I've got a 2001 lw300 and love it. Got about 130K on it now. bought it with
two years on it and 40K miles having just come off lease. Paid about $10K.
Biggest single expense was the timing belt which should be done at 90K
(iirc). I had mine done at an independent garage friend of mine and paid
$400 for it. That included replacing the water pump which was the major
reason for doing the timing belt at that point. Was going to do it myself
but is not a job for the faint of heart and needs lots of special tools.
Replaced MAF three times but am thinking that these were damaged by a
backfire caused by a flaky crank angle sensor. Eventually, it got so bad
that engine wouldn't start or stall out. Since I replace the crank angle
sensor, no problems since.
Blower motor is getting noisy and will have to be replaced soon.
Roof rack is strange. no weight is supposed to be put on the roof and if you
do, the paint scratches easily. I got some used Thule bars and made a wooden
frame mounting to it to support the load. Got room for the kayak carrier and
the rooftop soft carrier.
Gets about 23mpg in town and up to 27mpg highway if I keep it to 55 and
don't hotrod. Hotrodding is a temptation - I've had it up to 105 (don't do
this with the kids in the car). Takes off like a rocket and sometimes the
gas pedal is a bit touchy. It is drive by wire.

Oppie

"S." > wrote in message
...
> Not sure if I am looking for someone to talk me out of ...or into...
> purchasing a used 2001 LW300 wagon with 98,000 miles.
> My '95 SW1 w/ nearly 180K is now burning about a qt of oil every 400
> miles. I did a top engine clean w/Seafoam when I disassembled the
> engine back at 152K and did head gasket and timing chain kit. I've
> done all the maintenance myself except for the tranny rebuild. With
> two small kids and reliability/safety being a factor, I guess I'm done
> w/ this car.
> The LW300 (6 Cyl) is at a local Saturn dealer. This is a really
> beautiful looking car. Like new, w/ new tires. It has never seen snow,
> has a clean one-owner, Carfax. The dealer showed me the service dept
> history. It has always been serviced there. Even on the lift the car
> looks great underneath with no leaks, or evidence thereof. (Having
> just done the Cat Conv on my SW1, I have been under a Saturn several
> times a year for about a decade now). I took the car home overnight
> and all looks and feels good.
> The service issues I have seen detailed on the web and various owner
> reviews (edmunds, epinions) with this series have me concerned. The
> tail light recall was done on this car along with a few BCM's at
> 5,100 and 13,600 mi, engine oil coolers at 1,600 and 28K mi.; fuel
> pump/sender, rear crankshaft seal at 31K; MAF sensor at 53K, Water
> pump @ 56K. Rear wheel hub/bearing at 56K; front weatherstrips and
> dimmer switch at 57K; "Armrest/Console" @ 78K, Pwr steering pump/
> pulley and belt tensioner at 83K. The last major recommended service
> done was the 81K.
>
> This car was traded back in February. Has been driven by dealer for
> 700 miles now. With the end of the month, an anemic car market, along
> with a pending timing chain service at 100K ($1,900 for the 100K
> service per another Saturn dealer. I can get the Rock Auto timing
> chain kit and do it myself for $325.00) I feel I can get a good deal
> for $3,500-4K.
>
> Am I being blinded by the $$$ and condition? My car's dying and my
> finances are meager. If I had several thousand more I would seriously
> think of a higher mileage Passat wagon, Malibu Maxx, Volvo 70 series
> wagon,and maybe, maybe, a Honda Odyessy van.
>
> L-Series owners, what say you?
>
>
> Also, what could a "Non-Saturn Accessory Installation" every oil
> change mean?