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?