Ask the Car People.SM


Saturn VUE

3783 messages,  Last post on Sep 12, 2012 at 5:29 PM

You are in the Saturn VUE Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, SUV

Messages Page 214 of 379

#2125 of 3783 2002- A good deal? by a418t1

Dec 07, 2002 (8:11 pm)

I bought an '02 4 cyl FWD in May. At that time, Saturn was offering alloys, sunroof, power package w/remote lock and a CD player for $16,995. Plus, they threw in rubber floor mats.I thought it was too good a deal to pass up. I was ambivalent- I really couldn't decide if I liked the vehicle or the price. Overall, I found it to be kind of ordinary. It easy blew around in the wind. I never found a comfortable seating position. I also disliked all the plastic. I returned the car to Saturn after about 3 weeks and 700 miles. They were really gracious. I really wanted to like the Vue but it left me feeling kind of unsatisfied. I don't get the whole mini suv thing anyway.

#2126 of 3783 Mini SUV thing? by saturnfreak01

Dec 08, 2002 (8:55 am)

It seems to me that mini SUVS offer versatility, room, and that "go anywhere" attitude with a smaller price tag... Some people might describe them as a station wagon with attitude but imo they are so much more..
 
   I may be buying a VUE in a few months and I am looking foward to no longer being intimidated on the road, no more annoying tailgaters for I won't even see them. I think SUVs offer a sense of security and confidence a small car could never hope to do. IMHO

#2127 of 3783 by dindak

Dec 09, 2002 (6:33 am)

Compared to a car, a SUV does blow around in the wind a little more no doubt. The VUE being a lighter and more fuel efficient SUV probably doesn't help either, but the thing won't blow away or anything.

#2128 of 3783 look... by jmatero

Dec 09, 2002 (1:18 pm)

Mini-Suv's eh? Well for me the issues were simple:
 
I like driving a car NOT a truck.
 
I like camping and going on vacation and bike-riding and while these items can be moved in a sedan, getting things in and out of the trunk is a big problem.
 
I enjoy sitting up high like in a minivan but don't want a minivan.
 
I don't go off-road.
 
Now, the perfect solution would be a small-mid sized wagon but there are few if ANY of those on the road anymore. This is why people are drawn to vehicles like the VUE, SantaFe, Escape, Tribute and CR-V. They are based on CARS so they have independant rear suspensions and DRIVE like cars. They have nice flat floors, low liftover height and high seating positions like minivans but don't LOOK like minivans. They have a variety of powertrain offerings from FWD to AWD and every possible combination in between. That's the draw for me. Maybe if there were more stationwagons for under $20,000 I'd bite but the only I know of is the Kia RIO and that's IT. The only other is the Jetta but you can't get that with even a MINIMUM of power options for under $20 and there's not THAT much room back there.
 
That's why I like my VUE: Drives just like a car and there's very little wind issue that I've seen. Nice seating position and MPG. Fun to drive with the 5-speed, VERY affordable. Cargo organizer. Spare INSIDE the car... and more, and more and more. Does it drive as nice as my Passat? NO WAY... but the trade-offs are well worth it... and I'm a DRIVER. It's a great American vehicle... and a great deal.
 
Oh, and I drove the vehicle in the storm last week... FWD with ABS and Traction control and it was better controlled than my Outback Sport with AWD... no stopping it with those tall Bridgestones.
 
I know Mini-SUV's aren't for everyone but I hope this helps explain why somebody like me (and a zillion others) gravitate towards them.
 
And don't think the high seating position is not an issue... MANY car makers are adjusting the HIP up in cars... BMW, Toyota, Chrysler, Honda and others are realizing people do not want to sit in a hole. If they made an Accord Wagon (reasonable price) I might bite but there is NO wagon (or OTHER mini SUV) on the road today with ALL the power options, ABS, Traction control, Front AND rear side air curtains, self dimming mirror with compass and temp control, remote entry, alloys, moonroof , CD player and MORE for $18500.

#2129 of 3783 jmatero by vuefor2

Dec 10, 2002 (7:50 am)

I never thought I'd see the day that you were defending the Vue. I don't disagree with you as we love ours, I just remember a couple of months ago you were not posting the most wonderful comments about the Vue.
 
The Vue is no better or worse than any other small SUV in the wind. With the V6, ours is a little heavier, but I think the 4 cyl models aren't that different.

#2130 of 3783 shocking... by jmatero

Dec 10, 2002 (9:44 am)

Shocking.... isn't it? I'll be honest, the low price definately made me take a second look. It' s not the greatest vehicle in the world, but I really enjoy it. Also, I love how much it can swallow in that cargo area and the cargo organizer is a real treat. Also, it drives like a car... I mean, it really drives like a car.

#2131 of 3783 JMATERO by dindak

Dec 10, 2002 (10:04 am)

The car like ride and space are 2 big selling points of the VUE. I will be watching the upcoming Equinox (built on the same platform) closely at the Detroit auto show. I have heard it will have some special options not found on the VUE. We shall see.

#2132 of 3783 annoying pops and squeeks by ottawascott

Dec 10, 2002 (11:12 am)

Anyone else hearing a lot of pops and squeaks around their windshield and doors? Admittedly I have a "thing" for rattles in a car, but this time even my wife is complaining about the symphony of plastic squeeks especially on cold days. I would really like to get them fixed but Im not sure how helpful I can expect the dealership to be when I say there is an annoying squeek that appears periodically from somewhere in the dashboard. Overall Im happy with my Vue, but like many I question why they use plastic materials with all the integrity of my son's toys.

#2133 of 3783 funny you should say.. by saturnfreak01

Dec 10, 2002 (2:49 pm)

With temps in the single digits lately in NY, my windshield is making creaking noises, or pops as you say.. I also heard other noises coming from my 2001 SL1... Stuff expanding or something due to the cold weather?

#2134 of 3783 jmatero, isnt the Vue more like $19,300 by purduealum91

Dec 10, 2002 (3:50 pm)

dont forget, most of us do not qualify for the $700 discounting

Messages Page 214 of 379

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement