After owning the Saturn L300 Sedan for almost five years, I think it would have been better to have named it the Saturn Jekyll-Hyde sedan. One moment it is a smooth running European sedan and the next it is a nightmare of warning lights and trips to the dealership.

My wife and I drank the Saturn Kool-Aid. You know, buy this car and you will be part of the Saturn family. "Look, here are the proud owners visiting the plant!" Saturn forgot to tell us that we would be visiting our bank account after 60,000 miles for six engine "sensor" replacements and a $2000 replacement of the Steering rack assembly. I didn't know if it was me or the car being put up on the "rack".

Ok, so I guess it's time for me to describe the car. The L300 series started as a great idea. Take an Opel sedan and convert it to the U.S. Market. The L300 we purchased has the following features:
*V6 engine from SAAB-used in Cadillac Catera
*Rack and pinion steering
*multiple safety features for all vehicle occupants-dual airbags, antilock disc brakes , reinforced doors, high maneuverabiity, and many other features
*Power locks,windows, 6 CD changer stereo system, Heated leather seats and a sunroof


The car accelerates well from 45-65 on the highways and is very nimble for a US sedan. It feels sure on the road and my wife feels very secure behind the wheel in Chicago traffic during a snowstorm.

Now the other shoe drops...The electrical system has been very buggy. We noticed smoke curling out of the steering wheel and discovered there was a small electrical fire. In general, I feel smoke doesn't belong in a car unless it is emanating from an ashtray. After 60,000 miles, we started getting every imaginable warning light from "Check Engine" to the dreaded illuminated "wrench" on the dash.

I must say that my wife previously owned a sporty little Saturn and that thing was trouble-free. I guess 2001 was a bad year for the company.

The last straw was the replacement of the rack & pinion steering at 95,000 miles. The dealership had several replacements in stock which is alarming, considering a rack costs $700.00 retail. I guess a dealership can afford to keep inventory since every Saturn owner is having this problem between 90,000 and 120,000 miles.

The curse of it is we really like the car when it is healthy. that engine purrs and it is a great car for those long drives on the highway. Maybe I did drink the Kool-Aid.

It is too bad this car wasn't built for the long haul.



Amount Paid (US$): 24,500.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: L300 4 door sedan with all the options