Here's Why The Saturn L200 Is A Great Budget Car Buy

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!!! Showing you why my 2003 Saturn L200 is a great budget car buy. starting from the outside, the paint has held up well except some weathering on the bumper and side panel. On the inside, it has all the standard options of most cars including 60/40 split folding rear seats creating lots of extra space. The trunk has lots of space for most anything you want to put back there. Under the hood, the car is a straight forward 2.2ltr 4 cylinder engine that is fairly simple to work on. There are lots of readily available parts for this car and they are cheap. The gas mileage is good as well between 26-30mpg. Insurance is cheap on the car, gas mileage is good, cost of maintenance is cheap and the car runs and drives great. For a car that you can purchase for under $1,000, it is a great buy and is the perfect commuter car that will get you from a to b reliably. Make sure to like this video and subscribe to my channel!

[@dav8388]

My mom bought a 2001 L300 in 2004, and that sucker is loaded. I think the only option it doesn't have is the premium sound. The 3.0 V6 is a powerful SOB. She passed away in 2007, but we still have the Saturn. It has 138,000 miles and has been very reliable. In fact I'm using it now while my car is in the shop.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

Great to hear you are keeping it going. Never drove the v6 but I'm sure it was more smooth and exciting than the 4 cylinder. Super low miles for the car

[@christophrichter8234]

Just purchased my stepdads lawn ornament-2002 Saturn L 200 wagon. I say lawn ornament because it sat in his driveway, non-operational for two years. Turns out all it needed was fresh oil, a battery and rear brake lines. I did all the work myself and out the door it was about $300 in parts , fluids and hardware. I can back up the statement you made about small seats. I’m a big dude at 6’4” and even though I’m quite thin, In order to sit comfortably my long legs have to be set farther apart (tall guys know what I mean-we have to sprawl). So yeah, in this seat I feel kind of big. But for the price (other than the aforementioned parts, FREE), I can say that this has been one of my smarter endeavors, for sure.

[@jeremyhenderson163]

I too am a happy L200 owner. After getting her (and before getting her street legal) I heard sooo many negative things about the model, but as I drove her I soon came to the conclusion that they didn't know what they were talking about and was amazed at how great of a car she is. I actually bought mine from a guy at a metal recycling center (for $250, $50 more than the recycling center was going to pay him.); I changed the thermostat, put in a new battery, added coolant, and it has been a GREAT car for 3yrs now. Unfortunately I think she now has a cracked head (More than likely had a hair-line crack when I got her, because the guy had been driving her without coolant or any maintenance at all. :'( ), but I originally bought her for an electric car conversion project which I'm now getting around to so she has been WELL MORE THAN WORTH MY INVESTMENT. :') I actually came across your video while researching the wiring system for her. Even though she was (as is) a good road-trip vehicle, she will (as an electric car) be an even better road-trip vehicle for us.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

that's awesome you got it for soo cheap. it really is an amazing car when you sont listen to others and actually get in it and drive it around . it's fun and cheap on gas. I'm glad you have one and got years of good use out of it. enjoy her

[@rjs1jd]

REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT!

[@LieutenantGnarx]

I have one, but in Medium Blue. 60k miles on her. I call her the "Blue Hornet" for good reason. For one she hauls ass and two, she's an amazing car overall. I love my L200. Adding a little bit here and there, like new rims, and performance rotors, calipers, new exhaust, bumper, and headlights. She's one hell of a good car. I'm planning on keeping her for a LONG time.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

very glad to hear and love the name. really low miles on yours. the car will be super nice after those upgrades. glad you love and enjoy your green machine. thanks for reaching out 😁👌

[@LieutenantGnarx]

@@DaylyDriverDayly if you want, I'll keep u posted on those parts being put on, and I'll send you pics if you want.

