Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
-Boy. Your POST read like I had written it ... apart from the teen daughters.
-I'll skip the "Aztek" comments ... I've exhausted my POSTs on that subject ... but will say that a close friend of mine just bought one. I was truly shocked at her. She is a dynamic red head with a brilliant mind that suffers few fools. She strikes fear in all men & women that are not up to her quick brilliance. Her husband wanted a new car to safeguard mother and new baby and researched intently. (The Aztek has a poor crash ratings.) I think she did it to be obtuse ... and they are just about giving them away. We call it the "Wart".
-I think the VUE is quietly a 'class act'. Interesting how they have managed to interest ol' foggies like me and youngins too.
-I've ordered the roof rack too, but not sure when/how I will use it.
-My first car was one of those with no 1st gear synchromesh and you had to double-de-clutch to get it into the others. I won't drive a manual for anything. I mean how else can you drive, answer the phone, have a snack, check out the view and look for directions without an auto tranny ?
Later ...
Looks like they will be moving to a 3.5L ULEV V6 Honda engine and transmission for 2004.
What you say is true, about the miniscule room behind the third seat, of course the 3rd seat has the option of folding flat into the floor, giving you huge amount of space. Or you have the option of not having the third seat at all.
The independent rear suspension ( all aluminum) is indeed visible, but the comfortable ride it produces, is worth having her slip showing.
No blue Vues have arrived at our shipping yard yet !
Jeff
I have 11,000 miles on mine picked it up in January. Only minor problems. Crashed the front end (Someone pulled out in front of me) $3,800 damage.
A friend bought the Buick rondyvue. Price much higher than my 4 vyl std but only 5 inches longer.
It should be interesting to see how much horsepower the new engine will produce.
Love the drivetrain
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
"A friend bought the Buick rondyvue. Price much higher than my 4 vyl std but
only 5 inches longer. "
They do a lot with that 5 inches however, with the vue "Folding the second row's 70/30-split seatback opens up 63.8 cubic feet of cargo space" and with the Rendezvous folding down the third seat avails 54.5 cubic feet of space to you. Take out the second-row seats and a cavernous 108.9 cubic feet opens upin the Rendezvous
In other words the Rendezvous has almost as much cargo space as the Vue while carrying 5 passengers, and the Vue only 2. As for the cost, well a V6 vue is more comparable in price than the 4 cyl model. It's a tangible difference between the 2 vehicles, and there is only 2 miles to the gallon difference between the 2 vehicles on the highway.
Happy Labour Day Weekend to all
... I think we better check our gene pool. We seem to be "swimming" in the same one ! I have four brothers. You're not one of them are you ?
-Seriously, I concur with you on all points. One of my 'pet peeves' ... or where my eyes drift to, is the under carriage. The CR-V & Escape have that strut 'thang' hanging down that makes nonsense of a higher clearance. The Renez-VUE has a profound looking rear suspension/strut something that sits so low to the ground with a high step up ... what's the point ? But I had better keep off the Rendez-VUE topic or there is guaranteed an angry retort ! I'm ducking as I write ...
(AAMCO)
-This is my unashamed advert. for AAMCO, the tranny guys. For those of you that have followed/been bored by my 94 Tracker tranny travails ... I think it is finally resolved.
-After a $1600 rebuild @ a local bush mechanic last March and three trips back, I finally went to AAMCO.
-They quoted $1300, charged me $1300, towed the vehicle in, (I am 40 minutes away from Pleasantville, NJ), and even drove it back to me.
-They found 5 major leaks, the clutch was burnt because of the leaks and the original seals were not replaced causing, I believe/they believe, all the problems. Why weren't they replaced when the tranny kit was replaced ? Beats me .... (They are probably still sitting on the work bench and the original guys are wondering where they were suppose to go !)
-The Tracker now shifts like a new car and ... well ... and actually shifts !! Something that was uncertain before.
-'She' is due back next week for a follow up check-up.
-Moral of this techy story. Go to the experts first. That's all they do. It would have cost me $1300 and no headaches. I have spent over $3000 now on both rebuilds, car rentals let alone missed business opportunities.
-I'll let you know how I make out in small claims court.
Later ...
(aamco)
Good to see you had your tranny issue resolved. I will keep that in mind (Plesantville Aamco). I live outside of Vineland. I go through Pleasantville everyday on my way to work and back at the Borgata project in Atlantic City.
-Yup. Major recommendation.
-The franchise is owned by two young brothers. They are next to Sam's Club @ 881 Black Horse Pike.
