2001 Saturn L200 L series review from North America

Clutch failed on way home - less than 100 kilometers. Spent a week in the shop.

Clutch failed day of pickup - less than 20 kilometers. Spent a week in the shop.

Exhaust manifold cracked - defect.

Blows through tires quickly.

AC worked once.

Cup holders behind shifter - interferes with shifting gears.

The clutch is a hydraulic two reservoir system - according to the shop - and the easiest one to access was the one they fixed. However, the one inside the transmission was the problem one. They didn't know because both were bad.

It had this problem when we purchased it, however they wanted to get the vehicle off their lot, so they pressed the sale.

Parts are hard to get and expensive. One exhaust part with flex pipe and catalytic converter is 1400. This is three times the price of a generic model, and 15% of the cost of the car.

The design for the interior is pleasing, unless you want to put two coffee cups in the two spaces provided. When you want to shift into 2nd, 4th, or reverse, you must remove one coffee cup or it won't go into gear.

The brake light came with a faulty socket that may turn off at will.

Not fuel efficient. Our Ford Escort filled up with forty liters of gas and would run 400-500 km, depending on the highway driving. This Saturn fills up with 50 liters and will still only go 400 km, depending on highway driving.

Finally, there is a fault in the electrical system where the lights, (I notice it at night) will dim and return to full brightness several times in a minute. It will then not do it for an hour, or do it many more times. This is something Saturn is aware of, and there is no fix for it. Nor will they attempt to fix it. It is an annoyance, in their words.