Saturn LS

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $23000.00 from Saturn of Henderson

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 LS V6

Summary:
We were very happy with our Saturn until the warranty ran out. As far as I am concerned these lemons have built in flaws.With only 56000 miles and a dedicated maintanance regime we now face a $4000.00 repair cost for replacing something on just about everything. Speed sensor, transmission valve and a computer overhaul. We thought we had made a good choice when we bought this car 6 years ago. My wife loved it. We were treated great by all the staff at Saturn and it seemed to us that we were getting a fine automobile......Then the warranty ran out and so did all the friendlyness. We now face a bill almost 1/4 the size of what we paid for it originaly. We are going to do the minimum to get it running and dump this turkey. We have started looking around for a minivan and believe me, it won't be a Saturn. They should be ashamed of themselves for foisting an inferior product on trusting people. (But I doubt they are.)

Strengths:
Nice styling, handled well. Good option pakages.

Weaknesses:
Constant problems with the air conditioning.I bet you've read that one before. Things start falling apart after the warranty expires. too many built in flaws in my opinion.

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.20 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $17855.00 from Antelope Valley CA

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Saturn ION 3 Sedan

Summary:
First I got the 04 Vue, not I've added this to my garage. The car is a good value. It's not luxury, and Honda has them beat in terms of comfort and space. I got the 4 door but there is no legroom in the back seats. Unless you're really short and drive with the seat all the way up, this is not the car to drive around more than 2 adults. The centered odometers are different and I kind of like them, though they take a bit of getting used to (might find yourself a bit more to the left or right while in freeway lanes at first). The car is sharp looking and definitely garners some attention, but it doesn't feel as "tight" as I'd like it to when I drive. Overall, when you consider the economical value of it, I give it 1 thumb up - I have no huge complaints. I think you'd do better with a loaded Civic though if you're going to drop 17k+change.

Strengths:
Sharp-looking car, big trunk. The biggest strength I see actually has little to do with the car, and mostly to do with the fact that I know I didn't get ripped off by some arrogant a*s of salesperson. I paid a fair price and Saturn service is great. To me, I'll deal with a car that I don't consider to be near the top of its class, instead of having to go through the aggravations, hassles and months of second-guessing that you get at other dealerships.

Weaknesses:
Poor leg room in the back seats, rear-view mirror vibrates a bit, doesn't "feel" as good as a Honda or the like - a bit less tight.

Similar Products Used:
Saturn Vue, Honda Accord, Acura Integra, Toyota Camry/Corrola.

Price Paid:  $10000.00 from Saturn of Albuquerqu

Summary:
After being ripped off one too many times at the service department at the dealership, I began taking my car to an independent certified mechanic. At 76,000 miles, I was told the engine head cracked due to the coolant mixing with the oil. The repair cost $1800! After doing some research, I have discovered this is a common problem on 1991-1997 Saturns. Saturn knowing continued to design a faulty engine that caused the head to crack. They will do nothing to assist in reimbursement of repairs...oh, pardon me, they did offer me a few free oil change coupons.Wheeeeeee! I tried sending a certified return receipt letter to the CEO and it was intercepted by one of the "supervisors" so the CEO never even saw it. I am now in contact with a lawyer, have contacted the attorney general, and BBB headquarters. I am telling everone I know what crappy cars these are, and how the company doesn't even stand behind their product.

Strengths:
NONE!

Weaknesses:
The Saturn name...it belons in outer space!

Price Paid:  $22000.00 from Saturn of St. Paul

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 L300

Summary:
Extremely unreliable. L300 has had major engine problems, suspension problems and electrical problems. Service performed at 3000 mile intervals by dealer. Car driven about a thousand miles a month and not abused. If not for the warranty, we would have $5000 or 6000 in repairs. Car is being returned in a few months for lease end. Thank God we didn't but this thing.

Strengths:
Good size, potent power (V6) and reasonably comfortable.

Weaknesses:
Extreme unreliability, flawed design and no factory commitment to improving the car.

Similar Products Used:
Toyota Camry, Satrun Sl-1, Chevrolet Impala

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Legget saturn saab B

Year / Model Reviewed:
2000 ls1

Summary:
Not too bad of a car. My wife leased it through her company. Got fairly good gas milage, but l found it a bit noisey, and the gas pedal would tend to stick when you drove it after it was sitting around for more than a few days. Trunk lid was already starting to rust when we took it back to the dealer last week. A friend of mine who sells used cars tells me that is common in LS1 saturns.

Strengths:
good peppy engine lots of room looks good

Weaknesses:
Tires!!! If it has those firestones get rid of them!! quirky features such as windows in centre concole took a bit of getting use to Trunk lid showed pre-mature rust around seams. Pedals are too close together.

Similar Products Used:
mazda 323, ford escort, ford taurus wagon, mazda 6