Clean exterior design.
Nicely appointed interior features.
Great features for the cost (heated seats, mirrors, powerful V6)
No hassle buying.
Reasonable insurance costs due to theft protection and safety features.
You make a statement against the car buying "system".

None to report so far.
ABS and Traction should have been standard but I heard that was going to happen in 2002 as well as head curtain airbags.

Let me start by saying I already love my Saturn. Even though I've only had it for 4 days it's a jem. Superior merging and passing power. It's nice to be able to finally pass people with authority. More powerful engine than Malibu (L300 has 182 vs 170 in Malibu), newer styling, and lots of neat features for the same price. All the controls are simple and straight forward - very easy to use. I really like having the window controls in the console, not all crammed onto the driver door. The fold down seats are great and make the already huge trunk more versatile. A well designed car that has not gotten the attention it deserves despite the generally good reviews.

I have to recommend the V6 for anyone who does highway driving. Fours are good for your base model cars with power nothing but add stuff like CD players, cassettes, AC, automatic trans., etc and you're going to tax your engine heavily. Add in hot weather and try to keep a extra stick of deodorant in your glove box. For the price the V6 is a much better choice.

Mine is a Dark Red L300 with Leather and ABS. The materials have a suprisingly luxurious feel considering this is a midsize sedan. The cloth in the model we test drove was nice but the leather really jazzes things up. You can't even get seat heaters or heated mirrors on a Malibu. Believe me you NEED them if you live anyplace that gets colder than 50 for a high temp. I can't imagine having bought a car without them on the days I've driven without turning them on. BRRR!

Beside the features the whole Saturn experience is the way buying a car should be. It's really great for me being a GM Discount customer. Most traditional dealers treat you like dirt. Since Saturn is already no haggle standard pricing like the discount program is designed, it was so easy and stress free. When you own a Saturn you really do feel like part of a family.

I actually had one Chevy dealer say "Why should you be able to get a car cheaper than I can?" Talk about being nasty and jealous and it's none of his business why anyway. Charge a set price for every vehicle, if a buyer doesn't like the price then walk away or wait for a sale. Laws of supply and demand. No games. I think they'd find it easier to make a steady profit/income if they did.

In summary, if you're a person who knows what you want and you want a car with nice features, a great buying experience with no games, and a superior product at a average price then the L300 is for you.

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First Saturn - Read about great sales experience and product.
So far so good. Friend and relative both own Saturns. Came highly recommended.

--Price is better than almost all midsize comparable models.
--Space is great. I have 3 kids and they all fit comfortably in back seat.
--GAS Mileage has been 28-29 which is great.
--Available in Stick Shift which I have.
--Awesome size trunk.
--CD/Cass/FM Radio sounds great.

--Getting driver seat just right adjustment wise was tough. I am 5'9 and car seems to fit six footers better. Was uncomfortable at first, but, I got used to it.
--Cup holders and gear shift not in the best place for comfort, but, once again,I adjusted.

The Saturn experience did live up to its name. I was treated very well when I was at the lot buying. I wanted stick shift and they did locate one for me. I would highly recommend to anyone to take the basecare warranty. For $11 extra per month, all your oil changes are free along with tire rotation and filter replacements. Also, roadsize assistance is included and a rental car at no charge if the car needs work. I was looking for a sizeable car, stick shift and good gas mileage. Hands down this was the winner.

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Had 2000 Stratus and Saturn is bigger and gets 4-5 gallons better gas mileage.

Price, room, huge trunk, wide opening doors, head room,
smooth drive.

Cheap interior door handle, too much plastic, some rattles.
Pedals are too close and gaz pedal is too close from the edge.

I am pleased with that car, I have the LS1 5 speeds manual
with the 140 hp. Enough power every day needs. The car doesn't have problem with rough winter conditions, it easily starts at -5 F. Visibility is good. If you're looking for quality mid-range car without breaking the bank,
this is the car for you....

Drives so smooth, easy transmission (5 speed), roomy interior, attractive styling, inexpensive. Plenty of room in the trunk for my large stroller, car seat tethers in the back on all three seats.

The only problem I have is the power window controls are in the center vice on the doors. The shift knob tends to get in the way.

I LOVE MY CAR!! Everything about it is perfect, and I don't think I could find a flaw if I tried. Saturn has excellent customer service, the car is beautiful and safe and inexpensive. The sound system is great, the interior is attractive and comfy, and it drives like an expensive European model. This is an excellent family car!! (I also have a large car seat that fits like a charm in the back, and I still have room for other passengers.) The only bad part about this car is that everyone wants me to drive when we go somewhere!

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So much nicer than the SL, and definitely the best car in it's class for the price. I test drove a Focus, a Passat and a Jetta, and my Saturn won, hands down.

