The text below the ++++++ line is exactly how I wrote it for the past three updates.

I've recently hit 40,000 miles into this vehicle, and have a couple more casual observations as the car has aged.

First off, a few more squeaks and creaks have emerged, particularly when the interior of the vehicle is cold. Nothing too terrible, though.

This opens-up to a discussion of general quality of interior parts. Cheap and plasticky almost all around. My ex-g/f has a 2002 Focus SE sedan and I give props to the Ford designers, the interior of that vehicle is far superior and of higher-quality than the Saturn. I have test driven the S-Series' replacement the ION and do say that the interior fit and finish has improved there. The fabric of the drivers seat is getting fairly worn as well. I shudder to think of what it will be like at 80,000 miles (it might even warrant replacement by then).

The engine is still running flawless. In fact, it sounds much better than the Focus' Zetec, which to me has a sad, gurgly sound to it. I do keep up regular maintenance including a $240 tune-up at 30,000. The engine is turning-out to be a great performer and still appears to be excellent on reliability. However, an indicator that this is a 15 year-old engine design, it's going to prove to be very expensive to maintain if Saturn's recommended service schedule is followed, so I have to now downgrade it a notch. Saturn recommends a $240 tune-up at 30,000 miles. At 51,000 I'll be due for an automatic transmission flush running at $80 (includes oil change) and at 60K, There's a cooling system flush ($350, which includes everything the in $240 tune-up plus a cooling system flush). AT 90K, we're back to the $240 tune-up and at 102K there's an auto trans flush and fuel filter replacement (with oil change) for $165. Discounting the $20 for the oil changes that would routinely be done at these intervals, that's $975 in additional recommended service to cover 102,000. In contrast, the Saturn ION's Ecotec engine, the retailer tells me, is service-free aside from oil changes to 100K. Well, you can do the math on that one. I plan to stick to the service schedule as I'd rather invest in preventative maintenance than be stranded somewhere. Still, $975 is $975.

I still also enjoy the super-smooth auto transmission. It's still very intuitive and responsive to different driving conditions. Compared to the Focus SE, it's far, far superior.

Upon further review, ride quality is generally bumpy. Though the SL2 is "sport-tuned" with a stiffer suspension to provide better handling. Compared to the Focus SE, both are true. The Focus absorbs bumps with less cabin intrusion (also being quieter) but handling is more mushy.

I plan on replacing the stock Firestone Affinity Touring tires at 60 or 70K with something a little more forgiving, and a little wider (195 or 205 in width) to offset the road harshness. It will be interesting to observe what a different set of tires will do. I'll post an update when the tires get replaced. Speaking of tires, all 4 still bear 6/32" tread after 40,000 miles, so they are wearing decently.

From what I can tell, the resale value of this car is in the $7,000 to $8,000 range. As a used car, this is a great deal IMHO if a reliable, fuel efficient vehicle is needed and a few creature comforts are willing to be conceded.

Still recommended.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The text below the ====== line is exactly how I wrote it for the past two updates.

I can say that just a shade over 20,000 miles and my Saturn SL2 is still running virtually flawless. The only thing really noticeably different is that a few "creaks and squeaks" have emerged as the car has taken on age. They're relatively mild though are are not notable when the radio's on or on the Interstate.

I continue to enjoy the sprightly 1.9L DOHC engine. While louder at hight RPMs, after 20,000 miles it still kicks into life and is surprisingly competent at highway speeds. Around town it's great, and on the highway, it's even better. For an engine that is essentially a 10+ year old design, the Saturn-only 1.9L inline 4-cyllander (now a relic, as the Ecotec powers the Saturn ION) is still a great performer, with or without mileage considered. And a note about mileage, the car is still averaging well above 30 mpg with mixed driving.

A word about the paint job. It's been through a harsh Wisconsin winter and it's STILL SPARKLING! I swear this car looks as good as it did the day it rolled off the line at Spring Hill, aside from a few minor dings that were the fault of the idiot drivers who decided to park next to me and carelessly ram their doors into me. After a wash, this car's paint job still gleams.

The stock Firestone Affinity tires again, while not spectacular overall, are proving to be remarkably durable. I still have 8/32" tread on them after 20,000+ miles (I rotate every 6,000 miles).

Again, I highly endorse this automobile. From what I've heard because this was the last production year of the S-Series, the used price on this car has dropped dramatically. While the re-sale value has dropped more than I expected, I don't plan on selling this car anytime soon so I'm not that put-off. As long as it continues to perform as it has I'm content. As a used vehicle, the 2002 SL2 is a winner at the price it's at (slightly under $10G)

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The text below the ***-line is exactly as I had written in the summer of 2002. Most still rings true after 12,000 more miles and 9 months of ownership. A few things to add:

--I see that I never mentioned gas mileage in detail. Well it's exemplary. The worst mpg I have netted was 28 mpg, and that was in the dead of a sub-zero cold snap with all city-driving. My best thus far is 40.5 mpg during an all Interstate trip to Racine, which was taken last fall with A/C on 50% of the time. For an auto, that's darn near amazing.

