2002 Saturn VUE FWD review from North America

There were no problems at all until the VUE reached about 5,000 miles. At that time we began to hear a strange noise on the driver's side front of the chassis. The dealer said that the factory failed to put the grease in the strut area properly and corrected it.

It took two trips to the only dealer in the Oklahoma City metro area to get it fixed.

The next problem ocurred shortly thereafter when the windshield seemed to rattle going down the road. This time the dealership corrected the noise in one trip; they installed some padding between the "A" pillars and the windshield. Primitive, but, its worked fine.

After being "burned" by a Chrysler product 21-years ago I had sworn off new cars, especially domestic ones. Thus far I am very satisfied with this Saturn.

We bought this VUE without haggling and with a lot of options (I've had a harder time buying a television set).

Yes, I checked out Honda, Nissan, Geo, KIA, Suzuki, Mazda and Ford vehicles similar to the VUE. When you added on the more luxurious items the competition usually soared over the $18,000 mark. We paid $16,500 for our VUE loaded with creature comforts.

This "SUV" averages between 20 - 30 mpg in a variety of driving conditions.

It doesn't accelerate like an old Trans Am, but it handles better than they did, and you don't feel like your depleting the earth of natural resources when you drive it.

Frankly, I like unusual cars and I am glad no one else has discovered how much of a bargain the Saturn VUE really is!