Re: Opinions please 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine

#1

The newer 2.4L 4 cyl ecotec engine is one of the most popular and durable
engines out there. Yes, the 6 would be much quicker than the 4 we are
talking 169hp vs 257hp, big difference. Despite the smaller engine, it is
durable and requires little maintenance. I have an ION with the smaller
ecotec 2.2L engine, have had it for a yr and it has held up well so far.
Most that I talk to have been very happy with the 4cyl engine.

Depending on how your daughter will treat her car, no engine, not a 4, 6 or
8 will be durable enough if you treat it like a disposable appliance. Treat
your car good and it will treat you good, 4 or 6. That said, if she intends
to beat on the car and is concerned about gas mileage , you are defeating
your purpose, but as long as she properly maintains the car it will hold up
well, even if she races it.

Most Saturn stores still stick to the "No Hassle No Haggle" prices and
policy they are famous for, don't expect to wheel and deal like you can at
Chevy or KIA. Don't be disappointed if they tell you so. Do expect that if
the dealership is run like a traditional Saturn store that you will leave
happily with a good deal.
--
marx404

_________________
"Hang_Traitor_Democrats" <liars_thieves (AT) DemocratsDestroyingAmerica (DOT) com>
wrote in message news:4814caab$0$31731$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com...

Quote:

My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to tolerate
it because of the extra gas mileage.

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

Daughter is a bit concerned about the four banger as she us afraid the
engine and transmission will wear out too quickly.

So owner opinions are appreciated.

Also, I noticed that some people on this group claim they negotiated the
price on the Saturn vehicles. I thought Saturn did not do this so what is
the secret?

#2

I can't speak for the '08, as this is a new design Vue (Opel), but I have an
'06 with the 4 cyl.

Yes, getting it up to speed takes a little bit when comparing, but once
you're cruising above 45, it sprints up to higher speed rather decently. I
will also let you know the tranny makes a big difference. I don't know if
the '08 is still available with the 5 speed stick, but if so and your
daughter likes/can drive stick, go that route. The stick easily gets much
better mileage than the auto both around town and on the highway, in part
because you have control on the shift patterns in getting it up to speed as
well as some other reasons. I also believe cruising RPM is lower with a
stick because of the ratio. Others will be able to fill you in better if
you're looking for specifics. The other main thing between the two is
durability. The 4 cyl, as was mentioned, is very durable and has a timing
chain as opposed to the 6 cyl Honda with a belt. The manual tranny is a (I
believe) Italian solid, bullet-proof tranny. I get 24 city and got 29-30 on
the highway on a recent trip. My father got a 6cyl auto 1 week after I
bought mine. I have 60K on mine and have only had to change the front
bearings and am still on my factory tires and brakes. My father is heavy on
the brakes and does not rotate his tires regularly and just got a huge bill
at his 35K check up (needed new front tires, brakes, etc)

I would stick to the stick and 4cyl as my opinion (if available)

IYM

"Hang_Traitor_Democrats" <liars_thieves (AT) DemocratsDestroyingAmerica (DOT) com>
wrote in message news:4814caab$0$31731$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com...

Quote:

My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to tolerate
it because of the extra gas mileage.

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

Daughter is a bit concerned about the four banger as she us afraid the
engine and transmission will wear out too quickly.

So owner opinions are appreciated.

Also, I noticed that some people on this group claim they negotiated the
price on the Saturn vehicles. I thought Saturn did not do this so what is
the secret?

#3

PerfectReign wrote:

Quote:

Hang_Traitor_Democrats turned on the Etch-A-Sketch and wrote:

My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to
tolerate it because of the extra gas mileage.

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

I have the 2005 V6 with the Honda engine.

I don't know about the Vue, but I just recently rented a dodge caliber
four-banger.

I can tell you, it is bizarre driving a 4-cylinder. Of course, my DD is a
Chevy Avalanche with the 5.3L V8, so going to an I4 is a serious change.
But I drove the V6 Saturn today and felt much more in control having the
extra two cylinders.

