Saturn VUE or Pontiac Torrent?

[moopdog]

I need something GREAT on gas, good in the winter, and comfy for 3 people in the back....also that is reliable and not bad looking. I have NO experience with Saturn, does anyone have the VUE (2008 version)? What about the Torrent (I think that's what it's called). TIA!

 

[harleyquinn]

The Vue gets slightly better mileage than the Torrent.

www.fueleconomy.gov

www.edmunds.com --you can compare them and lots of other cars and see LOTS of reviews.

I LOVE Saturn, but I'll be getting a Pontiac Vibe since it gets WAY better fuel economy without scarificing a lot of space.

Good luck with your search.

 

[sunlover13]

I do not have an opinion either way, but if you are buying new and need a GM discount, PM me. I can give 1 away per month and have not given any away for June. You do not have to use it in June, I just have to request the authorization number by June 30. I think it is good for 6 months.

It can be anywhere from 1,500 to 5,000 off the MSRP depending on the vehicle.

You can see the discount at gmfamilyfirst.com. Check out the GM Supplier & Friends discount.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[paladin]

We have a Saturn Vue (though it is a 2005, not a 2008) and LOVE it. In fact, it is our 3rd Saturn and we have loved them all. We also like the no-haggle pricing. We definetly recommend Saturn.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Golf4food]

FYI - Saturn is doing a 72 hour sale this weekend with 0% financing for 72 months and the 2008 Vue is included. Some people are also eligible for an additional $2,000 cash allowance on top of the special 0% financing.

If it is gas mileage that matters most, the Vue gets better than the Torrent (or the Chevy Equinox, which is exactly the same as the Torrent), especially if you get a 4 cyl engine in the Vue, whereas the Torrent and Equinox ONLY come with a V6. If you are not hauling heavy loads (like a trailer) then you don't need the V6, but you might if you are in rough winter weather on hills... up to you.

We have a Ford Escape that gets slightly better mileage than either of them, but test drove both ot the others before deciding.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Just wanted to add my opinion here...
The DH and I have a friend who works at a Pontiac dealership as a mechanic. We had asked him about the Torrents since I use to have an Equinox and had a lot of trouble out of it. He told us that the Torrents were having huge problems and that he would not recommend purchasing one. Of course, he told me the same thing about my Equinox before we bought it, and I didn't listen...just had to have it. I traded it at the end of April...turns out he was right...can't even tell you what all went wrong on that vehicle.

 

[Pennsy22]

We have a Pontiac Vibe and just bought a Torrent in November. We wish we had gotten another Vibe - it does not get good gas mileage matter of fact; it seems to be getting worse gas mileage than it did when we first got it!

 

[harleyquinn]

FYI - Saturn is doing a 72 hour sale this weekend with 0% financing for 72 months and the 2008 Vue is included. Some people are also eligible for an additional $2,000 cash allowance on top of the special 0% financing.

I thought it was either or and not both for anyone? Maybe its regional? When I search at GM.com it's 0% OR $2500

We have a Pontiac Vibe and just bought a Torrent in November. We wish we had gotten another Vibe - it does not get good gas mileage matter of fact; it seems to be getting worse gas mileage than it did when we first got it!

Do you really like your Vibe? I want a Vue, but I'm going to be realistic about our needs and go with the Vibe. Sorry to hijack!

 

[ericamanda01]

We have had our Vue since 2005 and love it! I don't know much about the Pontiac, so I am a little biased. But if what the others are saying about the mileage I would go with the Vue based on that alone. Gas isn't going to get cheaper any time soon.

 

[asmit4]

We will be making this exact decision in about 8 months! We want to upgrade our Pontiac G6 to a small SUV or crossover. I am currently considering the VUE, the Torrent, the equinox and the Ford Edge...I LOVE the edge but it's a lot of $$$.

We also have a GM family discount so the Edge is well, edged out by the GM cars! LOL!

Goodluck with your choice! I have not test driven the vehicles so I have no idea what I am going to choose.

 

[thewesterberg]

We just bought an Equinox (same as the Torrent) last Monday after looking at nearly a million vehicles - Vibes, Jeep Patriot, Forrester, etc. One of those other cars was a Vue.

We went with the Equniox because we needed something to pull our small pop up camper, and DH is a bigger guy. I was sad that he didn't fit in the Vibe because of it's good gas mileage (thinking, are we really going to pull the camper anywhere these days?!). Also wanted something with AWD, living in Northern Minnesota.

