2001 Saturn L-Series Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

It costs thousands less than comparably equipped Accords and Camrys -- and it looks, drives and feels like it.

Pros

Extremely competitive pricing for this segment, customer-focused dealers, strong powerplant with V6, wagon availability.

Cons

Build quality from the Jurassic Period, ultra-conservative styling, lack of established service and repair history.

What's New for 2001

The Saturn L-Series sedans and wagons didn't exactly set the world on fire when they were introduced in 2000, but they return for 2001 virtually unchanged. Saturn has addressed safety concerns by making front and rear head curtain airbags optional on all trim levels. All sedans are now equipped with a three-point seatbelt in the rear center seat, but this feature is still not available in wagons. Later in the model year, sedans will get an emergency trunk release handle. New colors include Cream White, Bright Silver, Silver Blue and Straight Shade Black. Bright White, Silver, Silver Plum and Blackberry have been discontinued.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Mistake

Written by: jjavim on 08/05/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	3
Comfort:	6	Interior Design:	6	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	2	Exterior Design:	5

Vehicle

2001 Saturn L-Series L300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this car thinking it was great. It was for about 1 yr then perpetual coolant leaks, alignment problems, electrical problems, never ending sensor problems, low mpg, hard to find parts, and expensive parts became the too often crisis. I love the feel and drive but trying to keep up with the mechanic's bill is too much to bear. My Toyota has never had a problem and is only a year newer. Beware of this model if you are not a mechanic or on a tight budget. I was going to give it to my daughter for school but I don't think we could afford it. Won't even qualify for Cash for Clunkers. I would have to give them money to take it.

Favorite Features

heated seats.

Suggested Improvements

put windows switches on doors where they belong.

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happy

Written by: general on 07/03/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	7	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	4	Exterior Design:	9

very nice car. Lots of features for little money. i Drive 100+ miles a day, even the week there was a foot of snow on the roads (without chains). At 130k miles have not had a problem yet and i drive it hard. While my SL2 was a little more comfortable the L300 offers alot more room. The 3 liter V6 comes in handy when dealing with freeway traffic. reviews for this car seem very polar but i have loved mine since i test drove it. Take offs can be "sluggish" but in more then one moment of weakness i have raced smaller cars and once moving the L300 will get 100+mph in no time flat. I will drive this car until the wheels fall off.

3.0 liter V6, huge trunk, auto defrosting mirrors, Lights EVERYWHERE!, comfortable, handles great.

The over all turn radius is that of a large truck... well i've driven large trucks that could turn sharper. Makes u-turns and some parking difficult

Worst Car I ever had

Written by: Anna on 05/05/2009


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	2	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	3	Interior Design:	3	Reliability:	2
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	4

2001 Saturn L-Series L100 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Let's see, whirling noise they can't find the source, speedometer issues, center arm rest top broken, radio and speaker dies and this is all within the 1st 2 years. Everyone I know that has this car has the same issues. We bought this car at the end of the lease and that was a bad decision. We should have given it back. I say get rid of it just like the other reviewer suggest.

nothing

give customers a refund

ambivalent on this car...

Written by: brandon on 04/05/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	5
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	8

I traded in my little SL2 in for my "new" L300 and boy, I felt like I hit a hot deal. Leather seats, V6, and all the amentities you can ask for, with a low tag price. After reading all the reviews on the V6 model, the reason why the price on these models are so cheap is because they have horrible reliability issues. What kind of car needs the BCM computer changed out at 36,000 miles? That's what happened to me only 3 days after i purchased it used when i discovered the wrench light go off. The service engine light will drive you crazy, blinking! SO far, after only half a year of ownership, it has had the BCM replaced (600$) and the MAF sensor replaced (400$). Stay far away from this model.

Driving is definitely adventurous and i always feel safe driving it. I have never swerved or broke down. The car just wants to aspire, but the insides are just pure junk. Quiet ride and a spacious environment are big pluses.

This car is a abhorrence for Saturn's reputation as selling dependable cars. My old SL2 never once had any major issues, this car just seems to be the drama queen of them all!

Love my baby!

Written by: Sandi on 09/27/2008


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	7

2001 Saturn L-Series LW200 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 4A)

Love this car. Bought it after my daughter totaled my old one. Have owned 5 Saturns over the years. It's 8 years old, and has only cost a couple thousand in repairs...mostly normal wear and tear ( tires, etc. ) Replaced brakes once, and the heater core just this past summer. oh, and a tune up. That was probably my single biggest expense. It was the last car off the line, or so I'm told. Fun to drive, and very dependable

Heated mirrors and my factory installed auto start. A must in the Northeast!

Distance of the accelerator. Its a little hard to reach. Could use a better sound system.

2001 Saturn L-Series Consumer Ratings & Reviews