Used 2001 Saturn L-Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
Saturn
Great car, plenty of room, had 2.5 years and have had no problems
A Very Average Car
Not a bad car, just not a good one. Comfortable with OK performance and reasonable handling. Very noisy & harsh ride, eats tires like no other car I have had before. 17000 a set is unacceptable, though the dealer replaced the first set as the suspension was supposedly out of alignment. The second set was no better! Numerous problems with leaking coolant. Going back to a Honda, the prices are now about the same but the car is far superior.
- L200 SedanMSRP: $4,950320 mi away
- L200 SedanMSRP: $4,9951,002 mi away
- L300 SedanMSRP: N/A889 mi away
She hasn't let me down yet
Saturns just flat out has a bad rep but my Saturn L200 hasn't let me down yet. I believe it's all in how you handle the car. She's had her oil changed every 3000-4000 miles and every minor maintence that she may have needed. My parents bought me this car in 05 for graduation. At the time of purchase it had 55,000 miles on it. Now she has alomst 130,000 miles. I do a lot of traveling between North Carolina and New York. She's great on the highway, and despite what people say, she has a nice little "get-up". Over all, she's served me well. I did have to replace the rear brakes system at 100,000 but it only cost me $400...and most of that cost was due to labor. Saturn parts are cheap in price.
Saturn L300 has been great
Handling improved with 225 series tires over the 215s. Had slow leak in cooling system that cost $800. Small sensor needed to be replaced for $300. Back tail light needed new electrical parts $200 but Saturn reps knocked off $100. Overall, the vehicle has been extremely reliable for 80,000K miles. Excellent acceleration and breaking. No problems in rain or snow. Trunk space is huge and with folding back seats only increases. Plenty of room in back seat for people under 6'4".
Just a moment
I test drove this car as a loaner from the dealer. One of the first things I noticed was that the high beams won't shut off. I only had the car for 30 min. and all ready there was something wrong. The V6 seems to be rather sluggish and slow pickup. The L300 has planty of room up front. The seats however where not very comfortable. I think Saturn is in the right direction when it comes to price. The styling is almost there but is missing what culd be one of the best styles on the market. Saturn needs to make it with smother curves that don't end so abruptly.
most problem free car i ever had
i had the L300 V6 FOR THREE YEARS WITH NOT 1 PROBLEM EXCEPT FOR A COOLANT LEAK. IT HAD EVERY FEATURE FOR 22,000 DOLLARS. I LOVED IT AND WOULD RECCOMEND IT TO EVERYBODY. SATURN SERVICE IS GREAT. THIS IS A GREAT CAR. PEOPLE SHOULD STOP GIVING A GREAT CAR BAD REVIEWS.
peice of junk
I bought this saturn based on their reputation. What a mistake! The car has been in the shop on a regular basis. It is underpowered, gets poor gas mileage and I have taken a beating on the cars depreciation. Will never buy another Saturn or GM product. I am going back to either a Honda or Toyota.
Save your money
Bought my Saturn new. Within 3 months it had coolant leaks. On my 5th set of tires at 64K, 1st set at 15K, and I called Saturn to complain about the tire situation while still in warranty and they didn't seem to want to help me. All the door locks, window controls, cruise control, power mirrors and heater needed replacing. The A/C does not work. It seems like there is always something going wrong with the car. It's a piece of junk and I regret ever purchasing it.
108,000 miles and still going.
I got to admit my Saturn maybe on the plain side of styling, but this car as sure kept me going from point a to b and so on. I have 108,000 plus on my car and majority of the car is original. IE battery and stuff like that... I have only had 2 sets of break pads in the front real original to the car. All in all for an American car its done very well, No leaks or anything like that. But I am starting to have a few problems with my front end. Thats to be expected living now in Massachusetts and when sometimes there are more pot holes and ruts in the road then there is actual road, Doing 65 on mass highways (I-93) will damage any cars front end (pot hole city). But overall a good car!
Great Value
Buy the six , the extra horses are required for turnpike ramps and parkway fun. Buy the power drivers seat.
In Love with Saturn
Completely solid, reliable ride. Holds the road, regardless of weather or road conditions. Significant reduction of road noise, coupled with an excellent sound system, makes every trip a joy. The engine stays remarkably warm in cold weather so that the heat comes on immediately when you return to the car after having a leisurely dinner. Have experienced no problems or major repair since I purchased the car. This is my second Saturn, and will not be my last!
misleading quality advertising
Buy a honda, toyota, or any import if you want a quality mid-size car.
