Saturn L200

normajean777 · 07-09-2009, 12:09 AM

Hey I've been looking for a used car, and I'm just about decided to buy a 2001 Saturn L200. Its got 140,000 km on it, and is fully loaded. I think it may be a nice car, but I really have no clue, so I will have anything I'm serious about inspected before buying. Do you guys have any experience these Saturns?

I was leaning toward a Sunfire, but quite a few people told me to stay away from it.

**The Phantom Mullet** · 07-09-2009, 01:49 AM

Pontiac Sunfire = Chevy Cavalier. And that means it's awful.

In any case, I think the Saturn would be better than either of the Sunfire/Cavalier lines. How much are they asking for the Saturn? What are you trying to get out of this vehicle purchase? What is it that you actually want? How much do you have to spend?

gtrdave · 07-09-2009, 07:43 AM

I just sold my mom's 2001 LW300 wagon for $5k. It was not a bad car, but having looked over it's service records since new it needed quite a bit of work (outside of routine maintenance) in only 57k miles.
A dubious quality record to be sure, imho.
That said, Saturns seem to have a loyal following and their dealer network has a history of being better than the average GM brand.
Underneath the L and LW models is an Opel Vectra, GM's Euro mid-size car, and they are roughly related to the old Cadillac Catera and the modern Cadillac CTS. The 3.0l engine is a decent performer and will run with bigger dogs with ease.
That's about the extent of my experience with the Saturn L series.

LaserRacer · 07-09-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom Mullet

Pontiac Sunfire = Chevy Cavalier. And that means it's awful.

In any case, I think the Saturn would be better than either of the Sunfire/Cavalier lines. How much are they asking for the Saturn? What are you trying to get out of this vehicle purchase? What is it that you actually want? How much do you have to spend?

Awful is the understatement of the century (especially on the J body cars)....I never understood why anyone would want the sunfire over the cavalier... its heavier, more expensive and has all of the exact same flaws as the same generation of cavaliers.

+1 to all of those questions... you can't be truely happy with a car unless you know what you want from it (or you get really lucky)

**The Phantom Mullet** · 07-09-2009, 12:37 PM

But it's called "The Sunfire!" That has to make it cool! And it looks like this!

LaserRacer · 07-09-2009, 12:47 PM

LOLZORS-ROFL-LMAO!

That probably weighs more than 3500lbs with all of that junk... rice is even cooler when it's American!

normajean777 · 07-09-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom Mullet

Pontiac Sunfire = Chevy Cavalier. And that means it's awful.

In any case, I think the Saturn would be better than either of the Sunfire/Cavalier lines. How much are they asking for the Saturn? What are you trying to get out of this vehicle purchase? What is it that you actually want? How much do you have to spend?

Oh ok people keep telling me that Sunfires are awful, I guess I'll listen. Essentially these were the 2 vehicles in 100+ on Kijiji that I liked, and matched my price that I want to spend of $5000.

I want to be able to drive around to wherever but not consistently since I live at school during the year. But I plan to make the 300km drive home about once a month or so.

I like the Saturn and its great, but I just wanted to make sure that everybody doesn't warn against it (As ya'll have with the pontiac).

**The Phantom Mullet** · 07-09-2009, 09:11 PM

My advice.... is to find a Toyota of some kind. Preferably an older Toyota pickup, powered by the little 2.4L 4-cylinder. It will be absolutely indestructible... and when you do need to fix it, it will be inexpensive and easy to do. They should be able to be had for well under your budget. I bought mine (a 1993 model) about 6-7 years ago with 84k miles on it, for 4000 bucks.

normajean777 · 07-09-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom Mullet

My advice.... is to find a Toyota of some kind. Preferably an older Toyota pickup, powered by the little 2.4L 4-cylinder. It will be absolutely indestructible... and when you do need to fix it, it will be inexpensive and easy to do. They should be able to be had for well under your budget. I bought mine (a 1993 model) about 6-7 years ago with 84k miles on it, for 4000 bucks.

