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Panel gaps - as uga91 points out, they need the extra room for temperature changes. Unfortunately, they were perceived by the public as "poor quality". I do notice it when we park our 2003 Focus next to either of our Saturns - the panel gaps on the Focus are much smaller.
However, having said that, the Focus (which is only 14 months old) already has one or two small "kisses" in the side panels that the Saturns will never get. If you look at a 6 or 7 year old Saturn vs. any other car of that vintage, you'll see a huge difference in the look of the car -- the Saturn's just look so much better.
Unfortunately, Saturn is going to stop producing cars with the polymer panels. The Relay minivan is the first. The new Sky and Aura concepts will also be built with steel panels as well. Why?
In a word -- cost. It takes a special assembly line to manufacture the cars with the polymer panels, and the assembly line cannot be set up to build cars with both polymer and steel panels.
Many of the Saturn faithful are bemoaning the loss of polymer -- it was one of the few things that set Saturns apart from other car lines -- even those within GM. Going forward, Saturn will now be just a division within GM, not so much a separate entity.
<sigh> -- while I'm excited for the new products, especially the Sky, we'll see how the market reacts to a "new and improved" Saturn that is little different from Pontiac or Buick.
The Aura (or whatever it will be called when it goes into production), will be built alongside the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu in the Kansas City plant. Same with the Sky -- will be built alongside the Solstice in Wilmington, DE.
So, Saturn becomes just another "brand" within GM. The labor contract at Spring Hill has been reworked so that it's just like all the other GM facilities.
As far as I am concerned, I've got my Saturns and, barring unforseen circumstances, I'm planning on keeping them for a good, long time.
I have to admit that I've been thinking of trading in our Focus ('03 ZX5) for an Ion.
I like being able to park the VUE at the airport and wedge it in to those smaller than normal spots and not worry about getting all dented up like everybody else does.
I was previously down on the VUE, but it looks like ours has worked out all it's initial quality problems, and is going on quite a long stretch now without needing any repairs! (yes, I was knocking on wood as I typed that...).
As for the AWD - I can attest that it is a simplistic system only meant for light foul weather driving. The fronts wheels may noticeably spin before the rears engage. It is similar to the cheap and simple Honda systems like on the CR-V. Nothing like a real 4WD (read: 4Runner).
I'm also now in the camp that tires make all the difference. Our FWD Sienna with Nokians is better on snow and ice than our AWD Subaru Outback ever was with its stock "all-season" Michelins.
The VUE stock tires are low end. Our VUE will get Nokians before next winter.
"The test results and ratings apply to Saturn VUEs manufactured on or after July 30, 2004. Testing of earlier versions of the VUE could not be completed because, according to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, the left rear suspension failed during the tests. A voluntary recall was initiated by General Motors to address the suspension problem in vehicles manufactured prior to July 30, 2004."
I guess this means GM has fixed the issue for 2005.
Many thanks for all your answers and insights. Good luck with your VUE. I'm at least a few months away from pulling the trigger on the new car, so I'll put the VUE on my radar screen and continue my comparison search. That's the fun part. It's the thrill of the hunt!
John
I, too, am hoping that as the engine loosens up, the mileage will get better. However, I wouldn't expect more than 22-23-24 in a mix of city and highway driving.
Steve, Host
So maybe poly will price itself back into the picture?
Steve, Host
I am in the same situation. I have a 2003 Saturn Vue. The first week I owned it I took it back and inquired about the engine It didn't sound right. They said thats the way they are. At 12,000 miles the front wheel bearings had to be replaced. There was a loose belt that had to be replaced shortly afterward. Again I said there is something wrong with the engine, the tack periodically moves sporadically They told me nothing is wrong. At 20,000 miles the rotors were bad. Again I said something is wrong with the engine. 43,000 miles and my Engine is trash.
I will try your technic tommarrow, and see if they take back my steak.
Totally unsatisfied with car and service
What you fail to remember is that unlike your steak, car dealers have their hands tied. They can not hand out new cars when you are unhappy. They have to follow the rules. The inventory at a Saturn dealer is not owned by General Motors and sold on consignment by the dealers. The dealers borrow money to buy the vehicles from the manufacturer. You buy the vehicle from the dealer and the dealer pays off what they owe to the bank or whoever they get their money from. That is why there is Dealer Holdback. Too many people feel as though dealer holdback is "free" money given to the dealer that should passed along to the customer. Holdback is money given by the manufacturer to the dealer to defray the cost of doing business--to pay the interest on the loan they took out to buy the vehicle you just purchased. How do you think car dealers can sell at invoice? Go on just about any thread--they'll all say to offer invoice less rebates. It's the holdback that allows them to do that.
