Update on Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo

ShokWaveRider · 03-02-2006, 09:38 AM

Well, we have had this car over 2 weeks now. It has actually turned out beyond my expectations. It is tremendous value for the money overall. While it is no Lexus, the upholstery and fittings are not that bad, and the engine has more than enough power for our needs. The most unexpected things I have noticed about it are the quality of the paint, the amount of space inside and the audio. Plenty of rear seat leg room, lots of cargo space, an excellent quality CD Radio unit (Standard). The car even has it's own hands free auto mute phone built in with the On-Star System. The quality of the cloth seating could be better, but I did insist on cloth as opposed to leather. A nice velour would have been preferred. It came with Mudflaps, Tinted Glass and body striping at no extra cost. The ABS brakes are also undetectable when driving in the rain and yes, I tested them. It is getting about 25mpg in town and I have not Highwayed it yet.

Here is a photo of her, be nice her name is "Purdy" (Same as the ol' Bronco II she replaced)

cj · 03-02-2006, 09:45 AM

Nice! I like it.

Do you always name your cars? I thought we were the only ones who did that. My Accord is named "Jane". As in "Jane Honda".

CJ

ShokWaveRider · 03-02-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj

Nice! I like it.

Do you always name your cars? I thought we were the only ones who did that. My Accord is named "Jane". As in "Jane Honda".

CJ

Yes, but I always call them the same name. Purdy I, II etc.

SWR

Nords · 03-02-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider

Yes, but I always call them the same name.

When our cars are working they're named "Hers."

When they're not working they're named "Yours."

HFWR · 03-02-2006, 11:02 AM

Same way with kids...

JPatrick · 03-02-2006, 03:10 PM

Nice looking* 8)
Does the Vue have the dent resistant body like the Saturn sedan has?

ShokWaveRider · 03-02-2006, 03:16 PM

Yes, in fact that was one of my likes from a selection perspective. The complete side panels from front to back are composite. The only metal panels are the hood and the liftgate.

SWR

VoyT · 03-02-2006, 06:32 PM

Well, she certainly is Purdy .... I like the color.

Sheryl · 03-02-2006, 06:49 PM

SWR you've done so much research I'm just gonna go buy one.

I'm sick of shopping and researching.

How is the road noise? My RAV is so darn noisy! I've heard the Highlanders are much better, but I'm not excited about shelling out $25,000 for a used one!

ShokWaveRider · 03-02-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheryl

SWR you've done so much research I'm just gonna go buy one.

I'm sick of shopping and researching.

How is the road noise? My RAV is so darn noisy! I've heard the Highlanders are much better, but I'm not excited about shelling out $25,000 for a used one!

Sheryl, As I mentioned previously, it is no Lexus. However, The only car(s) I drove that were noticably quieter were the Subaru Forester and the Kia Sorento. I would not say it is dead quiet, but I certainly can say it is not really noisy either. It tends to depend on the road surface. This leads me to believe it may be the type of tire used. It certainly does not bother me.

Go drive one for yourself and compare. Make sure you check out the rebates first as Saturn do not haggle. But they do not add the shafting dealer fees either.

SWR

Dawg54 · 03-02-2006, 07:42 PM

Very nice. Didn't you say it was under 18k?

ShokWaveRider · 03-02-2006, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOG51

Very nice. Didn't you say it was under 18k?

After Rebates it was $17,890 AND then They took off the amount of my old tired trade. I think I got a good deal for what I paid. And so far.... I would do it again.

SWR

Sheryl · 03-02-2006, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider

After Rebates it was $17,890 The They took off the amount of my old tired trade. I think I got a good deal for what I paid. And so far.... I would do it again.

SWR

Thanks - keep us posted. Especially if you change your mind!

BigMoneyJim · 03-03-2006, 01:34 AM

How does it compare height-wise and space-wise with the Sorento? I drove a rented Sorento and wondered where the tallness went as I didn't seem to have any extra room. My conclusion was they raised the center of gravity for no apparent benefit. The Vue looks lower, but it's hard to tell from a picture. (I'm tall and like higher seats, but if being bigger doesn't result in more room I'm wondering why increase the rollover risk?)

ShokWaveRider · 03-03-2006, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMoneyJim

How does it compare height-wise and space-wise with the Sorento? I drove a rented Sorento and wondered where the tallness went as I didn't seem to have any extra room. My conclusion was they raised the center of gravity for no apparent benefit. The Vue looks lower, but it's hard to tell from a picture. (I'm tall and like higher seats, but if being bigger doesn't result in more room I'm wondering why increase the rollover risk?)