I mistakenly bought a first-year Honda CR-V. The 4 cylinder engine was
anemic, and once driving to Yosemite I took a short cut that I usually
take, and I thought I'd have to back down this steep mountain road (Old
Priest Grade). Yet in future revisions they improved the 4 cylinder to
the point where it was at least adequate. Still, it soured me on Honda.
On Sunday I had to drive a relatives '98 Honda Accord and I was amazed
at how poor it handled compared to a Camry of similar vintage. It's just
hard to generalize about 4 cylinder engines. The newer Accord and Camry
have very good 4 cylinder engines, that have increased HP to more than
keep up with their increasing weight.

#4

The 4 cyl is much more powerful in the '08 than the '07 by 26hp (143 vs
169hp).There is no more stick option in the VUE but the automatic tranny can
be manually gear changed for towing etc...Honduh and Toyota 4 cylindrs tend
to be anemic especially in the lower cost models. I have personally gotten
stuck going uphill in a corolla and had to get out and push, never had that
trouble in my old 1.9L SL2. The new VUE 4 cylinder is a 2.4L a deriviatve of
the SKY engine. I suggest driving both 4 and 6 cyl, then decide which meets
your needs best, which is nothing anybody else can tell you.

--
marx404

_________________
"SMS" <scharf.steven (AT) geemail (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

PerfectReign wrote:
Hang_Traitor_Democrats turned on the Etch-A-Sketch and wrote:

My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to
tolerate it because of the extra gas mileage.

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

I have the 2005 V6 with the Honda engine. I don't know about the Vue,
but I just recently rented a dodge caliber
four-banger.

I can tell you, it is bizarre driving a 4-cylinder. Of course, my DD is a
Chevy Avalanche with the 5.3L V8, so going to an I4 is a serious change.
But I drove the V6 Saturn today and felt much more in control having the
extra two cylinders.

I mistakenly bought a first-year Honda CR-V. The 4 cylinder engine was
anemic, and once driving to Yosemite I took a short cut that I usually
take, and I thought I'd have to back down this steep mountain road (Old
Priest Grade). Yet in future revisions they improved the 4 cylinder to the
point where it was at least adequate. Still, it soured me on Honda. On
Sunday I had to drive a relatives '98 Honda Accord and I was amazed at how
poor it handled compared to a Camry of similar vintage. It's just hard to
generalize about 4 cylinder engines. The newer Accord and Camry have very
good 4 cylinder engines, that have increased HP to more than keep up with
their increasing weight.

#5

In article <4814caab$0$31731$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com>,
liars_thieves (AT) DemocratsDestroyingAmerica (DOT) com says...

Quote:

My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to
tolerate it because of the extra gas mileage.

The 2.4 gets less mileage than the previous 2.2 and the 2.4 requires
higher octane fuel.

Quote:

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

I test drove the previous Vue, 2.2L - 4 speed auto. I thought it was a
great SUV. The only kind of SUV I would own. (just never with a CVT)

Quote:

Daughter is a bit concerned about the four banger as she us afraid the
engine and transmission will wear out too quickly.

The new Vue's weigh 3825lbs, the old ones were a good deal lighter
IIRC. The powertrains were always solid so the added weight should have
no impact. If it "wears out" it will be from someone not changing the
fluids.

Quote:

So owner opinions are appreciated.

Also, I noticed that some people on this group claim they negotiated the
price on the Saturn vehicles. I thought Saturn did not do this so what
is the secret?

My opinion on the new Vue's is to stay away if you do not like imported
automobiles. Neither the Powertrain or Chassis is made in the States.
(Even though they cost more than the previous vue!) My advice is to save
yourself some money by buying a used 2.2L vue.
Also look at the Pontiac Vibes. The Vibe is the same thing as a Toyota
Matrix only it looks a hell of a lot better. It is at the very least
assembled in America, it has a 'timing chain', and it gets even better
gas mileage.

-poster formally known as BlaBla

PS:
RepublicansDestroyAmerica (AT) gmail (DOT) com is also SMS/Steven Scharf so expect
some stuff to be made up or distorted. (If it wasn't already obvious...)

