Onelucky - thanks for the tip. I put my 10 yr old's bike in the back today and luckily, no chain grease on the carpet. I take it that you just flip up the portion of the mat that covers the cargo organizer while it is in use, right? Based on your saying that you can use the mat while using the cargo organizer, I think it will be my next purchase. Still waiting for time and warm weaather to adhere the bumper guard - maybe this weekend. Still loving the VUE - getting compliments and design and the Orange color.
Yes, you just flip up the mat just like the carpet to use the organizer.
I got Saturn to put my Bumper Guard on and I asked about the temperature guidelines you talked about before. They said you can put it on anytime. It will seal. Plus I got them to do it, so if it starts coming off, guess who will replace it for free? (Smile)
I'm afraid the towing package may have to wait a little longer as the windshield needs replacing. A pesky truck threw a rock up on the windshield. Honestly, if I had seen the chip when it happened, they could have fixed it but it was over on the side in the tinted area and I didn't see it till it had traveled halfway across the windshield! Now the whole windshield has to be replaced. They are ordering the glass through Saturn. It's going to cost me the deductible ($100) Yuck!
Oh yeah folks, I have another problem to report, I am sorry to say. The plastic piece under the gear shift is peeling a little on the side. Saturn told me to bring it in and they will replace it. It appears that some kinda coating they put on it is peeling. But anyway, it is the square plastic piece that is around the bottom of the shifter. It is time for the 3K mile check-up anyway, so I'll get them to do the work then. So that makes two issues I have had. The first was the loose shell over the steering column which they fixed in a couple of minutes. The second is this peeling plastic piece. (I don't count the windshield as I can hardly hold them responsible for flying rocks, though I was trying to think of way to get the warranty to cover it! (smile))
One of my good friend's and neighbor is in the market for a Small SUV (actually for his wife). He loves my 2002 Bravada, but doesn't want to pay that much (and doesn't want his wife behind the wheel of a 270hp engine)! He asked me what I thought of the new Vue, and I hadn't really looked into it, since I was shopping for something a little bigger. To make a long story short, we both cruised down to the Saturn dealer to take a spin. We each took turns driving it (total of about 40 min) and I must say that I was impressed. The Sport Plus package deal is hard to beat! The ride was almost as smooth as the Bravada! It was very quiet and I didn't hear any squeaks or squeals... wind noise was minimal as well. The engine was a little lacking, but I wouldn't call it underpowered considering the weight of the vehicle. It had decent pep for a 4 banger when coupled with the 5 speed manual. The interior wasn't exactly luxurious, but it was well thought out and felt solid. Overally, I wouldn't shy away from recommending the Vue to anyone shopping this segment! BTW... the friend was sold, they pick their's up this week! Congratulations Vue owners... Nice vehicle, and an even better deal!
I am scheduled to test drive a Saturn VUE on Saturday here in Greenville and since I am driving a 2000 Bonneville SLE, I would like to hear some feedback the VUE owners in regards to likes/dislikes and reliability. I am looking at the VUE and the Santa Fe at this time. After reading this town hall forums, I am staying away from the CR-V and all Fords. Thanks for the help.
Anyone care to share lease payment info? My wife is considering a V6 loaded, 26K and change.(according to Saturn web site) Iam familiar with Saturn's no haggle policy, but I am curious of the residual value of the VUE. I recall several years ago looking at a loaded sc2? wagon the sticker price was reasonable, so if I was going to purchase it, the pricing/interest rate was fair. But once I got around to talking lease, the residual value of the car was so bad the lease payment was nuts. Just curious to see how you new owners are paying. I will also get specific numbers over at the Financial-Insurance-Warranty board. Any help appreciated.
Onelucky7 - thanks for the cargo mat info - think I will purchase in next 30 days. Do you have the automatic (I thought you had the Orange AWD VS which is what I have) and I can't picture the peeling piece. Will attach bumper guard this weekend (wife remarked that she would like not to see it in the living room any more). Sorry to hear bad news on windshield, but what can ya do??
JBMike15 - I am now close to first 1,000 miles and I LOVE the VUE. It is a pleasure to drive and is the perfect size. The dealer has been very responsive both pre and post sales and it has been maintenance free following an incident with what I believe was moisture in the first tank of gas followed by needing to 'shave' the driver's strut to eliminate a squeak when turning the wheel. I am sold on the vehicle. I also got the extended warranty from Saturn - it is a first model-year you know. :O)
soylent : I was offered a 51% residual on the price including freight after 3 years and 5.9% lease rate, which is market rate (maybe even higher) unfortunately. Unless I can get a sport package, I don't think I will get a VUE as the lease rate makes it pricey. Still waiting.
jbmike15 : Are you looking at a V6? Going from a Bonneville to a VUE is a big change.
