2000 - 2004 Saturn L-Series Pre-Owned

Other than the L300, the designation paid little reference to engine configuration as it does with some other brands.

The hardly refined but quite reasonably powerful 137-hp 2.2-liter 4-cylinder is quite fuel efficient. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

L100, L200 and LW200 cars got the brand's hardly refined but quite reasonably powerful 2.2-liter 4-cylinder, which made 137 horsepower and 135 lb-ft of torque, good enough to "charge" it to 100 km/h in just over 9 seconds. The L300 and LW300 received much more bravado via a 182 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 that made 184 lb-ft of torque. Again, the engine isn't Honda-like in refinement but does offer decent fuel economy while pulling the midsize sedan to 100 km/h in just a tad over 7 seconds. Not bad at all. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic was available, the latter the only choice when a V6 was the car's motivating force.

The engines and transmissions are shared, more or less, with other GM vehicles, but what is unique to Saturns, at least those made up until the current 2005 model year when the new Relay minivan comes to market, are dent-resistant polymer panels. While panel gaps are wider than

Curtain-type airbags were introduced in 2001, along with 3-point safety harnesses at all positions and a larger fuel tank. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

most rivals, I still like the net long-term effect of straight, aligned bodywork, a byproduct of the unique exterior shell.

As far as upgrades are concerned, curtain-type airbags were introduced in 2001, along with 3-point safety harnesses at all positions and a larger fuel tank. The following year the L received new Sport, Audio and Premium packages, one of which included a DVD entertainment system. OnStar also became available. The side-curtain airbags, ABS brakes and traction control that were optional the year prior, as well as a LATCH child safety system and CD player became standard issue. Model year 2003 saw the L-Series' greatest changes, with front and rear styling upgrades and a revamped interior. There were no changes for 2004 other than the omission of the 4-cylinder engine and deletion of the wagon model, and there won't be a 2005 car.