#6

In article <67p079F2l236nU1 (AT) mid (DOT) individual.net>,
theperfectreign (AT) yahoo (DOT) com says...

Quote:

=3FCronus=3F turned on the Etch-A-Sketch and wrote:

Also look at the Pontiac Vibes. The Vibe is the same thing as a Toyota
Matrix only it looks a hell of a lot better. It is at the very least
assembled in America, it has a 'timing chain', and it gets even better
gas mileage.

Timing chain would be a good thing. I wish my wife's Vue had one.

-poster formally known as BlaBla

Why the nymshift? I liked blabla better.

Thanks but I felt it was time to retire it. It was originally blahblah
which was just me quickly filling in the required information so I could
post some quick replies. It seems ?Cronus? came out wrong. the =3f was
supposed to be a 'special character'. Cronus is associated with the
planet Saturn by the Romans so unlike before this name has some thought
put into it.

#7

The 2.4L in the VUE does not require premium fuel as the SKY does, regular
fuel will do.

--
marx404

_________________
"=3FCronus=3F" <trollw (AT) tch (DOT) er> wrote

Quote:

In article <4814caab$0$31731$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com>,
liars_thieves (AT) DemocratsDestroyingAmerica (DOT) com says...
My daughter is looking at the 2008 Vue with 4 cylinder engine. She wants
the 4 because of the price and fuel economy being better than the 6. We
have driven it and know it is not peppy like a 6, but willing to
tolerate it because of the extra gas mileage.

The 2.4 gets less mileage than the previous 2.2 and the 2.4 requires
higher octane fuel.

What are your opinions of the vehicle as an owner?

I test drove the previous Vue, 2.2L - 4 speed auto. I thought it was a
great SUV. The only kind of SUV I would own. (just never with a CVT)

Daughter is a bit concerned about the four banger as she us afraid the
engine and transmission will wear out too quickly.

The new Vue's weigh 3825lbs, the old ones were a good deal lighter
IIRC. The powertrains were always solid so the added weight should have
no impact. If it "wears out" it will be from someone not changing the
fluids.

So owner opinions are appreciated.

Also, I noticed that some people on this group claim they negotiated the
price on the Saturn vehicles. I thought Saturn did not do this so what
is the secret?

My opinion on the new Vue's is to stay away if you do not like imported
automobiles. Neither the Powertrain or Chassis is made in the States.
(Even though they cost more than the previous vue!) My advice is to save
yourself some money by buying a used 2.2L vue.
Also look at the Pontiac Vibes. The Vibe is the same thing as a Toyota
Matrix only it looks a hell of a lot better. It is at the very least
assembled in America, it has a 'timing chain', and it gets even better
gas mileage.

-poster formally known as BlaBla

PS:
RepublicansDestroyAmerica (AT) gmail (DOT) com is also SMS/Steven Scharf so expect
some stuff to be made up or distorted. (If it wasn't already obvious...)

#8

Sorry AFAIK, the 2.4L IS made in the US, the VUE is assembled in Aripez
Mexico (I'm none too happy 'bout that, but look at the great improvement in
quality now). NONE of the new VUE models have a timing belt, all have chains
and are VVT. The 2.4L is a derivative of the SKY engine but only requires
regular gas, not premium and the 6cyl is a derivative of the Cadillac CTS.
Both of these engines come from the US. The transmission on both of these
vehicles is a derivative of the GM Hydra-matic. Saturn stopped using the
Honduh (belt driven) engine in '07 models as well as the 2.2L was retired.
CVT engines were a flop and retired with the '04 model year, replaced by
aisin (borg-warner) and hydra-matics. According to www.gmpowertrain.com
Ecotecs (well at least '08 and under models) were mfg in Spring Hill, the
Hydra-matics are made in Windsor, Ontario.

The only thing I do agree with is about the new 2009 Vibe GT (ala Matrix).
The '09 models look less like a mutant milk truck and have a very sporty
appeal to them. I like the new look Pontiac is going for. A definite
contender against the VUE. However, lets compare HP ratings according to
Cars.com:

2008 VUE
---------------
169-hp 2.4-liter I-4
222-hp 3.5-liter V-6
257-hp 3.6-liter V-6

2009 Vibe
---------------
132-hp 1.8-liter I-4
158-hp 2.4-liter I-4

Obviously, with the smaller engine, the Vibe would yield a few more (32mpg)
over the VUE (26mpg). As well I believe that the VUE is a much heavier
vehicle too.