I don't know what the dealers are posting, but I recently read in a magazine (Newsweek perhaps) that the expected residual in 5 years was 41%. This was actually pretty good, I think that the CR-V was only at ~43%. I don't know if it will hold up, as this is a 1st year model, but it made me feel better while I waited for the dentist
jbmike15, As of last Sat. I own a VUE sport plus edition. The vehicle is above my expectations in the mechanical sense, everything about driving it has been a joy. It handles well, not too much body roll and I get plenty of steady smooth power and torque out of the engine. BTW, I don't appear to have the problems with the struct squeak that others had. I had a build date of mid March and we'll see if it holds up after a few more weeks. Considering that one of the test VUE's I drove had this problem, I don't envision it occuring since mine doesn't have it yet.
My major complaint thus far has been interior fit and finish. I have several cosmetic items (i.e. headliner, panel near gearshift, garmet hooks in trunk, visor, etc) that are not tightened/fastened correctly. I am having the dealer fix these tomorrow and I will let everyone know if they don't fully please me.
One great thing about this SUV and the Saturn Company is that you have 30 days/1500 miles to return the vehicle for a full refund if not satisfied in any way. This made me feel more secure in my puchase, sort of a built in lemon-protection clause.
I agree. I would not even consider the VUE if it had come from another company. First year vehicles can be a scary thing. Saturn really does go out of it's way to make you happy and the 30 day trial is amazing.
Thanks for the feedback, folks. I really like these forums, the feedback I have received is very positive. To answer the question that I received - I am looking at the V6. The V4 is too small of an engine for me and after driving a Chevy Blazer and Pontiac Bonneville, I am used to drive a V6. Thanks again. I will let you all know how the test drive goes.
Well, last night I got the call I expected was coming. Delivery on my new 4 cylinder automatic Vue is delayed until August/September. Apparently the quality control problems on the cvt transmission are to blame. I'll get a 2003 for the price of a 2002 but it means having to wait an agonizingly long time for my new toy (I ordered in Feb and was expecting it in June).
You've decided to buy a new car. But standing between you and your dream car is the car dealer. How do you get from here to there without having your wallet vacuum cleaned?
I'm not surprised at all. The CVT models were suppose to be arriving in June here but I know for a fact that production is still not scheduled to start anytime soon. I figured it would just be differed to the 03 models which is exactly what happened.
Were you getting a 2WD? You might consider a 5-speed.
Good point. Perhaps it's the Toyota thing, I don't know. Actually I think the Vibe is likely out as my wife doesn't like it. She has warmed slightly but has told me there are about 5 other vehicles she would rather go for.
Using Logic's philosophy of " a wolf in sheep's clothes" (smile), the Vue isn't that new. I mean the platform it sits on and the fact that it's an SUV is new but there is a lot on it that is like a comfortable old pair of shoes. The engine was in the L300 previously. The plastic panels have always been on the Saturn line. The CVT has been used in other vehicles. The 6 disc player has been used in other Saturns. The traction control has been used for several years in Saturn's other vehicles. All of these have been problem-free.
My wife has a V6 Vue that refused to start. (starter would crank, but engine would not turn over) Upon leaving home it took 2 attempts (turning key for less than 5 sec. each time.) to get it started. She said it had been acting like that all day (usually starts right up) We went to dinner. 90 min. later car would not start. waited 10-15 min before trying again. (Flooding was not really an option, she's been driving Saturns for 10 years, but we wanted to cover the bases) Still no start. Called OnStar (nice feature) They ran an engine diagnostic: NO CODES. Tried again, no go. In the ensuing 2.5 hrs. waiting for a tow (that's another story) we tried a couple more times with same result. Car was towed to dealer. Sales rep. waited 2 hrs. past closing to give us a loaner (Kudos). Next morning, according to service manager, it started right up. Engine diag. showed no codes "fuel and spark tests" were fine. they can find nothing wrong. We've had the car two weeks, less than 300 mi. My wife feels she's spent 26 grand on a car she can't trust. We don't want to give it back, but are seriously considering it. Any ideas?
Take advantage of the return policy and TRADE IT OUT for another one. This will give your wife some piece of mind and make everyone happy. Let the dealer deal with the defect.
Your problem is exactly the reason they have such a return policy and your situation is exactly the one I would use such a policy for.
Platforms are at least 65% of what drivers really should care about when buying any vehicle. Ride, handling, sound intrusion are all pretty much determined by the platform. The Celica platform under the Vibe is, I think, in its 3rd season. So Vibe/Matrix buyers know pretty much what they are getting.
Vue buyers know a lot about the engine and overall Saturn qualities of the Vue. They do not know with certainty how the platform will hold up. By all accounts, I think GM has made a winning platform that will especially pay dividends for them when it is expanded into the Chevrolet and Suzuki lines over the next two years.
I would not be at all reluctant to buy a Vue this year. But I understand why some more conservative people, especially those with a new child and mortgage payments, may be.
Have a mortgage, 2 car payments, a 1 1/2 year old (day car payments), another kid in a year possibly. It's tuff to keep it all together. I'd like a VUE, but with market lease rates I think we will have to pass unless the sport package comes to Canada. If it were available here, I would order one today.
