Saturn Vue Reliablility

[robinb]

Last week I asked about Extended Warranties for my 2001 Saab 9-5 Wagon. In the 3 years we have owned it, it has been a frequent visitor to the dealer with many expensive things that have gone wrong. For instance, it is running on it's 3rd turbo and 4th oxygen sensor. The factory warranty expires in a month or two . My DH called our local independent Saab mechanic who fixed our last 1999 9-5 Wagon after it came out of warranty (That '99 gave it's life for a friend who was driving it when she got into an accident.). The mechanic said that he thought that some cars have a "track record" and that ours sounds like one of them. I now don't trust the 2001, even with an extended warranty.

Which brings me to the subject of this post ...

I drove a Saturn Vue in Hawaii and I was pretty impressed with the "get up and go" of the V6 engine. I also thought the car was pretty comfortable, the price is good and the mileage better than most. Everything is good ... except ... Consumer Reports. Man, they hate the car.

What has your experience been with this car? Are you happy with it? Has it been in the shop a lot? Are you happy with the "fit and finish"?

Thanks!

 

[robinb]

It's been a couple hours with no response, so I'm {bumping} my thread .

 

[GoofyDad869]

Car and Driver reviewed the V6 Vue - they loved it. Intellichoice has good things to say about the Vue, too (man, I rhyme...) - they gave it an award for lowest maintenance costs in its class.

We are strongly considering a V6 AWD Vue for an upcoming purchase.

 

[isyne4u]

I own a V6 Vue, its a 2003 model and I LOVE it!! My last 3 cars were all Saturns (I change cars like people change clothes ) I have had it in the shop 2 times for something other than the oil changes. Once when I tried to start it and it flat out refused to turn over..it made a funny noise and then told me to go away! So I had it towed in to Saturn (I had only had it 3 months) and it was somthing to do with the weather had rapidly and yada yada I missed the rest because it made no sense. But the solution was to give it gas and then turn it over and it has worked ever since.

The only other time was a couple of months ago when the "check engine light" came on. This time it wasn't the car it was the operator. I hadn't put the gas cap on and there was air in the system. Once they put the cap on and reset the switch (at no cost thank goodness....they felt sorry for my embarassment!) it was fine.

I love my VUE and will only trade in when I'm ready for the Relay! I just wish it had a self cleaning button like my oven!

tara

 

[robinb]

Thanks GoofyDad869 . I read both those reviews.

We're also looking at the Saab 9-2X. My DH just loves Saabs, even though our 9-5 appears to be a lemon. The 9-2X is essentially a Subaru Impreza WRX with Saab re-styling. One review called it "Sushi wrapped in a Swedish Pancake". My DH works for IBM so we get the "GM Supplier's Discount" on both cars. That's about 5% off MSRP on the Saturn and 12% off the Saab, plus incentives.

One advantage with the Vue is that I can get a DVD player .

 

[GoofyDad869]

I've also heard the 9-2x called a "Saab-aru".

I love my VUE and will only trade in when I'm ready for the Relay!

We test drove the Relay and a V6 Vue literally back-to-back. We were impressed with the Relay too.

Is the Red Line Vue just cosmetic (larger wheel/tires, body panels) or are there power improvements?

 

[ktglads]

Another 2003 Vue owner here (AWD V6). Again, I have had it in for repairs a grand total of 3 times in the 3.5 years I have had the car. None of them were expensive (all covered under the warranty or a recall) and I had my car within hours each time. I really love my car and I have had SO many fewer issues than others who bought new cars around the same time I did

The only thing I dislike is the tires. No one tells you that there is only one model tire you can put on the car and it generally needs to be specially ordered from the tire shops. They run at a little over $100 each so they are pretty pricey compared to some tires out there

 

[robinb]

Is the Red Line Vue just cosmetic (larger wheel/tires, body panels) or are there power improvements?

AFAIK, the Red Line is all cosmetics, no other power improvements. It does come with the 6-way power driver seat and leather, options that I want anyway. But ... those bigger tires are gonna cost more to replace! We usually keep our cars for a long time, so maintanence costs are important. I had an Izuzu that lasted for 9 years, a we had 3 Toyotas that lasted for 9-10 years each. We really didn't think we would give up the 9-5 after only 3 years .

 

[kydisneyfans]

Another 03 Vue owner here-
it has been in the shop one time for repair-the computer module went dead. About 400 out of pocket. Tires are more expensive, but found a General Tire on Wal mart's website delivered to the store for 63.00 each-plus I always buy the tire protection. About 325 out the door.

We are happy with the mileage and pickup-and are awaiting for the first batch of used Relay's to hit the lots as we eventually want to go back to a van.