Saturn, the ads say, is a different kind of car company. The cars, we're told, are high-quality, true- blue alternatives to low-priced Japanese imports and are built and sold by a new breed of customer-driven dealers. The
Saturn family is friendly and folksy - just like you, a potential buyer of one of the three
Saturn models.
Sound contrived? Well, surprise: There's a major component of truth to the image Saturn has so carefully constructed. You can expect a Saturn to offer excellent value for the money, and you can expect to be treated well and in a straightforward manner when you pop into your nearest dealership for a look-see.
But before you rush out to buy, of course, you'll want to check the cars out a bit. Although the basic packages have not changed over the past five years, the coupes, sedans and wagons wearing the Saturn label have been updated and improved in countless ways. There is a positive side to the limited offerings and minimal changes: Familiarity often results in excellent assembly quality.
But if you are determined to own the latest and flashiest car on your block, this may not be it - though our $16,165 test car, an SC2 coupe, looked pretty good.
The coupe bears a strong family resemblance to the rest of the
Saturn line, but it does have some unique design features. For example, it's built on a slightly smaller version of
Saturn's steel structural cage, measuring 3 in. shorter than other family members, with a shorter wheelbase.
Some of the coupe's thermoplastic exterior panels are unique as well; the base version - called SC1 - shares front end panels with the sedan, but the SC2 has a different nose with pop-up headlamps, a special air intake and a chin spoiler.
Both coupes are smooth and sleek and carry a minimal amount of nonfunctional decoration. The looks and aerodynamics are enhanced by flush windshield and side window glass. And the coupe makes a better impression when supplied with the optional 15-in. alloy wheels; we think the standard 14-in. rims look a little wimpy.
In practical terms, the flexible outer skin resists minor damage, won't rust when the paint is scratched and is simple to replace. (The panels simply unfasten from the steel subframing.) As you've probably noticed, there are few grungy-looking Saturns on the road.
