Opinions please 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine

My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to
tolerate it because of the extra gas mileage.

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

Daughter is a bit concerned about the four banger as she us afraid the
engine and transmission will wear out too quickly.

So owner opinions are appreciated.

Also, I noticed that some people on this group claim they negotiated the
price on the Saturn vehicles. I thought Saturn did not do this so what
is the secret?

 

The newer 2.4L 4 cyl ecotec engine is one of the most popular and durable
engines out there. Yes, the 6 would be much quicker than the 4 we are
talking 169hp vs 257hp, big difference. Despite the smaller engine, it is
durable and requires little maintenance. I have an ION with the smaller
ecotec 2.2L engine, have had it for a yr and it has held up well so far.
Most that I talk to have been very happy with the 4cyl engine.

Depending on how your daughter will treat her car, no engine, not a 4, 6 or
8 will be durable enough if you treat it like a disposable appliance. Treat
your car good and it will treat you good, 4 or 6. That said, if she intends
to beat on the car and is concerned about gas mileage , you are defeating
your purpose, but as long as she properly maintains the car it will hold up
well, even if she races it.

Most Saturn stores still stick to the "No Hassle No Haggle" prices and
policy they are famous for, don't expect to wheel and deal like you can at
Chevy or KIA. Don't be disappointed if they tell you so. Do expect that if
the dealership is run like a traditional Saturn store that you will leave
happily with a good deal.

 

I can't speak for the '08, as this is a new design Vue (Opel), but I have an
'06 with the 4 cyl.

Yes, getting it up to speed takes a little bit when comparing, but once
you're cruising above 45, it sprints up to higher speed rather decently. I
will also let you know the tranny makes a big difference. I don't know if
the '08 is still available with the 5 speed stick, but if so and your
daughter likes/can drive stick, go that route. The stick easily gets much
better mileage than the auto both around town and on the highway, in part
because you have control on the shift patterns in getting it up to speed as
well as some other reasons. I also believe cruising RPM is lower with a
stick because of the ratio. Others will be able to fill you in better if
you're looking for specifics. The other main thing between the two is
durability. The 4 cyl, as was mentioned, is very durable and has a timing
chain as opposed to the 6 cyl Honda with a belt. The manual tranny is a (I
believe) Italian solid, bullet-proof tranny. I get 24 city and got 29-30 on
the highway on a recent trip. My father got a 6cyl auto 1 week after I
bought mine. I have 60K on mine and have only had to change the front
bearings and am still on my factory tires and brakes. My father is heavy on
the brakes and does not rotate his tires regularly and just got a huge bill
at his 35K check up (needed new front tires, brakes, etc)

I would stick to the stick and 4cyl as my opinion (if available)

IYM

 

I don't own one, but I've had a similar experience with a 4 versus 6
cylinder engine in the same base vehicle. As long as she is not going
to be doing any mountain driving, with a full load of passengers and
cargo, she'll be okay with the 4 cylinder. It's not as safe due to the
limited power during accelleration, but it sounds like she's alread
aware of the trade-offs already.

It's a reliable engine so this should not be an issue. I don't know
about the transmission.

No secret. Most Saturn dealers do negotiate, they just don't want to
talk about it because it makes most customers not even try. You make
it easier for them if you have a trade-in that they can jack up the
value of, versus directly cutting the price. However the "one-price"
policy has a lot of wiggle room, since the dealer is permitted to set
the price based on changing market conditions. You want to haggle in
the right way. Tell them that xyz has a similar vehicle, similarly
equipped, for a street price that's however much less than the Vue.

There's a $1500 rebate right now on the Vue so the base price is
$20,011 (for the 2.4L 169 HP engine), which is close to the street
price of the Honda CR-V (around $20,000) with a 2.4L 166 HP engine.
This is what Saturn usually does, they offer rebates to get their
prices in-line with the competition. However the problem with this is
that the add-ons are at full MSRP, which makes the Saturn cost a lot
more once you go above the base model, unless you negotiate.

Also, watch out for unscrupulous Saturn dealers that attempt to charge
_over_ MSRP, by adding on bogus fees. One dealer that my sister-in-law
went to in South Carolina was trying to charge a $199 "closing fee,"
plus they wouldn't negotiate on price, insisting on pricing her trade-
in at what it was actually worth (the nerve!). The dealer in the next
town had only a $35 "closing fee" and did negotiate on price by
inflating the value of her decrepit trade in far over even the retail
KBB value, let alone the wholesale value.

 

I have the 2005 V6 with the Honda engine.

I don't know about the Vue, but I just recently rented a dodge caliber
four-banger.

I can tell you, it is bizarre driving a 4-cylinder. Of course, my DD is a
Chevy Avalanche with the 5.3L V8, so going to an I4 is a serious change.
But I drove the V6 Saturn today and felt much more in control having the
extra two cylinders.

Just my $02.