-I certainly was desperate when I called them and I was expecting a lot of 'good ol' boy', 'your car is a hung o junk' rhetoric, but they were incredibly patient with my many interrogations and were nonplussed that I would consider crapping my car. "Beautiful condition" was their comment, but they also do a thorough check to see how you maintained the vehicle. ("The last guy that worked on the car gets all the blame").
-It was refreshing to be quoted a price and actually charged that price. The first guy quoted $1200 & charged $1600.
-I was amazed that they towed the car in from Cape May and drove it back late night a week later ... no charge. I had no way of getting there and back without a nighmare of A/C, Wildwood buses.
-Their warrenty and wriiten, detailed accounting was also reassuring.
-The Tracker shifts like new. I'm still amazed.
Later ...
1: Replace the HVAC controls with positive clicking/actuating knobs... the temp knob on the current vehicle continues to turn past the cold/hot areas and feels like it is going to snap off.
2: Replace the center floor-mounted console with something of higher quality.... particularly the door which is a flat-out joke..... I've seen $7000 Kias with nicer consoles... come on.....
3: Rethink how the doors are put together so they close with a thunk... when you close them now, you hear plastic shaking... really cheap sounding, sorry.
4: Move the interior dash plastic parts up one scale.... just grab the area below the shifter and move it.... the whole dash moves with it.
As for the seats and the plastic on the doors, I don't have a problem with it actually. It's just the dash and controls that REALLY bothers me. Now, of course, If you're coming from a 1993 Sunfire, this thing is like a Lexus. But the interior is where you spend all of your time in a car and it's obvious they ran out of money on the dash. All of the direct competition.... SantaFe, CR-V... even the Escape, though boring, uses better material. If they fixed that, I'd snap one up in a second!
http://www.gate.net/~jaywward/vakay/FrameSet.htm
J
Enjoy the Vue!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
For those model I looked at (Aztek, Rendezvous, CRV, Vibe), all had better interiors, in my Vue.
I thought they would have improved on it for 2003 and was wrong. Just like you, jmatero, I really wanted to buy one, but this what made me buy something else, could not wait for 2004 for them to wake up and fix this.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
chayes : Element is pretty ugly also. I call it the Honda Aztek. May as well get a CR-V.
steve : The Equinox looks pretty attractive. GM may canabolize VUE sales if it's a better truck.
In looking for a replacement car, I researched the VUE (this board was very helpful) and, other than comments on the interior, the information I found was very positive. The crash tests and safety features are excellent, styling is great, ride was good, etc. I personally don't have any objections to the interior - I think the Ford Escape's interior is comparable to the VUE's. But after my experience with the Escape, a car's dependability is so much more important to me now than the interior styling - I really am pleased with my purchase.
Regarding "canabolizing" Vue sales - I think the opposite may be true - Saturn may be able to take advantage of some R&D that comes out of the Equinox and have a better product out before 2005. I don't think those loyal Saturn owners out there will buy a Chevy...
Wouldn't do thing different today, we love out Vue and we are very happy with Saturn as a company.
Should You Buy This Car?
" Unless you are a diehard Saturnista, the VUE is probably not for you". They say the Vue feels more like a rushed-out, jacked-up station wagon rather than a well-executed sport utility".
They go on to suggest that just about anything is better than the Vue, citing , cheap interiors, noisy engines,poor design, and seats " seem to have come out of an Iraqi torture cell"
They even go on to say...
The somewhat pricier Buick Rendezvous has styling that is unlikely to offend
anyone, but the same minivan underpinnings and pretty much the same
ride and handling characteristics as the Aztek.
Seems their reviewers back up what many have said here
The indepth article can be found at
http://www.forbes.com/2002/06/17/0617test_3.html
Jeff
And here I thought it was just me.
I don't think Forbes should be making statements like that as it is an unflattering generalization and stereotyping of an entire ethnic group. There are good and bad people in every ethnic group and we don't need to repeat the misinformed generalizations here.
Thanks.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
A racial slur, is a racial slur. I think comparing the seats to a generic torture chamber would have been sufficent.
Jeff ; )
Why do you always want to put the VUE down anyway?
Problem is we like our Vue's and as someone in their mid-20's, I don't see my self driving a Buick just yet.
Vuefor2 , I admit that I am closer to the big dirt nap than a 20 something,(i am 39) and I guess that the fischer price inspired interior, of the Vue is more appealing to your age group.
I am stumped by the attitude that you are too young to do anything, too young for great seating comfort, too young for a great stereo, too young for standard 4 wheel disc, too young for standard fog lights, to young for standard anti lock, traction control, keyless, power hatch release. Which of these items are you too young to handle.
