Found a [used] Saturn SC1 on craigslist, and am trying to educate myself in general car knowledge, used car buying, and in the quirks of the Saturn line. Might you all A) have any insight on buying the vehicle, specifically? (AP $1900, KBB $2200), B) any good ground-up teaching resources on simple car maintenance and knowledge to recommend, C) good things to check when buying a used car, and D) any advice specifically on the SC1?

Much obliged,
Kestrel

I can't say a lot. How many miles are on it for one thing (always a key factor)? Another is that it is an sc1 meaning sohc so its a little weak if you are power hungry but you probably aren't. Drive it around for a good 20-30 min if you can. Do normal driving and put a little punch in it, see how it runs. Do a few stops, make sure the brakes are all right. turn the wheel fully in both directions. look at the alignment. test all the electric stuff (a/c, lights, mirrors, locks, wipers, and such). Look under the hood before and after the drive. look under the hood while running and check for leaks. it is difficult to buy a used car cuz it is used, there could be anything wrong with it so you have to look at EVERYTHING. Get a carfax report too. cost around 20 bucks or something but is very useful. if you do get it, change oil EVERY 3000 miles with regular oil. I changed my oil every 4000 when i used synthetic (and i'll probably get a lot of crap for saying that) but that is just me and i changed my oil every 3000 when i switched to high mile stuff. change the ect with the brass one if it hasn't, it will prevent future issues down the road. can't think of anything else, i guess i did say a lot. :lol2: