Experience with 2004 Saturn VUE

Hi Saturn Folk,

I'd be interested in hearing some bad and good experiences regarding the
newest Saturn VUE. Is it really any better than last year's model? What
about Saturn cars in general? Any definite caveats?

Thank you kindly in advance for your responses...


Regards,
Michael

 

Had a 2002 and now a 2004. Both excellent vehicles, low maint, problem free,
and fun to drive. the only problem with the current was that I had to replace 2
windshield because of a funky stain that only showed up when it was raining.
Other than that, I've never had any major problems with any of the other 3
Saturns I've owned. The service dept is a big plus. Always going the extra mile
to help.

Good luck

 

How much were the windshields to replace? One complaint I've
experienced is the expensive of the glass - 250$ for door glass on my
'98 SL2 (bloody thieves), and I'm told ~800$ for the windshield glass.
Not sure why it's so expensive tho.

 

How much were those windshields? My 98SL2 set me back 250$ for the door
glass (bloody thieves), and I've been told the windshield glass on the
SLs is ~800$.

-rj

 

Package policy??

Not sure how your car insurance works, but it'd cost me $100cdn to replace
glass.

 

I replaced my windshield (1998 SW2, which I assume has the same windshield
as yours) for under $300 installed.

I was doing the front passenger window (bloody stereo thieves) so I thought
I should take care of the cracked windshield at the same time. The
front passenger window also cost me about $300 installed.

On a previous occasion (2 years earlier, different city, presumably
a different set of attempted thieves) I replaced the rear passenger
triangular-ish window for ~$135 installed.

-DanD

 

I just picked up a Saturn Vue. V6 with everything. Not bad. Traded a 2001
Subaru Outback. The steering is pretty good. Had it in the wind (30mph
sidewasy) with no problem. The V6 is vantastic, great power, nice smooth
shifting. Very decent gas mileage. Great views inside. No blind spots.
The engine hits 1500 rmp at 60 mph so you get smooth down shifts up hills
but will not hunt that much.

Big wide tires, smooth ride.

Good features: $4500 right now. $3500 factory and QVC had a coupon for
$1000 off. Find one on, they were free.
Bad: Roof rack is optional.. not adjustable, mats are optional, rear door
opens wide but is short... a problem. Bland interior, decent leather
seats. With lots of options and AWD (not full time) you can hit $28-29K.

 

Have a 2004, third Saturn (previous two were 97 SL2 and 99 SL2). Nice
car, lots of power, lots of space, relatively comfy. The V6 AWD with
the Comfort Package is nice, and the 6-CD changer that plays MP3s is a
nice touch for long trips. We like it a bunch. It carries everything
we need with minimum fuss and bother, and plenty of leftover space.

best

mh

 

We were so impressed at the Montreal auto show a couple of months ago that
we were very intrigued by the '04 VUE. After doing some very rigourous
head-to-head comparisons with a LOT of the other comparable vehicles, the
2004 VUE came out ahead every time: space, overall appeal,comfort, safety,
features, price, fuel economy, and POWER!

It's even got more power than the BMW X3 and other bigger machines at a lot
lower price (we're not out to prove anything or impress anyone, anyway). We
think Saturn is like a well-kept secret that slowly getting out! Besides, I
used to have a Saturn SL1 back in 1995, and I thought it was terrific, along
with fabulous dealer service (Decarie Saturn Saab). They've been
exceptional, living up to the kind of stuff we see in ads.

Thanks to some very good owner feedback here and elsewhere, we got a FWD V6
and we're delighted.

We're grateful for your comments, Matt, and everyone else!

Keep well and happy Saturn driving...


Regards,
Michael

 

We have an 02' Vue AWD V6. It has been a great vehicle although I wish I
would have waited for the 04'V6. The 02' has the Opel/Catera V6 and drive
train. The 04'has a Honda engine and drive train. Nothing against GM but
the numbers show who is more reliable. I will seriously consider another
Vue but the new Chevy Equinox has caught my eye with the better styling
and is shares many components of the Vue. Don't be led to believe that
Saturn is it's own car company any more. It is very much part of GM. It
has lost too much money over the years to not use common suppliers for
components. The good news is that GM is getting better with quality.

 

Do yourself a favor. Avoid "all" 60 deg V motors. If it isn't a 45
degree motor it isn't worth a bucket of spit. 60 degree motors are a
b*tch to work on and the labor cost for even simple task are often
higher because of that.
If you cant touch the injectors, if you cant remove the t-stat and
waterneck alone, and you cant remove the plugs without removing the
intake, it is flat out junk. If it doesnt have 1 serpentine belt its not
worth the hassle either. If they cant factor easy maintenance into a
modern engine design I will make sure its known.

 

I would think that if a 60 degree V was harder to work on than a 90 degree
V, then a 45 degree V would be next to impossible!

 

I don't think I've ever seen a 45 degree V-6. I've had
several 60 degree V-6's (Ford 2.9L, 3.0L, 4.0L) and one 90
degree V-6 (Ford 3.8L). I far preferred the 60 degree
engines - especially when mounted transversely. They are
narrower and there is more room to work along the sides of
the engine. 60 degrees V-6 also works better from the
standpoint of acheiving both an even firing order and better
balancing of the rotating components. On the other hand, it
is hard to beat the GM corporate (aka Buick) 3.8L 90 degree
V-6 in terms of simplicity, reliability, and cost.

Regards,

Ed White

 

Yes you guys are right I made a big error in my post. I had "Harleys"
on my mind that day and got myself all messed up.
90 Degree V engines are what you want in a car and a big hood helps. I
think daimler chrysler actually uses a 45 or 30 degree v6 though.

However I'm going to rebuke the first part of your statement on 60
degree engines. Anytime they use a 60 degree motor its often in a very
compact tight vehicle. That means if its a 2 valve engine the radiator
core or cowl blocks the spark plugs, If its a 4 valve engine the intake
blocks the spark plugs. So any room you thought you had gained is
usually gone.

As for your statement on the 3800 I agree with you in full on that and
would like to add that I havent seen any production v6's with a stronger
bottem end than a 3800. Fords 3.8's though are terrible in design but so
are all the fords I've dealt with. Laying half the plenum over injectors
and running a cap and rotor? Come on Ford get with it.

 

Harley fan?

Yeah, WTF is that with Honda and the stupid V belt for the PS pump? I
don't know who's been designing their cars as of late, but they sure
aren't doing that great a job...

The 3800? It's probbably the best V6 out there, certainly the best from
Detroit.

Cap and rotor? Is this 1974 or 2004? DIS or coil on plug is where it's
at today (though IIRC Honda had cap/rotor until 2000 or so. I love when
those 'high tech' Japanese stick with some beyond obsolete tech, like
caps and rotors, drum brakes on bikes, drum brakes on cars, etc...)