I justt purchased my 1998 sl saturn and all it needed was a tune up...but when i went to start the car the starter blew...what do you think could of cause this problem?

doubt it, maybe check ignition relay or starter solenoid

The problem may not be the engine operating temp., but rather the starter solenoid. I have experienced the same problem with Chev. P.U.'s that have the solenoid mounted on the starter. By changing the contacts in the solenoid, the problem went away. If possible take the starter to a reputable auto electrical shop, and have them check it.

You should check your ignition switch first. Since you have lights, you have a charge. If you have a good fuse, you probably need a starter solenoid or starter.

solenoid is on top the starter. starter is on the back of the engine, under the intake manifold and fuel injection system. you need a lift to get at it.

I would have started with the crank position sensor, which is in the block just above the starter. If no luck there I would be thinking about a fuel supply or vacuum problem as opposed to spark.

Wow, that's a tough one, if you've done all that and it still overheats, I would try replacing the temp sensor, maybe it's faulty. Plus they're pretty cheap( I like fixing things for cheap)
If that's not the problem you could try a lower temperature thermostat, and if that doesn't work I would suspect that something is preventing the coolant from moving through the block effeciently.
Where is the temp sensor?
I had a Buick that the temp sensor was on the top of the block and if the coolant level went down AT ALL it wouldn't cool the sensor and it registered as dangerously hot and give me a heart attack in the process.
As for a tune-up get anew distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs( and spark plug wires if you want it to REALLY be tuned up)
This will probably cost you in the range of 50-100
bucks, but a little preventive medicine goes a long ways.
I had a bad plug wire I thought was an ignition problem and spent 300$ in parts trying to fix.
One day I went "I wonder if it's the plug wire?"
I bought one for 8.88$ and now it runs like a brand new car.
Hopefully one of these things will work.

This may be the result of bad plugs and or wires. It sounds like a simple tune up would do this car good.

Spray ether into the air intake and see if it still takes 5 or 6 cranks...if it starts immediately, it is fuel related, perhaps fuel presure regulator is bad. If the ether doesn't change anything...it is most likely a cam sensor...good luck!

defective starter

i would check the starter it sounds like the started is getting hot and the solenoid on the starter is losing the connections inside and when it cools off it is making contact again