I ordered a 4 cyl. manual at the beginning of March and just can't wait to get it. Production was supposed to be at end of April but has actually been moved up a couple of weeks due to the VTi models being pushed back. Even without the Sport package in Canada - the VUE is a great value. You figure 16900 is worth $27 000 here. I bought the base and added the power package, moonroof & 6 disk changer - even without dad's GM discount it is still cheaper than that - with discount was an awesome deal!
By the way ... dad works at transmission plant and their production has been up'd because of the issues with the VTi - they are more than they are admitting. He said he wouldn't buy one for a few years. Saturn is doing the right thing by holding off on it.
Others in Canada - be carefull when buying accessories - all dealerships have different pricing - best prices I've found so far are in Burlington.
I really had my heart set on a new Vue. My wife and I had decided that it was time for a new vehicle, and that a compact SUV would be a great choice. I work in an area that has just about every kind of dealership you could imagine. I had previously purchased a 92 Saturn SL2 from the Saturn dealer just down the road, and loved both the car and the dealer, (was heartbroken when my then 18 yr old daughter totaled the Saturn in 96). Went down and checked out the Vue, and really loved the little bells and whistles that Saturn thoughtfully designed into it. Came back a few days later with my wife and took a test drive. What a disappointment! The engine sounded like it was straining during any moderate to hard acceleration, and that steering - absolutely no road feel whatsoever!!! I thought one finger steering went out with the old huge american dinosaur sedans of the 60s and 70s. Sorry to say this on a Vue board, but I really think that Saturn missed the boat on the drive train and steering. After visiting several other dealers, we fell in love with and bought a Liberty. Great power, handling and utility. Of course the mileage stinks, but I'll just have to deal with this. Sorry again. Of course this is just my opinion, and I could be wrong!
No doubt the VUE is priced well here (I do not get any GM discounts unfortunately) but when I add power package and ABS it's out of our monthly payment range because of the market finance rates. Unfortunately kids put you on a stricter budget. That's why I was hoping for the sport package.
Did you buy your VUE in Burlington? I live in Oakville.
The dealership kept the car overnight, but could find nothing wrong. We picked the car up at 6:30 PM and drove home, everything was fine. At 9:00 PM the car refused to start. We figured if we let it sit overnight it would start in the morning as it had at the dealer. Wrong. 6:30 AM no start (starter cranks, but engine won't fire), so now we're waiting for the tow truck yet again.(At least we're waiting in our living room rather than a dark parking lot.) At this point they need to start replacing suspect components 'til the problem goes away, or we hand them the keys and walk away. That would be a real hassle for us, we really like the car and the dealer, but we need a car we can depend on.
I know what you mean about the kids and budget thing. I am a single mom of a 12yr old who will only wear Nike stuff! The VUE was a little more than I wanted to spend too but for the value, I figured I would bite the bullit - may cut into my entertainment budget a bit but I am sure it will be entertaining in itself. The sport pkg would have been nice as it includes most of the options I added anyway. Saw on another web site that it is being offered again - I take it you have asked the dealers if it is available here? I live in Burlington and work in Oakville - ordered my VUE in Burlington. It should be here within another month ... I can't wait!
Just got a call from the dealer: the "cam-shaft position sensor was stuck in the open position." Of course they don't have the part in stock, so we're stuck with a POS Malibu loaner until Monday,but at least the problem has gone from irreproduceable to fixable.
I inquired about the sport package at Budd's in Oakville and they said it could not be ordered in Canada. Still thinking about the 5-speed with power pkg and ABS, but it's still up there with a 5.9% lease rate. I have seen a few VUE's around so they are selling pretty well I think. A guy in my building has a gray one with a 5-speed.
oldntired1950: You chose the Liberty? The Liberty was one of my top choices too when I decided on the Vue.
First of all, you are right that the engine is a little noisy on the Vue. It is my single complaint about it.
But talk about an uncomfortable ride??? The Liberty is right up there with the Original Jeeps of old. The differences are there and I guess it depends on what is most important to you when choosing:
The Liberty has two-wheel independent suspension in the rear. The front is stiff. The Vue has four wheel independent suspension for a more carlike ride. Because of this, the Liberty is a more capable off roader than the Vue. However, when on the road, the Vue is a more comfortable ride.
The Liberty has a lot less interior and cargo room than the Vue, even though the tire is on the outside. And that brings up another point . . . That spare on the Liberty is in the wrong place. Many a reviewer has said that it blocks the line of sight and I am wholeheartedly in agreement.
I think the looks of the Liberty put it in a class by itself. It has a sharp looking front design unmatched by anyone. But that is pure opinion. Both the Vue and the Liberty are individuals to the market . . . definitely not cookie cutter designs.
The Liberty offers 4 wheel drive which is great for off roading and rough conditions but terrible for gas mileage. The Vue has AWD which is capable in rough road conditions (as our friend in Alaska has pointed out here several times). The Vue is also capable of some light off-roading but cannot tackle the things a Jeep can. The protective covers on parts underneath also make the Liberty a better choice off road.
Towing capacity is something I am going to check on.