-- POWER: smooth, quick, and quiet V6
-- LOOKS: black-on-black (Saturn's "Black Beauty")doesn't look like the rest of the midsize pack
-- COMFORT: roomy interior and LARGE trunk; very comfortable seats; nice layout of dash instruments and sound/comfort controls; quiet ride; 40/60 rearseat split (great for hauling garden rakes, skis, etc.)
-- SOUND: advanced sound system rocks
-- GREAT STUFF INCLUDED: heated seats; running lights and foglamps; map light; defrosting for side mirrors
-- AFFORDABLE OPTIONS: sun/moon roof; leather seats and power package; head curtain air bags

-- PRICE: has all the features we want OR need for a lot less than others in its class

-- INTERIOR: some rattles and creaks from headliner when traveling over rough roads @35-40 mph; ignition position (hard to see)

Brought this car home on Jan. 13, 2001. Have now put @1800 miles on it. VERY FUN to drive-- handles well-- smooth, powerful and nimble-- especially love it on long hauls up the coast. Sport-tuned suspension means you will feel the road a bit-- if you need more "luxe" may prefer Camry, Accord, or such. But this looks hot and really zips around those big rigs and slow-mos! Doesn't even flinch when going 80 mph-- can take my hands off the wheel (NOT recommended) and flys straight.

Recommend leather package with power seats; good quality and really jazzes up the car. Feel pure joy with advanced sound system (8 speakers) playing Beatles "Rubber Soul," sea breeze and warm sun filtering through open sunroof, and V6 powering up the highway. Heated seats are super on cold, frosty mornings-- entire defrosting/climate control system works well.

Great family car; middle back seat has shoulder/lap harness; there are also special latches to attach 3(!)car seats, if needed. (My 8-year-old rides along in this car and just smiles and smiles!) Husband is very pleased with our decision-- this is our 2nd Saturn (had '98 SL1-- way too small and untilitarian, but a very reliable commute car). We really enjoy our new grown-up Saturn! Also, as former Volvo owners, we feel this was a practical and fun purchase.

(WILL TRY TO UPDATE LATER IN THE YEAR)

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Volvo-- Saturn L300 gives a ride that is as solid and satisfying-- fully-loaded, you get more for the money with the L300. If you're into status (a big thing in this part of the country!)the Volvo is a better buy. Part of the Saturn deal is the customer service and that IS unbeatable.

Trunk room.

-Very cheaply made and assembled interior.
-I have to take my car to the dealership for routine maintenance...no oil-change chains have the correct oil filter.
-Taking the car to the dealership for routine maintenance is an all-day excursion.

Our troubles with Saturn a few days after our car came in.

The biggest problem we have with car itself is that the interior is holding up about as well as if it were put together with Scotch tape and Bazooka chewing gum. Plastic parts continually fall off. Every time they "fix" something, it breaks again a few days later. There has been a fuse panel door that we've given up on. The front windshield defroster has popped up on one side and they had to order a new part. They told us the part would be in in two weeks. One month later, we got a postcard in the mail saying that if we didn't bring our car in for service, they'd send the part back. I never went in to have it fixed because I didn't feel like wasting a whole day in their waiting room.

The "Change Oil Soon" light is full of beans. In the owner's manual, it states that a Saturn LS1 can typically go around 6,000 miles between oil changes in optimum conditions. Apparently, the Change Oil Soon light is not aware of this. It starts flashing at us around 1,000 miles after its last oil change. I've decided to put a piece of black duct tape over the light so I don't have to see it anymore. I've asked if they could disable the light but they just scratched their heads in response to that question.

After what we paid for this car with financing and everything, there is no reason for the interior to be so cheap or for anything else to be wrong with it. I've had it with the dealership but I have to keep taking it there for oil changes because nobody else carries the right parts.

Here's something else you should keep in mind if you live in the Schaumburg area and are planning on going to the local Saturn dealer. Saturn of Schaumburg was bought by Saturn of Illinois right after we purchased our car and as far as we could tell, our financing papers were shoved into a drawer and forgotten about in the shuffle. It was nearing the time that our first payment was due and we hadn't gotten anything from our lender...not a phone call, not a letter, not a payment book or anything. We called our lender and they said that they showed no new loans for us, so we called Saturn. I spoke to someone who, as it turned out, had no business counseling us on this situation. I explained our situation and she told us not to worry about a thing, she had found our papers and was sending them to the bank. I asked her if our payment would still be due on the due date and she said, "Oh, no...don't worry about it. Just relax and wait for the bank to get in touch with you, probably in a few months."

The bank did get in touch with us three weeks after our first payment was due. They wanted a check so that they wouldn't have to charge us a late fee. Obviously, the bank and Saturn got their signals all mixed-up because of a mistake Saturn made. When I called Saturn to give them an earful for screwing everything up, I spoke to the gentleman who handles the financing. He was extremely rude and insulting. When I explained that I had been told that we didn't have to get our first payment to the bank immediately because the bank didn't even know they had given us a loan, he laughed and said, "Are you crazy? You do still have to PAY for the car, you know." I was so livid that I hung up on him. I couldn't even respond to him, I was so angry. So look out for him if you go to Saturn of Schaumburg.

