1994 Elantra, 90k miles, 1.6L, 5spd, base model. It currently needs a valve job (0psi on cyl #3 from compression test), alternator (it froze on me), belts (froze alt took one, the other should be replaced just because), radiator (no alt. belt apparently means no water pump and the radiator went: "POW....PSSSHHH"), gauge cluster with tach (really don't want to fix it if I can't get one, never got an Autozone tach working), and tires (just need to mount 'em on the other set of rims for it again).

I've priced everything but the valve job and gauge cluster to around $300-$350 (don't need to worry about core charges). I can do everything but the valve job myself. If I decide to fix it, the A/C is broken so that extra weight would be removed. The college I'm attending wants project cars with engine problems and will only charge parts, so I might get an engine swap (to the 1.8L version) for cheap or at least this one fixed for cheap.

KBB says it's worth about $700, in excellent condition and no way in heck can this pile of junk be considered to be in more then "fair" condition, even if I get everything fixed.

I've currently got a '97 Saturn SC1 and I'm debating getting another S-Series Saturn to play with or fix the Elantra. I'm leaning towards getting a twincam Saturn (my SC1 is faster and more stable then the Elantra, the twincam models would be even more so) but I think if I found a 4g63T the Elantra would be more fun, and it seems to have better after-market options. The lack of stability might have just been unbalanced tires, I didn't think of that until a couple months ago (but seriously... 95mph top speed going downhill is just SAD)...hehe :(

What should I do and what can I get away with going to the junkyard for, if fixing it is the better option?

Sorry for the long post and thanks for any tips you provide.

Hi fetch,

Sounds like serious neglect. I would tend to let your college work magic on the motor and bring the vehicle up to scratch in the other areas.

The alternative seems to be another merry go round of possible breakdowns and repairs with the Saturn(s).

Pick one car and focus. I'd probably shelve the 4g63t, personally, and spend that money on my next car.

The Lantra is a reasonable car if well maintained, like most cars are. Put some decent tyres on it. No need to go mental. Good quality tyres on standard rims will be more than adequate.

Refreshed motor, new clutch, tyres and dampers will transform your ride. :trophy:
If you think it's worth spending more money on after that then do it but get it back to decent basics first.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers,

Andrew :thumbsup:

Yeah, it got some serious abuse before I got it, then I wasn't as nice as I shoulda been to it, but hey, what 17 year old would be?
The last record of maintenance I could find on it was at around 65k miles and it appeared to have been used by a salesman/delivery person who didn't care. Don't think I drove it more then 6000 miles before this crap happened.

It defiantly needs a clutch after the amount of slipping I've had to do to it with frozen brakes and tires that don't wanna grip on slightly wet grass. I'll leave that for last, unless I find a GLS with the 1.8L motor, then I'll have the clutch done at the same time as the swap.

If I do decide to fix the Elantra I would do more with upgrades, and performance stuff. My Saturn just doesn't take to much of any mods, but will outrun 80% of the cars on the road on a tank of gas. I guess I just want something I can safely do random burnouts in (look up the differential pin in Saturn's... poorest excuse EVER), or just spin the tires to get through the snow.

Would the radiator and alternator be parts I can get from a junkyard car and have a reasonable expectation of lasting a while?

This post has been edited by fetchitfido: Feb 14 2007, 06:45 AM