Trade from Ion to Vue?

Hey all,

I've been sort of considering trading in my Ion3 Quad Coupe (With body kit,
spoiler, muffler - all were on before I bought the car at Saturn). It's an
'03 with 35,000 KM on it.

I've been considering the different VUEs. I don't think I want the 4
cylinder, I'd be looking at the V6FWD, AWD or RedLine. I like the look of
my car with the mods and so I think I would feel most comfortable in a
RedLine. I'd be looking at the available '05 with Employee Pricing, I guess
I'd save $1500-2000CDN. However, financing is 3.9% right now.

Does anyone have any opinions? My biggest concern is not getting what I am
putting in to the ION. Secondly, going from having 3 years left to pay to 5
years again. Lease or Finance?

I want the VUE because I am looking at a more spacious vehicle, power, and
most of all, something that is better in the Winter to drive. (The ION is
terrible).

Thanks..

Jon

 

Its always better to drive a car you hate than to live your life in
ever increasing debt IMHO... I've heard the new Ions have better
handling. Something to consider.

Never lease, always buy. Why over pay for something you will never
really own? 3.5 liter V6's in Vue's are made by Honda. Facter in higher
service and repair cost on these engines. Also remember gas prices only
go one way, and thats up. An AWD V6 Vue gets 19/25 mpg. I dont know
what a Redline gets.

If I was looking to get a SUV I would get a FWD Vue with an Ecotec (4
banger) with traction control. Traction control works about as good as
AWD but it doesnt eat up gas or add a bunch of costly drivetrain
components. Only thing lacking is about 100 hp and torque. The ease of
service and savings in gas balances that out to me.

Heres something everyone should think about. In every car commercial
what do they advertise; Lease price or Vehicle price? They ALWAYS give
you "lease price". Why is that? Because they make MORE money that way.
Hint hint, nudge nudge, say no more...

 

First off, ditch the '03 QC, it has the CVT transmission which Saturn doesnt
make anymore. All IONs except red lines of course, use a newer automatic
transmission for the '05/'06 year, no more CVT in the same yr 4cyl VUEs
either. Thats whay they are also flat-towable too (dolly towing on all 4's
behind an RV etc.).

You can get a decent deal on the remaining '05 VUEs, including RL models,
but hurry, they are getting hard to find and the sale will end mid Sept.

However - IMHO, the '06 IONs and VUE have been redesigned way classier and
sportier then it's predecessors. With the enhanced steering, quiet interior
and new interior, (the radios are sweeet) well worth checking out. '06 VUE
RLs havent come out yet but will be even nicer. 4cyl VUEs are faster and
quieter now IMHO.

One more option to check out is the new 2.4L Quad Coupe, new 170hp, tuned
exhaust and steering.

To answer the lease question, with leasing you have many limitations, but it
is preferrable to some. Mfgs show lease prices on TV because lease prices
can be lower then purchase prices and many ppl still do lease. (Keep in mind
that advertised lease ads and finance percentages are based upon an
individual). Choose whats right for you.

Saturn.com has been slacking on thier website, but you can see the '06
models on www.saturnfans.com

Many options, happy shopping!

marx404

 

I've got the manual transmission.

Some other reasons why I want to ditch the ION is that it is horrible to
drive in the winter. Since it has the body kit on it, I have to drive extra
careful and sometimes I do ground out. Stress cracks have formed on the
front lip and the paint is pealing also. Just stuff I don't want to deal
with anymore.

I saw the radio in the '06 IONS, very nice. But I do want to go with the
VUE because it has more room and is higher off the ground.
Also checked out the 170hp ION, also nice. The '06s don't have any
financing options right now though, as far as I hear, and no employee
pricing.

I get about 420-480KM per tank in my ION depending on how I drive. Does
anyone know what the actual is for a FWD/AWD/RL Vue?

 

I owned a 04 V-6 AWD Vue & traded to a 05. The dealer made me a sweet deal
to trade up. I am a travelling sales rep in Manitoba that puts on 60,000
kilometers a year & travel in horrible conditions. I also tow a 3000' boat &
2 snowmobiles in an enclosed trailer. My Vue does this with out breaking a
sweat. I get 30 mpg Hiway at 110 kmh & get approxiamately 20-22 mpg in town.
This is on a 4.54 liter Canadian gallon.

 

The saturn dealer here in Houston offer 0.09% APR for 05 VUE . I think not
many 05 VUE left , only higher prices Redline. But comparing to my
Highlander, I think Saturn VUE price is more reasonable.

 

What Saturn Ion has 170hp? 140hp and 205hp (supercharged) is the only 2
options I see on yahoo autos. I know they were going to bump up the
Ecotec to about 170 but with VVT. Since you know how to drive a stick
get a manual for better mileage. If the Vue ever has or gets this 170hp
Ecotec that would be the thing to get.

 

blah blah, check out Saturnfans.com to stay ahead of the game. All other
websites are behind the times. Cjarlie does an exceptional job of keeping us
all informed.

The 2.4 VVT 170hp engine has been released fro the '06 ION QC only, it is
out already and available. No news on usage in sedans or VUEs. Basically,
tis engine is the same that will be used in the future SKY.

marx404

 

Trading up to the VUE is too much money right now. They won't give me much
for my ION, I'd take a big loss if I did. I'll never both with add ons such
as a body kit etc next time.

Perhaps in April I will see what my options are as I will have my degree and
be done school anyways. I can manage a 3rd Winter in the ION I suppose :S

Thanks for all the opinions and comments though!

Jon