Faults:

From most recent to least.

* Intake manifold gasket & PCV valve at the same time. These components failing at the same time was happenstance. The car was driven for approximately 500 miles before the intake manifold gasket was replaced. The unspent fuel and burned oil from the failed PCV valve sullied both oxygen sensors.

* Engine mount failed @ approx 80,000.

* Factory front pads worn @ 60,000 miles. Rotors were still well within service limit.

* Firestone FR680 (Junk!) tires wore out @ 30,000 miles.

* Driver side seat vinyl on the outboard side for the bottom cushion cracked within the first year. Dealer did offer to replace but... eh.

My Saturn dealer has been excellent for servicing, except for the intake manifold gasket issue. They failed to test drive the car until it was fully warmed and reading from the O2 sensors. A simple enough mistake, but I had to take two notches away from their score. I called and complained to Saturn N.A. and they advised me the servicing mechanic was the senior tech. It's the only reason their service department received an 8 instead of a 10. The dealer really has been excellent, otherwise, for service.

General Comments:

Fuel economy is spectacular. With a patient foot we've been able to pull a solid 38mpg with 80%/20% highway/town use.

Considering this car has a 100 crank HP, I find it impressive that it can do 100mph and not need 15 minutes to get there (approx 1 minute required).

Very good road holding, especially in cornering and emergency handling.

Wish the dome light was augmented with floor lighting.

People seem split on liking or hating the placement of the third door. I find I quite like the driver's side placement.

Road noise is worse than comparable cars. Plastic paneling has its limits.

Not a single dent despite some abuse. I really considered the polymer panels to be a great selling point for Saturn.

Trunk has plenty of space, but the opening isn't sufficient relative to available volume.

HVAC system is very capable.

Replacement tires are cheap due to small size.

Traction control is a hindrance for climbing hills in snow. It cannot be fully bypassed.

Entry can be difficult for people taller than 5'8". This car sits quite low to the ground.

Unlike other compacts, driving this car IS NOT like trying to hold a big stick in the wind.

I have never liked the sound of the automatic transmission's linkage. Kind of noisy and has become noisier over the years. A nuisance. but I am convinced its harmless after 6 years.

Overall I am very satisfied with this car. I would be wary of any used Saturn as I am under the impression that their engines can sludge up easily if not cared for, and a lot of Saturn drivers...

Faults:

Sun roof has broken.

My Dad hit the back of it with an SUV while backing out; had to be repaired.

General Comments:

OK, first of all this was not my car, it was my friends. But I drove it at least once a week, and have been inside for many hours, so I guess I'm qualified.

Lets start with the engine:

1.9 liters, 100 hp; that about sums it up. Was quite slow, but it was sometimes enough power to squeal the tires, if that tells you anything. The throttle response was really odd - if you put down the accelerator, nothing would happen for a good second, then all of sudden it would take off.

Exterior/interior/styling:

The paint was a nice color, a metallic blue, but all the body panels were some kind of plastic, and bow in if you leaned on them.

The SOUND SYSTEM was the greatest part of the car. It was actually very loud and had deep bass, go figure.

The interior was cheap, fabric (grey). Looks like they gave up on the styling in the interior.

It was my friends first car, his last saturn. Now he has an Audi TT quattro coupe, and loves it.