How can I tell if the headgasket and timeing belt are okay

To check the timing belt you would have to pop loose the top cover on the head and pull it back to look at the belt to see if it looks old or rotted.Still wont tell you how the timing belt tenisor is but you can see the belt.The best way to check the head gasket is with a chemical tester you put fluid in the tube it fits in where the radiator cap goes.You start the engine if the fluid changes a certain color then you have a bad head gasket.They rent the chemical testers at auto zone all you have to do is buy the fluid for it.Also those car wernt the greatest cars when they were new let alone used.But you have to do what you have to do.How many miles on the car?

I have really only read good reviews. It has 100k I am paying roughly $1,200

I have heard just the oppsite on those cars and when they used the neon rolling chassis on the pt cruisers that wasnt a good idea ethier.So good luck to you on that one have a mechanic look at it also.

saturntech9, oddly enough, I purchased a 1997 Saturn SL yesterday drove off the lot at 1:30...paid cash. At present the transmission just stop working, its very loose, and will not reverse. Is this problem fixable? Is there a temp fix? How much money am I looking at?

I will help you with it i just ask that you start a new question listing your 1997 saturn make sure you put SL1 or SL2 etc.I ask this becasue that way when other users do searches for that car and it will help them too.Start your question off by saying this one is for saturntech9 and they will leave the questiin for me.Iam the saturn expert on here iam headed to church right now but when i get back i will find the qurstion and start helping you with it.

saturn tech9: I believe it is a shift linkage issue...correct me if I am wrong. Is this costly to repair? what is involved in the repair? I hate being a damsel in distress, but right now given I paid cash I am unable to pay a whole lot, but need it repair immediately.

Doesnt sound like a linkage issue.Please start a new question like i asked with your new car.

I submitted new question hours ago

You are correct i didnt see it i was in church.