I guess my point is that both are capable vehicles but capable of very different things. I have said it before on this board, "If you aren't traveling the Rubicon daily, you may want to think twice about a Liberty. If you want a fun, capable offroader as a second vehicle though, the Liberty is the one!"
First, let me correct my earlier post. The independent suspension on the Liberty is in the front. The stiff solid axle is in the rear. I think I reversed that earlier. Sorry!
Now some other details in the comparison . . .
The Liberty can tow 2000 lbs. with the I-4 tranny and 3500 libs. with the V-6. The Vue can tow 1500 lbs. with the 4 cylinder tranny and 2500 lbs. with the V-6. However the Liberty offers an available towing package that upgrades the engine to allow for 5000 lbs. towing capacity.
Both vehicles offer ABS as an option.
The Liberty offers leather heated seating as an option. The Vue has cloth in the 4 cyl. and velour in the 6 cyl. NO leather option. The Liberty has an option for a power driver's seat. The Vue does not, but rather has a standard crank for seat height adjustment.
Both vehicles offer the alternate low gear for towing on the auto tranny.
Both offer six disc CD changer but the Liberty's is a remote and the Vue is in-dash.
Both have power windows, locks and mirrors. The Vue has them standard. The Liberty has them as an option.
Air conditioning is an option on the Liberty 4 cyl. and standard on the 6 cyl. It is standard on all Vues. The Liberty offers lighted vanity mirrors on the visors. The Vue does not.
Both have fold-down rear seats. Neither fold completely flat. However the Vue has a flat-folding front passenger seat and reclining (though only slightly) rear seats.
Both have 12Volt power outlets in the front, rear and cargo areas.
Both offer aluminum wheels as an option. The Liberty has a swing gate with separate-opening window. The Vue has a lift-gate, all-in-one.
The Liberty has an option for audio controls on the steering wheel. The Vue does not.
Side air bags are an option on both vehicles.
Only the Vue comes with the grocery bag compartment.
The V-6 Vue gets 19/25 mpg. The V-6 Liberty gets 16/23 mpg.
ONLY the Vue comes in Orange (smile). And that was it for me. (LOL)
We have owned two, and hope to never have another one even parked near by. Several years ago we purchased a Jeep Cherokee 4wd 4 dr as our primary family vehicle. What a piece of crap that thing was! I've never seen a vehicle leak water into so many places, I actually had to drill holes under the rear seats to allow the water to flow thru. No Kidding! Rattles and squeeks all over the place. The 4wd was good, I'll give it that. Several years later my son needed a vehicle so you guessed it. A Jeep. The exact same problems but even worse. This frickin' thing is even worse then the first one we owned. You can't hear the rattles and squeeks as much because he always has the stereo on hi volume. But the amount of leakage is beyond beleif, he had ice an inch thick under the rear seat this winter. The jeep is such a dissapointment to my son that he can't stand it to drive it much longer. Realize that my kid is a 19 year old, ski bum. college freshman. This kid is a slob!! One good thing about the jeep is that it is easy to work on and has thus far been a good excuse for my son to learn to do is own repairs.
We have let him drive our VUE a couple of times and he said it was OK other than being a little too VAN like for him. But He did say that after his expierence with a jeep he would nevere look at another one.
After owning two Jeeps that leaked, rattled, and rusted away in no time flat I wouldn't give that new Jeep Liberty the time of day. Besides that I'm 6-4 and my son is 6-6. We don't fit in a liberty.
I will be picking up my Saturn Vue on Monday or Tuesday. The one I am getting is the four cylinder sport package. I would like to hear your complaints and problems. This way I will know what to look for before and after I take delivery.
You can read back through the posts to see complaints but they are few and far between. Perhaps the one that more than one of us has had is that a couple of things needed tightening in the interior (ie. turtle shell over steering column, center console catch) Before they were tightened, they made a rattling sound or didn't catch properly.
One owner had a sensor problem in which his Vue would not start every time. They had a devil of a time locating the problem but I believe he said it is fixed.
I think another guy had to have a strut adjusted or something as it squeaked a little on turns.
As far as widespread issues, none of the owners on this board have talked about any.
There was a guy on here that had tested the Vue and he said that many of the finished front doors were not exactly flush. I myself have not heard of that as a problem except from him.
By the way, congratulations and welcome to this small Vue family. Stop by and let us know how things are going. This board is a great place to talk about issues you may be having or get questions answered since there are many owners on here.
Hello Everybody I work for an auto shipping yard in the (Oshawa) Toronto area. I have driven everything G.M has made for the past 18 years. The Tracker or whatever G.M is calling it this week, is a terrible vehicle, reminds me of somehthing you pay a quarter to ride in at the mall ! The rest of G.M's SUV choices are just plain overpriced. The Vue on the other hand is a happy compromise between size and price. Car like handling, with an open feeling within the vehicle. The interior feels like it was done by fischer price, but it is quiet enough. I have driven the 4 cylinder with the automatic, it's gutless, with the 5 speed it's quite peppy. The six cylinder, is nice, but I prefer the standard transmission, and the acceleration difference between the 4 cyl standard and the 6 cyl auto is not noticeable. Every Vue I have seen has a package containing floormats in the back, and they are not listed on the window sticker. So if your dealer tries to sell them as an additional cost, I think he is pulling a fast one. I hope that the sport package is soon available in Canada, as I intend to order one, when it is, actually, i will order one anyway, but I will hope it is announced soon. My wife really wants a yellow one, and my local dealer says Saturn will announce the new colours etc. for the 2003's on April 15 and yellow is believed to be one of the new colours. Anybody interested in comparing what your local dealer wants for accessories ? I understand that the dealers all price their own. So let's support the dealer that offers the best deal on the roof rack , bumper guards etc.
