From: mps1@cec1.wustl.edu (Mihir Pramod Shah)
Subject: Re: Help in buying Saturn
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Distribution: can
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 00:55:35 GMT

In article <C1D1oJ.8ws@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca> mohamed@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (Mohamed Tarikh) writes:
>Hello,
>
>I am considering buying a new 1993 Saturn. I realize that they are new on
>market, but i am interested in feedback from people who have bought one.
>I have two choices either to buy Saturn or Toyota Corrola.
>
>Thanks.
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Mohamed Tarikh,                 ________________ _      .    ____      *

[Nifty Star Trek Enterprise Deleted]

Mohamed,

     I am a proud owner of a 1991 Saturn SL2 sedan, and I have had nothing but
pleasure driving it.  It has given me 11,000 trouble-free miles over the last
two years.  While the Toyota Corolla is as good of a car as the Saturn,
providing the same excellent reliability, it is considerably more expensive
than a comparably-equipped Saturn.  The SL starts at $9195, the SL1 at $9995,
and the SL2 at $11295.  The Corolla has a more costly price structure: the
base model starts at around $11,000, the DX somewhere in the $12000-$13000
range, and the LE (which is most like the SL2) starts at about $15000.  Keep
in mind the Corolla's prices were pushed up to prevent model overlapping with
Toyota's cheaper car, the Tercel, which sells for $8000-$10000.

     If you are willing to spend the money for GUARANTEED reliablilty (as the
Saturn has yet to be proven for long-term reliability), then you may want to 
opt for the Corolla.  It is a fairly hefty price to pay however, considering
that a fully loaded Corolla LE can cost a whopping $18000.  At that price you
might as well settled for a less-equipped and considerably larger Toyota Camry.
Personally I would go for the Saturn, simply because the dealers are superb and
excellent, not to mention extremely kind and generous.  I doubt you would get
the same treatment at a Honda dealership.  If you opt for the SL2, you will
also get much more power, even when compared to a Corolla LE.  It feels like a
mini-sports sedan, and it's a lot of fun to drive.

     It might help me if you state what kind of car you are looking for.  I
mean, if you want general A-to-B type transportation, you would most likely be
in the market for a Saturn SL or SL1, or a Corolla Base or DX.  If you must
have a Toyota at a cheaper price, try out the Tercel, though it is a bit
smaller and has less sophisticated drivetrains (example:  It comes with only a
three-speed automatic, compared to 4-speeds for both the Saturn and the
Corolla).  If you want a little more excitement in a small car, then you would
be a potential buyer for a Saturn SL2 or Corolla LE.  Bear in mind there is
about a $2000-$4000 gap between well-equipped models of the SL2 and Corolla LE.
A fully loaded SL2 will probably run into the $16000-$17000 range, although
you can get a LOT more options on the Saturn than on the Corolla, like special
alloy wheels, spoiler, traction control, and leather seating (and still have a
less expensive car).  

     While in the end I would recommend a Saturn, it could depend on what
exactly you are looking for.  In short, if you are looking at lower end models
like the SL, SL1, Corolla DX or base, then either car is pretty good for the
price.  On the other hand, I would pick the SL2 over the Corolla LE any day,
since there is a $3000 price gap between the base prices of those models, not
to mention the SL2 is more powerful and has more options available.

     Hope this helps........

.......Mihir