Comments: 1-15, 16-26
The question should be "What things have not gone wrong with the car" that would be much quicker to type.
2002 VUE I owned: Transmission and clutch failed at 30000miles. (After replacing several computer chips; ignition cylinder housing; and power steering; entire dash and everything else electronic failed.
2005 VUE (FORCED to get in order to junk the above car) received in January - and had several problems before its first oil change.
I have a 2005 Saturn Vue (manual transmission). I received my 2005 after my FABULOUS experience with my 2002 Saturn Vue's (also manual) - let me explain: In the 2002 VUE I had several computer chips fail and replaced causing the loss of power steering; no ability to view the gas gauge; mileage; and speedometer; stalling - estimate of $1,500.00 after those repairs were complete. I also had the ignition housing cylinder replaced (caused by one of the computer chips failing). I continued on the venture with my Saturn VUE only to find that more stalling occurs (ironically on an extremely busy road) and my car coasts slowly to the side of the road. Diagnosis: Need a new transmission and a new clutch at 30,000miles ($3000.00). Having the transmission failure being the last straw, and lets not forget the full day of 'fabulous' customer service from the sales and service center followed by slight threatening of a phone call and letter to GM, they graciously decided to work out a deal to junk that car and start over (in efforts to please the first time buyer to the 'reliable' Saturn family). The 2005 was pretty much a clone to the 2002 (with features) and I decided to put the past behind me and start fresh. However, 3 weeks into my brand new purchase (and a brand new 5 years in debt to Saturn), I had my very first problem. The car would not go into any gears. No fret! My girlfriend and I (both fashioning heels and fashion show attire) were able to push the light weight 'sporty' utility vehicle into a valid parking spot and anxiously awaited the tow truck. After having my car for several days, I was able to return the rental truck (which I loved much more) and drive off with a brand new clutch slave cylinder. I made it to my very first oil change; and right as that occurred, I heard a very disturbing and NEW noise coming from the back of the vehicle. Unaware of at what point of the 3 to 6000 miles my car decided to turn into a 'diesel' - I brought 'ol reliable' in to receive confirmation of this new concern, and after only 3 hours later (for a 1 hour job) I received a new muffler and exhaust clamp! However, I did have to bring it in 2 days later since the problem still existed. I left the Saturn facility today, after being told that they only tightened everything again, and they are "SURE" that the problem will not come back, and that sometimes in the cold - cars make funny noises. After I twirled my hair and batted my eyes, I picked up my keys and vowed never to buy another plastic, I mean Saturn, again.
PS - the 2002 VUE that was junked - the dealer sold it as a used VUE (My deepest sympathies go out to the individual who purchased it).
I find it interesting that GM took this billion dollar gamble
to build vehicles that were supposed to compete with the imports in the areas of reliability and refinement.
Instead they came out with a new name plate the clearly shows that it is brought to you by the makers of other infamous vehicles such as the Vega, Citation, Fiero, Cimmaron et al.
The Saturn Coupes and Sedans are nothing more than a plastic bodied Cavalier, complete with cheap switches, bad electrics and unrefined power-trains.
The Vue is just more of the same GM Mediocrity.
General Motors would've been better served spending the money to breath new life in the Oldsmobile division, instread of snuffing out it's oldest nameplate, and killing off some of their best models in the process.
With GM's 1.1 billion dollar loss in the first quarter of 2005,I wonder which nameplate will be the next to go Buick or Pontiac? (It probably should be Saturn)
The Ion isn't a rebodied Cavalier, it's actually a rebodied Cobalt. Besides, how were the Citation and Cimarron bad cars? They just seem to get a bad rep for no reason...
Actually both are re-skinned Opals from European GM. 2002, Ion was first on the block in the US and the Chevy was able to fix/improve on the Ion set-up to release the Cobalt ('04) and HHR ('05).
Yes, the HHR is on the same chassis as the Ion and Cobalt. And our luckey Canadian friends get the Pontiac Pursuit!
The Cavalier is not at all related to the Opal, other than sharing the Ecotec 2.2 for a couple years.
Early model Fieros were pretty bad I admit, but if you have a 87 or 88 GT then you have one heck of a car. That's when they started to make the Fiero a serious car, but for some reason, the higher ups decided to cut it right when it was getting good. GM, tis tis...
