Saturn Reliability?

Particularly one of these. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230266989057&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

Or opinions on Saturns in general.

Small saturns seem to be the best for reliability. I work at an autoparts store and I've seen one L-series owner come in a few times, hes always having problems with the electronics. Like the engine cutting out with a brand new, flawed computer/ECM.

Having worked at a GM dealer service department, I choose not to buy one. Not only are they not really high on the reliability scale, they're not easy to repair. I had to replace an alternator on one. Not only did the alternator cost $175, you had to have it on a lift and remove the passenger side driveshaft, which then necessitated an alignment, and you might as well replace that cracked boot as well. I'm not a big fan. Maybe they handle well, or take mods well, but I'll stick to my RWD stuff for now.

Replace the timing belt often if you get one of those V6 cars.

friend of mine buys them. Only problems he ever had with the coupe's was water collecting in the trunk due to a badly designed lid and seals

My '96 SOHC 4-door had 205K miles when I sold it last month. Still ran, still had the factory clutch in it. Granted, over the 10 years I owned it, I replaced the radiator, alternator, water pump, A/C compressor, heatercore, and various other replaceables... but the car was solid.

The L-series, however, I don't know about... they're based on an Opel platform, and the 4-cylinder engines are first-generation Ecotecs. I have a couple of different friends that have one, and they've never complained about theirs, but they've all had minor problems with them.

It's probably okay as a DD, but I wouldn't want to submit it to any kind of stress.

L series is not that great.

the oil cooler on that motor is between the banks under the intake manifold and prone to failure. Timing belts are prone to failure. Not a great motor. only redeming quality is it feels like more than the 182hp that it is, largely because of an aggressive electronic throttle. tranny is rock solid. suspension is junk on an 00. geometry will trash tires regularly. steering racks are junk. electronics are average on a good one. exhaust's seem to last awhile!

Buy an S-series, or a much later and ecotec powered L if you have to have the L.

Electronics are also a problem. The headlights ans dash lights will dim at will. I also had an SL2 to 185k wit only a clutch slave, alternator and a couple of batteries. The LS series is NOT a reliable saturn. Frankly it is junk. By something... anything else.