Aftermarket AC parts? OEM vs China
 

2001 SL2 5 spd. with 230,000. The usual oil issues, but it runs great.

TLDR: do I have a chance in hell with some of the cheaper aftermarket compressors and other AC parts? I like the car but really need to keep costs down. Reman? UAC brand, where i can get a kit compressor, dryer, condenser, seals, for under $300? It doesn't have to last another 20 years...

The AC was working, not ice cold but good enough for a moderate climate. Then it quit last week. Local shop charged me $120 to attempt a vac and fill, but said there was a leak in the compressor. I neglected to ask how they narrowed that down. Quoted me $1200. I've since learned these guys like to start low then keeping adding parts.

Anyway, the car is newish to me...got it super cheap... and needs a clutch sooner than later (original) and some front suspension clunks addressed if I'm going to keep it. I'll be using a mechanic for the last two due to my age and no place to do any real wrenching. But the compressor and other parts look doable unless I'm missing something. I plan to get the manifold gauges and a cheap vacuum pump and see if I can find a leak. Maybe dye test.

Any advice, hopefully not too pithy, is appreciated.

230,000 and original clutch. You are easy.

Can't take the credit...car was originally owned by an older Welsh gentleman. And yes, he was super gentle on it. One year with me, even with me trying to be easy and it's starting to click a little on engage/disengage.

Hard to beat Rock Auto for parts......

I hate giving money to that rich facker, but for some things, Amazon can come in handy if you have Amazon prime with free shipping.
I absolutely do not disagree that RockAuto does have the widest array of parts for our cars. Unfortunately, their shipping has gotten completely out of hand. To the point that they're lower parts prices are more than offset by the obscene shipping cost. Depending on what it is, you may be able to find it on Amazon with free shipping and the total comes out lower.

I've found GM parts giant to have extremely reasonable prices as well as reasonable shipping costs. I think it may be a function of where the nearest warehouse is, but it works for me.

My Satty's a/c compressor is losing crap into the machine and slowly plugging up the orifice tube. Looks just like the next step is to update the compressor, condenser, reciever/drier, orifice and misc. Orings before a prime failure. I’m also going to flush closing parts (evaporator and hoses) as well as deploy one of those all in one GM oem suction filters as an additional precaution.

I edited your post to make it marginally relevant to the thread. The thread is about sourcing parts for a Saturn, not what is wrong with your Ford truck. Post this stuff in the off topic section, please.
98% of everyone else can figure it out. So can you.