[@LieutenantGnarx]

@@DaylyDriverDayly also, it's not a problem, I love reaching out to fellow L200 owners 😁

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@LieutenantGnarx much appreciated 👌👌

[@seanb8581]

@@LieutenantGnarx hey man, im curious to see pictures of your l200. I have mine in green and just finished restoring it. Gotta keep the L series alive!

[@andrewstanley4831]

Would love to get a car like this. I’ve heard this is a hidden gem like reliable like accords and camrys but people don’t know it.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

it is a reliable car and got a lot of good use out of it. super fun to drive. all I did was oil change, trans pan gasket and wheel hub. ran perfect after that

[@sriracha9062]

Former 2003 L200 owner here. I had a love-hate relationship with my L200. It used to break down every year and at that point I decided to stop investing money into repairs for it. The past few years however, after I stopped putting money into repairs for it, it started acting reliable. Really reliable, in fact. Unfortunately, rust ate up the frame and it wouldn't drive straight anymore. I guess this is normal for a car in the Midwest where we get a lot of snow and salt. I had to junk the car last December. I really feel bad junking it, I wish I could buy the car back. It served me well since I bought it in 2007. Lots and lots of miles on it.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@sriracha9062 they will go a long time reliably for certain. at least you got good use out of it during your ownership. that's unfortunate that it rusted through. glad california doesnt have salted roads.

[@andrewstanley4831]

@@sriracha9062 Oh awesome. I live in Tennessee and I'm thankful to not need to worry so much about rust. I currently have a daily driver 2010 versa sedan non CVT automatic with 204,000 miles and I saw a video of a guy who had a versa with 300,000 so I'm hoping mine will make it there and more. It's a great little car and I'm currently saving for an unexpected repair or eventually be able to replace it once it gives out.

[@andrewstanley4831]

@@DaylyDriverDayly Oh awesome I really enjoy your videos and the attention to detail you put into it. I enjoy watching car videos in general but not everyone wants or can afford a 30,000 new vehicle. I was pleasantly suprised to come across your channel to see you give these cars the props they deserve. I don't need a vehicle to impress anybody or that I'm gonna be stuck paying on for years. The worst I've heard of is someone with a 2020 Optima paying $500 a month for 7 years. No thank You!

[@peacefult2491]

AMEN A TO B! YES ! I THANK GOD I FOUND YOUR VIDEO. DURING THIS PANDEMIC.I PRAY YOU ARE WELL.IM GOING TO GO GET THIS CAR.

[@chanda-aime6388]

It’s a great car fr

[@brandonAlexander-em4kf]

Bought this car from someone I know ive replaced the battery the valve cover thermostat breaks tires gotta get both front axels AND wheel bearings she hauls ass and i love her so Imma do it anyway lol

[@anthonygarcia-kd8wt]

I have the same exact car in white. paid $500 for it 3 years ago the lady selling the car hit a deer so it needed a new headlight and fender but it ran and drove fine and it only had 118 thousand miles !! never given me any problems done regular maintenance but that's it since I've had it it's my daily driver. has 184 thousand miles now. although deers love this car I've hit 3 since I've owned it the car is all dented up real bad from the deers hitting it but it just keeps going plan on keeping this car till it falls apart

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

beautiful!!! excellent car in my experience after changing the wheel hub. it does have a bad PC valve which is causing oil to get in the air intake system. easy fix! glad you enjoy yours and that its reliable.

[@andrewstanley4831]

Dang I guess the deer love it. I'm hoping he doesnt hit any deer because we cant afford that

[@itchyjoey4539]

I’m gonna pay $3,000 for mine an 02 from a dealership 142,000 miles

[@gilbertolopez4760]

