34,500 miles and still no problems, which brings me to my update. Saturn uses Saab brakes in the L series. The rotors usually cannot be turned so they must be replaced. Saturn has stepped up to the plate and will replace the front rotors free of charge if you have less than 36,000 miles and have had the car under three years, your basic new car warranty. They also give you a discount on labor. I usually do my own brakes, but with a deal like this, how can I lose? Thank you Saturn!

If you are looking at a used Saturn, you should know that the 2002 L200 was a great year for that model. In 2002 the L200 came with four wheel disc brakes, a feature that the 2003 L200 lacks. The 2002 L200 boasts 137 horsepower, as opposed to 135 horsepower in the 2003 model. Additionally, the 2002 L200 gets 33 miles per gallon on the highway, with an automatic transmission, a mile improvement over the 32 MPG that the 2003 models get on the highway. In 2004 Saturn got smart and went back to four wheel discs in all models. All 2004 models are L300's regardless of the engine size. The later models look sexier than the 2002 L200, All models offer dent proof doors, which keep Saturns looking new longer than other cars, while also reducing insurance repair costs.

I'm still very happy with my L200. I still love the engine, which gives me great mileage, while providing ample power for the big Saturn. The 2.2-liter,Ecotec 4-cylinder makes good smooth power, putting out a very smooth 137 horsepower. I've replaced the stock air filter with a K & N air filter, which probably gives me an additional three or four horsepower.

Maintenance: The L200's engine design will save you money. It has no spark plug wires, cap or rotor to replace! The oil filter is a cartridge type, that is built into the engine block. It is easily accessible from the top of the engine compartment. All fluids levels are clearly marked and easily accessed.

Driving Impressions:
This is a very comfortable car to drive. The seats are fine for daily commuting and the center console works wells as an armrest. The driver's seat has a height adjustment that is manually operated by a lever on the side of the seat. The speedometer and tachometer are large analog gauges and they are easily read. Window visibility is good, but there is a blind spot in the side rear, which drivers should be aware of. The cruise controls are comfortably located on the pad in the middle of the steering wheel, on the left and right sides of the pad. All window controls are located in the center console, like the BMW. However, the window controls are rather big and clumsy to operate, unlike the BMW controls. The basic sound system has a radio and CD player, and no cassette player. The CD player is easily accessed and CD's can be stored in the empty slot below the player.

The L200 has more road feel than most American cars. It tracks straight, without any drift. Braking is sure and efficient with the four wheel disc brakes. Road and wind noise are not noticeable in the cabin with the windows up ( This is a noticeable change from earlier models, as the 2001 L200 that I rented before buying one had substantial wind noise, even with the windows up). The Ecotec engine has more than enough power to handle the freeway speeds of southern California. The automatic transmission is smooth and efficient and the car is geared for freeway cruising.


Buying Options:
All 2002 L Series Saturns had four wheel disc brakes, except for the L100 models. For safety, I would pick the L200 over the L100 model to get four wheel disc brakes. There was a stick shift available, but it only got one mile per gallon better than the automatic did. The L200 with an automatic is the best choice. The L300 is a six cylinder, which drinks more fuel. The engine compartment in the LS300 is crowded and more traditional, with spark plug wires, cap and rotor.

Performance:
Saturn L200 owners seeking more horsepower and improved gas mileage should consider installing a more efficient air filter. See the K & N link in my profile to learn more about efficient air filters.

Tires:
I replaced my Firestones with Bridgestone Potenza RE950's and I'm very happy with them. They are cheaper than the Michelin MXV4's and they stick better, especially in the rain. I had the Michelin's on my old BMW. They were very smooth and quiet but they can't compare to the Bridgestones in handling. What a difference this switch made!

Switch to a Fully Synthetic Oil:
Saturn dealerships used to allow you to change your own oil in their service bays, however they have since changed this due to insurance costs. I still recommend using synthetic oil, whether you change it yourself or pay someone else to put it in.

Cautionary Note on Synthetic Oils:
When you have synthetic oil in your engine you may think that your oil is 1/4 quart low and end up overfilling your engine. Follow the manual and put in 5 qts of synthetic oil the first time. However, the next time you change your oil put in 4 3/4 quarts of synthetic. Then check the oil level again in the morning when the engine is cold. You should be exactly full. Mobil 1 clings to engine parts and I suspect that most synthetics do, as well. No sense blowing a gasket needlessly.

Use Extended Oil Changes After Your Warranty Runs Out:
Car manufacturers make no allowances for synthetic oils when they provide their maintenance schedules, so change your oil when the light comes on (the L car has an counter that tallies engine revolutions). However, once your warranty runs out you can safely run a good synthetic oil 12,000 miles, instead of changing it every 3,000 miles. This extended schedule will save you money and it's better for the environment. If this worries you, you can change it at 6,000 or 7,000 miles and the environment will still benefit from your longer oil change intervals. For those folks that need convincing, please note that Mercedes and Jaguar now indicate the first oil change for their vehicles are at 12,000 and 9,000, respectively. The reason for this is that they both vehicles come factory filled with synthetic oil.

Visits Back to the Dealer:
I have had several visits to the dealer but never for anything major. A glob of grease saturated one of the window roller pads, so the dealer replaced the window roller pads. Most people wouldn't even notice this. One of the rear window trim strips started to separate slightly from the body, so that was replaced. At 5,000 miles the ignition cylinder had to be replaced, as it would lock my steering wheel (a common General Motors problem).

Other Issues:
My only two issues with the big Saturn are the soft paint and the vehicle's blind spot. The soft paint scratches and chips too easily. The blind spot is a major safety concern and all prospective buyers of this vehicle need to remember this if they purchase this vehicle.


Mechanics' Choice:
I should mention that the Saturn mechanics I know also prefer the 4 cylinder Ecotec engine over the 6 cylinder engine. The Ecotec is easier to work on than the 6 cylinder and gets pretty good gas mileage.

Summing it up:
The Saturn L200 represents great used value for a family car. The engine should provide many carefree driving miles.

Bugs in earlier year L cars:
If you are seriously considering buying any L series Saturn, you should find the link in my profile very helpful. It provides a brief history of L series reliability problems and their solutions. The site is maintained, but bear in mind that the author is a Saturn salesman.

Good luck shopping and comparing cars. Remember that newer is not always better, especially if you are comparing a 2003 L200 with a 2002!
Amount Paid (US$): 19,593
Condition: New
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: L 200, Automatic