Saturn LW

Price Paid:  $24000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 LW-300

Summary:
Looked VERY HARD to find a wagon we liked. In the Seattle area every other person drives a Subaru Outback so that was the default. Also looked at Passat and Volvo. Hands down this was the BEST VALUE for the dollar. No problems to report right out of the box. The care runs smooth as silk, good power out of the V6. Seats are very comforatable and I think the car is more stylish and sporty than any other (except perhaps the Passat) The upgraded with leather, lamps, and high end stereo is worth every penny. I don''t know how I ever lived w/o seat warmers in the past.

Strengths:
Style, design, price, performace

Weaknesses:
None to report

Similar Products Used:
Outback, Passat, Volvo, Tauras

Price Paid:  $20000.00 from Saturn on the Queens

Summary:
Probably the best mid-size wagon deal out there - costs way less than VW, Volvo, etc.. Service has been first rate, quality is good (no defects as of 15000 miles), lots of room and power (V6), good handling. I went from a Caravan to the Saturn and don''t miss the minivan at all. The Saturn handles better, has lots of cargo space - and if you want to load something on the roof, you can actually reach it without a ladder!

Strengths:
Ample performance Lots of room Handles well Good buying experience Well priced

Weaknesses:
Firestone tires are terrible - I put Michelin snows on the car and it handles better!! For summer I''ll get a set of Aquatreads Road noise Seat cushions are a bit short if you are tall, not enough thigh support

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $24000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 LW300

Summary:
A very impressive wagon. 182HP, 24V V-6 gives AWESOME power. The ride is ultra smooth and the handling is outstanding - I feel like I am driving a high-procied import! For what you get at this price you just can't beat it. I can't understand why someone would pay $10,000 more for a Volvo or Saab wagon. I got it loaded for 24k. Leather, heated seats are soft and extremely comfortable. The stereo rocks (8 premium speakers and a sub-woofer)! Automatic transmission is ultra-smooth and shifts in all the right spots. The cargo space is huge and with the back seats down this wagon has TONS of room - rivaling MANY SUV's. Gas mileage is also very impressive at 20 MPG city and 26 MPG highway. I also got the optional side airbags and 4 wheel ABS. I could go on and on. This is a great, safe family wagon! Of course, the experience at the Saturn dealership was excellent. Almost bought a USED Windstar while I was shopping for close to the same price...thank GOD I stopped by Saturn!

Strengths:
Best buy in a luxury wagon for the money - hands down!
Powerful V-6.
Smooth ride and transmission.
Ultra-nice seats (leather is optional).
Huge cargo area.
Side airbags and 4 wheel ABS are great pluses!
The premium sound system (CD & Cassette) is AWESOME!

Weaknesses:
Cup holder between the back seats is a bit flimsy.
No middle shoulder belt in rear (only lap belt).
That's it.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $23410.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 LW300

Summary:
VERY GOOD WAGON. I'll admit it, I'm a wagon guy. I've had a Mercury Wagon, a Nissan Maxima Wagon, a Hyundai Elantra Wagon, a Ford Wagon and of all I like the LW best.
I've got just over 13,000 miles in 6 months and like the Saturn more every day. I don't usually get attached to a car, just a way to get from home to work or the airport but this is the first car I've owned that I really enjoy driving.
If you like wagons and want something that is refined but still sporty you've gotta drive the LW 300.

Strengths:
Great engine, quiet and lots of power.
Auto transmission is silky smooth and shifts at the right places to maximize power and fuel economy.
Fantastic stereo, even without the upgrades
Although there are lots of reviews calling the design "drab" and "dull" I think the LW is one of the best looking sport wagons out there.
Interior design takes some getting used to, but once you do you realize the design is well thought out. All the controls are easy to reach and see.
I'm getting 26-28 mpg with the V6. I think that's pretty good for the power this thing makes.
Buying experience. I was all set to buy a Suburu Outback but the adversarial relationship with the sales force at Balboa Suburu drove me off at the last minute, what a bunch of morons.

Weaknesses:
Little bit of excessive noise at higher speeds (above 60).
No 5 speed with the V6.
Fold down seatback design sucks! What good is a split seat when you still have that huge bar blocking the space.
Can't wait till the Firestones wear out so I can put some real tires on it, may be part of the problem with the excessive noise at higher speeds.
Service, Although the Retail part of the San Diego dealerships is great, the service departments are the absolute WORST I've ever seen and I've delt with a lot of service departments. Won' buy another Mazda, Love the car, hate Hine Mazda service.
Only reason I'm not giving the LW 5 stars overall is the LOUSY service in San Diego.

Similar Products Used:
See Overall Impression above for other wagons owned.
When I bought the LW I considered and test drove the Suburu Outback (nice wagon, All Wheel Drive handles superb, underpowered, horrid buying experience)
Audi A4 Wagon (handles well, noisy, underpowered, overpriced)
Taurus Wagon (Everybody's got one, poor interior design looks like an explosion in a plastic factory, mushy, "old folks" handling)
BMW 3 Series Wagon (Great wagon and what I really wanted, but not that much better of a wagon and at $10K more with all the options I just couldn't justify the price)

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 LW200

Summary:
- If you need a large sized wagon, then this is the best one out there for your money. Most other wagons are either too small to be useful or are expensive turbocharged imports and I didn't want to drive an unweildy minivan with little usable space.
- With Michelin X-One tires added, the ride is quiet, comfortable and stable (ride is not quite as good with the stock tires).
- Enough space for tons of baby gear fitting carriage, play-pen, high-chair, super saucer, etc. in the back easily without resorting to the back seat.
- Lots of leg, hip and head room for 4 adults plus a baby seat. Nice adjustable driver's seat.
- Good visibility.
- Nice base 8-speaker CD/AM/FM stereo.
- Powerful A/C, with rear floor vents for rear passengers.
- Power everything including dual heated adjustable mirrors.

Strengths:
Good performance and mileage of 4-cylinder engine with 4-speed automatic
Quiet comfortable ride and very comfortable seats
Large enough to fit 5 adults and lots of cargo

Weaknesses:
The stock Firestone Affinity tires are noisy and squeal when pressed
Tailgate can be a bit difficult to close
Small centre storage console and shallow door pockets

Similar Products Used:
None