 

I mistakenly bought a first-year Honda CR-V. The 4 cylinder engine was
anemic, and once driving to Yosemite I took a short cut that I usually
take, and I thought I'd have to back down this steep mountain road (Old
Priest Grade). Yet in future revisions they improved the 4 cylinder to
the point where it was at least adequate. Still, it soured me on Honda.
On Sunday I had to drive a relatives '98 Honda Accord and I was amazed
at how poor it handled compared to a Camry of similar vintage. It's just
hard to generalize about 4 cylinder engines. The newer Accord and Camry
have very good 4 cylinder engines, that have increased HP to more than
keep up with their increasing weight.

 

The 4 cyl is much more powerful in the '08 than the '07 by 26hp (143 vs
169hp).There is no more stick option in the VUE but the automatic tranny can
be manually gear changed for towing etc...Honduh and Toyota 4 cylindrs tend
to be anemic especially in the lower cost models. I have personally gotten
stuck going uphill in a corolla and had to get out and push, never had that
trouble in my old 1.9L SL2. The new VUE 4 cylinder is a 2.4L a deriviatve of
the SKY engine. I suggest driving both 4 and 6 cyl, then decide which meets
your needs best, which is nothing anybody else can tell you.

 

The 2.4 gets less mileage than the previous 2.2 and the 2.4 requires
higher octane fuel.

I test drove the previous Vue, 2.2L - 4 speed auto. I thought it was a
great SUV. The only kind of SUV I would own. (just never with a CVT)

The new Vue's weigh 3825lbs, the old ones were a good deal lighter
IIRC. The powertrains were always solid so the added weight should have
no impact. If it "wears out" it will be from someone not changing the
fluids.

My opinion on the new Vue's is to stay away if you do not like imported
automobiles. Neither the Powertrain or Chassis is made in the States.
(Even though they cost more than the previous vue!) My advice is to save
yourself some money by buying a used 2.2L vue.
Also look at the Pontiac Vibes. The Vibe is the same thing as a Toyota
Matrix only it looks a hell of a lot better. It is at the very least
assembled in America, it has a 'timing chain', and it gets even better
gas mileage.

-poster formally known as BlaBla


PS:
is also SMS/Steven Scharf so expect
some stuff to be made up or distorted. (If it wasn't already obvious...)

 

Timing chain would be a good thing. I wish my wife's Vue had one.

Why the nymshift? I liked blabla better.

 

Thanks but I felt it was time to retire it. It was originally blahblah
which was just me quickly filling in the required information so I could
post some quick replies. It seems ?Cronus? came out wrong. the =3f was
supposed to be a 'special character'. Cronus is associated with the
planet Saturn by the Romans so unlike before this name has some thought
put into it.

 

The 2.4L in the VUE does not require premium fuel as the SKY does, regular
fuel will do.

 

Sorry AFAIK, the 2.4L IS made in the US, the VUE is assembled in Aripez
Mexico (I'm none too happy 'bout that, but look at the great improvement in
quality now). NONE of the new VUE models have a timing belt, all have chains
and are VVT. The 2.4L is a derivative of the SKY engine but only requires
regular gas, not premium and the 6cyl is a derivative of the Cadillac CTS.
Both of these engines come from the US. The transmission on both of these
vehicles is a derivative of the GM Hydra-matic. Saturn stopped using the
Honduh (belt driven) engine in '07 models as well as the 2.2L was retired.
CVT engines were a flop and retired with the '04 model year, replaced by
aisin (borg-warner) and hydra-matics. According to www.gmpowertrain.com
Ecotecs (well at least '08 and under models) were mfg in Spring Hill, the
Hydra-matics are made in Windsor, Ontario.

The only thing I do agree with is about the new 2009 Vibe GT (ala Matrix).
The '09 models look less like a mutant milk truck and have a very sporty
appeal to them. I like the new look Pontiac is going for. A definite
contender against the VUE. However, lets compare HP ratings according to
Cars.com:

2008 VUE
---------------
169-hp 2.4-liter I-4
222-hp 3.5-liter V-6
257-hp 3.6-liter V-6

2009 Vibe
---------------
132-hp 1.8-liter I-4
158-hp 2.4-liter I-4

Obviously, with the smaller engine, the Vibe would yield a few more (32mpg)
over the VUE (26mpg). As well I believe that the VUE is a much heavier
vehicle too.

More useful information can be researched here:

www.cars.com
www.gmpowertrain.com
www.autos.msn.com

 

You seem to be correct on this 2.4 engine (Spring Hill, Tenn.).
Seems like I seen these ecotecs were being made in Germany.

For their price I'd rather they were made in Spring Hill.

And what is the Sky engine a derivative of...

There are two V6's offered in the Vue.
A 3.5 which is based on the 2.8/3.1 GM engines but with VVT and a dry
intake.
Not sure where they're making these. Michigan perhaps.
(AKA GM's High-Value engine)

A 3.6 which is GM's global engine.
Produced in Ontario Canada and Port Melbourne Australia.
(AKA GM's High-Feature engine)
**Used in some Cadillacs, NOT CADILLACS ENGINE**

The 6T70 is produced in Warren Michigan
The 4T45 is produced in Ontario Canada

CVT engines? Uh what are those?

