2002 VUE

Discussion in 'Saturn VUE' started by rich, Feb 15, 2005.

  1. rich

    rich Guest

    I might be purchasing a 2002 Saturn VUE...How dependable are they...My
    wife and I owned a toyota corolla. She was involved in an accident the
    other day. An 18 wheeler hit a pickup truck and that pick up truck went
    into the back of our car and it looks like its totaled...we had close
    to 130,000 great miles on that car and the engine still purred.

    Is the 2003 Saturn VUE a good purchase..MY wife and I want a dependable
    4WD SUV.

    Thanks

    Rich
     
    rich, Feb 15, 2005
    #1
  2. rich

    C. E. White Guest

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "rich" <>
    Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.saturn
    Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 9:21 PM
    Subject: 2002 VUE

    I have a 2003 4 cylinder Vue with the VTi transmission. I have been happy
    with it. However, to be honest, I think I prefer my Sister's 2001 Escape.
    The Vue rides better, but the Escape is more comfortable and quieter. My Vue
    gets better gas mileage, but hers is a V-6 and is much faster. I've had mine
    back to the dealer for a few small problems, and one major concern. Her's
    has not been back except for routine service. My Vue cost a little less (it
    is AWD, hers is FWD). If I did it over again, I'd probably buy the Escape,
    but I am not looking for a "do over" at this point. The Vue is very easy to
    maintain. I like the durability of the plastic panels. The Vue does seem to
    waste a lot of space somehow. I have a friend with 5 speed 4 cylinder Vue's.
    He seems satisfied. Judging by used Vue prices, they are a bargin. Vue's are
    very popular in my area (Raleigh, NC), but used prices are still very low.
    The Vue has great NHTSA crash results.

    Ed
     
    C. E. White, Feb 15, 2005
    #2
  3. rich

    Brian Talley Guest

    I have an '02 Vue - AWD V6. We got a great deal on it because my
    mom-in-law works for GM and the dealer was offering lots off in
    incentives.

    It's a decent vehicle to drive - pretty comfortable on long trips.
    It does very well in the snow and sand. (I don't know about the
    front-wheel drive model, though).

    The variable transmission smaller engine model seemed too anemic
    for me; the V6 ain't all that wonderful, either, but it's tolerable;
    there's no problem going up steep hills or passing other cars.

    Reliability is a huge factor for me. I have owned Hondas in the
    past and have had -no- problems with them. The Vue has been in the
    shop a couple times (wheel bearing, horn croaked). Everythin was
    covered by the warranty, of course. I guess in the relative scheme
    of things it would qualify as pretty reliable.

    Brian
     
    Brian Talley, Feb 15, 2005
    #3
  4. rich

    Chuck Guest

    Brian:
    What were your wheel bearing symptoms? I've got an '03 FWD V6. I
    was hearing some rattling on sharp right-hand curves. That stopped,
    but now I'm hearing a droning noise at highway speeds.
     
    Chuck, Feb 15, 2005
    #4
  5. rich

    Brian Talley Guest

    I heard a very noticable (I wouldn't say "deafening" but it was loud)
    droning noise at highway speeds. It was the rear passenger wheel
    bearing. This problem cropped up very early on - under 10k miles. I
    have not had any other wheel bearings go.

    I had a creaking problem when turning sharply at low speeds (forgot
    to mention that problem in my last note) at around 25k-30k miles. I
    don't recall the exact problem, but it took three visits to get it
    fixed (twice when it was turning to the right side, once for turning
    to the left).

    All in all, I have asked for one repair or another at just about each
    scheduled oil change. I'm coming up to my 36k change. My warranty has
    expired. I'm a bit nervous.

    The Vue is a nice vehicle in many respects. But if it starts costing
    me money to keep it on the road, I will ditch it quickly and not
    look back (at Saturn); I'll go back to Honda. I would *like* to stick
    with an American car, but the loyalty goes both ways: build a car at
    least as good as the competition, and we can do business.

    Brian
     
    Brian Talley, Feb 15, 2005
    #5
  6. rich

    Chuck Guest

    Thanx Brian - my feelings also.
    I was getting that creaking too, but less since it got cold
    (bushings?).
    I think my droning is coming from the front, but I'm not positive. I'm
    out of warranty so I'm debating taking it in, or trying a DIY.
     
    Chuck, Feb 17, 2005
    #6
  7. rich

    Dan Duncan Guest

    Some Hondas are more American than some Saturns, aren't they?

    -DanD
     
    Dan Duncan, Feb 17, 2005
    #7
  8. rich

    blah blah Guest

    Not really... Honda doesnt pay the same taxes nor nearly as much tax as
    US "based" companies have to so it doesnt matter if they are
    "assembled" here.
     
    blah blah, Feb 17, 2005
    #8
  9. rich

    Brian Talley Guest

    That's absolutely true in that they many are manufactured here by
    Americans. The question is where the lion's share of the revenue
    goes: does it stay in America or go to Japan? (I don't honestly
    know the answer.)
     
    Brian Talley, Feb 18, 2005
    #9
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