Officially took possession of the $500 Saturn tonight

"Long Live the Longdoor" (victoryred08) 06/30/2016 at 20:47 • Filed to: $500 Saturn

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And there was a nice surprise in the glovebox...

Full service records (including those from the Saturn dealership) and the original hardcover manual!

She needs a bath inside and out, then it’s off to MTO to get a trip plate on Monday and take it to see what it needs for safety and an e-test (cross my fingers for nothing major).

Bonus : I had to shuffle cars around in the driveway, I went to reverse in and proceeded to stall it 4 times trying to back it up the incline; can’t wait to practise like crazy.

way2blu does a rev update > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 20:54

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If my math is correct that’s only $100 per forward gear! Great ratio. Any big plans for the car?

Seat Safety Switch > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:00

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You’ll probably want to pick up one of the shift linkage repair kits out there and do some pre-emptive maintenance. Almost all of the ones in that price range here are getting scrapped because “it don’t shift no more.”

Since we live in the future you can even 3D print part of it: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:38261

Or just buy one:

http://www.bushingfix.com/saturn-l-serie…

CB > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:05

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Ah, the MTO. The ServiceOntario in downtown Ottawa is pretty great, but if you’re anywhere in the GTA, I’d advise getting there early.

Ross Kraz > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:08

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Did the same thing with my first stick. Got so worried that I would never get it back so I just drove around the block and used momemtum to get up the incline.

Swagon > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:17

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I got an 80s International S1900 for that

Long Live the Longdoor > way2blu does a rev update 06/30/2016 at 21:17

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You’re right, $100 per forward gear and I plan to make the most of them! I’ll be teaching myself and my wife to drive stick (I’ve wanted to learn ever since I got into cars and my wife needs to learn to ). Then everyone else who’s interested after that. Then, who knows, maybe I’ll sell it make some of my money back.

Funktheduck > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:17

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I still have the owner's manuals for my past two cars. Meant to send them with the car when sold but forgot

Long Live the Longdoor > Funktheduck 06/30/2016 at 21:18

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Oops, nice!

Long Live the Longdoor > CB 06/30/2016 at 21:18

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Niagara area, the one in St. Catharines isn’t too bad from what I’ve seen.

way2blu does a rev update > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:19

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That’s great to hear you’re learning! Stick shift is exceptionally rewarding and fun once you learn.

Funktheduck > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:19

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Need an owner's manual for a 95 Lexus GS or a 2004 Corolla?

Long Live the Longdoor > Ross Kraz 06/30/2016 at 21:20

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Haha, that’s awesome! If I had plates on the car, I probably would have done that.

Long Live the Longdoor > Swagon 06/30/2016 at 21:20

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Cool!

Long Live the Longdoor > Funktheduck 06/30/2016 at 21:23

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Negative; need one for a Saturn SL?

Long Live the Longdoor > way2blu does a rev update 06/30/2016 at 21:29

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I’m really excited, I’ve been thinking about driving stick for so long (yes, even thinking about depressing the clutch and shifting while driving my automatic cars lol). Plus it massively opens possibilities for all sorts of fun other cars to purchase (wish I’d done this before buying a new car 8 months ago... but better late than never).

Funktheduck > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 21:35

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Nope

Chris Clarke > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 22:01

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I wish someone would pay me $500 to take a Saturn.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 22:26

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Amazing that you found a mechanically sound car for $500 ‘round here.

Enjoy the learnings of the stick :) I did something very similar last year.

Long Live the Longdoor > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 06/30/2016 at 22:38

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Tell me about it, I searched for about a month and this is the best car I could find that didn’t need a mountain of work. I’m super pumped to learn; interesting times lie ahead.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Long Live the Longdoor 06/30/2016 at 23:10

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Wow, full Service Records? Sounds like you really lucked out! :D

With time and practice, the learnings of The Stick will come. :)

A friend’s dad owns a pristine 2006 Subie STi and let me take it for a spin a few weeks ago - jumping from the light clutch and long throws of my Accent to the heavy short clutch and short-throw shifter on the STi was like an even blacker, nightier version of night, and day.......didn’t stall it once though, or my own car when I got back into it! :D

It becomes second nature over time! All I can recommend is thinner-soled pair of shoes while you a learning to give you more clutch feel for the biting point. Once you get used to it you can drive in boots/something thick-soled in winter/bad weather, etc, but until you learn, thin-soled shoes are best (no flip flops/sandals/crocs!).