Never noticed the 2.4 before. New Toyota motor... Gas mileage isnt that
great but thats not the one I would suggest the OP to look at.
With gas nearing 4 dollars a gallon this is the one to look at
1.8L 132HP 26/32 mpg

The vibe weighs about 3000lbs depending on auto/manual trans. The 1.8L
will have no issue pulling it. This is more on par with Astra Coupe
which weighs about 100lbs less. The reasons why I didnt suggest the
Astra is that it is imported, has 2 doors, and has a timing belt...

((I'm not even sure the OP is still watching this thread.))

 

My Avalanche is built in Sinaloa Mexico.

Still says Chevy on the side.

(It *is* odd, though. I swear the horn will occasionally play La Cucaracha.)

 

Gotcha!

I thought there was some significant meaning behind it.

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions and opinions. Last night we went to
two dealerships to try and buy the 2.4L Vue. The difference in the deal
between the two dealers was - believe it or not - about $1,000. One
dealer offered $800 more on the trade-in than the other dealer and gave
us more options on the Vue versus the other dealer. So we went with the
much lower priced dealer and bought the Vue. Got more for less. Taking
delivery tonight.

This is my daughter's third Saturn. She currently has a 2002 SL1. She
had a 2000 SL1 and totaled it. We were amazed at how well she was
protected in the 2000 during her single car crash, so we bought another
one in 2002 to replace the 2000.

The good thing is now that she is out of college and on her own, the
loan is in her name and she will be paying for the Vue. She and I had a
lot of fun over the past week looking at different vehicles and she
learned a lot about the car buying process and how some dealers scam.
She also learned the "fine art" of getting up and walking out when the
dealer and the buyer cannot achieve a meeting of the minds.

 

Cronus? BlahBlah? Im sooo confused, lol.

Of course, I am a veritable catalogue of useless knowledge, haha. Wikipedia
shows that the Ecotec was originally developed by GM Europe division for use
in the Opel models, which (ahem) are sisters of Saturn and have actually
been since the inception of the Saturn L-series (Opel Vectra). Opel is made
in GmBh, S. America and other parts of the world and as well AKA Vauxhall.
The Ecotec was also designed and used in other brands such as Lotus when
they were under the GM name.

BTW - the SKY was originally designed in 2003 for the '04 Frankfurt Auto
Show as a concept car for none other than Vauxhall, the following year the
chassis design went to failing Pontiac to be trialed as the Solstice, was a
smashing success and later went on as the full scale concept design under
the Saturn SKY.

--
marx404

_________________

 

Yes, that's usually how the dealers are able to haggle without direct
haggling.

I think that there should be a class in high school that teaches kids
about car buying. I made a list once of stuff that the dealers try to
pull, and it keeps growing. Feel free to add to it!

Fake Fees that can easily be taken off the final price
------------------------------------------------------
Dealer Prep
Closing Fee
Doc Fee
Salesperson Retirement Fee (no joke!)
Advertising Fee (dealers are already reimbursed by the manufacturer for
co-op advertising)


Worthless (or more than worthless Add-Ons)
------------------------------------------
Undercoating
Rust Proofing
Paint Guard/Paint Sealant
Fabric Guard
Glass Etching
Pin Striping
Gold Package
After-Market Alarm
Lo Jack
Non-manufacturer extended warranties


Worthless Service Department Stuff
----------------------------------
Bilstein Engine flush

Yes, there is always another dealer to visit, and another vehicle to be
purchased.

 

Sisters/rebadged... whatever.

Lotus is and never was part of GM... Where are you getting this
information? Lotus was no more under GM's name than Porche was under the
Harley's name when the VRods engine was designed.

Oh where do I start... No the KAPPA platform concepts were not designed
in 2003... No the Sky concept didnt become the Pontiac. You don't seem
to understand the term "Platform". There were MANY kappa bodied cars
conceptualized at the same damn time. The difference is Pontiacs body
didnt change from the 02 concept and isnt shared with Opel or Daewoo.

Tell me, do you really think Pontiac got the 02 sky design?
http://www.reviewsonline.com/auto/CAS0201-9.htm

I'm not sure how you can give Saturn any credit for the current Sky. It
seems to me someone came up with the idea to rebadge Opels 2006 GT to
make the 2007 Saturn Sky and the 2008 Daewoo G2X to save money.

 

I could not agree more with your comments. Besides car buying, they need
to teach balancing a checkbook, reading a bank statement, credit cards,
and other basic financial knowledge.

Also, too many people try to buy a car by negotiating the monthly
payments. They are the ones who get screwed.

Edmunds.com has a very entertaining story on their website. I think it
is called "Confessions of a Car Salesman" or something like that.
Edmunds sends an employee out to get a job and work at a high pressure
haggle dealership for a few months, then go and work at a no-haggle
dealership (probably Saturn) for another period of time. OMG, it is not
only funny to read, but there were new things that I even learned. I
even told the daughter about it. Great reading.