--After 4 trips to the retailer in Wausau for routine oil changes/tire rotations, I'm still amazed at the dealer experience. The service done on the car is excellent and always finished in way less time than they tell me, plus they wash and vacuum the car as well for free (I know this is now not terribly uncommon anymore, but it's still nice to know your car will be sparkling when you drive it away). But in addition to the free doughnuts and bars on Saturday morning (mmmmmm!), Valerie, the salesperson who sold me the car insists that I stop by and chat whenever I'm in for service. You don't usually get this kind of treatment if you bought a car for under $20G and the salesperson knows you're not looking to buy again for 5 years.

--The stock Firestone Affinitiy's that came with the car have performed well, despite some of the negative reviews I've seen over at tirerack.com. While they're not "awesome" they've virtually not worn at all in almost 13,000 miles, and I tend to drive aggressively. At this rate I expect to get 60,000 miles out of them. Conversely, the Goodyear Eagles on my g/f's Jetta were down to 3/32 of an inch before she traded her car in (and trust me folks, she's not at all an aggressive driver) with 28,000 miles.

--The polymer doors have saved me at least twice from horrific dents from idiot drivers in parking lots. I've got to date one paint chip, and one light scuff on the door panels due to other drivers whacking their doors into my car. These are hardly noticable. Had it not been for polymer, I'd have two ugly, massive dents.

--A few squeaks and rattles have appeared. Nothing mind-numbing, though.

--All in all still a great car, and I'm glad I made the purchase.

***********************************************************

First things first, I understand that the verdict is still out on Saturn vehicles. It seems to me some people love them and others do not, for a variety of reasons. I was past due for a vehicle purchase (way past due, I was chugging around town in an '87 Dodge Aries K-Car, what I now consider to be the epitome of all things evil), and don't much care for the "haggle-haggle" of most other auto dealerships, so the nearest Saturn dealership was my first stop, based on their generally stellar customer service satisfaction ratings. And little did I know, it would be my last stop as well.

I did some comprehensive research on the Internet before car shopping, and knew that the S-Series sedans were comparable to such vehicles as the Ford Focus, Pontiac Sunfire, Toyota Echo, etc. As far as those vehicles are concerned, I had driven a rental Sunfire (coupe) non-stop from Wisconsin to Massachusetts and back a few years ago, and definitely did not want anything to do with that vehicle. A few friends of mine have the Ford Focus, one loves it (she's less than 3,000 miles into it) and the other one says "eh, it's OK." Personally, I simply don't like the exterior styling of the Focus (even the "sporty" ZTS) and really dislike the interior design of that vehicle. I find the Toyota Echo an utterly rediculous looking vehicle (13" tires? Do they really still put these on cars???). I also based some of my analysis on my girlfriend's '99 VW Jetta, a car I've been infatuated with since the Type IV's came out back in '99.

I test drove 2 Saturns, each for about 20 miles in a variety of traffic settings (Interstate on/off ramps, parking lots, streets o' suburbia)--first the SL1 and then the SL2, which I ended up buying. Both vehicles were automatics. And I can say this, the SL2's performance, the 0.0% financing, and the dealership attitude are what sold me.

DEALERSHIP
What you've heard about Saturn dealers is true. They treat you like a human being, and are truly concerned that you make the right decision on your purchase. I initially researched vehicles through the dealer's (very good) website, and the "Internet" salesperson at the Wausau dealership was a woman, which was definitely refreshing for an auto dealer (Saturn, I might add, has been generally progressive in the employment of women on all levels on their company, up to and including the president of the company). If you ever stop at Saturn of Wausau, say "Hi" to Valerie Carillo for me. At times I felt more like I was buying a lawn mower at Sears than I was about making a vehicle purchase. Totally laid back auto selling. When I asked to purchase the car I just test drove, Valerie actually asked me if I was sure, or if I wanted to go home and think about my purchase for a few days before making my decision--and this is from a car salesperson!!!

FINANCING
I purchased in mid-July 2002. Saturn was offering 0.0% financing on the standard S and L-Series vehicles--no doubt to clear the dealer inventories for the 2003 model year (which will bring a restyled L-Series, and the replacement model of the aging S-Series, the Saturn ION which is due to arrive in Oct. 2002). I don't know about you, but 0.0% over 60 months is a pretty inticing deal.

PERFORMANCE
Admittedly, the SL1's 1.9L 100-hp SOHC powerplant leaves something to be desired. Adequate yes, but it's really a bare bones engine. It will get you into 70 MPH traffic on an onramp, but you'll be red-lining this thing to do it, and wear ear plugs because you'll know you're pushing this little 4-banger to do it by the howl of the engine. Not too terribly impressed with the SL1's relatively paltry engine, I test drove the SL2, which in reality wasn't much more in price than ther SL1, considering the options included. The SL2's standard 1.9L 124-hp DOHC engine seems just about right for this sedan. It's got punch when you need it (on ramps, passing, etc.) and will get you around in city traffic just fine. The SL2's DOHC engine lets out a roar whenever you accellerate quickly or overdrive kicks-in for passing, but it's a good roar (sounds almost like it's an intentioned roaring sound), as opposed to the roar my K-Car used to make when pushed hard (more of a straining groan than a roar). Keep in mind the S-series vehicles, partly due to the polymer body panels, are very light, so the reduced HP compared to other vehicles in it's class can be a bit misleading. The 60/40 rear split seatback, each of which can be folded-down to form extra cargo space for the trunk will also no-doubt be handy down the road.

