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No question about it, if you want power, just get the V6. Personally, I would not advise anyone to buy the 4 cyl automatic at this time. It just doesn't make sense.
The 4 cyl manual is one thing, but a 4 cyl auto with power package will run you 20,900. The 6 is just under $23,000 and comes standard with ABS/Traction and for $300 you can get a nice set of 17" wheels.
As for modifying, that's not my bag, but the article I read showed the powder metal rods blew at something like 325 using soley nitrus. The rods were the only weakness up to that point. That was the point they scrapped nitrus and started to evaluate turbo & superchargers. Somewhere in the middle 300 hp bracket they started needing headbolt mods. I/ll have to try and find the article & attach. It did say one thing however, the stock motor rated between 140-150 hp actually was producing 168 hp stock. GM tends to unrate their power specs.
The 4 cyl runs decent, but is no where near fast. What makes this one attractive, is the safety, size (almost that of the Highlander, bigger than the small SUVs), economy (24 city & 28 highway), proven motor technology (why go with an import four with a timing belt that can break and cost you 4 grans to fix?) & price (for me, almost as cheap as it gets). The cons are however, risky quality control (based on the lemon tails, nothing Toyota doesn't have either).
All in all, it's hard to go wrong if you stick with the basics. If you start going out for the loaded sixes reaching towards thirty grand, it starts getting risky. If you keep it cheap and simple, you can always bail without much loss.
Thanks
Car Care 3 yr. 36,000 mile.....$765.00
Extended Vehicle coverage 60 months/60,000
miles$1,195.00
Just curious at this time!
My wife still really like the VUE though, even though we now are back to thinking our Toyota (which is 3 years older) is our 'good car'.
This is not a Saturn issue, per se, but a word to the wise on windshield "chip damage": Don't delay, if there is any indication of a crack. About a month or so go, I got a small star-shaped chip on my VUE's driver's side windshield, from some gravel or a rock on the highway. I delayed getting it repaired, and when I looked at it yesterday morning, it had suddenly spread into a long crack across the windshield. Now, instead of a simple repair with the deductible being waived, I have to replace it - and pay a $250 insurance deductible. Ouch.
We still love our 2002 V6 AWD. In terms of reliability it's been perfect. We have had a couple of rattles in the back but they come and go. Overall, we would be more than happy to get another though I'd be tempted by the Vue's cousin, the Equinox next time. Seems a little tighter and is better looking IMO. That said there are some good Vue deals out there from what i'm reading.
Gas gauge problems are not out of the ordinary. Some owners have reported it takes a couple of tries to get the problem resolved. Others have said they have given up and are just glad to have a gauge that gives some sort of reading that can be relied upon even if they do not feel it is 100%.
Our '03 V6 AWD VUE has had three problems that have been fixed under warranty. One left us stranded and required a tow back to the dealer at the 900 mile mark (wiring harness into the main fuse box was faulty and failed completely rendering the car powerless), the thermostat failed (common on 3.0L V6 VUEs), and the hood release inside the car failed (also a problem owners have reported on various forums...release cable was misaligned and needed to be adjusted).
Wheel bearing failure is also becoming common on VUE's which may be the noise you are hearing when making turns. It may also be a braking component like a seized caliper or other such part. I once had a Ford Explorer with a seized brake caliper. Everytime I turned there was a horrendous grinding/squealing noise. It was repaired and the noise went away.
We now have 20,000 miles on our VUE (in less than a year) and still love it. Sure, it has some squeaks and rattles here and there but it is an all around great vehicle.
If I get that extra 1.5K, I am going get my Vue tonight.
If I can get that extra 1.5K, I am going to get the VUE tonight
Here in New England it is the same deal as you have $2500 + $1000 truck-fest, until the end of May.
The rebates should go up later in the summer or early fall to clearout the 2004's though. Wait a few months.