I don't trust Toyota trucks of any kind, I do want a 4 door car. And the cars I have been looking through all look like crap, with doubler the mileage, and age for the same price.

In your opinion is it actually worth it to give up looks and miles for a old Toyota?

Clasic/Rock_man · 07-09-2009, 11:39 PM

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.

LaserRacer · 07-10-2009, 01:03 PM

$5000 is a pretty decent budget...with that kind of money you should find what it is you WANT, and not just settle for whatever comes your way first...It will probably save you money in the long run...you will keep it longer if you like it.

I haven't priced them in a while, and I am about to show my bias here, but you may be able to get a mid 90s 318i or a old 525i for that kind of money. It would be high mileage, but with proper maintenence it would last nearly forever.

**The Phantom Mullet** · 07-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by normajean777

I don't trust Toyota trucks of any kind, I do want a 4 door car. And the cars I have been looking through all look like crap, with doubler the mileage, and age for the same price.

In your opinion is it actually worth it to give up looks and miles for a old Toyota?

Yes, in my opinion it is absolutely worth it, if the truck is in good shape. And what's not to trust? The 22R and 22R-E engines are what gave Toyota their reputation for being bulletproof. I don't think I've heard of a single example that didn't go for at least 300k, with no major work. I am downright abusive to my truck sometimes, and it has responded with perfect reliability and almost zero repair bills other than things that just wear out. I.E.... the brakes and water pump finally went out at about 140k. The funny thing about this, was that it started leaking coolant through the water pump, like normal. The other funny part about this, is that the truck doesn't really seem to care if it has coolant in it or not. I drove it about 120 miles across the Arizona desert to a repair shop.... and it was dry when I got there. We threw some water in it just to get a temperature reading.... and it was fine. No overheating, with no coolant. And it ran fine, and it continues to run perfectly.

They have their quirks, but they are cheap and easy fixes. You can count on the starter contacts wearing out every 90k miles. However, 60 bucks and an afternoon later, and it works just fine again. The thermostat also seems to be a weak point..... but it's a 10-dollar part, mounted directly on top of the engine. I once changed it in a Motel 6 parking lot.

Like ANY car, you need to stay ahead of the maintenance. However, the Toyota truck will require significantly less maintenance than most. Oil changes are basically about it. And periodically check all fluids/tire pressures, etc. I need to adjust the valves on mine, but the truck has 142k miles on it, and this will be the first time I've done it.

The BMW's that LaserRacer suggests are also good vehicles, and will provide a 4-door vehicle, and a more sporty driving experience. However, you can also count on significantly increased maintenance costs. In my opinion, there is not another vehicle on the road that is as trouble-free as the early '90's Toyotas. Someone would have to pay me upwards of 5,000 to get mine away from me.

I've had nothing but bad experiences with all GM products that I've encountered. And that spans quite a list...... Saturn is GM. You may also want to consider the fact that Saturn has recently ceased to exist, when thinking about replacement parts.

LaserRacer · 07-10-2009, 01:40 PM

Indeed... If you are willing to stray from the sedan, and durability is a must, then the Toyota is the way to go...I can personally vouch for everything mullet said, I have seen the way he treats his truck.

**The Phantom Mullet** · 07-10-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaserRacer

...I have seen the way he treats his truck.

Hahaha.... Whenever the snow falls, or the road turns to dirt.... the fun begins.

It's just too bad you weren't there to see the 5th-gear 90 mph indicated doughnuts that I did in the parking lot of the O'Cine in Prescott.... that would have been your sophomore year, when it snowed.

gtrdave · 07-10-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom Mullet

I've had nothing but bad experiences with all GM products that I've encountered. And that spans quite a list...... Saturn is GM. You may also want to consider the fact that Saturn has recently ceased to exist, when thinking about replacement parts.

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.