"Anybody interested in comparing what your local dealer wants for accessories ? I understand that the dealers all price their own. So let's support the dealer that offers the best deal on the roof rack , bumper guards etc".
I will be contacting my dealer this afternoon about their pricing. In the meantime I have all of Saturn.com ( american site, and far superior to Canadian one, we are second rate again). So all of these prices are Saturn suggested list and are in American dollars. I think I feel a trip to Buffalo coming on, when I get the new Vue.
16 Inch Alloy Wheels - Style 2 $400 Power Sunroof $725 Front End Cover $85 Front Grille Guard $320 Hood Air Deflector $65 Liftgate Air Deflector $68 Roof Rack Crossbars - removable $140 Bike, Fork Mounted Attachment $60 Bike, Wheel Mount Attachment $90 Cargo Box $398 Cargo Strap $18 Kayak/Canoe Saddle $120 Ski/Snowboard Attachment (Attachment has a Driver and Passenger side attachment that are sold separately for $100 each) $100 Surfboard/Sailboard Cushion $75 Side Step Bars $380 Side Window Air Deflectors $62 Splash Guards (Front and Rear) $60 Sunroof Air Deflector $43 Trailer Hitch $180 Vehicle Cover $98 Wheel Locks $26.00 Cargo Cover $110 Cargo Mat $40 Cargo Net $25 Engine Block Heater and Cord $76 Floor Mats-rubber $75 Interior Bike Rack $143 Front Seat Covers - Neoprene Fitted $225 Windshield Sunshade $32 Brushed Aluminum Trim Kit $135 Carbon Fiber Trim Kit $178
All of the Canadian prices you listed are identical to the prices from Leggat Saturn in Burlington. Budd's in Oakville were higher.
If you go to www.saturndan.com/vue_accessories.htm all of the US prices are listed. I've gone through and compared prices with shipping to Detroit (fortunately Grandma lives there and I can send them to her house instead of dealing with customs) and by the time you figure out the difference in exchange - some are worth it and some are not. I am going to order the crossbars and molded splash guards from the US for sure.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you buy from your dealer and have installed before you take delivery, they fall under the new vehicle warranty for 3 years, otherwise only under warranty for a year.
I asked at my dealership on Saturday and they don't think the sport package will be offered here. Apparently there are already issues with prices between Canada and the US. Base in US = 16835 and @ 60% exchange that is 26936 Canadian. Since base is only 22495 here, they have US residents (in border cities) wanting to purchase in Canada for the $4000+ savings. He said there is no way Saturn could afford to offer that package here. Apparently this is not just a Saturn issue though ... is issue with all vehicles. I wouldn't be surprised is vehicle prices in Canada start going up significantly since our dollar doesn't seem to be improving any.
Well here it is , the most comprehensive list of Canadian Accessory prices that I have seen on the Net. Got it From My dealer in Whitby today. I definately will be going to the States to buy some items. Those items roof rack $140 american but 479.33 Canadian Hood air deflector $65 american 128.89 Canadian etc etc. Apparently even with our pitiful dollar, a trip to the States would be worthwhile. What I am talking about is driving down there and installing items in the parking lot. No duty No fuss No GST. Ok I will shut up now and post the complete LIST OF CANADIAN PRICES ( Whitby )
I agree, I'd be surprised if they offered it. GM can't really raise prices much though as if they do the VUE will be uncompetitive with Escape, Santa Fe and other small SUVs.
Installation is not included in those prices, I do have the list for installation as well. My 2 favourites are installation of the locking gas cap is $14.20 and the best is the roof racks which they will slide into the track that's already there for only $140.00 . What a deal. Again the roof racks are available in the states for $140.00 u.s. and the dealer here wants $479.33 or $621.33 with installation. Add the 15% tax and you get a total worth driving to Buffalo for.
Comments
I got Saturn to put my Bumper Guard on and I asked about the temperature guidelines you talked about before. They said you can put it on anytime. It will seal. Plus I got them to do it, so if it starts coming off, guess who will replace it for free? (Smile)
I'm afraid the towing package may have to wait a little longer as the windshield needs replacing. A pesky truck threw a rock up on the windshield. Honestly, if I had seen the chip when it happened, they could have fixed it but it was over on the side in the tinted area and I didn't see it till it had traveled halfway across the windshield! Now the whole windshield has to be replaced. They are ordering the glass through Saturn. It's going to cost me the deductible ($100) Yuck!
