At $3,900, Is This 1997 Saturn SW1 a Good Deal?

In the present day’s Good Worth or No Cube Saturn is the antithesis of one other GM model, the just lately resurrected Hummer. Let’s see if this plastic-bodied wagon’s value makes it synonymous with good worth.

Watching the votes for yesterday’s $14,000 2011 Vary Rover SC tally in real-time was enjoyable because it jumped forwards and backwards between these in its favor and people towards. Half of you appeared to really feel “that’s numerous automobile for the cash,” whereas the others countered that it was “numerous future issues that will finally value some huge cash.” In the end, the dreamers held sway, with the Vary Rover taking dwelling a 53 p.c Good Worth win.

That was an in depth one. Maybe we’ve been setting our sights too excessive? In the present day let’s have a look at an older automobile that, whereas not really a beater owing to its situation, remains to be one thing that shouldn’t value an arm and a leg to maintain on the highway. In reality, with its plastic physique panels, five-speed guide, and engaging company historical past, this 1997 Saturn SW1 would possibly truly be a keeper.

Common Motors debuted Saturn’s merchandise—a coupe, sedan, and wagon—for the 1991 mannequin yr as its clean-sheet import-fighter model. The brand new firm nominally changed GM’s moribund Geo model of precise imports and was arrange with a bespoke manufacturing unit in Tennessee.

Those preliminary fashions have been constructed with a spaceframe development, to which steel and polymer physique panels have been fixed, a observe that GM had earlier pioneered with the Pontiac Fiero. The plastic aspect panels offered dent resistance however required considerably wider gaps between the panels to account for the fabric’s better dimensional modifications throughout temperature shifts. That led to a notion by some that the vehicles have been of poor high quality.

That wasn’t the one distinctive characteristic given to the vehicles. Additionally they obtained a 1.9 liter alloy 4 in both SOHC or DOHC flavors and Saturn-only transmissions. The final large differentiator for the model was a no-haggle pricing technique for its sellers.

There aren’t any Saturn sellers round any longer, the model having been killed off by GM in 2010. There nonetheless are loads of the model’s vehicles kicking round, nonetheless, as—particularly the earliest fashions—proved pretty dependable and succesful.

This second-generation wagon appears a fantastic instance of these attributes. Being the SW1, it sports activities the SOHC version of the 1.9 liter 4, which on this mannequin yr made an sincere 100 horsepower. Notably, that’s backed up by the MP2 five-speed guide which within the SW1 was geared to wring each final mile out of a gallon of gasoline. As fitted, this small wagon must be able to giving 40 mpg on the freeway.

Naturally, as a baseline mannequin, there’s not a lot right here. Which means there’s not a lot to go improper both. The home windows are guide crank as are the door locks and mirrors. Boo-freaking-hoo to that. On the plus aspect, there’s oodles of utility within the again regardless of the rear wheel arches and suspension encroaching on the load space. The bench seat forward of that has an asymmetrical break up however doesn’t appear to be able to having both aspect lowered independently. Nonetheless, fold them each down and the automobile provides an appreciatively flat load space.

The wagon has 131,324 miles displaying and appears to be in very respectable form for these miles. The gold paint nonetheless holds a shine and there’s no scuffing on the wheel covers (don’t imagine Fb Market, these aren’t alloys).

The cabin options material upholstery and plastics that, whereas chintzy as all get out, look to have held up admirably. The one ingredient that basically appears to indicate its age is the passenger-side airbag cowl which appears wizened and misplaced. I’d contact that if I have been you. An up to date stereo unit holds courtroom within the middle stack above the local weather controls. And sure, this automobile does have A/C.

Based on the advert, the automobile is in nice situation and is obtainable on the market because of the vendor simply having too damn-many vehicles. The title is obvious and the asking value is $3,900.

Now, within the earlier than occasions this Saturn would in all probability have gone for about half that. However that was then, and that is now, so save the indignation. As a substitute, channel it right into a constructive power, and let’s see if we expect this SW1 is price that $3,900 asking in at the moment’s market.

What do you assume, ought to the vendor get practically 4 grand for this fundamental however wise wagon? Or, does that value put this Saturn in a completely totally different orbit?

You determine!

Fb Market out of Independence, Oregon, or go right here if the advert disappears.

H/T to Jim H. for the hookup!

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