2001 L300
I just traded in my 2001 L300. I was disappointed with this car. Anyone interested in purchasing a 2001 L300 should be aware that the engine (not hoses)is succeptible to coolant leaks and the front suspension wears quickly. I wouldn't recommend buying this model new as depreciation was staggering - 2/3 of the sticker value was lost in 30 months. If you buy this model used, get an extended warranty. Keep in mind that GM is cancelling the L program early and the 2004 Saturn Vue isn't using the 3.0 V-6 engine found in L300 series cars. The new Vue gets a Honda made engine and trans. If GM is giving up on this car and engine, why should you consider it?
Saturn L200 - Not a bad car
The 2001 Saturn L200 is not a bad car. Overall, it's easy to drive & get's okay fuel economy for the 138 Horsepower 4 cyl. engine. Considering weight to horsepower ratio - the vehicle should get at least 38 MPG, but even with synthetic oil, I can not get much above 32 MPG. The seating is a bit uncomfortable from when vehicle was new. (I'm not a large person.) In 2 years, I needed to have the seat cushions replaced by a 3rd party business. Saturn would not cover seat cushion failure in their warranty. Transmission fluid level can not be checked by the consumer & that makes me feel unsure of it's reliability. Oil filter is rather easy to replace by yourself. Headlights are poor.
If I could turn back time....
Wind & road noise, and interior rattles. I can tell wich way the wind blows simply by listening to which door is creating the rush noise. Drive 90 miles (1 way) to get any work done on the vehicle as noone else here will touch a Saturn. Stock up on Saturn filters so I can change my own oil. Modify my own tools to remove the filter cap. Doors & fenders dont dent but they scratch easily. Underpowered & hesitates passing on the highway. Pretty big blind spots to the rear-hard to judge distance to things behind you. Saturn wont pester you when you buy the vehicle as they know they have you through the lifecycle of it.
not to happy
i'll tell you one thing i'm glad we bought the exstended warranty on it. Because i know will use it. we are flying through tires, saturn replaced first set for free and 24000 miles and the next set still wearing wrong at 10000mile on them after them align it. door locks are going out.
Very Reliable Auto
After having the car in NW PA, it has proven it's mechanical reliability in the subzero winters, and after all the salt and slush buildup over the winter months, it still looks like new! Never had any problems or concerns with any part of the auto. Drives like it did when we drove it off the lot with only minimum-mandatory maintenance.
Not too bad
The overall car isn't too bad. I have had not too many problems with it. I have needed to put tires on it twice since I have gotten it. There seems to be a lot of road noise.
Saturn L-300
I have to say that I'm pretty disappointed with the Saturn we bought. In 3 years we have had problems with the tail light, coolant leakage, and battery cables. By contrast we also have a 6 year old Honda Civic that has never had any problems outside of a flat tire which you can't blame on the car's design. The next time we buy a car it's going to be another Honda they are more reliable.
Love This Car!
I bought this car on a Smart Buy in 2001. My intent was to return it in 39 Mos. It turns out I love this car. I have the heated leather seats for the winter, moon roof for the spring and fall and V6 for year round fun. After 56,000 miles, my only service item was another antenna for the radio and new tires. This car has an air filter for the AC and Vent! I strongly recommend the L300, decked out as a fun to drive, inexpensive "Luxury Sedan". My only wish is that it was a little bit wider.
Saturn L200
I have been very impress with all the nice little features on the L-series model. I own two other Saturns from the S-series class and have been very happy with the vehicles reliability and especially the Saturn service department. I would recommend buying new or used Saturn vehicles from a Saturn dealership to anyone who does not like to haggle or play the sales pressure games. You will be pleasantly surprised the a car buying experience can actually be enjoyable.
Impressive for a Plastic Car
This is my second Saturn Vehicle. My first lasted 300,000 miles and never gave me a day of trouble. This car, in the first year of driving, has been smooth and complaint free (other than the speeding ticket!) It's a smooth, quiet ride and does well on gas under my agressive driving. I love these cars because as they age, they don't show it. My 11 year old FIRST car looked almost as good as the day I bought it. And my NEW vehicle shows beautifully. It's long and sleek. I looked at Acura, Toyota, Honda, and Lexus... and, for bang for the buck, I couldn't do better than the Saturn. There was no hesitation going back.