Anyway, back to your situation. For some reason, Americans today are convinced that the first time their product does not live up to their expectations, they are entitled to a new replacement unit. You are not. I work for the largest industrial equipment and supply wholesaler in the US and I get customers from time to time get all upset with me because their 6 month old air compressor won't be replaced. They'll say "I paid $2000 for this air compressor and here it is 6 months later and it's broken. It has a 3 year warranty and I need a new one." I have to inform them that it is under warranty and it will be fixed at no charge to them--but not replaced. If you buy a power tool and it breaks after 6 months, guess what, it gets fixed at no charge under warranty--but not replaced. The same holds true for cars. If yours breaks, it gets fixed. Most states have Lemon Laws to replace units with serious issues; but, most of us do not fall into that category. Your dealer can not hand out new $20,000 cars every time you get upset. They can fix it--but it is not up to them to replace it. They can not say "You are right. Your car is broken. Please take a new one and our apologies." The manufacturer will not reimburse the dealer for that. Car dealers are just like electronics stores and department stores. They are for-profit businesses. If you are upset with your VUE, then trade it for something else. They will NOT give a new one.
For the second time in the history of owning our '04 Black FWD V6 VUE we've had the occasion to have a bird drop his calling card on the hood of the vehicle. The first calling card was inadvertantly left on the hood for more than a day and once we wiped it off there was a definite residue left in the finish that took some careful and prolonged work by the dealer to remove. The second occurrance was just 2 days ago and I judiciously removed the calling card as soon as I saw it, within a day.
When I went out to the car this AM to take it in for one of the 3000 mile milestones I noticed another calling card ring on the hood where I had removed the deposit. So, after the oil was changed and other tasks performed I asked the dealer to inspect the hood for the deposit. Of course the car was in the wrong light so we didn't see it, but the repair person put a new wax coat on the hood anyway. From casual inspection it appears the deposit is gone now.
My question to other forum folks is if they've noticed any similar problems due to bird calling cards, especially on the black version, which shows imperfections seemingly more easily than the colors do. Keep in mind that our other vehicle is also black and doesn't seem to show the same residual damage.
Anyone else?
Not much to report. Oil, gas and go for the last year and a half. Anyone know when the Vue will get a face refresh? It's essentially been the same now for 4 years. Also, anyone know when I should change the transmission fluid? We have about 60,000 miles on it now.
- 2.4L 170 hp base engine upgrade
- All new and upgraded interior
- New front with a Saturn Aura look to it (Saturn's new look)
- Further refinements
- The 3.5L from Honda will continue as the V6
Another feature I forgot about is an iPod/MP3 player plug on the front of VUE stereos in 2006.
tidester, host
vanman, Great news on the VUE upgrades. Maybe we will take another look at one come the fall if we have not bought anything by then.
I am afraid to call McGuinty; he would probably levy some sort of lemon tax on me. The only thing going for me is most people are happy with their Vues, so selling it shouldnt be too difficult. As for th Camry, other than breaks, oil changes, timing belt change and a seal that needed to be replaced in the engine, its been a wonderful car as were the Hondas I had previously. I am not a Japanese car snob, frankly I don't care if the Taliban built my car as long as its not constant problems. What I would love to know is what happens to a vehicle on an assembly line to cause it to suffer from so many problems like mine. Untrained/incompetent workers? Parts made with inferior materials? Having a car plant in the same state that makes JD?
;-)
Ontario needs a Lemon Law. If you have that many issues you would be able to get your money back or at least a new VUE. Our friends have a 2004 2WD V6 VUE and they love it. They just had a baby last week so they were looking at a Relay to replace their Taurus. Saturn converts all the way.
I wonder when the pictures will be released?
- curtain air bags standard
- ONSTAR and XM satellite radio options factory installed TOGETHER [and not mutually exclusive]
- ONSTAR on VUE have Goodwrench diagnostics feature
- back up warning system
[understand StabiTrac available in '07 - the sooner the better]
Hoping someone at GM/SATURN following this forum for consumer suggestions
Hope this helps!