Stability limits are calculated for different equation-of-state models and compared to experimental data for the attainable stability limit where available. The influence of different molecular interactions on the liquid and gas metastable region is analyzed. The results of this investigation show that equations of state that exhibit a regular van der Waals loop in the nonstable region are useful for estimating the stability limit. Deviations of the behavior of experimental and calculated stability limits can be traced back to similar deviations of the coexistence curve. In addition to the regular isothermal stability limit, the isentropic stability limit, which has been considered before for nuclear matter, is discussed briefly.