Invoice price of VUE?

I am close to buying a 2004 V6 VUE. Either that or a Honda Pilot LX. Same
engine.

Now that I am deep into price negotiations with both dealers - I need some
real-world info from other Saturn owners. Can one negotiate a lower price
for a new Saturn vehicle than the one listed on sticker? Forget about the
dealer add-ons, etc - I already got those removed; I'm talking about the
MSRP. I'm looking at $21,960 and $595 destination charge.

I've know 2 people who said (think?) that they got lower prices - no
trade-ins involved.

I also see a lot of online sites listing no dealer hold-back for Saturns and
no invoice pricing.....but I found one that listed an invoice price ~ $1,500
below MSRP - and another that listed hold-back at 3%.

At this point I don't know WHAT to believe! :^)

Any other experiences you can share would be helpful. Thanks!

 

Are you sure the Vue you are buying has the Honda V-6? I thought that
wasn't going to be available until later in the model year and then only
in the Redline Models.

Ed

 

Yes - it's a V6. The RedLine has even more horsepower and I think that's a
few months from being available....not sure though.

 

Dealer markup is 14% on Saturns

 

Then the V-6 is the same Opel V-6 Saturn has been offering from the
beginning. Only the Redline model will ahve the Hoda V-6 - or at least
that is how I understand the situation.

Ed

 

The Opel V6 is not available in the 2004 Vue. 2003 was the last year for it.
In 2004 if you get a V6 it's the Honda.

Ken

 

I just looked at the Saturn site and see that you are correct. Thanks
for setting me straight. What is the difference between the standard Vue
V-6 and the Redline model?

Ed

 

Ed,

Here is some info on the Redline Vue from www.saturnfans.com.

Saturn Unveils Performane-Tuned VUE Red Line
November 6, 2003
The 2004 VUE Red Line, the first in Saturn's new series of
performance-tuned vehicles, represents the next step in Saturn's drive to
generate new interest in the brand. On display at the 2003 Specialty
Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, the limited-production sport
utility features a lowered body, sport-tuned suspension and steering, a
monochromatic exterior including ground effects, and aggressive 18-inch
wheels and tires.

The VUE Red Line also has upgrades that will be featured across the
2004 VUE lineup, including a newly available 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower V6
engine and a number of exterior and interior refinements. Specifically
engineered for Saturn VUE by Honda, the new powertrain is mated to an
electronically controlled five-speed automatic with grade logic control,
which helps eliminate hunting between gears - a benefit especially on hilly
roads.

The VUE Red Line will be available in both front-wheel drive and
all-wheel drive. It is scheduled for production in December at Saturn's
manufacturing facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, and will be sold at
retailers as a regular production option at $1,995.

"The VUE Red Line is designed for drivers who enjoy sporty ride and
handling, but don't want to sacrifice the VUE's exceptional versatility,"
said Jill Lajdziak, Saturn's vice president for sales, service and
marketing. "This specialty vehicle breaks new ground in the small SUV market
and is positioned at the intersection of three important industry trends:
surging small SUV sales, strong truck personalization and sport tuning. At
the same time, the VUE Red Line calls attention to the many enhancements
that we are making on the entire 2004 VUE lineup."

"Red Line" is the name that will be used on all future Saturn
performance-tuned vehicles, including a special edition of the ION quad
coupe that will come to market in early 2004. Red Line vehicles will carry a
specific exterior emblem denoting its status within the Saturn family.

Saturn developed the Red Line vehicles with assistance from the
General Motors Performance Division, an in-house center designed to explore
potential enthusiast-oriented versions of production models. "Like the ION
quad coupe, the VUE was designed for personalization, and Saturn was excited
to work with the Performance Division on the Red Line series," said Jim
Trucksis, VUE Red Line program manager. "In the VUE, we took an already
significantly enhanced 2004 model and kicked it up a notch."

Performance-tuned features of the VUE Red Line include lower (by 26
mm) vehicle ride height and stiffer springs to reduce the center of gravity
and body roll. A sport steering calibration improves responsiveness and has
a firmer on-center feel. An aggressive 18-inch aluminum wheel and P245/50R18
Bridgestone Turanza performance touring tire package are also VUE Red Line
exclusives. The combination significantly improves ride and handling,
increases max lateral g's and gives the vehicle a distinctive "slammed"
appearance.

Its custom looks include new rockers, rear fascia, front fascia with
black air intakes, and chrome exhaust tip. Door and liftgate handles, along
with mirror housings, are painted body color to finish off the monochromatic
theme. The VUE Red Line will be available in Black Onyx, Silver Nickel or
Electric Lime.

