2003 Saturn L-Series Review

Name: 2003 Saturn L-Series Review
Brand: Saturn
Price: 881 USD
Rating: 4.2 (183 reviews)

2003 Saturn L-Series LW300 4dr Station Wagon

+37

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Saturn L-Series model years

Saturn L-Series for Sale

Saturn L-Series types

Wagon
Sedan

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Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

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

Cons

Build quality not up to segment standards, some interior materials feel cheap.

What’s new

Saturn's L-Series sedan and wagon receive a significant exterior and interior freshening for 2003. Both front and rear fascias have been redesigned for a new look. Front-end restyling includes clear wraparound headlamps with chrome trim, optional foglamps with chrome bezels integrated into the new fascia, a larger grille with a new Saturn badge and a raised hood. The rear end sports new taillamps and a revised fascia with additional chrome trim. No more black rocker panels and lower fascias -- the whole car is now offered with body-color trim. The interior now features brushed nickel-finish trim plates, silver faceplates in the instrument cluster and European-style upholstery. Ride and handling has been improved by adjusting spring rates; optional 16-inch wheels and tires should help, too.

Edmunds says

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

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$185/mo

$187/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Saturn L-Series.

5 (56%)

4 (24%)

3 (9%)

2 (9%)

1 (2%)

4.2

183 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 183 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Good vehicle for class/category

tclefton, 05/25/2011

2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 4A)

I purchased my 2003 Saturn in October of 2007. It had 65k miles on it. It now has 120k on it and I've only had to replace the fuel pump. It is a little noisy and rough riding at higher speeds, but most cars are in this class/category/price range. I get about 26mpg city/hwy combined. Everything still works on it fine, and everything is still in it's proper place. Everyone gets a lemon now …

Great Car but had electrical problems

k_maxwell712, 12/07/2012

2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 4A)

Even though this car is know to have electrical problems the are pretty expensive to fix, its still a great car. I had to replace the ignition module right around 75-80,000 miles. Then around 120,000 miles the Body Control Module(BCM) went out. The gas gauge would read at empty and the temperature light would constantly be on. The car ran like that for over a year with us just keeping …

Weak, at best...

fsu1, 08/23/2012

2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 4A)

I got it with 40k miles, and fought to 100k. Going with Saturn due to previous experience - seemed like a good idea. Ended up not. First year with it went ok. Regularly maintained with Saturn, then GM dealers. The following major issues occurred: BCM module failure, entire brake system failure (three times), water and fuel pump failure, and a front strut replacement. A belt broke once, …

Problems? Not a one.

Paul, 05/06/2009

2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 5M)

We are the second owners of this vehicle. I'm about to hit 200,000 miles and the only thing I've had to replace is oil, alternator and a battery. It still runs like a champ too. Not going to go up against a Dodge Viper or anything, but it's not afraid to move. Never thought I'd say this about my baby blue saturn, but I love this car.

See all 183 reviews of the Saturn L-Series

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2003 L-Series Highlights

Type:

Wagon

Trim:

LW200

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,335
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	33.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Key safety features on the L-Series include:

Alarm

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver4 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver3 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Poor
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Poor

2003 Saturn L-Series Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2003 Saturn L-Series.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Good vehicle for class/category

Great Car but had electrical problems

Weak, at best...

Problems? Not a one.

2003 L-Series Highlights

Safety

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2003 Saturn L-Series Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Most helpful consumer reviews

Good vehicle for class/category

Great Car but had electrical problems

Weak, at best...

Problems? Not a one.

2003 L-Series Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2003 Saturn L-Series info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2003 Saturn L-Series L200 4dr Sedan (2.2 L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}