2003 Saturn L200 Reviews - Page 2 of 5

The climate control is impossible to control. It is either too hot or too cold.

After making my final payment on the car (five years), I had to replace the tires for a wholesale cost of 650$!

Immediately, (the very next day) the car stalled on me during rush hour traffic on a dangerous curve on a steep hill. After having it towed to the dealership, we found out that the fuel pump will have to be replaced, at a cost of 800$.

For the past year, there has been a grinding in the front whenever I make a slow, sharp turn.

The gas mileage is poor.

We will never buy this brand of car again!

The headliner had to be replaced 7 times in the first 4 weeks of my owing the vehicle; at the fault of the manufacturer (water logged interior as a result of detailing).

The side strips in the front windshield still to this day will not stay in, because the adhesive is of poor quality. They have been replaced 4 times by the manufacturer, but then the manufacturer gave up and said they would not replace them unless I paid for them (even though they were covered under the 90 day warranty). But when it expired, they said "no more".

The A/C and coolant system has always had problems--not working, or doing the opposite of what it is supposed to do; that has been fixed 2 times. To this very day, it still does not work.

The car was delivered to me with a flat tire; the manufacturer finally replaced it, after I had to hassle them for 2 hours.

The glove box handle completely fell off after I merely pulled on it to open it one day.

The rear brake system had to be replaced, because apparently there was a nut or screw that had broken a long time ago, and was never fixed. It had made a groove in the brakes, and cost me over $800.00 to replace.

The gear shaft in the steering column had been replaced 3 times by the manufacturer, and then broke again 2 months later.

I have had more mechanical and cosmetic issues with this car than I have had with my 1997 Honda Accord that is 11 years old and I have owned for the past 7 years. It has never had any mechanical issues, nor things that have broken or fallen off (because the car is NOT made with any quality effort).

I have contacted the Saturn dealership where I purchased the car, and the corporate headquarters, only to be told they will not help me unless I pay to have the car hooked up to a diagnostic machine. Why? Because I had not brought the car in for over one year. I told them they should not have to do computer testing for the things that are falling off or falling apart.

1) Battery died at 40k

2) Shifter solenoid went bad at 50k

3) Transmission failure at 62k

4) Steering wheel got loose at around 30k and you can hear the screws chilling in there when turning.

5) Right rear window switch does not work. You can still lower it from the front controls.

6) AC vents fell (40k), armsrest broke (35k).

7) Front suspension squeaks since 30k.

8) Flashing dash board 40k.

9) CV joints are leaking and need replacement.

First the pretty part: I must be honest to say this car was not my first choice, but it has really grown on me. I bought it used with 27k on it, and it now reads 62k.

I absolutely love the back styling, which looks somewhat like a Ferrari 456 and an Audi. The fact that very few were sold, it makes it a rare car. The front styling could have used some attention though.

The suspension has been great too, and it can take corners really well.

Gas mileage has been average at 24mpg, which is what Saturn claimed.

The interior is nice, but honestly feels cheap. My boy's Honda Civic 00' has better quality.

The controls are easy to see, and I just love the huge tachometer; I hate those new cars with big engines and tiny tachos.

In general the seats are comfortable, the trunk has been spacious, the sound system is actually good, oil changes are a piece of cake, alignment has been beautiful; the car drives itself and never bother to have it checked. I must say I paid Kia money to get 6 airbags, ABS, 6 Cd changer, and a reliable car.

Now the ugly part: I want to make clear I have dogged this vehicle beyond belief. If cars could talk it'll probably slap me. I have revved and topped the engine in the rain, e-braked and made donuts, and pretty much cross rallied when I felt like it. With all that said, I'm sure any car is bound to have some issues.

The front suspension squeaks when going over speed bumps. Checked and found no leakage.

The steering wheel is loose from somewhere, but since everything is so tight in the column, I figure it has no choice but to stay where it is.

CV axles are leaking, but don't really make a noise.

The transmission began to make a whining noise staring at around 50k. It became noticeable at 60k, and took it to the dealer. Tranny specialist said it was fine, and believed the problem was more serious involving cooling, and the computer messing with the gear changes, he never really pin pointed what it was. Manager believed otherwise, and said it was the output shaft that got banged up. The service writer said he'd seen Saturns go with burned trannies over 100k before the got shot. Either way I'm stuck with $1200 on bills. It comes with a warranty, so if it doesn't work, it's now someone else's headache.

Like I said, with all that abuse, it never left me on the side of the road and started every time.

I am almost done with the car loan, and I am looking forward to buy my next Saturn. It will probably be an Aura or the new 08's Vue.