100,000 on the L-300 Saturn

[Boomer]

My wife's 2003 Saturn turned over 100,000 miles today. We bought it new about 9-1/2 years ago. It has had a steady diet of Mobil 1 (5w30, 0W-30) and the 3.0 liter V-6 runs as smoothly as it did when new. It never really needs any oil added between 5-6000 mile changes; usually the dipstick is still at the full mark at oil change time.

Other than wear and tear items (brakes, tires, timing belt at around 90,000 miles), the only repairs have been a new computer about 7 years ago that failed when the AC Delco battery shorted internally (covered by warranty) and this past year, a pressure solenoid in the auto transmission that needed replaced.

All in all, this has been an excellent vehicle. We have taken many long trips in this and on a trip it will still give around 32-33 mpg at 60 mph. Around town, we get about 24-25 mpg. Love the plastic body panels. An even underneath, there is no rust on this car. Living in PA where they use a lot of salt, this is very impressive.

 

[jayg]

Nice, I have a few friends who love their saturns and wish they could buy a new one!

 

[DemoFly]

We love our 2003 VUE as well.

140k and the only things we have changed are brakes, spark plugs and filters.

 

[Tzu]

I think the plastic body panels were a cool idea. My wife's exhusband had one like that and it really took a beating. The car held up very well and like you said, there was no rust on it even up here near Buffalo NY. I've heard some engines in those Saturns like to consume oil, but for the most part they are very durable. I wish GM could make sheetmetal thick enough to be as forgiving as those plastic body panels were. Some new cars body seems to easily flex just by washing it...

 

[Boomer]

I have kept after the car, changing the coolant and having two transmission services done since we owned it. Faithful oil changes, new timing belt, water pump and belt tensioner at about 90,000 miles have kept it running well. This is a German Opel engine. All of the parts are marked in German and it has a pretty high redline...an Autobahn cruiser.

Surprisingly to me, my wife has used almost all "no name gasoline" in it. Other than two fuel filter changes, I have not done any (knock on wood) service to the fuel system. However, we NEVER let the tank get much below half.

 

[GMFan]

I had a 2001 Saturn SL and it was an excellent car until it hit about 120,000 miles and then started nickle and diming me to death. A lot of folks however have had great luck with their Saturns. I agree the plastic bodies were great...my 2001 looked brand new after a good washing despite its life in the rust belt.

 

[supton]

I had an '00 SL and it too seemed to hold up ok on the outside. Underneath I think was good too. Oil burner though, and I do think it was headed towards a number of repairs. Which, in retrospect, probably wasn't going to be too bad. Nothing lasts forever, and it's probably to be expected that a cheap econobox is going to wear out wear items a tad faster (struts for example).

Sometimes I wish Saturn was still around. I liked the pricing, and the dealership.

 

[Hootbro]

Quote:
..........Other than wear and tear items (brakes, tires, timing belt at around 90,000 miles), the only repairs have been a new computer about 7 years ago that failed when the AC Delco battery shorted internally (covered by warranty) and this past year, a pressure solenoid in the auto transmission that needed replaced.

All in all, this has been an excellent vehicle. .............


You kinda glossed over it like no big deal, but a new computer and transmission work is a big deal to many and would not be considered a "excellent vehicle" after the fact.

Had that expensive computer fried outside of warranty, I doubt you would be singing that tune.

 

[mechtech2]

Saturns had wonderful qualities, and generally looked great, too.
They did have downsides.

 

[ryster]

If I recall, the rear quarter panels on the L-series Saturns were sheet metal as opposed to plastic. Something to do with the size of the rear quarter panels, and having to be sheet metal to maintain structural integrity of the car.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Hootbro
Quote:
..........Other than wear and tear items (brakes, tires, timing belt at around 90,000 miles), the only repairs have been a new computer about 7 years ago that failed when the AC Delco battery shorted internally (covered by warranty) and this past year, a pressure solenoid in the auto transmission that needed replaced.

All in all, this has been an excellent vehicle. .............


You kinda glossed over it like no big deal, but a new computer and transmission work is a big deal to many and would not be considered a "excellent vehicle" after the fact.

Had that expensive computer fried outside of warranty, I doubt you would be singing that tune.


The computer issue was the fault of the battery and a transmission pressure solenoid is not an expensive repair. So, still looks like a good car for the guy.

 

[Boomer]

The computer would not have fried had it not been for a defective battery. And a simple transmission part replacement after almost 10 years is no big deal. If I get another 15-20,000 miles, I will be very happy with the car! When I bought it thye dealer allowed me to use $1000 worth of points from my GM card, took $1000 off the list and then when I offereed to pay cash instead of financing, took another $3000 off! So I got $5000 off the sticker. And I got book value on a 10 year old trade-in with 110,000 miles on it. My total outlay was under $18,000 for an L-300 with moon roof, , comfort and handling packages, auto transmission.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Saturns had wonderful qualities, and generally looked great, too.
They did have downsides.


That is a nice way to put it. It is one car where I can actually see the entire speedometer. I have a tall torso. I can also do a lot of the repairs.

The downside is there have been a lot of repairs, mostly minor things. Engine uses oil. It was a good excuse to become a Bitog member.

I am glad you are getting good service out of you L.

 

[supton]

I don't get how a defective battery can fry a computer... Seems like a bad design. Or just a defective unit. Major inconvience either way. But I guess over 10 years it is pretty small beans--I've spent far more in 10 years on my vehicles! I'd be quite happy to have those low repair costs myself.

 

[cptbarkey]

the cockroaches of america. huge props though

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
the cockroaches of america. huge props though

Not really a bad description beings that even if the world ends from a nuclear blast.... cockroaches will still be around....LOL.