QUOTE(ubernewb @ Mar 20 2007, 04:31 AM)
why not just make the saturn more fun to drive? i couldn't think of anything cooler than doing some sweet mad max mods like the pictures i put up.. hahaha
then i'd dress up like ol' mel and run my errands around town..
You're kidding, right? Since my POS Saturn is really a sore subject for me right now, I will post why I WON'T be doing it.
1. I drive a Saturn SL2 with an automatic transmission which is the most gutless vehicle I have ever owned/driven. The DOHC 1.9L engine is the "big bad" engine that Saturn offers in the SC and SL models and that is what I have in my car. Even my old Dodge Colt with a non-fuel injected 1.5L engine and a 4 speed tranny could run circles around this thing.
2. It has been every bit as unreliable as my RX-7 (if not more so). I bought the car a year ago this month. Here is what I have had to do to it over the last year to keep it on the road:
Replaced the #2 rod bearing (essentially a minor engine rebuild)
Replaced the bushings/rear sway bar
Replaced the thermostat
Replaced one of the bearings around the timing belt
Replaced the water pump
Here is what still needs to be done to the vehicle:
Replace left transaxle seal
Replace muffler
Furthermore, over the last month or so I have noticed that the car is using a rediculous amount of oil. Usually I go between oil changes with no problems but about 3 weeks ago the SOB was really low and so I dumped two and a half quarts of oil into it and felt that I was good to go. About a week later I see the dreaded oil indicator pop on. I quickly check and see that my oil is below the low marker. Where the fuck those two and half quarts went, I have no idea. Either way I dumped in a little more oil to hold me over for a couple of days until I could get the oil changed. The oil was changed yesterday and so far it seems to be holding okay but we will have to see. Either way there are indications that the engine is starting to use oil and that is a nightmare that I will NOT go through again.
Bottom line I will NEVER own another Saturn as long as I live. They are great cars up to about 100K miles, no promises after that. As a result of all of this, I am now looking for a new car since I need a reliable commuter vehicle and I am sick and tired of having a peice of junk that always ends up in the shop.
End of rant.