So even if we do buy another Saturn, which I doubt very much, we will not buy it from Saturn of Schaumburg. This car was way too expensive considering the cheapness of its parts. We'll keep driving it, but we'll never buy another one.

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I've only have very old cars in the past...this was my first new car.

This is my second Saturn and I love it even more than my first. It has superior gas mileage and once it gets going, it runs very smooth. It is a very inexpensive car for all the options you get and it is very roomy. The body style is amazing for such an affordable car. It has curves and bumps in all the right places. The Saturn is very driver friendly. The Saturn corporation is the nicest dealer I've ever dealt with. They have great customer service (except for the one in Terre Haute, IN) and really know how to talk to you like a PERSON, not a car expert.

The interior is cheap looking and cheaply made. When you start up the car, it is noisy, but after about 5 minutes of driving it really quiets down. The window seals are crap!!! In both of my Saturns they have not been tight enough and have broken, so be prepared to get that fixed. Also, this car should have a V6 instead of a 4 cylinder because the 4 cylinder doesn't give enough power to a bigger car like this.

Overall, I would recommend this car to anyone. Of course if you can afford to buy a Benz, I would, but this car is a great, inexpensive car that in my mind, and a lot of other people's minds, a luxury car. It comes fully loaded for a VERY reasonable price and is super safe and easy to drive.

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Grand Prix--loved the Grand Prix, but the prices just don't compare! The Saturn is so much less expensive.
Chevy Cavalier--this was a mistake to buy! I got it at a very good price, but it had no power and shook like crazy. I eventually junked it.
Saturn SL2--very good car! Not as roomy as the LS (obviously), but I love Saturn.

The DOHC V6 is wonderfull. The leather is top notch. The aluminum trim inside looks very luxurious. Inside and out the car is very European which was what I was looking for. It simply is a great looking, feeling, and driving car.

The advanced audio system is lacking. They should put the moonsoon system in it. The L300 should have a more aggresive wheel and tire package. The tire jack needs to be removed from the left rear panel. It rattles all the time. I finally removed it myself, wrapped in insulation and shoved it in with the spare tire.

I truly like this car. I took care of the tire jack rattle myself and I am putting 16" wheels and tires on the car for better control and a more agressive look. I'm waiting though until the snow stops flying here. Everyone who sees the car loves it. One of my neighbors thought I bought a Lexus. The car feels very European which was the feel I was going for. The engine with its DOHC sounds wonderful and is very powerful; especially for passing. I am eligible for the GM family discount so that had a lot to do with my purchase (lease) as well. We also get discounts on Saab's though too but it was amazing how much this car felt like the 9-3. I recomend this car to anyone. I got a great lease on a car I love. This car is one of the best that GM makes. Definately the best mid size they make.

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I also looked at the Saab 9-3, VW Passat and VW Jetta. The L300 felt very similar to a Saab 9-3

quiet, awesome standard sound system, exceptional brakes, oil filter placement, big trunk, placement of trunk opening switch near drivers door, handling is good but shocks are too soft

high oil filter cost- i do my own changes($6.60/filter),tight pedal placement between throttle and tunnel with winter boots on, top speed limit of 112mph, clicking noise from near air filter box when engine is cold, the gear ratios seem a little off-too much spread between first and second

Highly recommended. Gas mileage averages 27.5mpg with leadfoot driving in summer (60%highway,40%city). Get about 342 miles/tank. Engine only needs low octane gas.
this is the quietest car i have owned.
It has had the best sound system.
It also has a relatively stiff suspension for agressive cornering.
I would like more power but with more power fuel economy would be worse.
Do not waste your money on a camry, accord or passat.

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1986 golf gti(5spd), 98 ford windstar, 1995 camero z28(6spd), 1995 saturn sw1

Smooth 4 cylinder engine and great automatic transmission.
BIG trunk
Plastic door panels to deter dents from rude parkers
Wonderful dealer and company service
Excellent CD player and 8 speakers
LS (now L100) amazing value for price -- try to find a "base" Camry or accord.
Powerful and smooth braking

Poor quality plastic panels in the interior - bad fit, rough edges, and poor color.
Design problems (must expect in first year car)
1. No door sill plate. Rubber gasket exposed and gets chewed up
2. Seat poorly constructed - falls apart under load
3. Constant brake pad dust on front wheels (Saturn's not alone in this)

I'd strongly recommend the "base" L series to those folks who want to move into the midsize area but have budget restrictions.

The decision is harder for the upline cars since there are many good choices in the price class.

Saturn dealer service has been wonderful. That's one good reason to shop there.

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Nice and roomy compared to 4 saturn "S" series, Mazda Protege and Nissan Sentra. Like the higher seat position - better view of the road. Really smoother engine than Saturn "S". Much better suspension and brakes than the "S".