fightingbee

When gas was cheap, a Saturn of some sort was my primary vehicle. A year ago as it started climbing again I pulled the trigger on an '04 SWB Sierra 5.3 with only 49K, and put a Flowmaster on it as well. Stupid, but man do I love it.

Old body style S-10s/Blazers. First learned to drive on an '85 S-10. I remember visiting often down here in FL as a kid admiring sporty (IMO) looking 2WD 2dr S-10 Blazers, a rare sight in the midwest, being everywhere. They are all but gone anymore.

Henry Ford Museum also if going to Detroit.

IIRC the manuals used to say to warm the trans fluid for a few minutes, to something like 105-110° then remove the check plug. It should just begin to run out when filled correctly.

I don't know about an '05 but a number of late 90's-early '00s 4T40Es used to have issues with the pressure control solenoid causing poor shift quality.

Does anyone happen to know the location of the blower motor resistor on a 2002 Impala?

Under the dash on the pass. side. Remove the trim panel under there and it will be right next to the motor with a short wire harness coming out of it.

On a related note, I've read a lot of horror stories of caliper bracket bolts backing out or flat out breaking and causing a lot of damage on Rangers and Exploders. Since the Mustang system is basically the same, that sent up some red flags to me as well. I found out that some manuals recommend replacing the caliper bracket bolts every time new pads are installed. I don't really buy that, but I'm definitely going to keep an eye on them, probably checking them each oil change.

The new bolts likely just have that pre-applied threadlocker stuff on to them. I think I would just clean them well and apply some new red grade threadlocker if you're real concerned about them.

FWIW, the new AC plugs for both my 3800 Camaro and my mother's Regal were actually NGK-made Iridium plugs, just with different box/labeling on the insulator. There were NGK markings on the metal shank of the plugs. IIRC, the AC plugs on my 2.2 Ecotec Saturn were the same way when I bought them.

I think the actual AC Spark Plug plant in Flint was shut down awhile back.

Haven't seen a fairly unmolested CRX like that in years. Nice!

On the Eco actually, why not just a nice turbo 1.6 4, DI, CVT. ?

As long as they do it right next time.

The VTi trans some Saturn VUEs and IONs for a while probably has the shortest typical lifespan of any ATX out there. GM is lucky they didn't put that thing into any better selling models or it would have been a fiasco.

They did a pretty good parody of the women's version on Saturday Night Live a while back.

"The Shake Weight Dvd"

Silver CTS coupe. Pretty nice looking. The tail seemes a bit more swoopy than the pics suggested IMO.

Introducing the new Tacoma TRD with RST frame technology.

I Ford using "show" was rather dumb sounding as well.

Then again Hyundai has embraced the mis-pronunciation of there whole brand.

The 5.3 stock exhaust does sound way cooler than a 4.8 though.

The box could be screwed straight into the box rails. There are no-drill clamps that can be used to hold them down but they are usually sold separately and many people don't seem to spend the extra $15-20 for them.

About anything AMC thats not a Jeep or the occasional Eagle wagon.

If the '04 still has the second hole on one of the engine mounts at the upper radiator support to hold the engine tilted forward a bit, there should be decent access room, much more so than some other FWD V-6s at least.

You could still tilt the engine on a '99 I know, but have not replaced plugs on any W-car newer than that.

Saw a Geo Storm GSi a few weeks back and it struck me as odd.

Used to see many Berettas and Corsicas years back and don't see them too often anymore.

M-B sure put some powerful headlight washers on that one.

I think it would depend on where they drive everyday.

When I lived in eastern Iowa I had to drive up a rather steep hill to get home so RWD was a bit of a pain for me. If they only drive where its pretty flat it should be OK with mabye just some ballast in the trunk, and the snow tires if possible.

I've enjoyed mine. Just like the ION, a decent overall package but could have had some better parts in a few places. And of course some examples of each featured the crappy embarrassment that was the VTi.

That's good to know...so for the most part they are pretty steady then. My buddy's ION looks good, and well cared for. (though he beats on it sometimes) . Knock on wood, no issues for him yet (61k so far). One thing he suggested is that to go synthetic in the ATF and motor oil. He said that it seems to bring out the best in the car.

I do the same with my VUE. May be overkill for such a vehicle but it runs great I can't recall ever having to add any oil in over 94K so far. Works better IMO in the manual trans. used in both cars as well but the slave cylinder is more the weaker spot there, mine has so far been OK (knock on wood).

(from Deuce Bigelow)I want a man who's unemployed. And went to a community college.

I am...and I did.

An basic ION with the 2.2 and 4T40-E would probably be fairly reliable. It might still develop the same suspension ailments the Cobalt can be known for, and preventative replacing of the ignition switch (a fairly cheap part) might be a good idea.

The power window mechanisms were kind of junky on them, despite the fact that they were made by Denso so they should just ooze Toyota quality. I would be very afraid of the '03-'04 coupe with the VTi automatic as well.

It would be an OK car if bought for a good price IMO. The Ecotec and more room were a big plus, but some other things just seemed cheaper made on the ION even when compared to the S-series.

The first Saturns actually come to mind:

I was only about 10 at the time, and they just seemed very sleek for a small GM car at the time.

Seeing the cutaway models of the car and a then all new twin-cam engine, as well as getting to kick at them to demo the plastic body impressed as well.