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I am not a Saturn fan but this is a very good looking vehicle. I don't know what the inside looks like but the outside is great. One would never know it was a Saturn from its design.
From the reports in this group, it sounds like it may be priced a tad high.
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Did you have a chance to see a VUE yet? You mentioned you were going to get a preview.
Here's my gripe: The marketing folks have decided to provide good looking wheels only on the V6 (even the optional wheels on the 4 are not stylish). The standard V6 package also includes the six speaker CD player stereo, and the power package which includes cruise control, power windows w/ one touch, power mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Saturn security system, and auto dimming mirrors w/ temperature / compass display.
Well, my choice is the VUE AWD4 because of the good gas milage, because it doesn't force the automatic transmission on you, and because I like the VTi concept.
Here's my request Saturn: Set a package price for a special limited AWD4 / VTi edition to include those items offered as standard on the V6 AWD line. The AWD4 with VTi will be coming out a little later anyhow so you have time to make this change. Turn it into an event.
Hey, this is your opportunity to advertise your VTi as a special good thing rather than as a purchase to be penalized for. Think about that cadre of folks who are interested in the AWD4 / VTi package as an intelligent alternative, rather than as just a way to buy a cheap SUV. Hey, take the chance, provide the package, and while you're at it, include the ABS.
I still must drive it before I draw any major conclusions for myself.
keninplacitas : Didn't realize brochures were available? Sounds like if you want a really hot looking VUE, you have to go V6. That does suck a bit, but it's really no different than many other cars/ trucks. I think I will still go for the 4 cyl, but I will wait and see next month.
By the way, Saturn put together a pretty good brochure. For instance, it includes mileage estimates (EPA numbers not yet available). For the FWD 4 it's 23/28, for the AWD 4 VTi it's 21/26, and for the V6 auto it's 19/25. Those are good numbers.
One other point, I'm personally not really an acronym kind of guy (okay, I know, the previous paragraph is full of 'em), so could someone please tell me what GMO and GMS pricing means (posted on #262?).
Does the brochure have option pricing (especially the ABS package)? Seems stupid to make ABS an option. Almost everyone wants it these days. I will try and pop by the local Saturn dealer and see if they have any. I'm surprised you have a brochure as the web site does not have anything available.
Pricing wasn't mentioned in the brochure.
The salesman said the brochures had just come in.
The VUE is available for GMO/GMS pricing. Every retailer will decide individually if they want to do it or not.
We won't initially but will after January or February.
Could you please tell me where I might get a copy of this full line brochure with the 6 SUV pages that you're referring to.
Here are my impressions: The Exterior is very handsome and well styled and proportioned. In the flesh it appears larger than the CRV and maybe even the Escape. The paint finish on the show cars was excellent, but that does not always translate in full production models. The 2 colors were silver and a dark Charcoal Grey. The Interior
in some ways is a letdown. The basic look and styling is pretty good, but the quality of the materials, and the switchgear were pretty flimsy. There is a feeling of cheapness when you sit inside thayt was very disappointing. Granted, I know this is a vehicle that sells for around $20-25,000, but even taking that into account, the interior is a bit cheap. The rear seat is another fairly big disappointment. The rear seat leg room would have been very generous, if the rear seat cushion had not been mounted so low. I think I understand why GM engineers designed it this way, that is, to allow the rear seat to fold as flat as the floor behind it. However the price you pay for that feature is that an average Adult sitting back there is going to riding around with their knees up in the air, and only their tush being supported by the seat. In addition, the rear seat construction and materials used was quite flimsy. It didn't appear to me that the seat construction would hold up well over the long haul. On the positive side, the front seats were comfortable and high enough off the floor to be almost chair-like. Overall trunk space was pretty good, and the load floor was fairly low. Both models were equipped with a V6 and seemed pretty loaded. There was a sticker mounted on a pedestal in front of one, and I am embarrassed that I did not write down the price and details (I was in a bit of a rush) but I recall that it was in the mid $25,000 range.
Overall impression: Nice vehicle, but not the knockout punch it needed to be. I will be seeing the new CRV this weekend, and I will report on the comparison, if anyone would like to know.
I was frothing at the mouth after seeing these photos and immediately ordered a brochure.
Well, I did some surfing tonight and came across show car prototype pictures which turned out to be a special Vue "Urban Expressions" model show car.
Guess what? Pale Yellow monochromatic paint and two-tone leather. So much for my dream SUV.
I have to tell you this vehicle is so far superior in looks to the production vehicle that it's sad. Why couldn't the stylists have gone with the monochorme paint. Is it really necessary to have gray cladding on the front and rear. And while I know this isn't a big ticket car, they could have at least offered a high style leather interior like the show cars as an option.
It never ceases to amaze me how stylists and designers make errors involving things that are generally simple and easily altered. They just miss them completely.
I've seen photos of the standard leather in the Vue and the interior is just not very attractive or to use another term, cheap.
Those of you who can live with the production version I wish you the best.
Personally, it's not for me.
cayennered1 and shelleymeister2, any possibility of talking you into revealing what you currently drive? It would be interesting to know what you're using as a reference.
I've seen the VUE at this year's car show- it's rather large. If you want one for $17,000, you're getting stuck with the anemic 4 cylinder.