If you check their web site. www.saturn.com you can read the specs on height etc. I think you can DL a brochure also. I am only 5' 10" so I am not a good reference for measurements. There is PLENTY of room for me. It is lower to the ground than my Ol' Bronco II I do know that. I think 8" clearance if I remember correctly, but please do not quote me on that.

SWR

yelnad · 03-03-2006, 08:33 AM

Looks nice!

My forester is named Cooter. (the dogs are Bow and Luke and the large screen TV is Daisy).

ShokWaveRider · 03-04-2006, 08:09 PM

Just thought I would fille you all in. I filled the car up for the first time today. 15 Gallons exactly, 360 miles. General Driving Some Freeway mostly town and city. 24mpg average 87 Octane. $2.20 per gallon here in St. Augustine. So far so good.

SWR

Telly · 03-06-2006, 12:12 AM

SWR, thanks for the VUE info.* Please give us an update as time goes by. I always liked the look of them. The plastic panels are a plus here in big hail country. It would be perfect if the hood and hatch lid were plastic too! (though I realize engine heat would be a big problem for a plastic hood).

For hail repair, replacing cracked/broken/decimated glass is relatively easy. The $$$ and workmanship, or lack thereof, is in the steel or aluminum panel repair.* It can get very ugly. Cars get totalled fast.

The mild-hybrid VUE coming out soon looks interesting. A low premium for the hybrid, might actually get payback with it. And will probably be easier to work on versus the V6 VUE, as it has a 4. V6's in FWD vehicles are much harder to work on.

ShokWaveRider · 03-06-2006, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telly

The mild-hybrid VUE coming out soon looks interesting. A low premium for the hybrid, might actually get payback with it. And will probably be easier to work on versus the V6 VUE, as it has a 4. V6's in FWD vehicles are much harder to work on.

Mine is the 4 2.2l with Manual Transmission. No lack of power. One of my criterion was a Manual transmission. I do not tow or anything though.

SWR

ShokWaveRider · 03-20-2006, 09:20 AM

Still going strong after over a month. Should be I suppose. I ran the car in very carefully for the first 1000 miles. The manual says 500, so I doubled it to be safe. For the first Oil change it will get Mobil 1 Synthetic and then for life. If it was good enough for my 2000 Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo, it will certainly be good enough for the VUE.

I did a 500 mile trip last week in one day and averaged a little over 27mpg freeway at about 75 mph (Except going through Orlando which slows to a crawl at any time). Very comfortable (for the price) and smooth. Easy accellaration between 60 and 85, no problems with overtaking other vehicles. Road noise is average IMHO, again (for the price) and depends on the road surface. I find concrete is a little more noisy than tarmac. I still think it is a good $17k out the door worth of car. We actually cleaned it this weekend and noticed that the roof ws composite also the only steel panels on the car appear to be the hood and the liftgate. In the morning I do get a little noise from the engine, it seems to be a slight whine. As it only happens after being left overnight. I think it is the sound of the alternator. At least based on my experience it sounds like an alternator. I think it is just working harder to top off the battery after a nights rest. It is not bothersome, just more noticable first thing in the morning.

I did read the consumer reports on the car this weekend also and they are not so good. So far I disagree with them. I keep remembering and being pleased with the $17k OTD price tag! But time will tell.

SWR

03-02-2006, 09:38 AM	#1
ShokWaveRider Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 583	Update on Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Well, we have had this car over 2 weeks now. It has actually turned out beyond my expectations. It is tremendous value for the money overall. While it is no Lexus, the upholstery and fittings are not that bad, and the engine has more than enough power for our needs. The most unexpected things I have noticed about it are the quality of the paint, the amount of space inside and the audio. Plenty of rear seat leg room, lots of cargo space, an excellent quality CD Radio unit (Standard). The car even has it's own hands free auto mute phone built in with the On-Star System. The quality of the cloth seating could be better, but I did insist on cloth as opposed to leather. A nice velour would have been preferred. It came with Mudflaps, Tinted Glass and body striping at no extra cost. The ABS brakes are also undetectable when driving in the rain and yes, I tested them. It is getting about 25mpg in town and I have not Highwayed it yet. Here is a photo of her, be nice her name is "Purdy" (Same as the ol' Bronco II she replaced) __________________ Retirement Definition - Not Having To Work, But Not Neccessarily Not Working - SWR 2000

03-02-2006, 09:45 AM	#2
cj Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 308	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Nice! I like it. Do you always name your cars? I thought we were the only ones who did that. My Accord is named "Jane". As in "Jane Honda". CJ

03-02-2006, 11:02 AM	#5
HFWR Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: May 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 5,437	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Same way with kids... __________________ Have Fun When Retired Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense...

