It runs, oil was changed recently, smogged, and probably has most if not all original parts. Was driven intermittently from original owner. Are there any things I should do to ensure it's going to be reliable for me? Maybe like replace spark plugs, drain and refill transmission fluid, change coolant, check rotors, new brake pads if needed, change brake fluid, check struts and change if needed.

What are your thoughts on this car and do you have any suggestions for things I should update/change? Or is it not worth it to try and turn it into a daily driver? (e.g. hard to get parts, not super reliable?)

Thanks!

 

Everything you mentioned for starters is good. Be sure to use the stock NGK spark plugs. Avoids a whole mess of problems or shall I say potential problems. They are plain old plugs and need to be replaced every 36,000.

Check the oil every single day you drive it for the first 10 to 14 days you drive it. The SOHC engine should not be burning oil at that low mileage, but the number One cause of Saturn s Series car death is depletion of oil due to burning or leaking.

You'll probably want to replace the struts all around if it rides rough on the road. Most people use KYB shocks I mean struts on the s cars.

Check the tires for dry rot cracking on the sidewalls. If it's pretty bad it's not terribly safe to drive so get some new tires. They're not terribly expensive.

Start the car in your driveway and let it run and run and run. When the temperature gauge on the dash gets to about the 3/4 mark, the cooling fan behind the radiator should turn on. If it doesn't, turn off the car real quick cuz it's going overheat. Hopefully that doesn't happen. The fan motor likely does not have enough wear on it to be bad.

If your AC system still holds a refrigerant charge, the fan should also kick on whenever you engage the blower fan with the AC button pushed in. If the AC clutch does not kick in, there is insufficient refrigerant in the system and the low pressure limit switch has opened the electrical circuit to keep from turning on the compressor and damaging it due to lack lubrication
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You'll probably have intermittent corrosion issues on contacts for things like the hazard button, maybe the turn signal but sweeping them repeatedly should get rid of that issue.

Have your charging system load tested for free at AutoZone or similar to Ensure you don't have any pending issues with a battery about to fail or alternator diodes gone south.

These cars are pretty reliable as long as you give them the attention they need. I don't remember whether you said it was automatic or five speed. The automatic transmissions in these vehicles or the Achilles heel of the vehicle. You'll eventually have problems with it.

Did I mention to check the oil?

 

Why is that? I've seen so many people on here say only use standard copper plugs I'm using iridium since I've gotten the car and haven't had an issue. But if it's a long term kind of problem I'll gladly buy the cheaper plugs and replace them more often.