I liked the Equinox/Torrent over the Vue for a few reasons, one being the back seat slides something like 8 inches front to back, so there's tons of leg room, but the flexibility to have more cargo room. I didn't see this on the Vue, maybe they've added it in 2008??

We started out looking at used, but found a new '08 Equinox for close to $7K off and it was only $400 more than a used one that had 20,000+ miles. Ends up someone besides the manager put the newspaper ad together for that week and made a goof. The Equinox is actually selling vs Suburbans/Yukons, but this person discounted it like it wasn't. They honored the price and we got an amazing deal. It was something like $4K below what Edmunds.com thought was a great deal.

Having it now for close to 2 weeks and we're loving it. On a highway trip, we got between 24-26 mpg. Not bad considering it has the bigger engine and it's AWD.

Anyhow, just thought I'd share some of our experience and maybe you can take something from it! Happy car shopping!

 

[heatherplus3]

We just bought our 2008 VUE a few months ago and we LOVE it. We looked for a long time at a lot of cars, and are so happy we ended up with a Saturn. Have you looked at one in person? We were really suprised with the standard features.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We traded a 2003 Vue for a 2008 Vue late last year.

So far we have been very happy with the trade.

Gas mileage was very poor the first 3,000-5,000 miles, below 20 on the highway. Once the vehicle was broken in, we are exceeding the 26 mpg on the sticker for the highway. We like everything from the appearance to the handling and space, all for a price lower than most cars.

We used a $2,000. discount and hardballed for a low interest rate, which we got through Chase.

 

[kristin1724]

I just wanted to say that we have a 2005 Equinox and have been really happy with it. We haven't had anything go wrong with it except window module went out but it was under warranty so it was covered. We also looked at the Vue and as the pp said, the leg room is awesome in the Equinox. Everyone who rides in the backseat goes on and on about how roomy it is (including my dad who is a big guy!). We commute 40 miles one way for work and we get about 21-23 mpg which isn't great but it isn't horrible either and it does have the V-6 engine. We're expecting our first child and wanted something that was easier to get a child in and out of the child seat.

 

[AuntieDuck]

I picked up my new 2008 Vue last night and I believe that I made a very good
decision. I wanted On Star as I have a long commute to work. I'm very pleased with my purchase.

 

[DiznEeyore]

I love my '07 VUE. I want to keep it forever!

That being said, I was not as impressed with the '08 VUE I had to drive earlier this week when mine was in for some service. It's definitely smaller, passenger-wise and cargo-wise than my '07. My dh is 6'3" and his right knee was wedged against the center part of the dash when he drove. He complained mightily about that. I'm only 5'1" so it wasn't an issue for me. I also wasn't crazy about the center-console setup, but that's just a personal pet peeve of mine.

I'm a big believer in really trying out a vehicle for "fit" before buying. If the things that bugged us aren't an issue for you, I can heartily recommend Saturns. The VUE is our 3rd and we've had no trouble w/them at all.

 

[Fire14]

I own a used 03 VUE and love it. If I have a choice when renting I take the Vue or the equinox. I personally love saturn as a company.

 

[Lori-n-NY]

I have a 2008 VUE i bought about 6 weeks ago and so far I love it.

I have been driving Saturn cars since 1999. Started with a small 3 door coupe, then moved to a SL1 in 2002 and an ION in 2005. I leased those three so at the end of 3 years they went back and I got a new one. I did buy this time, GMAC gave me $2000 credit because I went from a lease to a buy. And Saturn loyalty program gave me another $3000. I am only 4'11" and did not want to feel lost in a SUV after driving the VUE I knew that's what I wanted.

AS others has said..they like their VUE and wouldn't trade it.

Good luck with what ever you decide.
Lori

 

[moopdog]

We just bought our 2008 VUE a few months ago and we LOVE it. We looked for a long time at a lot of cars, and are so happy we ended up with a Saturn. Have you looked at one in person? We were really suprised with the standard features.

No, actually we have NOT seen one in person yet. I plan to go on Saturday. I think they are different that old Vue's right? I do not really care for the old style, but in pictures, the 2008 looks much better. What are some nice standard features?

 

[NJFireman22]

Our DD, has a 2008 Vue and she loves it, no problems, good mileage, best of all roomy. It has AWD and has a great saftey rating. Saturn was so nice to deal with,matter of fact the salesman still calls at least once every few months to see how things are with it, she bought the car last Aug. and she is planning on driving to the mouse in Sept.