Frame rail rusted thru.

[mdbrill]

I just purchased a 2002 SL1 on eBay. Looks perfect, drives great, and low miles. I just went to jack it up so I can replace the fuel filter. The drivers side frame rail is horrendously rusted, including the gas tank. The passengers side is great, with no to low, rust. How dangerous is it to drive this car? Photos attached of the driver side, rusted thru frame.

[Bill Murray]

I wouldn't jump on I-70 and bomb across the USA, but I think you'll be fine until you get a repair done. If you're new to this kind of stuff, look up David Tracy on Jalopnik. He's the guy who fixes up rusty Jeeps. On a vehicle like this, repairs don't have to be beautiful, just functional.

[cgg17]

I think you should look into a replacement S-Series. I had some rust on the rear floor pan and trailing arm mount of my 1995 Sl2. I replaced the floor pan and trailing arm mount from a donor floor pan assembly. It took around 40-50 hours of work, a lot of spot weld cutters, and a good gas mig welder to get the job done. My rust was nowhere near as bad as yours, it does not seem like there is much good metal left on your car.
I think finding an S-Series with cosmetic or mechanical issues with a good frame is your best bet. Your car would be best for a parts car at this point.
I am sorry that you got taken on that deal.

Here is what is involved in a floor pan replacement. https://forum.sixthsphere.com/forum/...d-thread/page4

[TomM96]

If you have a powertrain in good condition; that is value.

I would suggest goto junkyards to find a good chassis/body...
then swap over the powertrain.

Two yards in northeast with plenty saturn-s series:

(1)
Jacks Used Cars & Parts
www.usejack.com
24 Town Farm Ln, North Billerica, MA 01862

(2)
Giancola Auto Wrecking & Sales
www.giancolaauto.com
15 Harts Ln, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
................
Jacks probably better pricing...

You would need same year/model/powertrain in order for the
swap to be reasonably successful.

You might need to swap some of your present vehicle's intact
wire harness into the junkyard car, if that has been cut apart.

Select the best engine cradle, or get a good one as a first step.

+++++++++++++++++++****************************

I have Never seen the rust pattern you illustrate.
The car may have slid off road into roadsalt snowbank, and SAT there for a week...
Or possibly it was parked in a coastal road which flooded with brine.
Once saltwater gets into unitbody, it's kind of over.

[onlinebiker]

This is why you spend the 8 bucks at Walmart and buy a mirror to inspect the undercarriage.


Buying a shiny Saturn without inspecting the undercarriage is as risky as picking up a "girl" at Mardi Gras in New Orleans without a similar inspection. Unless you LIKE surprises......

[dummo]

The car should’ve never been sold to anyone in such condition. I would give the eBay seller an email asking for a partial refund and then a bad review if he/she refuses. See if there are some rules/guidelines in the ebay sellers guide about situations like this.

[Bill Murray]

Originally Posted by onlinebiker

Buying a shiny Saturn without inspecting the undercarriage is as risky as picking up a "girl" at Mardi Gras in New Orleans without a similar inspection. Unless you LIKE surprises......

Post of the week! THIS is awesome

[Waiex191]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

Post of the week! THIS is awesome

We need onlinebiker to tell us the rest of the story of his trip to Mardi gras!

[onlinebiker]

Originally Posted by Waiex191

We need onlinebiker to tell us the rest of the story of his trip to Mardi gras!

Lol.. Never made it. I have a bro that lives in Gonzales.... I hear many stories....

[MetallicWheat]

Originally Posted by TomM96

I would suggest goto junkyards to find a good chassis/body...
then swap over the powertrain.

I always thought junkyards never sold whole cars, And if they did, They would most definitely have a salvage title.