Oh yeah folks, I have another problem to report, I am sorry to say. The plastic piece under the gear shift is peeling a little on the side. Saturn told me to bring it in and they will replace it. It appears that some kinda coating they put on it is peeling. But anyway, it is the square plastic piece that is around the bottom of the shifter. It is time for the 3K mile check-up anyway, so I'll get them to do the work then. So that makes two issues I have had. The first was the loose shell over the steering column which they fixed in a couple of minutes. The second is this peeling plastic piece. (I don't count the windshield as I can hardly hold them responsible for flying rocks, though I was trying to think of way to get the warranty to cover it! (smile))
JBMike15 - I am now close to first 1,000 miles and I LOVE the VUE. It is a pleasure to drive and is the perfect size. The dealer has been very responsive both pre and post sales and it has been maintenance free following an incident with what I believe was moisture in the first tank of gas followed by needing to 'shave' the driver's strut to eliminate a squeak when turning the wheel. I am sold on the vehicle. I also got the extended warranty from Saturn - it is a first model-year you know. :O)
jbmike15 : Are you looking at a V6? Going from a Bonneville to a VUE is a big change.
jbmike15,
As of last Sat. I own a VUE sport plus edition. The vehicle is above my expectations in the mechanical sense, everything about driving it has been a joy. It handles well, not too much body roll and I get plenty of steady smooth power and torque out of the engine. BTW, I don't appear to have the problems with the struct squeak that others had. I had a build date of mid March and we'll see if it holds up after a few more weeks. Considering that one of the test VUE's I drove had this problem, I don't envision it occuring since mine doesn't have it yet.
My major complaint thus far has been interior fit and finish. I have several cosmetic items (i.e. headliner, panel near gearshift, garmet hooks in trunk, visor, etc) that are not tightened/fastened correctly. I am having the dealer fix these tomorrow and I will let everyone know if they don't fully please me.
One great thing about this SUV and the Saturn Company is that you have 30 days/1500 miles to return the vehicle for a full refund if not satisfied in any way. This made me feel more secure in my puchase, sort of a built in lemon-protection clause.
Good luck with your shopping.
-LL
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/43091/article.html
You've decided to buy a new car. But standing between you and your dream car is the car dealer. How do you get from here to there without having your wallet vacuum cleaned?
Were you getting a 2WD? You might consider a 5-speed.
Just wondering.
That's what I was thinking too.
:-)
Your problem is exactly the reason they have such a return policy and your situation is exactly the one I would use such a policy for.
Let us know what happens. And Good Luck.
Vue buyers know a lot about the engine and overall Saturn qualities of the Vue. They do not know with certainty how the platform will hold up. By all accounts, I think GM has made a winning platform that will especially pay dividends for them when it is expanded into the Chevrolet and Suzuki lines over the next two years.
I would not be at all reluctant to buy a Vue this year. But I understand why some more conservative people, especially those with a new child and mortgage payments, may be.
Even without the Sport package in Canada - the VUE is a great value. You figure 16900 is worth $27 000 here. I bought the base and added the power package, moonroof & 6 disk changer - even without dad's GM discount it is still cheaper than that - with discount was an awesome deal!
By the way ... dad works at transmission plant and their production has been up'd because of the issues with the VTi - they are more than they are admitting. He said he wouldn't buy one for a few years. Saturn is doing the right thing by holding off on it.
Others in Canada - be carefull when buying accessories - all dealerships have different pricing - best prices I've found so far are in Burlington.
Did you buy your VUE in Burlington? I live in Oakville.
oldntired1950 : Did you test a 4 or a 6??
The sport pkg would have been nice as it includes most of the options I added anyway. Saw on another web site that it is being offered again - I take it you have asked the dealers if it is available here?
I live in Burlington and work in Oakville - ordered my VUE in Burlington. It should be here within another month ... I can't wait!
First of all, you are right that the engine is a little noisy on the Vue. It is my single complaint about it.
But talk about an uncomfortable ride??? The Liberty is right up there with the Original Jeeps of old. The differences are there and I guess it depends on what is most important to you when choosing:
The Liberty has two-wheel independent suspension in the rear. The front is stiff. The Vue has four wheel independent suspension for a more carlike ride. Because of this, the Liberty is a more capable off roader than the Vue. However, when on the road, the Vue is a more comfortable ride.
The Liberty has a lot less interior and cargo room than the Vue, even though the tire is on the outside. And that brings up another point . . . That spare on the Liberty is in the wrong place. Many a reviewer has said that it blocks the line of sight and I am wholeheartedly in agreement.
I think the looks of the Liberty put it in a class by itself. It has a sharp looking front design unmatched by anyone. But that is pure opinion. Both the Vue and the Liberty are individuals to the market . . . definitely not cookie cutter designs.
The Liberty offers 4 wheel drive which is great for off roading and rough conditions but terrible for gas mileage. The Vue has AWD which is capable in rough road conditions (as our friend in Alaska has pointed out here several times).
