7th Dec 2009, 19:07

I've had a manual Saturn L-something since 2001. Bought it new for $12,000 and 0% financing - best car (for work, etc... my real car is a Jag) we ever bought. It's got over 100K and still runs great...

11th Dec 2009, 13:11

I have a 2001 L300 with over 190K miles. Had a ton of issues 2 years ago which are all mentioned on this site. After replacing the MAF and crank sensor all has been fine (except for the eating of tires and batteries). It's just starting to burn oil now. Although it's had it's bumps, we've been fortunate to do our own repairs and put under $500 into it outside of tires/batteries/oil/brakes which we do ourselves. Saturn is going to be extinct to I guess no one will be getting another Saturn...

15th Dec 2009, 20:48

I bought a 2003 Saturn L300 in 2005 at 21k miles. Worst car decision I have ever made, especially considering I traded in a VERY reliable Dodge Ram for it. The trade was made to try and save some gas money, but every cent I have saved in gas (and then some) has gone right back into this piece of junk in repairs.

Here's a list of failed items:

1) 30K miles, steering gear went out. Ridiculous popping felt through the steering wheel.

2) 50K miles, ANOTHER steering gear. Yep.

3) 50K miles, BCM (evidenced by faulty odometer readings)

4) 50K miles, thermostat (buried deep within the engine)

5) 50K miles, bearings in front axles. Didn't see this one coming.

6) 51K miles, fuel pump (inside the tank $800+) Left me sitting in the middle of an intersection. Very bad timing.

7) 60K miles, ANOTHER BCM (same odometer problem... just suddenly reads 40,000 more miles than really on the car.)

8) Today - Odometer up to its old tricks. Guess it's due for another BCM. Hmmmm...

If you're considering buying one of these heaps, DON'T!

If you've already bought one, good luck, and my condolences. Save your pennies...you're gonna need 'em.

24th Jan 2010, 17:59

I purchased a 2001 L-300 with a few problems, it has 100000 on it.

First it was making a bad sound from the rear. I was thinking it was the drive train, but the repair man said it was bearings. I had the bearings replaced and it did the same thing. I took it to a used tire place and a woman said, "you need shocks". I replaced the shocks in the rear and it was fixed.

The check engine light was on, so I gave it a tune up and that fixed it.

The electric seats would not work, and I was told that I needed new switches. I took the switches out and sanded the connectors, and it fixed the problem.

The coolant light was on, so I replaced the sensor and the water pump, problem solved. It now runs great.

I found that most repairs can be done by you with a Edmund's manual.

27th Jan 2010, 06:53

I have a 2002 L300. I love this car and haven't had many problems with it. It has 114,000 miles on it. The tune up for it was done at 100,000 miles, and it included the serpentine belt, the timing belt, and the spark plugs, so I don't count that as a problem, just maintenance. (I had read another post complaining about that) Every car needs those things done. My problem is the security light on the dashboard comes on and the headlights and the dashboard lights flicker. The dealer can't find the problem. I've read that a lot of you guys have had this problem. I am near tears because I absolutely love that car~ and it's paid for. I can't find anything else I'd want to drive that doesn't cost over $35,000.

31st Jan 2010, 23:01

My horn and power locks do not work. Neither does my A/C. We replaced the transmission at 163,000 miles. It is a pain without A/C and power locks. We put in a toggle switch and a wire to the horn (still a pain, but better than nothing!). If you know what's wrong - please email at brunsy5@gmail.com

17th May 2010, 00:37

I currently have the L300 Saturn, and I just got it about a month ago. I got it because I thought it would be great on gas! I'm really not impressed with the body style, but after having to put 93 in my tank forever, I figured I wanted a car that is good on gas. Anyways, I put it in the shop to fix these problems.

1) The water leaking on the floor passenger side and slightly on the driver side. My mechanic fixed it and said it was a clog in the coil for free.

2) My brakes wasn't working good; my mechanic fixed the brake booster for $55.00.

3) Every time I fill up the car, it hesitates to start up, it usually take 3 cranks or so. Now my mechanic says he thinks it was the O2 sensor. I bought the O2 sensor from Auto Zone in Tampa, FL for $68.00. So not sure, but I've seen countless people on here saying they paid like $500.00, that is down right CRAZY, It doesn't take a long time to put in!!! My husband (who is not a mechanic) was going to install it, because he has done his car before. It's not very hard and doesn't take very long. I even asked the techs in Auto Zone when I was purchased it. However, now that I have read all these posts (and I mean all of them) I would say it is most likely the crank position sensor. So I guess we will have to see.

4) Also my car use to vibrate when it got to 70 mph, and my mechanic fixed it, and said the tires just weren't balanced properly. I was told this in the auto store that might be the problem, so I let my mechanic confirm it for me (without telling him).

The one thing I would like to say, as me being a WOMAN and CHEAP. I don't understand why people bring their car to the Saturn dealership or why they buy all the parts from them? Depending on the part, there are junk yards, after market places and auto stores.

What makes you think it would be cheap at the dealership? I have owned over 10 cars, both high end from a Lexus to low end to a Buick, and had almost every problem you can think of. I have never went to the dealership. All my cars were fixed and working fine. I guess I've been lucky, because I never had to put more than $500.00 in any car I ever owned.