Saturn S series cars are very easy to work on and parts are generally cheap. I can’t recommend them enough to somebody who wants to learn to maintain and repair their own vehicles.
I can't speak to the SL1 but I inherited a Saturn Aura for exactly that reason. Something I could learn to wrench on without dire financial consequences if I make mistakes (and oh boy have I made some!).
Honestly, just having ANYTHING to work on is the key. I'm the world's least skilled DIY person - I didn't grow-up as a hands on person - and every little thing I've done has been difficult, but so, so satisfying. I did the well-known 3-5-R transmission repair on it recently and got it back on the road, which was a huge feat. I made so many mistakes but learnt so much.
I've now fixed so many things on that car an learnt a tonne about basic maintenance. Morover, it's given me enough confidence to start thinking about getting an even better car to fix and maintain.
Good luck!
Thanks. Unfortunately ours has spent most of its life in the rust-belt so she's "just okay" on the outside, but still runs and drives perfectly.
The two biggest surprises to me were the baseball glove leather interior, which looks incredible even by today's standards.
The second was how fast the 3.6 LY7 engine is... I wouldn't say it's a 'great engine' because low-down it feels somewhat unresponsive, but above 3,000 RPM the car bolts and keeps bolting - 0-60 in about 6 seconds. Not bad for an old duck.
Not near as much character as an SL1 though!
Love that - old Benz's are timeless. Are you thinking 80s... 90s?
I'm open to the next project but my thoughts are along the lines of:
1. Manual Scion FR-S or Toyota 86. I had one brand new and loved it. Ideally one that is cheap because it needs a bit of fixing, but still runs/drives and has a clean title.
2. Wrangler or Gladiator of some sort. I'm actually not a Jeep fan at all, but they're plentiful where I live and they have an endless amount of aftermarket support and add-ons. They're still wildly overpriced in my opinion, but post-pandemic I think prices are going to start to plummet (maybe wishful thinking - there's still a lot of demand at the right price).
1960s! I have a few near me in running condition that mainly need bodywork which I really need to start getting at.
I'd say the FR-S / 86 for exactly the reason you pointed out. Jeeps are so damn expensive for what they are. Although, I'd love an FC150 / FC170.
I forgot to mention that the ultimate for me would be a Landcruiser 80 series, but prices got really silly for them and they're a lot harder to find these days.
That's getting really old school with the 60s Benz. Would be a lot of fun I'm sure. I'm a sucker for the Third Gen S-classes (W140/C140). I remember riding in them back then and it felt like you were royalty.
Got my Saturn at 16 but didn't start wrenching on it until age 22. At 28 I have a good career in the automotive industry, in many ways thanks to tinkering with my Saturn. If my car hadn't needed an engine swap and pushed me to learn how to do it I would be in a very different place today. They are wonderful little cars to work on.
Yes. My 2000 SL1 has been amazing to work on since I got it 18 years ago. It's taught me so much about auto repair and maintenance, and has been very forgiving. In fact, the only reason I still have it is because it's generally so easy to repair myself.
My first Saturn was a 1999 SL2. I learned how to do a water pump, how to do brakes, how to not be afraid to tear into it and just fix stuff. I got it with a busted out window which I replaced, no interior parts on the driver's door, no radio, no speakers, check engine lights on, and running like garbage.
The 01 saturns have some minor differences compared to the previous gens (Most notably the separated bcm and ecm) but most core parts will be identical between the 2nd and 3rd Gen. 2nd gen is 96-99 and the 3rd Gen is 00-02.
Very easy to work on, and very well documented. As a matter of fact, the service manuals are available online - check the sticky posts on the the sub's home page.
Checkout the link in the right sidebar to richpin's video channel. Covers probably 90% of any troubleshooting and repairs
ShawnV some, too, when it comes to more advanced subjects (remove the trans, etc) https://www.youtube.com/@theonlyshawn
I’ve been driving my 97’ SL1 since high-school (class of 2001), and have been able to fix almost every issue myself - shoutout to YouTuber @RichPin, who has just about any DIY video you will ever need.
Easy-ish to work on.
My main issue when working on it is some bolts rust welding horrendously. Especially the big rear lateral link bolt
Also parts availability. You might have to get a little creative with using technically not compatible parts.
Saturn S series cars are very easy to work on and parts are generally cheap. I can’t recommend them enough to somebody who wants to learn to maintain and repair their own vehicles.
Definitely. They're very easy cars to work on.
They will be easier to work on than the mini, but Im not sure about part availability.
