Making any serious headway into a saturated market constitutes a challenge for just about anyone. Saturn embarked on its belated journey into the midsize market in 2000 with the L-Series. This new model sought to deliver a reasonably priced alternative to established industry leaders such as the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. The 2000 Saturn L-Series comes in 5 trims: the LS, LS1, and LS2 Sedans, along with the LW1 and LW2 Wagons.
The LS, LS1, and LW1 use a standard 2.2 L, 135 hp I4 engine while the LS2 and LW2 use a 3.0 L, 182 hp V6 engine. All trims seat 5 with the LS and LS1 allowing you to choose between 5 speed manual transmission or 4 speed automatic. The LS2, LW1, and LW2 use 4 speed automatic. Fuel consumption ranges from 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway for I4 manual, 23 mpg city/32 mpg highway for I4 automatic, and 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway for V6 automatic. Cargo space comes out to an industry leading 17.5 cubic feet in the sedans and 29.4 cubic feet in the wagons.
Drivers appreciate the handling and roomy interior in the 2000 Saturn L-Series. Comfortable seats and the plentiful cargo space add to the driving experience. Experts agreed that the most daunting challenge came from getting the word out on a solid new domestic midsize to everyone who thought Saturn only made compact cars. While sales initially lagged, Saturn felt optimistic that the new line's style could catch up to its substance.
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maintenance you cant do from home. oil filter is paper element unlike regular oil filter on many cars today. transmission cant be checked as usual and few other things as well.
most maintenance done at garage now.
other than overall rating i do like the car for its fuel mileage from factory at 32 mpg. however today's mileage would be a tad less under optimal maintenance serving if you can afford
it. many garages charge more for simple things now a day. ie:600.00 for spark plug changing for 3.0 dohc or dohv engine for thi car. Oct 29, 2014
by Anonymous
Aug 14, 2013
The luxury leather and wood trim make it special. Heated seats are very nice. Smooth ride is comfortable. Love the extra space in the wagon. Gas millage proved very good, especially for a 6 cylinder! Power windows are a definite plus.
Stereo could be better.Aug 14, 2013
by Liam H
Oct 29, 2011
Fun to drive, not the best car to be seen in, good performance, but it does take
time to get up to speed with the 4 Cylinder engine, all and all, its a nice
Stationwagon, holy cow...did i just say that?Oct 29, 2011
User rating:
by brett h
Oct 29, 2014
maintenance you cant do from home. oil filter is paper element unlike regular oil filter on many cars today. transmission cant be checked as usual and few other things as well.
most maintenance done at garage now.
other than overall rating i do like the car for its fuel mileage from factory at 32 mpg. however today's mileage would be a tad less under optimal maintenance serving if you can afford
it. many garages charge more for simple things now a day. ie:600.00 for spark plug changing for 3.0 dohc or dohv engine for thi car. Oct 29, 2014
by Anonymous
Aug 14, 2013
The luxury leather and wood trim make it special. Heated seats are very nice. Smooth ride is comfortable. Love the extra space in the wagon. Gas millage proved very good, especially for a 6 cylinder! Power windows are a definite plus.
Stereo could be better.Aug 14, 2013
by Liam H
Oct 29, 2011
Fun to drive, not the best car to be seen in, good performance, but it does take
time to get up to speed with the 4 Cylinder engine, all and all, its a nice
Stationwagon, holy cow...did i just say that?Oct 29, 2011
by Anthony H
Jul 11, 2010
It has a v6, leather seat. it get ok gas mileage, performance is ok too, it sucks to work on, it didn't look to bad, fun factor is its a family car what more is there to say about itJul 11, 2010
by Petar P
Dec 11, 2009
Teh car is pretty good for make like Saturn.I thing people
are underestimating the Saturns. Performance is great,
the 3.0 V6 offers a lot of power, this car pills tires like
crazy.The automatic transmission responds perfect. Build
Quality is high, despite that I bought the car used, I only
replaced the blower motor for the heating, noting
else(Probably I'm lucky:)).
The parts are way cheaper than the ones for my old
car(Audi A4), which nowadays it is very important:) For
cheap car, my Saturn has everything from leather seats to
traction control-fully loaded with extras. This is was the S-
class of Saturn. Definitely better gas millage than the Audi
A4(despite that the engine of the Audi was smaller-2.8
V6). For the four mounts I have the car, no money were
spent on maintenance(accept the Blower motor-$300). It
is definitely a fun to drive if you like the pilling tires noise:)Dec 11, 2009
by Ralph P
Jun 26, 2009
This car has over 146,000 miles and still runs as well as when I bought it. The only major work done has been replacement of ignition switch (at time of purchase) and new hood latch. The 4-cylinder is great on gas (32-36 mph on highway) and has great tork.Jun 26, 2009
by Julie G
Aug 16, 2008
This has been a great car. Bought it with 10 miles and it now has over 175k miles and has now been passed on to my daughter as I feel it is reliable and safe enough for her. Have only had to perform regular maintenance. Had to have the transmission redone around 150k. Grandparents have had Saturns, husband had a Saturn. Been very reliable. Aug 16, 2008
by Sirena C
Jul 25, 2008
to be a saturn this car has alot more power than i expected. it has a v-6 with a twin cam in it and will deffently get up and go. it gets pretty good gas mileage and the maintenance is pretty easy. i love my car it is the best car i have owned.Jul 25, 2008
by Ashley P
Jun 28, 2008
It is a 1996, and I have been in 3 accidents (none of which is my fault) and it has been very reliable! It doesnt rust, It had a sun roof, but it leaked so I had to seal it shut :( I only paid 4000 for it and so far I have over 155000 miles on it and it still runs great!Jun 28, 2008
Does anyone know the specs I would need in order to replace a rear strut on a 2000 Saturn L-Series I plan on buying? Also, just a general question, would any type of radio replace to one in there?
My 2000 saturn wagon high beams come on while parked and nobody around, all at random times. Also, when switching my turn signal on again the high beams come on and almost impossible to switch off