2000 Saturn LS 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

If not a lemon, this car is a liability.

Faults:

I bought the car with 27,000 miles on it, assuming this would be a reliable car to keep through college and for my first job. It lasted the first few months famously. Then the trouble started. NOTE: I worked very hard to keep the car well maintained, but it did not work.

The clutch went out at 37,000 miles (1000 miles after the warranty ran out) and the dealer refused to replace it under warranty. I talked to numerous Saturn dealerships, and all agreed that this was my responsibility. Mind you, this is only a few months after I bought the car from a Saturn dealership. They also insisted that we not take it anywhere else for a second opinion or estimate. This cost me my first $1500.

Next, a clank developed in the engine. I took this to my new mechanic. The clank is going to cost me $1200-1300, as the timing system needs to be replaced.

Small problems such as worn out front springs, a bent rim, and a loud creaking in the dashboard have been persisting since I bought this "certified used vehicle" either fixed or ignored

It's been a great car to drive, but major problems like this keep popping up. In a little more than a year of owning this car, I've poured more than $3000 into repairing it.

General Comments:

Anyone want to buy a used Saturn?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 13th February, 2004

3rd Nov 2005, 19:46

I have a 2000 LS V6, and it has been nothing, but trouble. I have only 37,000 miles on the car. The latest problem is a leaky radiator, which sounds simple enough; however, the dealership is the only one who can replace the radiator due to the tools required for repair. Their charges are 75 percent more than regular radiator shops charge for the same service. They have you over a barrel. I plan to sell it ASAP and would NEVER buy another Saturn.

2000 Saturn LS from North America

Faults:

Well, fairly simple to explain. The timing chain slipped one spot according to my mechanic.

I went to start the car and it just would not start. As if no gas. I had it towed to a mechanic where I work. Diagnostics verified the issue, but the problem is that this causes all the heads, cylinders, and rods to crash (being off one slip on timing chain). Thus a $180 chain and $700 dollar replacement service becomes a $3,000 job.

And be sure that being 3 1/2 years old at 60,000 miles it is out of warranty supposedly. Oh yes, and was just in to the Saturn dealer for full service. And not due for maintenance irregardless regarding the timing chain.

You tell me, I call the dealer and they tell me I should change the oil more. I can't imagine the relationship between oil and timing chains directly plus I do change it regularly.

No where to turn, so I thought I would just post it. "Boy, do I feel better".

General Comments:

Anyone want to buy my SATURN.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th February, 2004

26th Feb 2004, 13:43

Interesting. I have a 2001 Saturn L200 and at 59,000 miles it just died in the middle of the road as I was driving home from work. I wonder if this is a trend with them? I haven't gotten the bill yet, but I don't think my repairs will total $3,000, but only because I know the folks at the garage who did the repairs. I'm thinking closer to $1,500. Aside from that though I have no complaints.

2000 Saturn LS 2.2L from North America

Summary:

Overall good, parts and service too pricey

Faults:

At 107,000 miles (this April), the ignition module went out, leaving me semi-stranded at work. This cost was partially recouped in a recall this summer. (I also had some other work (belts, etc.) done, since it was in the shop) $950 total, $400 returned.

At 125,000 miles (two weeks ago), the coil module went out. $140.

At 125,500 miles, (This past weekend), the service engine soon light came on, at the same time I started hearing a rattle from underneath the car. The dealer's service center told me that both catalytic converters went out. $1300 estimate.

General Comments:

The first 100,000 miles, the car was excellent. I was driving 80 miles one way to work at the time. Since then, (After I moved considerably closer to work) anything other than the regular oil change type services seem extremely pricey. Additionally, you would think that these items would not go out at this relatively low mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th November, 2003