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's 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.