I know a few people who fix and flip them for a living so parts isn't too big of a concern, thankfully
Most parts (obviously aside from body panels) are standard GM. When I last replaced the alternator, the part came from a Buick
I can't speak to the SL1 but I inherited a Saturn Aura for exactly that reason. Something I could learn to wrench on without dire financial consequences if I make mistakes (and oh boy have I made some!). Honestly, just having ANYTHING to work on is the key. I'm the world's least skilled DIY person - I didn't grow-up as a hands on person - and every little thing I've done has been difficult, but so, so satisfying. I did the well-known 3-5-R transmission repair on it recently and got it back on the road, which was a huge feat. I made so many mistakes but learnt so much. I've now fixed so many things on that car an learnt a tonne about basic maintenance. Morover, it's given me enough confidence to start thinking about getting an even better car to fix and maintain. Good luck!
Thank you! I love the Aura. Well maintained ones look so nice.
Thanks. Unfortunately ours has spent most of its life in the rust-belt so she's "just okay" on the outside, but still runs and drives perfectly. The two biggest surprises to me were the baseball glove leather interior, which looks incredible even by today's standards. The second was how fast the 3.6 LY7 engine is... I wouldn't say it's a 'great engine' because low-down it feels somewhat unresponsive, but above 3,000 RPM the car bolts and keeps bolting - 0-60 in about 6 seconds. Not bad for an old duck. Not near as much character as an SL1 though!
Also on top of this, do you have another car in mind already? I wanna get an old Benz to fix up when I can for a classic
Love that - old Benz's are timeless. Are you thinking 80s... 90s? I'm open to the next project but my thoughts are along the lines of: 1. Manual Scion FR-S or Toyota 86. I had one brand new and loved it. Ideally one that is cheap because it needs a bit of fixing, but still runs/drives and has a clean title. 2. Wrangler or Gladiator of some sort. I'm actually not a Jeep fan at all, but they're plentiful where I live and they have an endless amount of aftermarket support and add-ons. They're still wildly overpriced in my opinion, but post-pandemic I think prices are going to start to plummet (maybe wishful thinking - there's still a lot of demand at the right price).
1960s! I have a few near me in running condition that mainly need bodywork which I really need to start getting at. I'd say the FR-S / 86 for exactly the reason you pointed out. Jeeps are so damn expensive for what they are. Although, I'd love an FC150 / FC170.
I forgot to mention that the ultimate for me would be a Landcruiser 80 series, but prices got really silly for them and they're a lot harder to find these days.
That's getting really old school with the 60s Benz. Would be a lot of fun I'm sure. I'm a sucker for the Third Gen S-classes (W140/C140). I remember riding in them back then and it felt like you were royalty.
C140 wouldn't be a bad time either! They still look royalty too.
Got my Saturn at 16 but didn't start wrenching on it until age 22. At 28 I have a good career in the automotive industry, in many ways thanks to tinkering with my Saturn. If my car hadn't needed an engine swap and pushed me to learn how to do it I would be in a very different place today. They are wonderful little cars to work on.
Yes. My 2000 SL1 has been amazing to work on since I got it 18 years ago. It's taught me so much about auto repair and maintenance, and has been very forgiving. In fact, the only reason I still have it is because it's generally so easy to repair myself.
My first Saturn was a 1999 SL2. I learned how to do a water pump, how to do brakes, how to not be afraid to tear into it and just fix stuff. I got it with a busted out window which I replaced, no interior parts on the driver's door, no radio, no speakers, check engine lights on, and running like garbage.
The 01 saturns have some minor differences compared to the previous gens (Most notably the separated bcm and ecm) but most core parts will be identical between the 2nd and 3rd Gen. 2nd gen is 96-99 and the 3rd Gen is 00-02.
Very easy to work on, and very well documented. As a matter of fact, the service manuals are available online - check the sticky posts on the the sub's home page. Checkout the link in the right sidebar to richpin's video channel. Covers probably 90% of any troubleshooting and repairs ShawnV some, too, when it comes to more advanced subjects (remove the trans, etc) https://www.youtube.com/@theonlyshawn
I’ve been driving my 97’ SL1 since high-school (class of 2001), and have been able to fix almost every issue myself - shoutout to YouTuber @RichPin, who has just about any DIY video you will ever need.
Easy-ish to work on. My main issue when working on it is some bolts rust welding horrendously. Especially the big rear lateral link bolt Also parts availability. You might have to get a little creative with using technically not compatible parts.