The Vue is also capable of some light off-roading but cannot tackle the things a Jeep can. The protective covers on parts underneath also make the Liberty a better choice off road.
Towing capacity is something I am going to check on.
I guess my point is that both are capable vehicles but capable of very different things. I have said it before on this board, "If you aren't traveling the Rubicon daily, you may want to think twice about a Liberty. If you want a fun, capable offroader as a second vehicle though, the Liberty is the one!"
Now some other details in the comparison . . .
The Liberty can tow 2000 lbs. with the I-4 tranny and 3500 libs. with the V-6. The Vue can tow 1500 lbs. with the 4 cylinder tranny and 2500 lbs. with the V-6. However the Liberty offers an available towing package that upgrades the engine to allow for 5000 lbs. towing capacity.
Both vehicles offer ABS as an option.
The Liberty offers leather heated seating as an option. The Vue has cloth in the 4 cyl. and velour in the 6 cyl. NO leather option. The Liberty has an option for a power driver's seat. The Vue does not, but rather has a standard crank for seat height adjustment.
Both vehicles offer the alternate low gear for towing on the auto tranny.
Both offer six disc CD changer but the Liberty's is a remote and the Vue is in-dash.
Both have power windows, locks and mirrors. The Vue has them standard. The Liberty has them as an option.
Air conditioning is an option on the Liberty 4 cyl. and standard on the 6 cyl. It is standard on all Vues. The Liberty offers lighted vanity mirrors on the visors. The Vue does not.
Both have fold-down rear seats. Neither fold completely flat. However the Vue has a flat-folding front passenger seat and reclining (though only slightly) rear seats.
Both have 12Volt power outlets in the front, rear and cargo areas.
Both offer aluminum wheels as an option. The Liberty has a swing gate with separate-opening window. The Vue has a lift-gate, all-in-one.
The Liberty has an option for audio controls on
the steering wheel. The Vue does not.
Side air bags are an option on both vehicles.
Only the Vue comes with the grocery bag compartment.
The V-6 Vue gets 19/25 mpg. The V-6 Liberty gets 16/23 mpg.
ONLY the Vue comes in Orange (smile). And that was it for me. (LOL)
We have let him drive our VUE a couple of times and he said it was OK other than being a little too VAN like for him. But He did say that after his expierence with a jeep he would nevere look at another one.
After owning two Jeeps that leaked, rattled, and rusted away in no time flat I wouldn't give that new Jeep Liberty the time of day. Besides that I'm 6-4 and my son is 6-6. We don't fit in a liberty.
You can read back through the posts to see complaints but they are few and far between. Perhaps the one that more than one of us has had is that a couple of things needed tightening in the interior (ie. turtle shell over steering column, center console catch) Before they were tightened, they made a rattling sound or didn't catch properly.
One owner had a sensor problem in which his Vue would not start every time. They had a devil of a time locating the problem but I believe he said it is fixed.
I think another guy had to have a strut adjusted or something as it squeaked a little on turns.
As far as widespread issues, none of the owners on this board have talked about any.
There was a guy on here that had tested the Vue and he said that many of the finished front doors were not exactly flush. I myself have not heard of that as a problem except from him.
By the way, congratulations and welcome to this small Vue family. Stop by and let us know how things are going. This board is a great place to talk about issues you may be having or get questions answered since there are many owners on here.
I work for an auto shipping yard in the (Oshawa) Toronto area. I have driven everything G.M has made for the past 18 years. The Tracker or whatever G.M is calling it this week, is a terrible
vehicle, reminds me of somehthing you pay a quarter to ride in at the mall ! The rest of G.M's SUV choices are just plain overpriced.
The Vue on the other hand is a happy compromise between size and price. Car like handling, with an open feeling within the vehicle. The interior feels like it was done by fischer price, but it is quiet enough.
I have driven the 4 cylinder with the automatic, it's gutless, with the 5 speed it's quite peppy.
The six cylinder, is nice, but I prefer the standard transmission, and the acceleration difference
between the 4 cyl standard and the 6 cyl auto is not noticeable.
Every Vue I have seen has a package containing floormats in the back, and they are not listed on the window sticker. So if your dealer tries to sell them as an additional cost, I think he is pulling a fast one.
I hope that the sport package is soon available in Canada, as I intend to order one, when it is, actually, i will order one anyway, but I will hope it is announced soon.
My wife really wants a yellow one, and my local dealer says Saturn will announce the new colours etc. for the 2003's on April 15 and yellow is believed to be one of the new colours. Anybody interested in comparing what your local dealer wants for accessories ? I understand that the dealers all price their own. So let's support the dealer that offers the best deal on the roof rack , bumper guards etc.
"Anybody interested in comparing what your local dealer wants for accessories ? I understand that the dealers all price their own. So let's support the dealer that offers the best deal on the roof rack , bumper guards etc".
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I am also planning to order soon, but I am waiting for the 2003's. So I will support the dealer who gives the best price on accesories.
