Hey I'm new to the forum and new to the SC club. Owned a first gen SL2 back in highschool. And my grandma had a first gen sc2 that I drove quite often before I got my first Saturn.
So just bought a 2001 sc2 in yellow. Has just under 200k but runs like a champ. Buuuut there are some quarks.
One being when I went to go have a new factory muffler welded on due to the old being rusted to pieces I found that someone had removed the cat and replaced it with a straight pipe. This an issue? Runs great. Especially after the new muffler.
Second upon further inspection I found that both rear sway bar end links are completely broken off...how could this happen?
Lastly someone rigged a manual switch for the electric fan and the intake tubin isn't bolted down anymore. Smells to me like someone went through some trouble putting this car back to factory after "boy racering" this thing out.

 

Several issues there, that's for sure. First off, where do you live? A dealer selling a car without a cat is liable for large fines. Tough to pass inspection smog testing.

The switch to run the electric fan is a possible "jackleg fix" for a car that overheats in slow traffic, but the owner didn't want to run the A/C all the time.

I can't comment on the rear sway bar end links, but I bet the car wallows like a pregnant hippo around the corner if you have someone riding in the back

 

Live in Michigan so no inspection and bought it from a private party. The cat doesn't really bug me. I'd imagine it might even help with gas mileage maybe. And this was a California car so overheating in slow traffic could deff. Be the culprate. And as far as the endinks go. I didn't even notice it! The car still corneres tight! Havnt had anyone in the back tho.