Mostly Satisfied
I bought my Saturn in July of 2004 and for the most part have been pleased. I wanted a mid-sized sedan for a reasonable cost and this car provides a decent ride and is very comfortable, and excellent on gas. I like the look of the car and the extra large trunk. It has alot of bells & whistles, A/C, all power, CD, etc. The sales and service depts at Saturn were very courteous and totally "hassle free" like they promised. However, at 35K this spring I needed a catalytic converter replaced, and 2 oxygen sensors,and the Firestone Affinity tires that come with the car are terrible, I replaced them immediately with BF Goodrich All Season treads for a much better ride and some grip in the snow.
What a piece of junk
I thought I did my research on the Saturn L300. It seemed like a great car for the money and ranked near the top with the Toyota's and Honda's. I was wrong! At 70,000 miles the car is ready for the junkyard. Within the first 3 months of owning the car it was in the shop twice for coolant leaks. At 20,000 miles replaced the first set of tires (I'm on the 3rd brand new set now). The wiring harness burnt up, A/C problems, oil leak, power steering fluid leak and the water pump replaced at 62,000 miles. What a lemon and very disappointing.
Love this car
I bought this car used 2 years ago and I love it. Not only do I have leather and all the options, it drives like it is purring. The best car I ever bought. I am currently looking to get a newer model because I love it so much.
Don't waste your money
When have we not had problems with this car? It is poorly made and we have had to replace several parts more than once. It is once again going to be repaired. It jerks like crazy when it idles. Most likely the timing chain issue. Great. This car also went through tires like crazy. A set aprox every year and a half. Saturn has no idea why. Imagine that. This car has a terrible ride and is extremely noisy. Spend a little more and get a better car.
Good car for the money
After much research we purchased our L200 and have loved it since. We had one knocking problem which ended up being a loose bumper cover - no big deal. We average somewhere between 25 and 30 mpg (4 cyl). The interior is well laid out and feels much like a more expensive car. We have been very pleased.
Saturn
I can hear the noise of the wind with the windows closed. It does not have a good push, when the car is in stop and I want to enter to a busy route.
Why does this thing eat tires
It's my wifes car, but I like the understated appearance. Performance is very good if you get your foot into it. I don't drive it enough to speak to MPG's. My big gripe is that it has 42k miles, is on its second set of tires, and they wont go another 6 k miles before replacement is required. Also the ride quality is FAR below what I would expect. Front shocks were already replaced, still a clunky ride. I would appreciate any feedback on similar problems as I 'd like to get it fixed.
I Love My L300
This car is so much fun to drive. The Saturn L300 has just the right combination of performance and comfort. The 3.0L V6 has enough power to pull away from almost any 4 door sedan on the highway. there is enough interior space to keep my 6'3" frame very comfortable.
Saturn L-200 2001
Not something I would buy again. Have had every possible problem known to Saturn L-series (checkout TSB's) and still finding time to have more.. Buyers Beware! I have even called Tenn. to have them buy it back but they don't want it either. Not a relaiable car. I have had problems with tires, steering rack, cruise control, fuel gauge, engine sensors, vibration in front end, strange noises, windshield wipers, ect...
Saturn L300 reliability issues
The L300 was released before it was ready. We too had all the tires replaced due to suspension problems. Finally, the dealer corrected the suspension. The car had a serious coolant leak and was in the shop for a week with many components being replaced. As soon as we got it back, there was a serious oil leak . . . The computerized engine management system has also had to be debugged. The car has a good design and more recent versions may be more reliable.
car
Spunky when you need it. Comfortable for moderate drives, need to streach for longer rides such as 2.5 to 3 hrs.
Value
I have owned my L300 Saturn now for 8 months and am very satisfied with the performance and reliability of the car. My only complaint so far is that the resale value seems lower than I expected. With the number of miles I drive every year I had hoped resale would remain somewhat higher.
A for Design, D for Execution
Good: just right size. Comfortable seats front and back. Great seat heaters. Advanced Audio Sound. Tight steering. More than enough power. Good transmission. Good gas mileage. Exceptional service department Bad: Build quality is terrible. Road noise on the highway.
L300
Excellent road handling, fuel economy and maintainence. Small interior problems fixed by dealer.
L200-- not for me
This hasn't been a bad car, but I wouldn't buy another. I have had the speakers in the front doors replaced 4 times. The wind noise was terrible! Saturn tried to tell me that it was normal-- its not normal to have to yell at the person sitting next to you. I have been to two different dealerships, both of which were very good. Thankfully all the work was under warranty. I plan to get rid of it ASAP, I don't want to pay to fix something that I don't want.
What's behind me?
