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Comments
I would imagine with a small SUV and 250 hp is not a good mix unless it's well controlled. I remember driving an Escort GT a number of years ago and I almost put it into the ditch. I let the clutch go and the thing just zinged to the left. The 3.0 is lots for the Vue IMO.
25 MPG Combined.
30 MPG on the nose for a short Highway trip under ideal circumstances.
24.8 MPG for my last full tank of gas which was combined driving again.
So far I'm really happy with the mileage and hope it gets better as things loosen up down the road. I'm still pretty early into brake in.
I'm driving a V-6 FWD (With no ABS.....just joking)!! Still smells new.
I got about 17-18 MPG in town (during the winter, using "normal" gas), and 16-18 in the summer (using the Los Angeles "summer gas").
I got about 25 - 27 MPG on the highway (at 70 - 80 MPH). A couple of comments on the Honda implemenation:
1. The engine got 210 HP on regular gas, and 240 on premium. I always used regular.
2. The mileage was due to the really excellent transmission used in the Odyssey. I should think that the new VUE would get similar or somewhat better mileage, simply because it is lighter. HOWEVER, it will depend on the gearing and capability of the Saturn transmission, and the degree to which the new engine/transmission is similar to the Odyssey implementation. Honda designed their 3.5L and their 5 speed to match each other.
3. Honda also has the Grade Logic, which may have impacted road mileage by keeping the engine from "hunting" on the up and down slopes.
Just my 2 cents...
BAD NEWS: The Odyssey has had sporatic transmission failures. I never had any trouble, but some people have. I think the reports are over-rated (the forums tend to have people with problem vehicles). Hopefully they will have worked out the kinks by 2004.
SPECULATION: The Odyssey is due for a complete revamp in 2004. Do you suppose they will have a new transmission, and that is why they would give the current one to Saturn?
Gotta say, though, if it works well that is going to be one HOT Saturn. The engine was very peppy on the 4300 pound Odyssey!
Hopefully mileage will be in the 20/28 range. It should be better than the Pilot.
joey : I don't think anyone is complaining, it's more concern. If you had ever driven a car with bad torque steer, you would understand.
That is, unless your name is Dr Frankenstein...
I don't know, if Saturn isn't careful, they could end up like AMC during the '70s. Chrysler transmission, Ford engine, Dodge starter, etc. Only the body was AMC...
I don't know if there will or won't be massive tourque steer. It is a minor concern. I'll let you guys know once I drive one.
Saturn will be utilizing Hondas 5 speed auto tranny and I do have faith that the premature failure issue Honda has resolved by now.
The AWD system is very simple and from my understanding of how it works has nothing to do with the transmission
Although I have thus far been very clinical I must confess to a great degree of excitement over the 2004 VUE.
This is true, which is why some people are a little concerned about torque steer. Otherwise, it shouldn't matter so long as the suspension and underpinnings are properly adjusted.
Any word on mileage for the 3.5L VUEs?
When did they say you would get delivery?
My Odyssey had this feature; it works under 18 MPH. If a wheel loses traction, the ABS stops it from spinning. It got me out of snow several times a couple of years ago in Yosemite, CA.
I'll bet GM could get more V6 engines if they needed them though
Dindak ::: We regularly get almost 30 on the highway with the 3.0 but if the 3.5 will get 28, that would be very good. ABS is a must, I agree and I'm glad it will be standard. Can't imagine not getting such a great safety feature, it's the only option on our Vue.
Steve : :: I don't think it;s that hard to adapt a drive train for any vehicle in which it will fit. Sure some reverse engineering needs to be done, but if done right the new 3.5 Vue should be fine. I only hope the torque steer is not an issue with 250 hp under the hood.
Also, the Hondas tend to have special requirements. For example, the CRV transmission will only work with Honda transmission fluid. I can't remember if this is true for the Odyssey, since I got all my service through the dealer. If this is the case, I suspect that Honda may sell their transmission fluids to Saturn to be re-branded under the Saturn name, since I can't imagine someone walking into a Saturn dealer and asking for Honda transmission fluid!
In any case, there should be plenty of V6 3.0 and Ecotec engines for those who don't get the Red Line. I doubt that there is an agreement for more engines. Honda sells a lot of them in their high end cars, and wouldn't want to threaten their profitable lines. And in the long run, selling engines to a direct competitor of the CR-V makes no sense. From what I hear, Honda wanted something GM builds in europe (a diesel engine, if memory serves). I don't think this marrage of convenience will last very long. Translation: Get the VUE Red Line while you can!
3.5L supply goes for 5 years as far as I know, no need to rush out.
Did I miss anything Zap?
However, the 50,000 is a definite maximum number. It looks like Honda isn't afraid of the competition either.
Hmmm, 50,000 Vues divided among 50 states plus Canada. That's 980 per state, divided by 12 months is about 82 per month. Divide that by the number of dealerships in each state, and you get a somewhat limited supply. This is what I was referring to...