Buying Japanese? You bet I am- the new CR-V is at the top of my list, with the V-6 Escape at a very close second.
Toronto Sunday Sun had a review this weekend. The writer tested one down in North Carolina and absolutely loved it. I will reserve judgment, but given some of the features the Vue has (CVT, polymer panels, no exterior tire ect.) I may be able to over look a little cheapness in the dash.
Now, no one ever referred to my Audi engine as an enemic 4 cylinder. They say the excellent Audi A4 1.8T performance comes from having a great match between the torque curve of the engine and the gear ratio settings of the transmission.
So, extrapolating from there, it would seem that coupling this VUE 4 cylinder engine to a CVT transmission (designed to continuously match engine torque capability with optimum gear ratio) should result in decent 4 cylinder performance for this relatively light SUV. I won't be surprised if the VUE 4 with CVT turns out to be VUE of preference.
Oh, for the record, Audi's new A4 is also coming out with a CVT transmission option. This should be a fun machine to drive with the new higher horsepower (170 HP) 4 cylinder 1.8T engine.
I don't believe I "trashed" the new VUE. I thought I had some positive and negative things to say about features (or the lack of them) I had observed. Don't be so sensitive.
Some of the issues I raised may not deter many buyers from purchasing a VUE, but I know I would have to take a good long hard look at the competition, to see if they address these observations or not. I own a number of vehicles including a PT Cruiser and a Beetle. The fit & finish and interior materials on both FAR exceed the quality level on the new VUE. These are vehicles that retail for LESS than the VUE. So if Chrysler & Volkswagen can do it, why can't GM?
A few years ago, I owned a CRV for less than a year. I thought it was an excellent small SUV, well built with good attention to detail, except for one glaring fault- no power. That is what ultimately led me to sell it so quickly- I couldn't deal with the lack of power. Even the previous generation CRV had used better interior materials than the new VUE. That is why I anxious to see the new CRV (and I will this weekend).
I drive a 2002 Bravada and there is not much difference in size between them which really surprised me, I think Saturn has a hit on there hands....I will keep you updated. By the way they gave us 50 brochures to give out to people that asked about the vehicle...
The new Pontiac Vibe comes standard with gray body cladding, but they have made monochrome paint scheme an option on even the base model. The much maligned Atztec is dropping its atrocious cladding for a monchrome paint scheme this year. Sounds like GM is trying to correct its mistakes.
As for the interior, I just like an upscale looking interior. Not that the Vue is awful its just not where I want my interior to be for my next car.
I drive a V6 Mitubishi Galant with an aftermarket leather package which significantly upgraded a mediocre cloth seat trim. With the leather package and after market wheels the car went for around $21.500 which is certainly less than a V6 Vue.
Again, I would say the mess Pontiac made of the Aztek exemplifies how GM has had trouble with styling and trim. Hopefully with Bob Lutz on board styling will not get the back seat it has in recent years at GM.
It doesn't have to look like a Lexus or a Mercedes.
Right now I'm waiting for the Mitsubishi Airtrek to arrive here. Built off a Lancer with nice styling and outstanding interiors. It's sized similarly to the Escape-Tribute.
cayennered1 : Very true, the Jeep Liberty does have a nice interior. The truck ride and poor gas mileage are the turn offs there. We are just looking for something that isn't a minivan and that isn't going to burn too much gas. VUE is in the top three for our choice.
But that door trim just screams cheap plastic.
Also notice the classic Saturn steering wheel design is very offputting to me.
The spokes are very thick making it difficult, if not impossible for anyone who likes to hold the wheel at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock to grip the wheel. Again it amazes me how designers often miss obvious ergonomic issues.
I remember a Dodge Intrepid rental I had. The dash protruded at the door entrance so that everytime I got out of the car I banged my knee. I'm only a 6 footer so it wasn't me. Don't you think designers would think about this stuff. Also had a Grand Am rental in which I constantly scraped my finger on the cruise control swith on the wheel because of its poor placement. Actually turned in the car because it was cutting my finger to drive it.
This should be a warning to everyone to thoroughly drive and examine a vehicle before you buy.
I agree that the Vue has definite benefits in the area of exterior size, styling, as well as car like ride and good gas mileage.
These could well be enough tp make it your choice. Besides the CRV what else are you looking at? The Mitsubishi crossover won't be out until late next year I think, but if you can wait you might want to take a look at it.
Tribute-Escape has had a prety bad reliability record (multiple recalls) and the CRV is a Honda which means little or no personality.
Good luck in your choice and keep us posted on your decision.
This new category of smaller mid-size SUVs really only has 2-3 players so choice is limited. The re-jigged 02 Aztek is priced ok, but I'm not sure I can live with the looks.
I think auto.com has pictures also.
I don't know if it was the moonroof or what, but this is one LOUD suv when you get over 60. The wind noise was incredible. On the other hand this was one quick sucker. I can tell why the autojournalists like it. I wouldn't own one personally if they are all that loud.
*Moonroof was closed in case you think im stupid :P
Pretty slick looking piece actually. Much nicer than (looking) than any other brochure I have seen to date.
Personally I don't think the brochure sells cars but this tells me GM is dead serious about making the VUE a sucess.
As for the Escape, the one I drove with a V6 had no sunroof. I thought the noise level was ok.