I've read reviews that bash the Saturn's engine for being absurdly noisy. I'm not sure where this is coming from. Sure there's a bit of a roar at high RPM's, but the torquey DOHC engine in my SL2 settles at a quiet 2900 RPM at 70 MPH and is barely audible when cruising on the highway (or around town for that matter). Wind noise has also been a relatively prevalent complaint and I can't say I see much difference between my SL2 and girlfriend's Jetta--both are relatively quiet on the road.

The SL1 felt skittish on it's standard 14" steel wheels, and seemed to want to drift out of control on one particularly short and banked Interstate onramp I was on. The SL2, however comes standard with 15" steel wheels (with an upgrade to 15" alloy touring tires, which I got), and removes the skittish factor. Steering was nimble and, dare I say, fun in both trim levels I tested, and braking seems to be also solid all around (though I did not drive anything with ABS).

After riding many an hour as a passenger in a '99 VW Jetta GL, I can honestly say that the ride in the SL2 is remarkably comparable. The SL2, with it's touring tires and alloy wheels is surprisingly "sporty," and I'm strongly considering having the dealership add the color-matched spoiler on my next service visit.

SL1 vs. SL2
The main differences between the SL1 and SL2 are a few biggies, and the rest in optioning. The biggest is engine size. The SL1 has the 100-hp engine, and with the SL2 the 124-hp DOHC 4-cylander is standard (and IMHO well worth the upgrade to SL2 in and of itself). The SL2 also has the 15" tires and sport tuned suspension, which makes a big difference in overal handling. The rest is relatvely minor. The SL2 comes with A/C standard, the SL1 you need to purchase that as an option. The SL2 also comes standard with the front seat center console/armrest, and that's a dealer-installed option on the SL1. The SL2 also features a better cloth for the upholstery than the SL1, and the tail lights look a bit different on the two models (the SL2 has some additional reflector plates on the vertical backing of the trunklid that the SL1 lacks--again, aestetically, the SL2's "look" is more pleasing in my books).

Ok, so I've had the SL2 now for a few weeks and roughly 1,000 miles (a trip to the Madison area last weekend tacked on almost 400), and here are the things that irk me:

--Legroom. I'm 6'1", and I barely fit comfortably into the driver's seat. Anyone over this height should beware of driving this car (unless you're currently driving a Yugo!!!). Rear legroom is even more unattractive, unless Mini-Me is sitting in front of you. This didn't bother me because I have a rear seat passenger about once every 3 months (if that), and end up using the rear seating area mostly for cargo anyway.

--Low rear view mirror. For whatever reason, the rearview mirror is awkwardly placed. I have mine cranked as far toward the roof as it can go just to reduce the blind spot out the windshield. I am, however, getting used to the mirror position though.

--Some controls aren't lit at night, such as the power door locks, power window controls on the center console, and amazingly the cruise controls on the steering wheel. Mildly annoying until I learn where they are in the dark.

--Questionable materials used on the interior. OK Saturn, so you're cutting corners to bring costs down on an already entry-level sedan. I understand that. But some of the interior body mouldings are rediculously flimsy. To name a few: the entire dashboard top, molding around the seats, molding around the center gear shifter, the little plastic lever that releases the SL2's adjustable front bucket head rests), the parking brake lever, and rear console cupholders. The cloth used in the SL2 is also suspect. Although better feeling and more velour-like than the SL1's flat-out cloth, it appears more fragile as well.

--Whimpy radius (29 ft.) for the remote keyless entry system. My friend's Nissan Exterra has a range of 50+ ft, and girlfriend's Jetta at least that as well.

OVERALL
Overall, the SL2 is a solid vehicle. The seats are firm and comfy (very European for an American sedan), and the drivers side bucket thankfully includes a height adjuster and adjustable lumbar support. The AM/FM CD player w/ 4 coaxial speakers is also remarkably well done and sounds good for being standard (in-dash CD mated to the standard AM/FM radio is $290 extra) . The security system seems OK (though the "armed" blinking indicator is a small flashing amber light on the instrument panel below the tach, rather than a red blinking LED on the dash or somewhere else prominent like the Jetta's blinking drivers door lock, or the Audi's blinking light on the dash surface near the windshield defrost vents). Color choices on the SL2 were also abundant (8). Exterior styling is in my opinion very attractive, especially the clear lens complex-reflector halogen headlamps--nose of car is very distinctively "Saturn-looking" which I find appealing--I know others don't, though.

I'd recommend this car to anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive entry-level sedan that can rival anything from Japan or Korea, if you can spare a few creature comforts.
Amount Paid (US$): 17000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: SL2 Auto; CD, 15" alloy wheels, touring tires, Keyless entry