I have a 2004 Saturn L300. Same 2.2 Liter engine the same as yours. I bought it back in 2007 with 34,000 miles at the Saturn Dealership- certified pre-owned. It had only one owner. I currently still own the vehicle with 169,000 miles. Major repairs I've had to do are the head gaskets which I changed when the car had 153 k and the radiator. The car has been been absolutely great. Maintenance is low cost and parts as well. If you maintain it well it will last you easily up to 300 K and more. And this is from previous owners I've personally known and that's why I got this car, for reliability purposes.Enjoy and take care of it as it will take care of you.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

that's excellent to hear. you sure yours isn't a v6? the l200 has a v6 motor. anyways, mine has 165k miles and all I did was fix the wheel hub and do an oil change and it's been perfect. oh, i also just replace the transmission pan gasket and filter and put all new fluid. runs and drives perfect. glad you are having a great experience with yours as well👌👌

[@ExtraFungus]

@@DaylyDriverDayly yes l200 should be the 2.2 ecotec, l300 is a bigger v6

[@Gearbearism]

Love my l200 I've been putting some work into it to restore it to be in good shape. She was used as a winter car in one of the worst winter states so she's rusting out. But I've done some muffler work and a couple of performance upgrade and she looks amd sounds pretty awesome.

[@christophrichter8234]

I hear ya on the rust. I live in Iowa so when I bought it, the rear brake lines were all but disintegrated

[@mbach2826]

I just picked up one of these in red last Friday. The outside has scuffs on the bumpers and rust under the gas cap (midwest car- previous owner covered it with what looks like electrical tape) and the interior is pretty stained. Other than that, it's a pretty nice car. And it was super cheap. It's got 188,000+ miles on it now. Hoping to get it to at least 200,000. Thanks for the video!! First time seeing your channel

[@user-rv8dw1wx6g]

Cobalt motor = amazing

[@keshanafoster704]

I just buy a 1300 how to remove the front seat

[@sandralewisbromwell5608]

I've just acquired same car, only white and 29,000 mls. My mother-in-law no longer drives, age 94, garage keptand am asking $5000,as it's still a virgin, lol. Thanx for the good review!

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

woww that's an amazingly low mileage car. lucky you to have it now. that will male a great car for someone out there who needs a good reliable vehicle especially for the price. it will go quick. appreciate the feedback 👌

[@lxn_ni1814]

i have the l200 2003 i dont have a back l200 badge or cup holders in the back

[@higgy485]

window controls are in the center beside the shifter, not on the doors. I've got an '02 L300 and not much changed other than a facelift and new gauger clusters from '02-'04

[@albear972]

Yeah, not a big fan of the white gauges. And yeah! GM really cheapened out on the 2003 facelift. It looks 95% the same as my old look 2002 L100 SE but no power/heated mirrors back seat armrest.

[@nathaniellavender9388]

Plastic side panels help with engine efficiency

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

definitely helps for overall efficiency of the vehicle👌

[@ExtraFungus]

Less weight can mean better economy but a few plastic panels don't really cut the weight much, especially on the l200 and l300. The front fenders, bumpers and outer door skins are plastic, that's it. The rest of the panels are steel and the chassis is based off the Saab 9-3. The real advantage to the plastic on this car is it greatly reduced damage from door dings and other minor impacts.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@ExtraFungus you definitely know a good amount about this car. do you own one? I really enjoyed mine while I owned it. a really nice and simplistic car all around

[@ExtraFungus]

@@DaylyDriverDayly I do own one, a 2003. I actually bought it at a salvage auction for no other reason than it had the engine I wanted. But of course the rest of the car is good aside from some aging interior plastic here and there. It's at 215k now and might get a timing set and some new seals if I get around to it before it breaks.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@ExtraFungus you do those repairs to it and you'll get a lot more life out of it

[@Snowleopard_1256]

Love my l200 but just can’t seem to find the dipstick for the transmission

[@albear972]

You will *NEVER* find it as it has no transaxle dipstick. From a first owner of a 2002 Saturn L100 here. Still have it at 103,000 miles. And it has better paint than the one we saw here.

[@tatianajavier2190]

How can you open the hood when the lever in the car is damaged?