Are you really afraid of a vehicles nomenclature ? Too young to not care if your contemporaries aren't wearing the same uniform. Think outside of the box my friend.
All I have tried to say here is that the entry level Vue is great, load it up and you might as well have something better. I guess I am old enough not to care if I am considered too young or to old for a particular vehicle, I just know value when I see it, and contrary to what the sweater designer says, there is nothing thorough about the design of the Vue, inside or out.
Jeff
I have 2300 miles and I'm more delighted than when I first got it. It is a safe, fun to drive, good looking, well priced vehicle that is not as luxurious as a $40,000 SUV, period. No car is "the perfect" car for anyone but for $23,500 I got a sporty lil' SUV with Sun roof, great sound system (cd/cassette), side curtain air bags, Abs and a 5 speed automatic. I love it! Sometimes I think car buyers get "paralysis by analysis", just make a well informed decision and enjoy whatever you buy.
I would agree whole heartedly with you if there was as a significant price difference as you assume. I am here to correct the assumption.
I think that most that come here are looking to find out if they should buy the Vous, a few of us weighed it , measured it, and found it lacking.
Chayes I agree the Rendezvous is a disguised minivan, with SUV pretensions, but your Vous is a station wagon with big tires on it and SUV pretensions. and a luxury price tag.
Come on admit it, I make this forum much more interesting................
Jeff
-Steve ... at the risk of being chucked out of this great 'town hall', I have to speak my mind about this Rendez-VUE vs VUE acrimony.
-ENOUGH ALREADY !!!
-I have to wonder why Rendez-VUE folks are spending so much time in a "SATURN VUE" forum ? Are they so unsure about their purchase that the only remedy is to bash the VUE.
-And (enniskillen) ... I am sorry buddy, but your POSTs have just got more and more personal and vitriolic. (You can look that word up). I think your motivation is purely about NEEDING to be RIGHT and being told that you are RIGHT. So here goes ... see if this will do it for you finally...
(enniskillin) ... you must be the wizest upon wize. How could we have doubted you ? You must have been truly wharfed from the 'godz'. How could we mere mortals have doubted that the VUE could even have come close to that wonderful Rendez-VUE that you so wisely purchased ? You are RIGHT ! Oh so RIGHT ! I have made a terrible error in ordering a 2003 VUE. I just wish I could be more like you.
-Did that do it for you ? Happy now ?
-This town hall is suppose to be about sharing impressions and information about the Saturn VUE, not about this ... 'mine's bigger than yours' ... macho BS.
-I would like to go back to posts along the lines of the GM 'Equinox' info ... (I'm shamelessly buttering you up Steve), and like the guy who shared his family vacation with his new VUE pics. That's neat stuff !!
-More of that fun stuff and NONE of the fighting stuff, thank you.
-Again and again ... this is about personal choice. We are all plonking down a big chunk-a-change unless a 'Rocky Fella' is included here. We all have to take that responsibility.
-And as a news flash. There is only one type of mistake in a vehicle purchases. It's the one you buy and the tread comes off at high speed and you and your family get injured and/or killed. How that's a big WHOOPS !!! Outside of that ... good luck ! Enjoy your new vehicle.
-This antagonistic atmosphere is destroying this town hall.
-I'm done here ...
Later ...
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
As usual, the Saturn folks were real nice too, they offered me barbecue!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
-Thank you for your supportive POST. (You too 'steve_HOST' guy).
-Well I just missed my 9/9/02 next delivery date yesterday with no word from my dealer. I have been so swamped with work that I hardly give it much thought.
-Strangely enough, I feel like I am already living with my VUE. Done such an intense research and review, the trip to Spring Hill, that I feel like I already have it.
-Knowing my luck ... ol' Vivienne VUE will arrive when I have no schedule to get all the paper work done and enjoy the process.
-Actually, even the bank called today to make sure that I still wanted the equity loan !
-I did notice that the Saturnhp site lists both the 'Bright Blue' and 'Medium Green' as "AVAILABLE SOON" !! Not a great sign.
-I'm very patient for things worth the wait.
Later all ...
That's odd. I test drove the same three and thought the Santa Fe had the worst engine sound, not noisier so much as tinny and reminiscent of a 2-stroke "ring-ding". The Escape was just noisier to my ear.
All that being said, I've noticed that a lot of perceived engine noise is directly attributable to tire/pavement noise. Try driving on different road surfaces to get a better feeling for the two.
All the Vue's I test drove had over inflated tires. They seem to arrive at the dealerships (been to two different ones) with 40lbs. Door post says 30lbs cold. This change alone helped reduce perceived noise in the passenger compartment.