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1994 Saturn SC1 transmission problem
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shirl32
Novice
May 31, 2010, 1:04 PM
Post #1 of 4
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1994 Saturn SC1 transmission problem
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We bought an immaculate 1994 Saturn SC1, 98k miles, 4 cylinder, automatic transmission, for our granddaughter for transportation. Engine sounds good, Seller said owned car since new and nothing mechanically wrong with car -- in good condition. Car looked like it had been taken care of. Taught when we were young to always check reverse on autos before buying. Didn't do this. Car ran so good and did not have to use reverse when test driving as car was parked on street. We bought the car, parked it in driveway and then it wouldn't move in reverse. Called seller and he said you had to really step on the gas to use reverse -- he said transmission guy told him this was a quirk with Saturns. This doesn't make sense and even stepping on gas (which we were hesitant to do and will not do again) it only moved a little and then would not move further in reverse. It still appears to drive okay in forward. We obviously got taken. Any suggestions as to what to do -- if it is transmission, is it worth fixing?
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 31, 2010, 2:02 PM
Post #2 of 4
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Re: 1994 Saturn SC1 transmission problem
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Wow that's a tough situation... I can tell you as a whole Saturns are pretty good cars and depending on the shape/mileage of the car as opposed to the repair cost, it may be worth fixing....
I am by no meaning a legal expert but from what I have heard and seen, there is different standards for dealers & private party sellers. With private party sales you are pretty much in nomans land and really have to look out for yourself.... With the cases I have seen, some of the parties seem to think there is a "grace period" for something going wrong..... There isn't, dealer or private party sale. Once the sale is final, on the way home the engine could blow and unless you could prove they knew of that problem and didn't disclose it they aren't liable for it (unless of course a warranty was provided).
With that being said, from what you've posted it sounds like the seller was aware of the transmission problem and chose to keep it a secert. At the very least that makes them unethical and not a very decent person. As far as being liable for it, that would depend on your state's law regarding private party used car sales AND being able to prove in court that they were aware of the problem and didn't disclose it. Just saying "he told me on the phone" wouldn't cut it. Recording the call would've helped or invoices from a repair shop in his name documenting the problem, anything other than your word. Which means way more to me than his.....but I'm not the judge...
At this point, what I would do would be to get an estimate on the repairs, find out where I stand legally and then go talk to the seller. I would probably offer a 50/50 split on the repairs. He's 50% liable because he never told me of the trans problem, I'm 50% liable because I never fully checked the car out and would have found the problem before I bought it. If he is a decent person, he would accept the offer. If not then just do the only other thing you can and take him to court & hopefully you draw a decent judge.....
You already know this but I'm going to say it again. When ever you are looking at a used car.......Spend the $100 and have a mechinc check it out.... Most people won't do this just for the fact they think "Why should I spend a $100 on a car that isn't even mine?" and I can relate to that, a $100 is a lot of money. But if you go and talk to anyone that has had big problems buying a used car, where the problem would've easily been spotted on a inspection. I gauranntee they would jump at the chance of just spending a mere $100 to be able to go back to point in time to right before they paid for the car and avoid the whole mess..... I wouldn't spend that kind of money on every car I looked at. The signal I would use would be, me pulling out my check book to pay for it......If it gets to that point, the car needs to be inspected before the check is written.......
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shirl32
Novice
May 31, 2010, 3:55 PM
Post #3 of 4
(5338 views)
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Re: 1994 Saturn SC1 transmission problem
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Sidom
Thanks for your reply. However, we know we are stuck with the car. It is our own gullibility that got us this car. We certainly are old enough to know better. Just one of those lapses that cost money. It goes without saying that the
seller knew what was wrong.
Our main question is addressed to the mechanical fix involved. Never having had to have a transmission fixed before, what steps should we take; is the car worth fixing; does it necessarily have to be a complete transmission repair when you are having trouble with reverse, or could it be something less costly? Are rebuilt transmissions any good? What does a complete transmission repair usually cost of this car?
Again, thanks for your reply and we would still appreciate any suggestions mechanically.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
May 31, 2010, 4:30 PM
Post #4 of 4
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Re: 1994 Saturn SC1 transmission problem
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I wish I could give you a good answer for this.........
Just the fact you are having problems with one gear does suggest an internal problem. So for any repairs that means the trans would have to come out & be disassembled. At that point it would make no sense just fixing the one problem. The shop doing this would what to overhaul it. Most of the labor is already done getting to the one area & after the repair they would be responsible for any other internal failure throughout the warranty period... They would actually being doing you a disservice not installing new bushings, bearing, seals & clutches while it was apart.
If the trans hadn't been service in a while you could try that but it would be a long shot. Those trans do have a spin on filter as opposed to a traditional trans type filter. A few aren't aware of this & it's possible it's never been changed.
Talk to friends and relatives to see if there are some trans shops they recommend. Get a couple of different quotes.......
That is a decent thing you did for your granddaughter and if she is anything like my girls, probably whats to drive the car even with no reverse. (crazy kids  )
Don't blame yourself. Hindsight is always 20/20. Sounds like you already talked to the seller once so I guess you already explored that option..... I will say it again. If they were a decent person they would've step up and done something for you.
No good deed goes unpunished.... You did a very nice thing and.......well we'll just leave it at that.
I really wish you the best of luck and hope this works out for you.....
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