"Matthew Henry" (matthenry)
08/13/2013 at 12:03 • Filed to: None
3
18|
"Matthew Henry" (matthenry)
08/13/2013 at 12:03 • Filed to: None | 3
| 18 |
Well guys, I bought a car! I drove down to see it on Sunday evening, purchased it, and got it inspected, titled, and tagged yesterday.
What did I buy? I'll give you a few hints. It's a 1997 manual 5-speed, powered by a peppy four cylinder engine, in British Racing Green. It isn't a Mazda Miata.
It's a Saturn SL2. I paid far below my budget for it. It's been well maintained and is just over 110k miles. It's easy to work on (I replaced the serpentine belt before I had it inspected), parts are dirt cheap, and it's got a reasonable amount of space. A crack in the windshield and the clearcoat is rough, but it does have brand new tires on it. The owner threw in a Haynes manual and a mango-scented tree-shaped air freshener (Which I threw away at the first opportunity.) The clutch and transmission are pretty good, and the car has a similar power to weight ratio as a Miata, at 124 HP and 23xx lbs. I've been re-learning to drive Standard — my family hasn't owned one in a long time, and I hadn't driven one in several years. I've both stalled and chirped my tires a few times, but it's coming along!
I've driven about 120 miles (all city) since I bought it, and I've gotten well over 25 mpg. My insurance was very reasonable, and there's enough space to take my guitars and equipment to gigs. It even has A/C!
A few interesting notes:
So, judging from the headliner, the owner may have turned into a werewolf while driving.
I got home, and noticed that there was a second rubberized handle under the e-brake.
*pulls handle *
*machete appears *
I checked the trunk and it's completely clear of dismembered body parts, so I guess we're okay. It's a little puzzling, but on the other hand, free machete!
I'm currently fielding suggestions for my new ride's nickname. Our favorites have been "V" (it's a Saturn!), "Frogger", "The Pickle", "Junebug", "Turnip (green)", "Magnolia", and "Soylent"
Chime in below! As with my original crowd-source my car post, I probably shan't take your advice, but I promise to read your comments! ;-)
-Matt Henry
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:08 |
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Just be careful. From the stories on this site it seems that some Saturn SLs are absolutely brilliant and others are complete piles of junk. Hopefully you got one of the good ones!
iforgotmyburnerkeyonce
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:09 |
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Now I can finally get rid of my bat in my car and replace it with my machete! Great Idea!
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Matthew Henry
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/13/2013 at 12:10 |
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Yeah, that's what I heard. It looks super solid underneath, and I got a great deal on it. If it is junk, I'll sell it at Christmas and buy something else. With a wash/wax and detailing, I can definitely get more than I paid for it.
desertdog5051
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:12 |
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Previous owner had some serious road rage issues.
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desertdog5051
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:14 |
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My son had one. 40 mpg was great. But what a POS car. (There a name suggestion)
DanIsUpHere
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:15 |
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I had one of these in red. FUN CAR.
MonkeePuzzle
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:16 |
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*pulls handle *
*machete appears *
umm... ruh roh
hey good luck on the buy. Side note from my wife's ownership of same (hers had no machete option) the power window switches are actually plastic levering onto plastic that controls an actual switch. If you have a window that doenst work that woudl be the first place to look as they seem to wear down the little plastic nub then not making contact. And for some reason hers flew through alternators, so... get a good one if replacing? or get a really cheap one ebcause it will break anyway? I dunno what my advice is here
Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
> iforgotmyburnerkeyonce
08/13/2013 at 12:25 |
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I carry "the club" it draws no attention when left in the car and should I need to , I will use it as the name indicates, as a club.
Giles007
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:38 |
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Congrats on the car. Lightweight and a manual; should be a somewhat fun to toss around. Keep us updated on any more surprises you find.
BJ
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:55 |
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Congrats on the purchase.
My neighbours bought a car from one of their friends as-is and were cleaning it out in front of my place. I watched as they pulled out child booster seats, garbage, ropes, all manner of stuff, and then they found the machete. It was much bigger than your machete appears to be.
What'd they say upon their discovery? "Well you know how Steve* is - that's why we're wearing gloves!"
* Not his real name, 'cause I forget what it was.
Jagvar
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 12:59 |
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The discovery of the machete might explain the shredded headliner.
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Matthew Henry
> MonkeePuzzle
08/13/2013 at 17:15 |
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Oh, good to know. The windows all work, but not very well. Thanks for the tip.
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Matthew Henry
> BJ
08/13/2013 at 17:16 |
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"Well, you know how Steve* is"
Priceless. Thanks for the laugh.
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Matthew Henry
> DanIsUpHere
08/13/2013 at 17:17 |
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It's quite chuckable. I'm looking forward to taking it on a good mountain run on my way up to Kentucky on Friday.
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Matthew Henry
> Giles007
08/13/2013 at 17:20 |
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Yes, very tossable. The fiberglass body panels keep the weight down and the SL2 variant has a 16 valve twin-cam engine that's good for 25 hp over base.
As for other surprises, I found a few stale french fries under the backseat. Normal consequence of buying a car from a family with young kids. That being said, I'm putting in seat covers and floor mats soon.
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iforgotmyburnerkeyonce
> desertdog5051
08/13/2013 at 17:33 |
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I'd think more-so that's for protection. Nothing will make some macho guy who thinks he can start a fight on the highway get back into his car faster than hopping out of the car with a machete.
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desertdog5051
> iforgotmyburnerkeyonce
08/13/2013 at 17:37 |
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Good point, but could go both ways, I suppose.
spartangeckos
> Matthew Henry
08/13/2013 at 21:58 |
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Agatha (for it's similarity to "Agate")