I just purchased a new 2004 FWD Vue V6. There is a $2500.00 rebeate, $1000 TRUCKFEST MONEY and dealer cerificates worth 250.00/ and my dealer gave me FOUR which totalled another {$1000.00}.
I doubt if you will get more that $4500.00 off even later in the model year. Maybe...maybe not. I went for the $4500.00.
thanks,
-S
Sounds like you got a good deal.
Like I had posted before, our VUE makes some noises here and there but we really do like it and think it is a great vehicle. Based on our experience to date (which is only 20,000 miles) we would certainly consider another in the future. Our goal is to get 200K miles out of this vehicle
Tried the new Chevy Equinox, hated it. Like the Rendezvous, underpowered, interior was all plastic and looked it, and the steering was etrocious. Would have bought a Malibu Maxx instead of it.
Tried the FWD V6 VUE - WOW. I haven't punched it yet, but 180 degrees different than the Equinox for power, and RPM's at 70 MPH. I know they are similar, but I actually like the interior in the VUE better. Maybe it is because of the two-tone, instead of being all gray.
Will report on the MPG once I get the stats. Just put 2.1 gallons in now, so I know it is full.
Oh, one more thing, It looks like the oil and filter are easily accessible for the DIY without even jacking it up. I am in VUE heaven.
So about a week ago I went down to the Saturn Dealership to look over a Polar White VUE. They had one with tan interior (my prefered color). It was a 4cyl 5speed which was also my pick for minimizing cost and maximizing fuel mileage. Finally, it was equipped with the Sport Plus II package ($1300) that includes the Power Package, 6 speaker CD, sunroof, larger wheels and tires, etc.
My wife and I both test drove it and it drove as nice as the Black VUE we tried earlier in the month. After a little talking with the salesperson and confirming the rebates, we decided to take the plunge.
All in all, I managed to get $5500 in rebates. That was the $2500 in lieu of 0% financing, $1000 April Truck Fest, 4 x $250 Saturn Flex vouchers, and the special QVC $1000 Saturn Gift Certificate. The QVC thing was ran early in April and you could call in and get a Saturn Gift Certificate valid through April 30th for any new lease or purchase of a new Saturn.
Final cost was a little over $14,200 for a 4cyl 5sp Polar White VUE with Sport Plus II, Pin Stripe, and Floor Mats. I wish I could have gotten the $1500 in Flex Vouchers instead of just $1000 but I am still happy with the deal I got.
As far as the VUE, it is a great little "truck". My only complaint (and this is very minor) is that the 5sp shifter does not seem very ergonomic to me. When you are in 1st, 3rd, or 5th, the shifter is pretty much straight up (about 95 degrees above horizontal). This means that when you are in 2nd, 4th or Reverse, the shift lever is pointed almost straight at the rear of the vehicle (about 20 degrees above horizontal). This puts the shifter at about 50-60 degrees above horizontal when in neutral. I don't know of this can be adjusted via some linkage adjustment. Functionally, it works fine, but I have long arms so I really notice how far I am having to thrust my arm rearward to get into 2nd or reverse, etc.
My wife's two complaints are that it doesn't have "Oh crap" handles (can I say that here?) and it doesn't have any teather to pull on when the rear hatch is up in the air (she doesn't have such long arms).
Other wise, we love the VUE so far. The sunroof is a real pleasure (a first for us). The baby car seat fits easily. There is way more leg room than our SL2. I really, really like the huge side mirrors. They provide great visibility. The ride is quiet. A lot of people complain about the 4cyl engine noise, but I hasn't bothered me yet.
I thought it was a bit gimmicky at first but, surprisingly, I really like the grocery "box" in the rear of the VUE. We went plant shopping shortly after we picked up the VUE and that "box" was great for keeping the plants from dumping over and spilling potting soil all in our new VUE.
I will report back later when I have some mileage data, but for now, all is good with my Polar White 2004 Saturn VUE with Sport Plus II.