2004 VUE

The VUE Red Line comes standard with the new, advanced V6 engine that
delivers 250 hp at 5800 rpm and 242 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. Available
as optional equipment on the 2004 VUE, the 3.5L V6 will give the vehicle an
estimated 0-60 mph time of approximately 7 seconds.

In the standard VUE, the new powertrain also increases towing ability
to 3,500 pounds and permits the vehicle to be flat-towed, compared to the
2,500-pound capacity of the 3.0L V6 engine it replaces. (Towing is not
recommended with the VUE Red Line). VUEs equipped with the new V6 will meet
the California ULEV-II emissions standard (ultra-low emissions vehicle). The
new V6, which is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, is just one
of the enhancements Saturn is making to its VUE lineup for 2004. VUE
customers can also continue to choose an Ecotec 2.2L inline four-cylinder
engine, available with either a five-speed manual or the advanced VTi
variable transmission.

Like the powertrain, the VUE Red Line benefits from enhancements being
made to the interior of all 2004 VUE models, including new acoustical
treatments to reduce noise inside the cabin, new seat fabric (V6 models)
available six-way power driver seat, two new CD radios with MP3 readability
and available XM Satellite Radio, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering
wheel and shift knob (V6 models), a back-lit instrument cluster with white
gauge faces and chrome rings, and automatic headlamp control (standard on
V6, optional on I4).

Safety enhancements on all 2004 VUE models include front seat-belt
pretensioners and dual-stage air bags. Dual-stage air bags are designed to
detect vehicle deceleration and, based on the deceleration data, provide an
appropriate amount of air-bag inflation. The dual-level air-bag system
senses the severity of a crash and determines whether to deploy the air bag
with primary or "lower" amount of inflation or with primary and secondary
"higher" amount of inflation. Dual-stage air bags are designed to help
reduce the occurrence of inflation-induced injuries by deploying the air bag
less forcefully in lower speed crashes.

Exterior changes for 2004 include dark-tinted rear door glass and new
17-inch machined aluminum wheels that are standard on all-wheel-drive V6
models, optional on the front-wheel-drive V6. Body-color door handles and
chrome "SATURN" lettering in the liftgate eyebrow will be standard on
non-Red Line V6 models.

The versatility of the VUE has been a major factor in its sales
success since its introduction as a 2002 model. The VUE can carry five
passengers, or can be configured to carry more than 63.8 cubic feet of cargo
with features such as a second-row seat and front passenger seat that fold
flat. VUE exceeded its sales goals in 2002 by more than 50 percent, topping
75,000 units, and sales through the first nine months of 2003 are 50 percent
ahead of 2002. September retail sales calendar-year-to-date totaled 6,550
units, up 13 percent over the previous year and setting a new monthly
record.

VUE RED LINE VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS:

Engine:


a.. 3.5-liter SOHC 60-degree V6
b.. Electronic throttle control
c.. Sequential fuel injection
d.. Induction and exhaust tuning
e.. Isolated engine cradle
f.. 250 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
g.. 242 lb-ft of torque @ 4500 rpm
h.. ULEV-II emissions compliant
Transmission & Driveline:


a.. 5-speed automatic transmission with grade logic
b.. All-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive configurations
c.. 4.06:1 final drive ratio
Exhaust:


a.. High-flow catalytic converter and muffler
b.. 3-inch diameter chrome exhaust tip
Brakes:


a.. Front/rear vented disc/drum with power assist and standard ABS
b.. 11.7-inch front, 9.8-inch rear
Suspension:


a.. Independent strut-type with coil springs, anti-roll bar in
front, independent trailing arm with three lateral locating links, anti-roll
bar and coil springs in rear
b.. Performance-tuned springs
c.. 26-mm lower ride height
Steering:


a.. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion, performance-tuned
Wheels & Tires:


a.. 18-inch, 7-spoke aluminum wheels
b.. P245/50-series Bridgestone Turanza performance touring tires
Exterior:


a.. Monochromatic exterior with ground effects
b.. Specific front fascia with black air intakes and stainless steel
grille
c.. Specific rear fascia with 3-inch chrome exhaust tip
d.. Dark-tinted rear door glass
e.. VUE Red Line badging on liftgate
f.. Vehicle colors: Black Onyx, Silver Nickel, Electric Lime
Interior:


a.. New acoustical package - door, floor, engine area
b.. Available 6-way power driver's seat
c.. Two new CD radios with MP3 playback
d.. Available XM Satellite Radio
e.. Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
f.. Backlit instrument panel with white gauge faces and chrome rings
g.. Automatic headlamp control
h.. Front seat belt pretensioners
i.. Dual-stage air bags


Ken

 

I work for a store in the midwest and your chances around here would
be nil.. nevermind the pricing "philosopy" of most Saturn stores -
the 04 V6 is in high demand and they only getting 25k engines for 04