03-02-2006, 03:10 PM	#6
JPatrick Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,503	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Nice looking* 8) Does the Vue have the dent resistant body like the Saturn sedan has? __________________ If you do what you've already done, you'll get what you've already got- - - -<

03-02-2006, 03:16 PM	#7
ShokWaveRider Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 583	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Yes, in fact that was one of my likes from a selection perspective. The complete side panels from front to back are composite. The only metal panels are the hood and the liftgate. SWR __________________ Retirement Definition - Not Having To Work, But Not Neccessarily Not Working - SWR 2000

03-02-2006, 06:32 PM	#8
VoyT Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 445	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Well, she certainly is Purdy .... I like the color. __________________ "Coffee: the finest organic suspension ever devised." -- Kathryn Janeway

03-02-2006, 06:49 PM	#9
Sheryl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,461	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo SWR you've done so much research I'm just gonna go buy one. I'm sick of shopping and researching. How is the road noise? My RAV is so darn noisy! I've heard the Highlanders are much better, but I'm not excited about shelling out $25,000 for a used one!

03-02-2006, 07:42 PM	#11
Dawg54 Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 3,228	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Very nice. Didn't you say it was under 18k? __________________ The born loser.

03-03-2006, 01:34 AM	#14
BigMoneyJim Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,390	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo How does it compare height-wise and space-wise with the Sorento? I drove a rented Sorento and wondered where the tallness went as I didn't seem to have any extra room. My conclusion was they raised the center of gravity for no apparent benefit. The Vue looks lower, but it's hard to tell from a picture. (I'm tall and like higher seats, but if being bigger doesn't result in more room I'm wondering why increase the rollover risk?)

03-03-2006, 08:33 AM	#16
yelnad Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 491	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Looks nice! My forester is named Cooter. (the dogs are Bow and Luke and the large screen TV is Daisy). __________________ Yelnad --"What you're paying for is an education, not a room at the Sheraton,and sometimes that education is uncomfortable."- Jim Terhune, Dean of Student Affairs, Colgate University

03-04-2006, 08:09 PM	#17
ShokWaveRider Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 583	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Just thought I would fille you all in. I filled the car up for the first time today. 15 Gallons exactly, 360 miles. General Driving Some Freeway mostly town and city. 24mpg average 87 Octane. $2.20 per gallon here in St. Augustine. So far so good. SWR __________________ Retirement Definition - Not Having To Work, But Not Neccessarily Not Working - SWR 2000

03-06-2006, 12:12 AM	#18
Telly Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 603	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo SWR, thanks for the VUE info.* Please give us an update as time goes by. I always liked the look of them. The plastic panels are a plus here in big hail country. It would be perfect if the hood and hatch lid were plastic too! (though I realize engine heat would be a big problem for a plastic hood). For hail repair, replacing cracked/broken/decimated glass is relatively easy. The $$$ and workmanship, or lack thereof, is in the steel or aluminum panel repair.* It can get very ugly. Cars get totalled fast. The mild-hybrid VUE coming out soon looks interesting. A low premium for the hybrid, might actually get payback with it. And will probably be easier to work on versus the V6 VUE, as it has a 4. V6's in FWD vehicles are much harder to work on. __________________ -- Telly, the D-I-Y guy -- Two fools dancing on the hands of time

03-20-2006, 09:20 AM	#20
ShokWaveRider Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 583	Re: First Looks at Our NUE VUE! (Saturn) - Photo Still going strong after over a month. Should be I suppose. I ran the car in very carefully for the first 1000 miles. The manual says 500, so I doubled it to be safe. For the first Oil change it will get Mobil 1 Synthetic and then for life. If it was good enough for my 2000 Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo, it will certainly be good enough for the VUE. I did a 500 mile trip last week in one day and averaged a little over 27mpg freeway at about 75 mph (Except going through Orlando which slows to a crawl at any time). Very comfortable (for the price) and smooth. Easy accellaration between 60 and 85, no problems with overtaking other vehicles. Road noise is average IMHO, again (for the price) and depends on the road surface. I find concrete is a little more noisy than tarmac. I still think it is a good $17k out the door worth of car. We actually cleaned it this weekend and noticed that the roof ws composite also the only steel panels on the car appear to be the hood and the liftgate. In the morning I do get a little noise from the engine, it seems to be a slight whine. As it only happens after being left overnight. I think it is the sound of the alternator. At least based on my experience it sounds like an alternator. I think it is just working harder to top off the battery after a nights rest. It is not bothersome, just more noticable first thing in the morning. I did read the consumer reports on the car this weekend also and they are not so good. So far I disagree with them. I keep remembering and being pleased with the $17k OTD price tag! But time will tell. SWR __________________ Retirement Definition - Not Having To Work, But Not Neccessarily Not Working - SWR 2000