'04 VUE V6... worthy purchase?

preface: Sorry about this post as I know that these sorts can get annoying
and repetitive. I looked for similar posts but could not find any.


I am considering an '04 VUE FWD V6 with head curtain airbags and the CD/MP3
player. The $3000 rebate is very tempting which drops the price to about
$20500 with destination. I can't see the additional $1600 price of the AWD,
especially since I live in Florida. No snow, no ice, just the ever present
hurricanes. (geez)

I have the unfortunate pleasure of owning a '99 Honda Accord V6, along with
the infamous Honda tranny problems. I am on my second tranny and after 25k
miles on this one, it is starting to get flaky again. Are the VUEs prone to
the same transmission troubles that the Hondas have or does GM mate a
different tranny to the Honda made 3.5L V6?

I did some research on (Car & Driver) owner reviews and almost all said good
things, but one guy had severe transmission troubles. Sure he could be an
idiot, but a concern just the same.

I appreciate all responses and comments on the V6 VUE

-keith
tallahassee, fl

 

i would go with the kia sedona. plus the warranty is amazing. plus you got
to love those koreans.

 

Is this supposed to be read with a heavy dose of sarcasm? You almost
came off sounding serious.

 

I have a 04 VUE and the vehicle is great.

The tranny problems were found in the 4cyl model, but only in the
2002-03 models. It appears the fix was a chip/software solution and
almost all 04 4cyl VUE's with the CVT auto tranny are doing well. I
have not heard of complaints from the 04 buyers.

My VUE is roomy, fun to drive, and handles well. The sale price was
too good to pass up on a nice vehicle like the VUE.

 

I just bought a 2004 Vue AWD with the V6, came with DVD entertainment
system and side curtain airbags. It came with a $3000 factory rebate
plus another $1500 in additional dealer incentives.I traded in a 02
Toyota Tacoma V6 4WD P/U.
I test drove a Honda CRV and a Subaru Forester. When I test drove this
Vue, I just got a big huge grin on my face. I had to bite my tongue to
not look overly enthusiastic in front of the salesman. It gave me the
same tingles I got when I used to own a 71 Roadrunner with a big 440.
The power is amazing. I test drove it up a steep, long grade that I
have to take everyday to my wifes work. The Honda and Subaru kind of
lumbered and lugged their way to the top. The Vue ate it up like a
knife through butter. Much, much more power than my Toyota V6! And
it's still supposed to get 25 mpg, about the same as the Honda. I've
heard the same stories with the CVT transmissions only available on
the 4 cyl. I would only get the V6 on a Vue. The gas mileage is very
close to what you get with the 4 cyl. As for the AWD, I might consider
getting only the FWD if it were available! My dealer only had one FWD
version out of about 20 Vues, not in the color I liked. Hard to find a
FWD, anyway trade in will be higher for an AWD.
Anyway as you can tell, so far I love this Vue, I feel I got it for a
steal, being that it was same price as the Honda and cheaper than the
Saturn, and you get the V6 awesome power!!!

 

As with other posters, I have one and find it quite good. I have the
side curtain airbags, though have fortunately not had to *use* them
yet ;-), and the CD/MP3 player, which is great - with 6 MP3 CDs in it,
I have enough music for 4 back-and-forth trips from SF to LA without
repeating a song. It's comfortable, it's powerful, it doesn't get
dinged (the plastic panels are great for that) and on the highway it
actually gets reasonable mileage.

So, yes, I do like it....

best
mh