Excerpt from Bloomberg news, last Dec:
"TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co., Japan's No. 2 automaker, will start supplying General Motors Corp. with low-emission engines and automatic transmissions next year, as the U.S. company tries to minimize the cost of making cleaner cars.
Honda and General Motors first agreed on the cooperation in 2000. Honda, the maker of Odyssey minivans and Accord sedans, will supply about 50,000 V-6 engines and transmissions to the U.S. automaker a year, less than the initially planned 90,000, Honda President Hiroyuki Yoshino told a group of reporters.
Honda, which expects record sales in all its product ranges in 2003, may expand its business by selling engines to other automakers, investors said. Honda is set to post its second year of record earnings this business year.
"This is a win-win relationship, which helps Honda increase business and it may be cheaper for GM," said Norihiko Kamada, who helps manage $1.2 billion at Chuo Mitsui Asset Management Co., including auto shares.
Honda will assemble the transmissions and 3-liter to 3.5-liter engines at its Ohio plant, Yoshino said. General Motors will use the components in one of its Saturn models, the U.S. automaker has said.
Honda's engines will help General Motors meet Californian regulations requiring major automakers to sell a certain percentage of vehicles with low-emission engines.
Isuzu Motor Ltd., an affiliate of General Motors, has started providing 1.7-liter diesel engines to Honda for its three- and five-door Civic compact cars sold in Europe. The contract will run until October 2005 and Honda plans to sell 15,000 units a year, the company said. "
http://www.auto.com/industry/iwirc19_20021219.htm
Don't worry, you will get one if you want one.
;-)
Thanks, I couldn't seem to find the stats for last year.
Time will tell on the availability.
Sold 48825 through July this year, and 7405 in July alone.
Sales are up quite a bit this year compared to last.
Carguy ::: I see Vues all over the place these days so sales must be good. I remember when we got ours we had one of the first ones in the area and people would come up and ask us about it. Not the case any more.
:-(
Anyone driven a 3.5L Vue yet???
I do not have a hitch so I can't speak for the towing capacity/handling. I would recommend opting for the heavy rubber cargo matt (see if you can get it thrown in). It is worth the $65 (US) investment. Who needs those grocery holders anyhow? Its not a grocery getter darn it!!!
I was speaking of this particular CVT, not the technology.
It's not suppose to be a luxury car like an Acura.
I've had one for a year and a half, and the truth is the thing is mundane. It looks good from some angles and plain from others. It gets you where you're going, but it's hardly an exciting driving experience. The suspension is squishy and there's too much torque steer. The interior is made of low-quality plastic that does squeak and rattle. The backseats are uncomfortable.
There's plenty of room for improvement without expecting the refinement of a luxury vehicle.
Why can't someone who's had problems with the car report them here without being hassled? Surely an owner's comments are at least as valid as those of someone who has an affinity for it but little actual experience.
What I don't understand (if you read my post more closely) is his critisizims of the looks and interior. It's not like those are hidden from a person when buying a vehicle.
I like the VUE a lot and may buy one next year if that's ok with you.
Saturn guy: sign here please. Great, now, unfortunately we can't get this vehicle to you until June, and no, we don't have a 4 cyl. VTI for you to try out before you sign the purchase order.
Three months later.
Saturn guy: sorry we can't get this vehicle to you for another three more months.
Three months later.
Saturn guy: congrats, your Vue is here for pick up.
Sure, I could have tested it and handed it back because I thought the dash looked a bit cheap, but after driving a borrowed car for month I figured it wasnt really an option and like I said, I could live it. And, while I probably would have noticed the alignment issue on the test drive had it been at a higher speed, I suspect it wouldnt have saved me from the faulty tranny, water pump and fuel gauge.
Have you taken the VUE into the dealer? Saturn should help you out with any rattles you may have.
I'll ask you this though, have you been served well by your Saturn dealer? Have you asked them to look at the rattle(s) you have? Is the vehicle now running well?
Buying a first year vehicle is a leap of faith. I have seen on the Accord board that there are numerous issues with the new car. We have not had any issues with our V6 Vue and it's unfortunate you have not had the same experience BUT just because you had a bad truck does not mean they are all bad either.
thought I would Add my two cents. Except for a
sticking gas gauge( which the dealer seems to have
corrected with some magic elixir poured into the
gas tank), I have had no mechanical problems with
my 2003 6cyl FWD with 10,000km.
No rattles,squeaks,thumps,grinding etc from the
interior or the drive train. My only gripe is
poor in town mileage.
Perhaps never having owned a luxury car,I am
aesthetically challenged but I have no complaints
about the "cheap plastic interior". The dials and
knobs seem to be accessible and they all work. The
car starts every time. I am satisfied with the ride,steering and front seat comfort. More importantly, my wife loves the vehicle.
To me, the vehicle represents good value for the
price.
(My only regret is that I couldn't wait for
the 2004, not because of the big new engine but
that I could have got a power seat. Small potatoes!)
Given the prices are only up about as much as the price of the added ABS, you are basically getting a much better vehicle for the about the same price. My guess is, sales will definitely be on the move up this coming year.