Markde
New Reader
9/19/13 5:15 p.m.
Got a line on one that supposedly needs an engine. Seller wants $300. Looks clean in pictures, is a 5-speed, and only has 114k.
If it does in fact need an engine, (not sold on that) what are my options? I'm on a very limited time table as I am moving in 2-3 weeks.
My interest mostly stems from the fact that I've been looking for this exact car all summer and it's right down the road. I don't have a lot of experience with saturns but everything I've read (mostly here) makes them sound pretty much perfect for a dd/autox car.
All Saturn's need engines.... some need them more than others.
Seriously, All Saturn S series cars will burn oil. Sometimes they burn all the oil in the crankcase and the motor seizes up or spins a bearing.
If you can deal with the oil burning issue, Saturns are cheap to own.
Watch for rust, especially the sub frame. They look nice because of the plastic body panels, but underneath is still metal that rusts. It just hidden.
I've seen a couple that the sub frame was rotten right where the lower control arm attaches. Check there first.
engine swaps are not exactly a treat on these cars. For the money though, it's a compelling deal. Should still own the end product for less than a four digit number. That's called winning.
Markde
New Reader
9/19/13 9:15 p.m.
Passed on it, 
Car turned over but made some awful noises. Still a clean car/good deal but I've already got a full plate. If anyone near poughkeepsie is interested I can forward the sellers #.
