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SUVs Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape vs Saturn Vue
4940 messages, Last post on Sep 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM
You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Road Test: 2002 Saturn Vue Steve Host SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards |
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One of my friends has one and loves it, and she lives not far from me on a horrible, dirt road that gets lots of snow in the winter. We had a mild winter this year, so she hasn't had to try to get out in really bad stuff, yet. We test drove one decided against it for one reason - how the windshield is set. It slopes forward quite a bit, and there are (what I consider large) pieces of plastic between where the windshield attaches and the front side windows. This a huge blind spot for me and it completely psyched me out. None of the other vehicles on this board has this. Right after we test drove the Vue we looked at an RX300. It was set up in a very similar way, but at least the RX300 had a window in the plastic, so you had some visibility. |
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Supplier quality problem = Vue quality problem. Those parts go in the Vue, and they make up the whole. I agree that the S-series has been good, but the Vue seems to share powertrains with the L-series. Plus the S was Saturn exclusive, the Vue is a GM platform (and engine, and tranny). Hence my expectations aren't as high as for the S. I agree about the sales experience, but my suggestion? See if you can find a no-haggle dealer near you. Here in DC we have Fitzmall.com, which sells Subaru, Nissan, and Toyota. No Honda, unfortunately. It's like at Saturn, except you don't pay MSRP, so it's even better. In a different thread, I compared our Legacy wagon to an L series wagon, and we got better prices, with AWD thrown in to boot. -juice |
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| While not trying to contend every point, I just want to comment about the L-series sharing GM platforms. While, I do agree that GM has not produced as much user-friendly vehicles as Toyota/Honda - you cannot *totally* discount it also. For e.g. I believe Alero is a pretty good vehicle (again not that it is equivalent to Accord/Camry). Coming back to L-series, it is based on a Opel platform - and Opel is well respected German auto maker. | |
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I haven't, FWIW. We did visit a Saturn dealer. They didn't have the Vue yet, so we sat in an L series wagon. It has some quirks, and I really wanted AWD, plus it had no price advantage, so we ended up getting another Scooby. My brother had a Chevy Vectra in Brazil, this a direct clone of the car the L series was based on. But I think the US version ended up less interesting than his sporiter, smaller car. I don't get why Saturn bragged about sharing almost no parts with the European Vectra, the Vectra is a good car! Why change it? I recall they even mentioned all the shared parts would fit in a small bag, but I'm sure you know the engine came from the Opel Omega, and that won't fit in that bag. I think all it needs is more character, it's a good basic platform to start with. -juice |
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The Vue looks like a pretty good little SUV. One of the first things I look at when considering a new vehicle is the safety systems. It looks like the Vue did pretty good in the Government and IIHS offset crash tests . . . but it didn't do quite as well in the 5 mph bumper tests. I have yet to have a 35 mph crash but I have been tapped a few times in parking lots (fortunately without significant damage). The relatively high damage numbers on the Vue in the 5 mph tests is a bit of a concern. http://www.highwaysafety.com/vehicle_ratings/low_speed_smsuv.htm |
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First we decided it was time to replace our 6 yr old Chrysler Concorde, then we decided we wanted a small SUV. As we travel from the shore into the mountains every weekend from April to October, we decided that a 6 cyl engine was probably a necessity. We visited various dealers, and settled on test driving 3 utes. First was the Santa Fe - very nice, but with all the bells and whistles we were somewhat concerned about what would work and what wouldn't work in five or six years. And those seats were a little too firm on the back. Then we went to our local Saturn dealer. Having owned an SL2 bought new in '92 (my teenaged daughter had the courtesy and consideration to total that out in 96) we were familiar with Saturn and all that buying there means... Great service, no haggle prices, and a factory to dealer service team that usually insures that you are a very satisfied customer. My great disappointment was in driving the Vue. In concept, and even on the showroom floor the Vue looked good. All those safety features, the convenience features, and on and on, but the first test drive soured me on the Vue. Very loud engine that sounds as if it straining even with moderate acceleration. And that electric steering - who decided that road feel is not necessary in a vehicle of this sort. The steering reminded me of my father's 60's Pontiac - steering with one finger. Not for me. Then we visited the Chrysler-Jeep dealer that I purchased my last 3 vehicles from (a minivan and two sedans), and looked over the Liberty. It drives well, great steering feel, fantastic acceleration, and damn, it's so damned cute - nice interior - nice exterior, and with the chrome rail steps, fog lights, 6 spoke upgraded wheels - in Flame Red, this thing looks great. We just crossed 5K miles without a rattle or problem. We all love her. After all, isn't this a TribScape, Vue, Santa Fe, Suby, LIBERTY camparo board??? How 'bout us LIBERTY fans??? |
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| I'm with you my friend, nothing wrong with our Liberty. There may have been some initial problems with earlier models, but our Liberty Limited (purchased 07/05 and born 03/02), has had no problems whatsoever. I've been looking at this board since my wife and I started looking for a new car for her, but we've had zero problems. We did look at the Freelander and the Xterra (never considered the CR-V nor the Vue), but the Freelander was too pricey with options we wanted, and the Liberty drove better than the Xterra. For the price and the features you get, plus the Jeep off road factor, I'm looking forward to driving this baby for the next 3 years. | |
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