[@elsintripas]

mine l200 is manual and i can drift with it and supercharged it so it sounds whining and another exhaust and it sounds like a v8

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

dang, sounds like you put a lot into it. sounds like you are sliding it since it's a fwd car and not rwd. I dont know what it would take to get it rwd for that specific car but have a good idea

[@ExtraFungus]

This is opinion so I didn't put it in the corrections. Plastic panels are the way to go, as corrected that faded rear quarter panel isn't plastic, it's steel. The plastic panels are the bumpers, door skins and front fenders. You knock it but where are the door dents? I've owned just one Saturn but many "plastic cars" and they are just better, I've had panels survive things without a dent that steel panels just couldn't hold up to. It cuts down of repairs and looks better longer.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

the paint doesnt last as long on plastic panels as it does on metal panels. these are great cars one the engine and trans fluids have heated up they run great. I would own another saturn in the future👌

[@ExtraFungus]

@@DaylyDriverDayly except it literally doesn't in this case, the faded panel on your car is metal.

[@justinthematrix]

My 2000 Saturn SL2 just got stolen but I would hesitate to buy another Saturn

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

sorry to hear that. why would you hesitate in buying another one?

[@justinthematrix]

Daily Driver I mean I wouldn’t hesitate*

[@justinthematrix]

Daily Driver **update** the cops found it and I got it back. They smoked a lot of blunts in it and broke my drivers side mirror but she still runnin that’s all that matters

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@justinthematrix damn you got lucky that you even got the car back. I'm glad you did 👌

[@justinthematrix]

Daily Driver yeah it’s the second time it’s happened. Definitely putting a kill switch in it now. Til I build my credit up enough to buy something newer but used.

[@MaiLex20]

Thanks so much for this. I'm hoping to be able to purchase this car recently for sale not too far from me, and your realistic review really helps. Saturns were really underrated and underappreciated cars, just like any, as long as we care for them, they last.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

thanks for the feedback mai. it is true that these cars are good cars as long as they have routine maintenance. I daily drive mine and I really enjoy driving it. it's a great car to get you from point a to b. what year and miles does the saturn you are looking at buying have?

[@MaiLex20]

@@DaylyDriverDayly The same as your's but with 194800 miles and leather seats (which I do hate). The records go back to when the car was shipped to it's 1st owner too. I've never been inside this model, but I'v driven a Vue. Just in your personal opinion, do you think a 5ft girl like me could see over the dash pretty well? I'm so use to cars that are higher up like Jeep, and have no luck finding opinions online from shorter drivers.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@MaiLex20 that's not bad at all. fun and cheap car to drive. haha interesting question, I'm sure you will be fine seeing over the steering wheel and dash. havent you driven it already?

[@MaiLex20]

@@DaylyDriverDayly Thanks. I laughed while typing that question actually. From what I've read so far, it seems those of us under 5'4'' and over 6'1'' have the most issues regarding visual concerns (like mine) or lack of head space. No I haven't driven it yet. I was given an upfront price, but it is also for sale via auction for a few hundred less. I figure since so many people under-appreciate Saturns, I'll try my luck with the auction.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

@@MaiLex20 🤣🤣 I'm 6 feet and dont have any issues whatsoever with visibility. there is definitely more head room. i would say if you are looking to buy a car from auction for a few hundred less than private market, make sure you really know what you are looking for. most auctions only let you start the car and not drive it. it's a risk for sure. i would in my own opinion, say it is safer to buy a car privately since you are allowed more time to test the vehicle and inspect it. could be worth the couple hundred dollars more you spend or maybe y ok u will get a better price than auction. I got a better than auction price on mine by far

[@connermurray1633]

My brothers friend is selling his for 1000 dollars not sure if i want to get it i got my license 3 days ago and i just need a car to drive myself to school with but idk if its worth it considering it leaks oil. That means id have to change the oil more regularly.

[@tonyyayo2115]

Saw that the V6 varient L300 for sale for $1400. Is it true that this engine has a timing belt instead of chain? Would prefer a chain that the L200 engine has

[@bmxbyblackdeath....3603]

mine looks the same i have 37000k miles

[@rjs1jd]

I've had a 2003 Saturn l200 with leather seats and all the extra creature comforts! BTW I put 402,000 mile not kidding ...so I went out and bought another onevr one 19,050$ low maintenance great smooth car to drive in, I consider u by one

[@SulikTrucker95]

i swear this car looks like LADA 2110

[@419rlanthony]

How much are you selling it for? May be interested.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

I sold this car as soon as I put it up for sale. hope you find yourself a nice one. they are really nice cars and fun to drive 👌

[@frisco-2.0]

The european Opel Vectra B looks so much nicer. Eben the Facelift Version of the Vectra B looks excellent.

[@ExtraFungus]

A few corrections. The rear quarters are not plastic. Your bottom side bolsters grip you because the supports are broken on the bottom of the seat. The suspension parts are cheap because it's based off the Saab 9-3 along with many other cars.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

the side bolsters are that way from the factory. I checked and the supports aren't broken

[@ExtraFungus]

@@DaylyDriverDayly I can see in the video the supports are broken.

[@DaylyDriverDayly]

bishop didn't have the issue you are speaking of

[@ExtraFungus]

@@DaylyDriverDayly but you did, You complained about it and I can see it. It's a pretty well known problem with those seats.

[@hugh3rdof5]

@@ExtraFungus Alas, I just obtained an l100 (2002) -- runs great, but alas, that driver's seat has collapsed.... the very supports you mention. Ok then, any favorite tips for repairing it? I've found several at area pick 'n pull yards, but wonder if they too will soon collapse.

[@tomlewis3658]

My daily driver is a 2003 LW200, same color as this, and is the 1st car I have taken to over 200K miles. It still runs well, and I don't abuse it. The hood and roof on mine have faded, but it looks decent for a while after it is polished. One part that was NOT available when I needed it was the short cables that go into the rear brake drums, for the parking brake. In 2003, I think I have read that GM reduced some of the content for the 4 cylinder models (the 200's), such as changing from rear disc brakes to rear drum brakes. So the short parking brake cables to the wheels are specific to the drum brake models. I ended up finding cables on the German eBay site, looking up cables for a 1996-2000 Opel Vectra B with rear drum brakes. Since this car is related to the Opel & Vauxhall Vectra B, some of the parts are interchangeable. I also was able to replace the pleather boot around the handbrake handle with one for an Opel Vectra B - it was a perfect fit. And I think there are some suspension pieces that are interchangeable with the Saab 9-5, which was also based on the GM2900 platform.

[@owenjwilson5202]

I think t

[@austincod21]

Honda engines

[@ptingz9307]

I really just think it was a wannabe European looking car with a crappy American interior.

[@yahya2925]

The interior definitely sucks on mine lol

[@yahya2925]

But it has 290k miles on it and has a good 3-4 more years to go

[@ptingz9307]

@Jonathan A Yes, a GM platform

[@ptingz9307]

@Jonathan A But still has a cheap ass American made gm saturn interior 🤦‍♂️ I'll take the 9-5 over this any day.

[@ptingz9307]

@Jonathan A You're such a hypocrite saying who's "crazy", trying to defend your little Saturn, and what are you on saying the l series uses Saab interior parts?? They're all gm made parts you idiot. I've have never seen such parts from a Saab in a SATURN interior before, look at pictures of both interiors side by side. The 9-5 competes in the e-segment executive cars like the s type, a6, e-class and 5 series, the L-series can't even compete against a Toyota Camry lmfao. That era of Gm was still bad in terms of build quality. My MAIN point from the beginning is that the Saturn was just a Vectra B wanna-Be. Just because it was on a European platform doesn't make it any better.