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Comments
The VUE is definitely going to suffer from very poor resale, more so than the Escape or Tribute. I would recommend you expand your test driving to include some other competitive small SUVs.
I too have recorded gas mileages, seemingly forever, and really I believe the only drastic differences were when I drove a Triumph TR250 in the severe cold of SW Minnesota and the mileage dropped perhaps 10mpg. Of course those were the days before fuel injection that being probably the largest contributing factor.
I used to fill up the tank until I couldn't get anymore in, but gave that up more out of frustration than anything else. But I've heard that it's not good for the recirculation system built into the fuel supply.
VUE has also had significantly fewer issues than Tribute / Escape and obviously many few recalls also.
The Escape does have better feel at the wheel, and the rear seats can fold completely flat (albiet with a bit more effort) but thats where the Escape advantages end.
I'm not talking about subjective areas like looks - those vary with the end user.
One big area is safety. Check out the offset test of the Escape. For 04 the VUE has enhanced what was already an extremely safe SUV.
Another issue is the noise levels of the Escape at 70+ MPH. Quite loud. VUE? Very serene. The faster you tend to drive on the highway the greater the advantage of the VUE.
Resale value is hard to predict. Right now the resale value of everything is abysmal, including the Escape and the VUE. I would expect the 04 VUE to do better than the Escape once word gets out more, but who can tell.
Reliability should be good on both vehicles - since neither are new models. The V6 engine/transmission in the VUE has been used in Honda products since 1999 so no doubt they are reliable. Due to superior dealer service I'll give the VUE the nod here
Cost of ownership/maintinence will easily be lower with the VUE due to lower gas costs, lower insurance costs, and lower maintinence requirements. Lets not forget the VUE polymer panels - impossible (nearly) to dent.
Finally - lets not forget the real reason to get the VUE. 250 HP. Yeah baby!
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/saturn/vue/100093715/cto.html?set- zip=97201&vdp=off&tid=edmunds.n.ctoindex.cto.1.1.Saturn*
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/hyundai/santafe/100187597/cto.htm- l?setzip=97201&vdp=off&tid=edmunds.n.ctoindex.cto.1.1.Hyu- ndai*
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/ford/escape/100079611/cto.html?se- tzip=97201&vdp=off&tid=edmunds.n.ctoindex.cto.1.1.Ford*
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mitsubishi/outlander/100181514/ct- o.html?setzip=97201&vdp=off&tid=edmunds.n.ctoindex.cto.1.- 1.Mitsubishi*
While Edmunds ranks the Escape at very high depreciation costs, it actually loses less value in the first year than the VUE. Surprisingly, the Santa Fe holds it's value much better than the VUE. I'm also basing my observations on trends in my area, so Canada may be slightly different. I have noticed the used market here does validate Edmunds predictions very much.
As for problems, I don't think it's really debatable that the VTI is very problematic. True, the Ford/Mazda twins have had many more recalls, but reliability seems about average, so far.
Again, these are my opinions, based on information accessible to anyone.
The wife is going to get a small SUV next summer, and the VUE and the Escape are on the short list. Since she's a big Ford fan, we may lean towards the Escape, but she loved the new VUE with the Honda-sourced V6 (see my review earlier in this thread).
I'm monitoring both this board and the Escape/Tribute board to see what's being said.
Saturns have historically had better resale but maybe that is slowly changing with the rebates Saturn has offered this past year.
MP3 Player was a must,however, has anyone noticed that the sound system (CD/MP3 with the Advanced Audio package) lacks? It seems that my '01 L300 had a wonderfully matched AM/FM/CD/Tape system in the car and yet in my '04 even with the advanced audio system the rear speakers seem to have a decreased output from the front and a somewhat "tinny" sound? Is this inherent in the Vue's?
What is everyone elses experience(s) with the audio systems in the '04 Vues?
Are they standard speakers or upgrades? Stereos are only as good as the speakers.
Is anyone else experiencing the same audio problems in their VUE's?
Resale value on Saturns - in general (all models) these are quite high for the model year/mileage compared to rest-of-GM from what I've seen in Canada. That's based on asking prices I have seen in (e.g.) our local AutoMart and AutoTrader magazines.
Go to page 142 of this message board for a discussion of this problem. We are on page 149 now. There have been similar problems detected on fwd vehicles.
On occasion we still hear strange clunks coming from the port side of the vehicle, the exact location being difficult to ascertain. It's either the rear suspension or the front, we're not sure and both of us were in the vehicle at the time. The noise comes when under some acceleration and some deceleration so go figure. It has to be some suspension member not fully fastened or seated. We've not had it into the dealership over this noise, but when my wife gets more frustrated she'll take it in and get a resolution I have no doubt.
We've now logged about 3100 miles on the '04 FWD V6.
Ken
I think that would be a great addition.
That said, the VUE is pretty stable.
I got the best of everything with the Vue: power (250 horses - faster than some so-called sportscars and sportsedans); Practicality; Luxury (leather, moon/sunroof, very quiet); Safety (good crash-test results; anti-lock brakes; head-curtain airbags too!); Fuel efficiency (in
relation to the power and weight of the Vue). The real beauty of this is I didn't have to pay 30-40K to get these features. I was also impressed with the front legroom. I am 6'3 (all legs) and very comfortable in it. I have been in bigger vehicles with less front legroom! Granted, there are many fine vehicles out there, but, for the money IMHO, this vehicle is hard to beat!
Currently having fun in the snow in Alaska! The awd system performs as advertised. The steering feel is a little different, but like most things, takes a little getting used to it.
I am actually the third person on my block with a Vue. The others are 2003's both 4cyl, one is fwd.
I initially thought of the Vue as a (NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE) "female" vehicle because I had seen the majority of Vue's being driven by women. But after looking at the practicality of it (and my $$$), it was a no-brainer.
So, I went down to Saturn of Anchorage, test drove it, waited about a week for my silver nickel to come in.......and the rest is history.
I must also add that this was the most enjoyable, stressless auto purchase I have ever had. Saturn of Anchorage was top-notch through the whole process (sales, service, F&I, parts, et.al) which didn't take long. No games - just business.
I have just added crossbars, bumperpad, mudflaps, and sunroof deflector.
Thank you all for your input, as I was lurking amongst you prior to my purchase.
Sooooo, I got my Christmas present a little early! I guess I was nice this year ;^} Happy Holidays to all.
My wife just took it in to the dealership today to have them look at it. Temps here have been in the 30's and 40's so we know the system will adjust for that abnormality in the fuel mix, etc., but when we bought it the temps were in the 70's and we still occasionally had the problem. We'll see what they have to say.
;-)
I thought Honda had licked that issue. Guess not. Still, it's a nice engine. A co-worker has it in his MDX.
I assume the Saturns in Anchorage come equipped with block heaters and heavy duty batteries, etc. like most other new cars there?
Steve, Host
I am enjoying it. It's been cold, snowy, and lots of fog (the fog lights actually do a good job). Will be monitoring gas mileage. This engine does not even need "premium" fuel.
Does it have the Variable valve timing and lift electronic control? A honda dealer told me the Saturn Vue engine does not have this feature.
I bought an 04 FWD V6 model and am quite happy with it. Other than the creaking issue being taken care of by the dealer, it's been issue free. And, of course, it's Fast!
I would like to brag, tho....Finally let my right foot get the best of me at the 2000 mile mark. I'm quite happy with the accelleration and LACK of substantial torque-steer that some in the automotive press have complained about. There is some, but not bad by any means.
It's fun to chirp the tires with the entire family in the car!