2003-2005 Saturn LW300/L300

American pride.

2005 Saturn L300

Saturn was a good attempt to beat the Asians at their own game; a decent product at a decent price…plus, it introduced the far-out concept that dealerships could actually be a less than terrifying and frustrating experience. Imagine. GM did and they were.

The cars themselves were primarily aimed at folks that were not enthusiasts like you and me. One feature was the expected plastic body panels. Many automotive writers complained of the gaping shutlines, which were designed intentionally to compensate for contraction and expansion caused by changes in ambient temperature. This always mystified me; did they not realize who these cars were for and when was the last time you overheard a non-enthusiast discussing that issue? Instead, it was brilliant and that’s why you can find so many used Saturns on the market that don’t exhibit body rust and major body damage. They could take a Walmart lickin’ and keep on tickin’.

The basis for the Saturn L-Series wagon, the Opel Vectra B.

So what exactly were these medium-sized L-Series wagons? Well, believe it or not, what folks were really buying was a less stylish Opel/Vauxhall/Holden/Chevrolet Vectra, also known as the GM era Saab 900, 9-3 and 9-5. General Motors changed the name of the wagon (and sedan) seemingly from year to year, with LW2, LW300 and L300 being the badges for our spotlighted V6-powered wagons. For the purpose of this article, I’ll just refer to it as the LW300.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda...we should have gotten the Opel Vectra C.

Why not the 4-cylinder engine models, you may ask? Saturn is typically associated with rather agricultural four bangers, but it makes no sense in the L-Series; take advantage of the loss of value and get a better, smoother, just as reliable if not more so, more powerful engine that suits the car far better. The 2.2 liter had only 140 hp to move 3100 pounds, as opposed to 182 in the 3.0 sixer, which weighed in at just under 3300 pounds. Like the Hyundai Elantra Touring, you’re going to want the bigger motor paired with the automatic, especially if you plan on commuting in it. Mileage dropped to 18/26 in comparison to 21/31; we’re still enjoying relatively cheap gas (for how long is anybody’s guess…), so treat yourself. Doing so also avoids the infamous timing chain issues associated with the 2.2.

Wise REVolutionaries will be a bit concerned for my short term memory loss at this point and gently bring the fact that Saturn began offering the L-Series wagon that I write of in 2000. I’ve avoided the first couple of years because GM, like many car companies, released the car before working out all of the bugs and early models have a higher risk of troublesome issues. Get a 2003 and you’ll not only get a mildly face lifted version but also a more reliable automobile. I’d like to say that this is the American way, but it’s true of many makers; cars are complicated beasts.

Unfortunately, GM in all its wisdom decided to base the L300 on the old-tech Opel Vectra B, not the updated C, which was released in 2002. That’s too bad because the C was a far more stylish and modern design and there was even a turbocharged V6 in the toy box that pumped out 248 hp. That would have been nice, but it probably would have boosted the price too high and scared off the lemming-like buyers. Still, the updated interior would have surely made the vehicle an even more appealing sales proposition.

And that’s one of a couple of my complaints about the LW300; the interiors were not as thoroughly depressing as past models from the company, but they weren’t works of art either. I remember driving a friends SW wagon and it made me so sad that I couldn’t wait to get out of the car. That and the horrendous NVH turned me off to Saturns entirely until I drove an L-Series, which was much better but still not class-competitive. Part of the problem in the LW300 was that the engine, while quite good to drive, felt like it was directly bolted to the frame; I could feel every buzz and shift. Not good in a Euro-wagon. They got the NVH a bit more under control, but there was still too much of it on the highway, too.

Opel Vectra interior.

Saturn L300 interior.

The all-mighty measurement of rear seat leg room is an unexceptional 35.4 inches. By comparison, the 2004 9-5 had 36.6; a toss-up. Maximum cargo in the Swede is 73 cubic feet, 79 in the Saturn! The Ford Taurus wagon at the time was even better with 81 cubic feet, but the L-wagon was a better car in just about every conceivable comparison to the slightly more costly 155 hp, 3500+ pound Taurus.

Personally, I’m not dismayed by the exterior styling. Could it be better? You bet. But it’s clean, purposeful and not ostentatious. The contemporary Saabs had a rear hatch design that limited functionality; not so with the LW300. It reminds me of the XV10 Camry wagon, which is a very good thing in my book.

Parts are readily available, there are plenty of these on the market and don’t forget those rust and dent resistance plastic body panels. What you’re getting is a far better Saab wagon without the pain of owning a Saab, even if you’re giving up the joy of badge snobbery.

So what about current values? The expected bargain basement, clearance sale KBB is just what you’d expect; wonderful. How about a top of the line 2005 L300 for just $2400 private party? Skip the leather interior, by the way. You’d think it would class up the joint, but it doesn’t. They’re actually less comfortable and your chances of finding an LW300 with a leather-swathed driver’s seat in good condition are pretty slim. That’s an amazing deal and we’re talking pocket change/coffee money here. Taking a quick look online, while there are far more sedans offered, there are plenty of wagons in that price range to pick from. Only cars with extremely low mileage having higher asking prices but why would you care about that? This is a buy it, use it till its dead and then get rid of it kind of car.

Okay, so far there isn’t much that is American about this car whatsoever. But this article begins with the words “American pride” but this is a European Opel wagon with the same motor in as Saabs at the time. “What gives, K2?” you say. Well, you’ll be relieved to know the L-Series was built the lovely city (it isn’t) of Wilmington, Delaware. When L-Series was cancelled, the factory began pumping out Sky/Solstice/Opel GT/Daewoo G2X sports cars until they shut the doors in 2009. This last bit is interesting historically because it was the final straw for mass automobile production in NorEast America. A sad day, to say the least, and the sadness doesn’t end there; Fisker was supposed to begin building cars there. But we all know how that story ends.

The LW300 is a used station wagon buyer’s dream and you’ll end up with a car that’s pretty easy to work on, has an interesting European lineage and you’ll pay practically nothing for it while enjoying utility that rivals most SUVs and crossovers.