 Is that your burnout in the second pic? :masturboy: Saturns rule, Miata's drool....jk Great pick up as well! P.O. did not know much about the car (older couple), had to test the diff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Maker Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 I had an early 90's SL2 (I think?), the little 4 door with the DOHC through most of college. Pretty much an indestructible car and surprisingly fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 I had an early 90's SL2 (I think?), the little 4 door with the DOHC through most of college. Pretty much an indestructible car and surprisingly fun. That's great, Jesse. Thanks for your comment because it's incredibly pertinent given his ACTUAL daily purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustlestiltskin Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 DAS IT MANE!!! Good choice on the Miata. I've owned 3 and love those lil zoom zooms. Small, light, rwd, drop too. Fun ass cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted May 2, 2014 Report Share Posted May 2, 2014 (edited) I'd never consider owning such a car. I'd have to drive with the top down year round just to fit in it. If I could fit though I'd consider it. Cheap cars with good economy and decent reliability. Stock form at autox they seem to perform very well Looks like it's in good condition to me, enjoy! Edited May 2, 2014 by Geeesammy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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