So far am very pleased with the new wheels - it is a bit different being so much higher up on the road. I did some research and based on my experience with the old Saturn and how/where I drive, I could not justify the extra $ for the AWD. Never in my snowy days here in MI have I had problems getting to work even when we had official snow closings.
Additionally, AWD is ~$1800 option on a $25,000 vehicle (~7% of vehicle cost). I opted to purchase the 6 yr/75K warranty for $1800 instead. What surprised me was that the warranty jumped to ~$2400 for the AWD vs the FWD (~25% of warranty cost for ~7% of VUE total cost). Another reason on top of the gas savings why I chose not to get the AWD.
So far so good - I will stay tuned here to be aware of the good and the bad (hopefully never the ugly).
Incentives 0% financing + (6 x $250 certificates) + College grad $750 + QVC $1000 + $1000 April Truck Fest).
My wife first noticed the lack of "Oh God" handles as well
The Vue is a great little SUV! Enjoy!
Thanks
what is the QVC rebate? How can I get it?
Out of curiosity, how much did the dealership give you for trade on your 1992 SL2 with 205k miles?
We considered trading in our 1996 SL2 with 140k, but the car was worth way more to us than the $1500 they offered.
Thanks.
The QVC offer was a two day special thing on QVC back in the first weeks of April. QVC had partnered with Saturn and ran a couple one-hour Saturn specials where they showed off a few of the base model Saturn vehicles (VUE, ION, etc), basically touting how cheaply you could be driving one of them with all the current incentives. If you called in during that time, you could get the additional $1000 QVC voucher, but it had to be used by April 30th.
At the time, none of the Saturn Flex Vouchers where showing up (to my knowledge, at least). Even though the QVC thing is over, it still sounds like you can get $4500-$5000 off with all the current rebates and vouchers...
Hope this helps.
Steve, Host
If they offered you $1500, you could probably get a few hundred more selling yourself. My mom sold her 1998 SC2 with 170,000 for just over $2K. There certainly is a market for reliable cheap cars - but it is probably worth more to you. Mine was until we had a recent addition to the mix that truly prompted a vehicle change. I could have cleaned the garage floor for a few more months
I wished that I can use my GM card earning with this purchase. I had over 3K in my GMcard.
Well may be in next GM car....
BTW I test drove a VUE V6 and it was pretty cool. The power was good, and the size perfect for my needs. My dislikes are the so so interior and very loose steering feel. Also it kind of felt a little bouncey. I bet the redline would solve these issues, but its a little out of my price range.
I'm considering purchasing a 2004 Saturn and say some comments on the flex vouchers. However, I couldn't seem to find out how you get them or use them. Any help on this subject would be appreciated.
thanks
Chris
The voucher is a type of "coupons" from Saturn issued to its dealer network . It worth $250 each. The dealers can offer up to max number of 6 vouchers per car to speed up their sales.
If you don't ask, they never volunteeer this information.
Depends on the value of the vehicle, and the availibity of the voucher , the dealer will offer you 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 vouchers. They in turn collect the money back from Saturn.
YOU MUST ASK FOR IT, and try to get the max (6). That a cool $1500 cash....
My question is... has anyone attempted this on their Vue and what, if any, problems did you have? I'd like to have this done because at the time I purchased my Vue (12/03) the DVD option was not available and even if it were it could not be combined with the Sunroof option.
Thanks.
The salsman mentioned another $500 rebate for recent colloge graduates while I was test driving. But after I asked about the 6 vouchers thing, he was reluctant to give me the $500.(my wife just got her MS.) But I don't see anybody mentioning the $500 here in the forums. What I am asking is did anybody really get the extra $500 off recently?
The other confusion is about how they charge the tax. The MSRP of this VUE is $23,684.95. After $5000 off, it is going to be $18,684.95. Which price are they supposed to calculate the tax on? I am not sure but it is about $300 difference.
Any comment would be appreciated,
-redbirch
Also, I see no reason for the dealer to not also offer the $500 college grad rebate in addition to the rebates.
Let us know what you do...