GM kills of every car... once they get it right:
- Fiero
- Impala SS (RWD)
- Stom GSI (Isuzu supply problems???)
- Regal GNX
- Prizm (one of GM's best Toyota products since the 80's Nova!)
What GM should KILL:
- Rendezvous / Aztec
- H2 & H3
- Thankfully the GMC XUT is gone.
I am amazed this person had to pay anything - was it not under warranty? There are horror stories like this from any car dealership. I have a 1986 Fiero with 150,000 miles on it - it still starts like a dream every day. Although it has had proper service by myself. GM is coming out with so many new cars with borrowed parts - how can a mechanic keep up? What is the phone number to Honda again?
I work for Saturn, however my perspective is objective. I firmly believe in truth and honesty. Each persons experiences are different. I have had good and bad experiences with various vehicles and I base my comments on my extensive research. I am fair and a realist.
If you say that GM puts out a cheap product with cheap buttons, levers, etc. then exactly who are you comparing this generality to? Cadillac to Lincon, Saturn to Honda, Chevy to... In reality who are you criticizing!
Well folks... It actually helps if one knows a few things about a car, to include maintenance and actually being able to drive a 5 speed vehicle, before bashing it! Most vehicle problems are caused by lack of vehicular education, and lack of driving skill, to include carelessness and neglect. Can anyone explain why those really, really old cars (i.e. Ford Model T, old VW bugs, vintage Jaguars, GM and Dodge muscle cars) are still on the road and your cars die in less than a few years or months? I think it's the driver, not the car. Saturn is a fine automobile, loaded with incredible technology, and is also a highly recyclable vehicle, a side benefit of polymer body panels, which makes it an environmentally responsible car, unlike many of Japan's "high quality" cars. Take care of your car, learn some driving skills, and your car will take care of you.
How does making a car out of polymers that will decompose in landfills 10,000 years later make the car environmental? It's not weight since the Prius outdoes the Saturn in the mpg area.
As for your the rest of your argument you could not be more wrong.
Bad quality cars result in bad reliability, NOT the owner. Even the most abused car will still run if the quality is there.
And the reason you see old cars on the road is two-fold. Yes, some are reliable, but mainly it's because people took an interest in them and are/were willing to pay a lot to keep them going. After all, do you REALLY think those muscle cars from the 60's and early 70's were the paragon of quality? Don't think so.
In regards to the March 30 reply - Obviously if one cannot drive a stick shift then yes it is most likely going to damage the vehicle, also, one should not assume that just because the transmission and clutch (which by the way are two separate issues and normally will not blow out together) went out that its automatically the person who is driving. It's a nice theory though. A lot of mechanics like to use that one. However, to entertain your analysis - five other vehicles (all stick shift) were owned prior to the VUE and not one problem with the transmission; clutch; etc...infact, one was a GM S10 Pick-Up truck (LOVED IT). You see the point is - the original survey was not written to bash GM so much to make people aware of how bad Saturn has become. GM just invested so much money into Saturn instead of closing them down to try out their new lines of cars (i.e...sky) and it just seems like a waste. Oh - and by the way - you might want to check out how many other reviews were written about the VUE's clutch and transmission - because people who have been driving stick longer then me have had the same exact problem... Guess its not always the driver, now is it.
This comment is more of a question/advice. What do you think about this line of Vues with Honda engine and transmission. How does it stand against Vues with GM engines.
I will only buy Saturn Vue V6 from 2004 because it's a Honda Engine and Transmission, I also like the Dent- and Corrosion-Resistant Polymer Panels that will never rust.
I own a 1996 Saturn SL1 5 speed and have had nothing but good luck with it. I've owned many cars previously, and nothing (save the 1970 Plymouth Duster) even compares to this make.
I own a 2005 Saturn VUE. Right at approximately 30K miles-the car suddenly died while on a busy street. I had to flag a couple of landscapers down to help me push it over to the side of the road and wait for the tow-truck. It needed to have its master CLUTCH cylinder replaced. Ongoing problem has also occurred with the ignition cylinder. While under the mfg warranty- they 'fixed' it by lubing it. Now that the mfg warranty is up and the extended warranty doesn't cover it- I'm just screwed! Also, the window button broke and it's ($183?!?!) to replace? The ignition cylinder is a cool $400 to replace. Nice, huh? I was happy for the first 20K miles or so, but now I'm very frustrated.