Here are the prices given to me by one dealer:
Canadian Dollars:
Cargo Mat - $85.00
Liftgate Air Deflector - $122.75
Splash Guards - $158.10
Rear Bumper Protection Pad - $56.10
Wheel Locks - $64.85
Cargo Cover - $199.00
Hood Air Defector - $122.75
Carbon Fibre Trim Kit - $322.25
Side step bars - $572.50
Front Grille Guard - $579.25
The last three seem quite excessive.
Okay Folks, lets hear what prices you got.
I will be contacting my dealer this afternoon about their pricing. In the meantime I have all of Saturn.com ( american site, and far superior to Canadian one, we are second rate again).
So all of these prices are Saturn suggested list and are in American dollars. I think I feel a trip to Buffalo coming on, when I get the new Vue.
16 Inch Alloy Wheels - Style 2 $400
Power Sunroof $725
Front End Cover $85
Front Grille Guard $320
Hood Air Deflector $65
Liftgate Air Deflector $68
Roof Rack Crossbars - removable $140
Bike, Fork Mounted Attachment
$60
Bike, Wheel Mount Attachment
$90
Cargo Box
$398
Cargo Strap
$18
Kayak/Canoe Saddle
$120
Ski/Snowboard Attachment
(Attachment has a Driver and
Passenger side attachment that are
sold separately for $100 each)
$100
Surfboard/Sailboard Cushion
$75
Side Step Bars
$380
Side Window Air Deflectors
$62
Splash Guards (Front and Rear)
$60
Sunroof Air Deflector
$43
Trailer Hitch
$180
Vehicle Cover
$98
Wheel Locks $26.00
Cargo Cover
$110
Cargo Mat
$40
Cargo Net
$25
Engine Block Heater and Cord
$76
Floor Mats-rubber
$75
Interior Bike Rack
$143
Front Seat Covers - Neoprene
Fitted
$225
Windshield Sunshade
$32
Brushed Aluminum Trim Kit
$135
Carbon Fiber Trim Kit
$178
If you go to www.saturndan.com/vue_accessories.htm all of the US prices are listed. I've gone through and compared prices with shipping to Detroit (fortunately Grandma lives there and I can send them to her house instead of dealing with customs) and by the time you figure out the difference in exchange - some are worth it and some are not. I am going to order the crossbars and molded splash guards from the US for sure.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you buy from your dealer and have installed before you take delivery, they fall under the new vehicle warranty for 3 years, otherwise only under warranty for a year.
I hope that helps!
My guy at Saturn doesn't think so. I also like the 5-speed so it would be perfect!
Apparently this is not just a Saturn issue though ... is issue with all vehicles. I wouldn't be surprised is vehicle prices in Canada start going up significantly since our dollar doesn't seem to be improving any.
Well here it is , the most comprehensive list of Canadian Accessory prices that I have seen on the Net. Got it From My dealer in Whitby today. I definately will be going to the States to buy some items. Those items roof rack $140 american but 479.33 Canadian
Hood air deflector $65 american 128.89 Canadian etc etc.
Apparently even with our pitiful dollar, a trip to the States would be worthwhile. What I am talking about is driving down there and installing items in the parking lot. No duty No fuss No GST.
Ok I will shut up now and post the complete LIST OF CANADIAN PRICES ( Whitby )
All weather floor mats Front 79.80
All weather floor mats Rear 79.80
Ashtray 39.22
Ashtray (deluxe ?) 69.56
Bike Carrier, trailer hitch 465.68
Block Heater 4 cyl 175.77
Block Heater 6 cyl 76.34
Cargo Bike Carrier 271.69
Cargo Box 756.53
Cargo Liner 89.25
Carpeted Floor Mats 180.73
Convenience Net 67.99
FRT and RR Window Deflector (4) 117.86
Frt end Brush Guard 608.21
Frt end cover 191.89
Glove Box lock 68.25
Gunnel Bracket 113.93
Hood Deflector 128.89
Instrument Brushed Aluminum 256.46
Carbon Fiber instrument 338.36
Liftgate Air Deflector 128.36
Lighter 10.19
Locking Fuel Cap 37.28
Luggage Shade 208.95
Mudflaps Flat Frt 23.78
Mudflaps Flat RR 23.78
Mudflaps Molded Frt 83.00
Mudflaps Molded RR 83.00
Rail 2 Rail Air Defelector 123.64
Roof Rack 479.33
RR Bumper Step Pad 58.91
Saddle Bracket (kayak, boat etc.) 227.85
Seat Covers Neoprene 427.61
Seat Covers 256.46
Security lock and Cable 38.27
Side Step Brushed Aluminum 601.13
Sunroof Air Deflector 80.80
Sunshade 60.80
Trailer Hitch wiring inc 341.99
Wheel Locks (4) 68.09
Cheers
Jeff
I assume those do not include installation, where necessary?
My 2 favourites are installation of the locking gas cap is $14.20 and the best is the roof racks which they will slide into the track that's already there for only $140.00 . What a deal.
Again the roof racks are available in the states for $140.00 u.s. and the dealer here
wants $479.33 or $621.33 with installation. Add the 15% tax and you get a total worth driving to Buffalo for.
Thanks