Speaking of cheap saturns.....

NMNA...........

1992 SL2 in NC for $400 needs manual shifter cable re-attached. Seems to be a simple fix according to highly trusted and reliable sources( ie the InterWebz ).

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4690218751.html

That's a great Lemons car for someone.

I picked up one like this with a similar listing. Replaced the clutch master in the parking lot and drove it away. My sister continued to drive it for 4 years during college, then discarded it when she graduated.

Had a friend who had a motor go on one. Threw a rod. Damn block looked like metallic styrofoam.

ProDarwin wrote: That's a great Lemons car for someone. I picked up one like this with a similar listing. Replaced the clutch master in the parking lot and drove it away. My sister continued to drive it for 4 years during college, then discarded it when she graduated.

Whats the magic cure for oil usage on these? MMO in the cylinders?

In reply to mrwillie:

More oil.

Yup, more oil.

MMO/ATF/etc. in the cylinders will free up the rings and reduce it, but almost never restore it to no-burning. The real cure is drilling drainback holes in the pistons behind the oil-control rings. And running synthetic like was originally intended.

Might be a shifter bushing on the base of the shifter. That'll leave ya stranded

CarKid1989 wrote: Might be a shifter bushing on the base of the shifter. That'll leave ya stranded

Yup. It's a known weak point in the cars and anyone with an older Saturn should probably pick up one of the improved shifter bushings for about $20 and keep it in the car. I believe you can temporarily fix it with a zip tie or two.

Once I finish and sell the Prius, Saturns with this issue are very high on my watch list to snag on the cheap, fix, and re-sell...

Ashyukun wrote: Once I finish and sell the Prius, Saturns with this issue are very high on my watch list to snag on the cheap, fix, and re-sell...

For flipping, I'd be more inclined to look for automatics with a "bad transmission". Tighten the input shaft nut ($0) and replace the valve body if necessary ($100-150), then sell.

Other than sticky rings, what are the other normal areas to fail on these?

mrwillie wrote: Other than sticky rings, what are the other normal areas to fail on these?

The original ECTS had a plastic body and was very prone to failure- all of the aftermarket ones have metal bodies and are far more durable. The shifter bushing this one has an issue with is also very common. The rings/oil burning is a known 'issue' but one that is very easily addressed by simpy keeping the oil topped up- the engines are pretty solid and durable as long as you don't let them run out of oil. The upper/side engine torque mount has a habit of going out faster than the others.

ProDarwin wrote:

Ashyukun wrote: Once I finish and sell the Prius, Saturns with this issue are very high on my watch list to snag on the cheap, fix, and re-sell...

For flipping, I'd be more inclined to look for automatics with a "bad transmission". Tighten the input shaft nut ($0) and replace the valve body if necessary ($100-150), then sell.

Interesting, mine was a stick so I didn't know about that. Would make this an interesting one to snag if it's still around (doubtful) once the Prius is gone- http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4702603718.html

Ashyukun wrote:

ProDarwin wrote:

Ashyukun wrote: Once I finish and sell the Prius, Saturns with this issue are very high on my watch list to snag on the cheap, fix, and re-sell...

For flipping, I'd be more inclined to look for automatics with a "bad transmission". Tighten the input shaft nut ($0) and replace the valve body if necessary ($100-150), then sell.

Interesting, mine was a stick so I didn't know about that. Would make this an interesting one to snag if it's still around (doubtful) once the Prius is gone- http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4702603718.html

Ehh. Sounds like that has engine problems as well. Given the mileage, I can't imagine you'd make enough $ off fixing that to make it worth your while.

ProDarwin wrote:

Ashyukun wrote:

ProDarwin wrote:

Ashyukun wrote: Once I finish and sell the Prius, Saturns with this issue are very high on my watch list to snag on the cheap, fix, and re-sell...

For flipping, I'd be more inclined to look for automatics with a "bad transmission". Tighten the input shaft nut ($0) and replace the valve body if necessary ($100-150), then sell.

Interesting, mine was a stick so I didn't know about that. Would make this an interesting one to snag if it's still around (doubtful) once the Prius is gone- http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4702603718.html

Ehh. Sounds like that has engine problems as well. Given the mileage, I can't imagine you'd make enough $ off fixing that to make it worth your while.

Perhaps. This would be an even better candidate if it weren't prohibitively far away... http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4669894885.html

If it has what you described wrong with the transmission and just needs new rear brake hardware it would be very cheap to fix.

Yup. That one is a little cleanup + a couple parts away from a $1500+ sale

mrwillie wrote: Other than sticky rings, what are the other normal areas to fail on these?

Cracked heads on the single cams.

Look for oil in the coolant recovery tank. The reason the engine looks like Styrofoam is because they were cast with a lost foam technique.

Cooter wrote:

mrwillie wrote: Other than sticky rings, what are the other normal areas to fail on these?

Cracked heads on the single cams.

True, but buying a SOHC at all now is a failure. Really low power output/performance when a used DOHC is basically the same price. Pre '95 SOHC is downright embarrassing (85hp)

I loved the 42 MpG with my '01 SL