HELP!! Saturn SL2

Background:
I'm looking at buying a 98' Saturn SL2 (I think its an SL2..its a dual overhead cam) But when I went to look at it the seller told me that the old owner had blanked off the EGR valve port with cardboard and then bolted one wing of the EGR in place. We took it off and the EGR mounting holes didn't even come close to lining up with the studs in the block. He bought a new one from Advanced auto today.. and he's telling me it's the same as the old one!! Someone help! Is it possible the engine was swapped out with a newer year and thats why it doesn't fit? I tried calling advanced and older EGR's are still the same model #.

Saturn made the switch from a vacuum operated EGR valve to a linear, electrically operated EGR valve in 1995, 1994 for California cars. If an EGR valve for that year of car doesn't fit, the engine or cylinder head has to be older than 95.

I would recommend that you not buy this car unless you're prepared to deal with the freak show it may be.

You just saved me a headache!

I agree with the Cat Fuzz advice, and that would be especially true if you live in California. On the other hand if the seller is willing to drop the price enough.......
If you go to www.rockauto.com, you can put in your make and year, then look for the EGR valve using the search feature. They usually have little pictures of the part. We have a 92 SL2 and a 98 SL2 in the family; they differences in the valves are obvious.

You need an adapter plate. Sounds like you have a 1st gen head with an electronic EGR. The adapter plate will allow the electric EGR to fit the older head. You can NOT put a vacum EGR on the head as the PCM will not match and you will have an SES code