The Wifes car, although I tend to drive it more and more. Responds well to quick maneuvers without being overly stiff. Not going to win any street races with this vehicle but it is suprisingly quick. Gets good mileage. However, the blind spots are huge. Looking in the rearview I am more apt to see more of the trunk then the road and vehicles behind me. Road noise is also a bit much at times. And finally service - Need to move control boxes to change headlights on the Driver side, and propriatary Oil filters.
Unhappy Saturn owner, to many problems
Overall the car is OK, at best. I bought a Saturn becuase of what I was hearing. Which was, "It is one of the best bangs for the buck and very durable!" Well I have to say that I thought the car was pricey, and durable, not mine. I have owned the car for not even a year and I have been to the dealership a dozen times, mostly the same issue coming up over and over again. Leaks of some sort, electrical problems etc... My dealership does not carry ANY parts on hand so I have to keep taking it back for the 2nd and 3rd time so they can fix something that I brought it in on for the 1st time.
Worth It? Think Twice.
I have owned my Saturn L300 for fifteen months, and I have never tired of a car so quickly. Before leasing this car, I looked at a myriad of other cars in the same class but by other manufacturers (i.e. Audi, BMW, etc.) but thought that for the money I was getting a fabulous deal on this car. Needless to say, the often anemic V-6 (getting only 182 hp vs the Nissan Maxima which gets closer to 250), less than impressive gas mileage (averaging only 21 mpg), and utter lack of styling, makes me wish that my lease would end as soon as possible. If you don't care about styling or performance, this is the car for you --other drivers -- beware.
No Way
This has been the worst experience I have ever had with a vehicle. Every quarter or more something major has broken. Replaced: Coil, Fuel pump, tie rod, blower motor resistor, pigtails behind the control head, entire exhaust system, and now my heater core.
Saturn L200 series
I own one of these saturns, as one writer said, they are beautiful and comfortable,but it becomes very costly. It felt like l bought the car three times. Replaced computer , changed the engine head twice until l found a mechanic who was very reasonable price and knew what to do with these cars. Never take it to the dealership like l was doing in the beginning. Cost u am arm and leg. So if u have one that is under 50k like one writer said pls change ur timing belt, but not at the dealership. Please!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
18 years and still going
I bough my 01 Saturn in 2003. I was the second owner. As a single mom I needed a car that was cheap to fix and I found it. The largest expense I’ve had was the oil pan rusted and it was 500.00. For a car I didn’t have a car payment on, I was happy to pay it. At 169,000 miles it still purrs like a kitten. It s is a manual transmission and it’s never had a problem. The engine is as solid as a rock. As an older car it does burn a little oil but that’s pretty normal and it doesn’t bother me to throw in a little oil on occasion. All you need for this car is some good tires and a durable battery and it will run forever. It all depends on who owned it and if they beat on the car how it will end up. Take it to a mechanic to check out a used Saturn because if it was taken care of you will have a dependable car that’s cheap to fix.
Reliable and Attractive
I purchased my L300 used after having a SL2 for 3 years. I like the larger, higher seats, more spacious back seats and heavier feel of the car. It is a 6 cylinder and has more acceleration and passing capability. I'd say the major downside is reduction in gas mileage. I get 23-26 MPG.
Always in the shop!
Purchased this THING with 20,000 miles from dealer. It has 140,000 on it now. It always has something wrong.. never all that costly but a day a month in the shop, almost a guarantee. Bad seatbelt computer took 3 trips for the dealer NOT to find it. Shade tree mechanic suggested cure and it worked. Has tires every 15,000 miles, timing chain replaced, rear lights go out randomly (NTHSC recall that was not honored by Saturn) Armrest cover replaced multiple times, Oil pan replaced, and it was aluminum casting!! Water leaks from AC made car smell for months!
never buy a saturn again
I will never buy a saturn again. We had problems from the beginning. We bought a brand new saturn after owning a used saturn thinking things might be better. Boy were we wrong. Having three children makes it not smart to own a saturn because of reliablity. We were never compensated for all our problems either. We traded it in for a kia and are so much more satified than before.
Bad car
My mom gave me her Saturn L. It the worst car ever. Ever time there was at less 2in of show the car would get stuck and you had to PUSH it or you didn't go no where for the day. My step dad is looking for a car for me because I drive so fair for college and work. The shocks are falling a prat. When you hit the right bump you can here the shock shack. It is the worst can i ever had. A deer cam out and i was going 2 MPH and the deer hit his head on the driver side of the car. The front driver side had to get replace. If i was to get hit i would be dead. This is not a good car. I'm happy that they stop making them.