Saturn L200/L300

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $20000.00 from Cincinnati

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 L300

Summary:
I love this car. It looks great and has given me no trouble at all. I was "T-boned" by a pickup that was traveling around 30 mph and wasn't injured at all. Very safe car.

Strengths:
style, service from dealer, power, safety

Weaknesses:
Cloth seats don't clean well.

Similar Products Used:
Saturn SL1 (1994)

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $26000.00 from Saturn of Augusta

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Saturn L200 Sedan

Summary:
This car is a disappointment. I have return the car five times for a steering problem.I had the ignition module replaced and at times it still is hard to start.

Strengths:
Its only strengths is its looks

Weaknesses:
Too many problems regret buying

Similar Products Used:
1997 Saturn SL it was a great car

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $23700.00 from Saturn of North Coun

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 L300 V6

Summary:
I bought this car brand new with 11 miles on it (fully-loaded except for DVD and On-Star) and I can't say that I hate it and can't say that I completely love it either (I did @ first b/c its my first car). In the time that I've had it, I have had to have a couple of major repairs done: replace the rack & pinion and an $800 repair on the A/C. Had I not had an extended warranty, I would've been in trouble (tip: don't buy EWs from the dealer; you CAN buy them straight from the warranty companies).

My L300 rides relatively well, but can't really take any rough driving or major construction (which is what St. Louis is known for). Alignment adjusted 3 times, 5 or 6 tires replaced (stopped counting after 4) and I just stopped going to the dealer for my repairs: TOO EXPENSIVE. My guy at NTB takes care of it and says he's seen lots of problems with the L-Series' suspension and balance (shaky steering at high speeds).

It's a little noisy in the cabin when driving on the highway, which I don't care for at all. I've replaced the sound system (factory systems are TERRIBLE) with 4 - Alpine 6.5s and a new CD deck. This baby bumps like no other now. :o)

My next car WILL be an SUV.

Strengths:
Quick acceleration and sport-like handling...the all the speed demons. And I must say, it IS dependable (even after my best friend wrecked it...looks like new thanks to Todd in the body shop...great guy.

Weaknesses:
When something goes wrong, it's something BIG.

Similar Products Used:
Hm...none.

Price Paid:  $14000.00 from AutoMaxx

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 L200

Summary:
Bought the car used and with an extended warranty the car left the dealership with a sticker price of 14,999. Over the next four six months I spent an additional $4k in repairs, and diagnostic fees at the local Saturn dealership. I had to replace all the tires which was no big deal, the power steering module, the wiper motor, passenger rear door lock, the water pump, AC compressor, gear shift modulator arm, all the tail light bulbs including the ones in the rear window and both front headlights. Now there's a problme with the car starting from time to time and it's left both my wife and I stranded at night and when it's cold. I don't mind it but I don't like my wife being stranded. I will never by another Saturn again. If I buy american I will check the consumer reports first to compare any tentative american car purchase but will more than likely buy foreign and stomach the few but expensive maintenance and repair costs. Better to do that then deal with this crazy nonesense especially when the extended warranty doesn't cover what they said they would and is twice what they said it would cost once repairs have to be made.

Strengths:
The car looks nice.

Weaknesses:
Performance is poor even for a 4 banger and considering it's a for banger it should get better gas mileage. No strong points here at all including issues with the saturn dealership.

Similar Products Used:
Saturn Ion had difficulty with the transmission. Once again I will never buy a Saturn again. Not even their newest Aura domestic car of the year. Who cares if the car looks nice if you can expect a whole host of issues that will cost you more than you bargained for.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $16000.00 from Al Serra

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 l200

Summary:
Have had this since new and it has about 60k miles on it. So far I have replaced a tail light, added power steering fluid, and had the check engine light reset (once). Other than that only routine maintenance (oil, tires, brakes, windshield wiper blades). I love this car. It has a great engine in it (2.2liter ecotec I4) that delivers strong torque, good acceleration, and good passing power on the highway as well as good gas mileage. It has comfortable seats that are just the right mix of support, firmness, and cushion. The dash is a nice material, as is the shifter and steering wheel. There are some cheap plastics and gaps between the doors and dash but with an all black interior it doesnt make a difference and is strictly aesthetic. The trunk is large and the fold down seats are very useful for hauling things, we even use it to haul the xmas tree. I am a car enthusiast and love to drive, and this car fills the need. Its not a substitute for a bmw or vette, but the suspension responds well and the steering is responsive. I ENJOY driving this car. I cant believe there are so many negative reviews of this car, as my experience has been completely different. The only complaint i have about this car is that its not a manual, and they dont make it anymore. Would i buy another saturn? Im looking for one right now.

Strengths:
Unique and surprisingly handsome looks, great engine, comfortable seats, reliable, good gas mileage, fun.

Weaknesses:
none yet