Hi Gang...... i'm now the proud owner of a 2002 SC1. Have been looking for a new (used) car for my son, as the Mercury Mystique we bought from my father in law a few years back, is on it's last leg. Came across this car on a local Kijiji ad last Wed night, as i was doing searches for saturns. It popped up in the local ad, so i replied to it....he was asking $1000 obo. There was also an address, so it was only 5 minutes away...when got there, there was no car to be found...so, i figured an '02 for $1000, it was someone playing a joke, Next morning i get a reply to my e-mail...saying it needs a transmission, and if u're still interested call......
I'm a Parts/Service manager at a GM Dealer, so a new tranny doesn't concern me, as i called our local recycler, and a used tranny could be had, as a new one is $4000. Met the guy to see it, the rear tire was flat, the paint on the hood was peeling badly, as it had been replaced. other than that, a few nicks and scratches, and a mess of an interior. We made a deal, which was significantly lower, to low for me to mention, and i went back that night to get it....drove it home, and yes, it bangs into gear, but the loud banging was also helped by a broken muffler strap. Spent all weekend cleaning it, and this week we'll trailer it to the shop to check the tranny, get the hood painted and fascia buffed up....and see what she needs for a safety

 

Neat! They do clean up nice. Cosmetically, mine was a mess due to sitting in the sun most of it's life. I parked it for 4 years due to that and a few minor problems. Mechancially sound though.
Gas = way too much
Paid for Saturn parked in driveway = project to be done.
Love the result, glad I did it. Drive with pride anywhere.
Good Luck

 

Welcome to the Saturn Forum, and make sure your tranny problem is not a valvebody or loose output shaft nut before you start replacing it.

 

Oh, don't worry.....i work with a great group of factory trained technicians. Sure wish it would have had a Windsor built transmission....Windsor makes one heck of a great tranny. i'll keep you posted, heck, i'm hoping it's just a broken transmission mount

 

Outstanding

 

Just to report back in.....the transmission problem ended up being only a shift solenoid, to the tune of around $65 plus the labour, car needed absolutely nothing for a safety in Canada( new brakes all the way around). Tires, even though have alot of tread left are going to be replaced. They are BFGoodrick Control plus, and hav a funky outer tread design, which begs for scalping if not rotated. Right now the vehicle is at the body shop getting the hood and fascia painted. So, all in all, after rad flush, oil change and the tranny, i'll have a little over $400 bucks in it....not bad i'd say!