Saturn L200

LaserRacer · 07-10-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrdave

People can dawg any make or model that they want, but there will always be exceptions. I have a Dodge Neon that's more reliable than 2 Honda Civics that I've owned. Is it the ONLY reliable Dodge Neon? No, but it's one of the few that you'll hear about. My sister owns a Pontiac Sunfire and while I think that it was poorly engineered as far as comfort and ergonomics are concerned, it's been a very reliable car for her. I also have 2 different friends who had the engines on their late '90s Toyotas self-destruct with no history of abuse or lack of maintenance. Why? Dunno. It is what it is.

This is very true... however I would say that the percentages favor the Japanese cars over the American ones. Any model of cars will have a few that are uncommonly reliable/unreliable. I own what is quite possibly the worlds only reliable Triumph TR7 (a '77, which is considered to be one of the least reliable years).

mulletman · 07-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaserRacer

I own what is quite possibly the worlds only reliable Triumph TR7 (a '77, which is considered to be one of the least reliable years).

It even started when I was there, and would have made fun of you had it not! It's amazing!

normajean777 · 07-13-2009, 08:24 PM

I just got an inspection done. The estimate was $1250 to fix struts and something else in the engine, where theres a leak I guess.

gtrdave · 07-13-2009, 09:28 PM

Good struts can be upwards of $100 each (it's wise to replace the strut mounts, too) and the labor is insane, although a mechanically inclined person with a spring compressor tool can do the work themselves and save a bunch.
Need more details about the leaky (?) engine.
Is this the 4 cyl. or the V6?

LaserRacer · 07-14-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrdave

Good struts can be upwards of $100 each (it's wise to replace the strut mounts, too) and the labor is insane, although a mechanically inclined person with a spring compressor tool can do the work themselves and save a bunch.
Need more details about the leaky (?) engine.
Is this the 4 cyl. or the V6?

Not to mention the alignment that needs to be done after the struts.

normajean777 · 07-14-2009, 07:13 PM

The guy is knocking off $1000 for the damages, and hopefully I should take pocession of this is in the next week.

And as for the work, I'm going to get my brother in law to fix it for free labor, and parts.

BTW struts are $180 each.

mulletman · 07-14-2009, 07:27 PM

So you're going to be paying 4 grand for it? (Canadian currency, correct?)

So that's just over 3500 US for this car, with 100k miles on it. Seems like a semi-reasonable price based on what I'm seeing them go for....

Good luck.

And please. No underglow, or "pulse lights."

mattslope · 07-14-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clasic/Rock_man

I had a 1994 Toyota 4Runner... The only foreign company I trust with trucks. They are very reliable and can take a lot of miles.

And that trust is well earned, especially considering your current safety plans on your new whip. Nothing like flashing lights on the interior to ensure that you follow the path of James Dean if you want to leave a good looking corpse.

LaserRacer · 07-21-2009, 10:40 AM

Bump for update... Did the purchase happen?

normajean777 · 07-25-2009, 02:07 AM

I bought the car, insured it, and got to work on the important stuff. I bought a 1000 watt amp, a 10" sub in a sealed box, capacitor and wire kit, and a deck. It sounds fantastic. My brother put the struts in today. The estimate was $700 for struts, I paid $240, and got to buy him dinner or something. Its going pretty good, I'll hopefully have some pics when I find a camera.

mulletman · 07-25-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by normajean777

I bought a 1000 watt amp, a 10" sub in a sealed box, capacitor and wire kit, and a deck. It sounds fantastic.

Symbiotic · 07-26-2009, 01:39 PM

Nobody has slamming the Saturn brand. Amazing. I have a '96 SL-1 that paid $1900 for 2 1/2 years ago and have put 60,000 kms on it with almost no repairs. It's up at 260,000 kms now. We've done the wheel bearings, radiator and alternator. Aside from those things, it's just been regular wear items like brakes. Sure it burns oil like a furnace, but top it up and it keep running great-ish. There are a few things that need fixing, but i'm not even gonna bother. I think it's gonna give up the ghost soon, but who knows(we think it's a PCM thing). I have no regrets about buying the car. Hopefully yours works out good too.

AlphaSigma · 07-26-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrdave

Saturn has not "ceased to exist", but it's ownership has changed from General Motors to the Penske Automotive Group.
There will be replacement parts for many years to come.

People can dawg any make or model that they want, but there will always be exceptions. I have a Dodge Neon that's more reliable than 2 Honda Civics that I've owned. Is it the ONLY reliable Dodge Neon? No, but it's one of the few that you'll hear about. My sister owns a Pontiac Sunfire and while I think that it was poorly engineered as far as comfort and ergonomics are concerned, it's been a very reliable car for her. I also have 2 different friends who had the engines on their late '90s Toyotas self-destruct with no history of abuse or lack of maintenance. Why? Dunno. It is what it is.

It just goes to show that Cars can be the most unrealible piece of machinery regardless of brand.

normajean777 · 07-26-2009, 11:02 PM

I blew the sub. . .

mulletman · 07-26-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Symbiotic

Nobody has slamming the Saturn brand. Amazing. I have a '96 SL-1 that paid $1900 for 2 1/2 years ago and have put 60,000 kms on it with almost no repairs. It's up at 260,000 kms now. We've done the wheel bearings, radiator and alternator. Aside from those things, it's just been regular wear items like brakes. Sure it burns oil like a furnace, but top it up and it keep running great-ish. There are a few things that need fixing, but i'm not even gonna bother. I think it's gonna give up the ghost soon, but who knows(we think it's a PCM thing). I have no regrets about buying the car. Hopefully yours works out good too.

Well, that works out to only like 163k miles.... and to me, burning oil like a furnace and requiring a new alternator in that many miles is kind of.... sub par. I dunno. I ask a lot of my vehicle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by normajean777

I blew the sub. . .

1000 watts will do that.....