More useful information can be researched here:

www.cars.com
www.gmpowertrain.com
www.autos.msn.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------
marx404

#9

In article <4817d311$0$31757$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com>, 404 (AT) 404 (DOT) com
says...

Quote:

Sorry AFAIK, the 2.4L IS made in the US, the VUE is assembled in Aripez

You seem to be correct on this 2.4 engine (Spring Hill, Tenn.).
Seems like I seen these ecotecs were being made in Germany.

Quote:

Mexico (I'm none too happy 'bout that, but look at the great improvement in

For their price I'd rather they were made in Spring Hill.

Quote:

quality now). NONE of the new VUE models have a timing belt, all have chains
and are VVT. The 2.4L is a derivative of the SKY engine but only requires

And what is the Sky engine a derivative of...

Quote:

regular gas, not premium and the 6cyl is a derivative of the Cadillac CTS.
Both of these engines come from the US. The transmission on both of these

There are two V6's offered in the Vue.
A 3.5 which is based on the 2.8/3.1 GM engines but with VVT and a dry
intake.
Not sure where they're making these. Michigan perhaps.
(AKA GM's High-Value engine)

A 3.6 which is GM's global engine.
Produced in Ontario Canada and Port Melbourne Australia.
(AKA GM's High-Feature engine)
**Used in some Cadillacs, NOT CADILLACS ENGINE**

Quote:

vehicles is a derivative of the GM Hydra-matic. Saturn stopped using the

The 6T70 is produced in Warren Michigan
The 4T45 is produced in Ontario Canada

Quote:

Honduh (belt driven) engine in '07 models as well as the 2.2L was retired.
CVT engines were a flop and retired with the '04 model year, replaced by

CVT engines? Uh what are those?

Quote:

aisin (borg-warner) and hydra-matics. According to www.gmpowertrain.com
Ecotecs (well at least '08 and under models) were mfg in Spring Hill, the
Hydra-matics are made in Windsor, Ontario.
[snip]
contender against the VUE. However, lets compare HP ratings according to
Cars.com:

2008 VUE
---------------
169-hp 2.4-liter I-4
222-hp 3.5-liter V-6
257-hp 3.6-liter V-6

2009 Vibe
---------------
132-hp 1.8-liter I-4
158-hp 2.4-liter I-4

Never noticed the 2.4 before. New Toyota motor... Gas mileage isnt that
great but thats not the one I would suggest the OP to look at.
With gas nearing 4 dollars a gallon this is the one to look at
1.8L 132HP 26/32 mpg

Quote:

Obviously, with the smaller engine, the Vibe would yield a few more (32mpg)
over the VUE (26mpg). As well I believe that the VUE is a much heavier
vehicle too.

The vibe weighs about 3000lbs depending on auto/manual trans. The 1.8L
will have no issue pulling it. This is more on par with Astra Coupe
which weighs about 100lbs less. The reasons why I didnt suggest the
Astra is that it is imported, has 2 doors, and has a timing belt...

((I'm not even sure the OP is still watching this thread.))

#10

Cronus? BlahBlah? Im sooo confused, lol.

Of course, I am a veritable catalogue of useless knowledge, haha. Wikipedia
shows that the Ecotec was originally developed by GM Europe division for use
in the Opel models, which (ahem) are sisters of Saturn and have actually
been since the inception of the Saturn L-series (Opel Vectra). Opel is made
in GmBh, S. America and other parts of the world and as well AKA Vauxhall.
The Ecotec was also designed and used in other brands such as Lotus when
they were under the GM name.

BTW - the SKY was originally designed in 2003 for the '04 Frankfurt Auto
Show as a concept car for none other than Vauxhall, the following year the
chassis design went to failing Pontiac to be trialed as the Solstice, was a
smashing success and later went on as the full scale concept design under
the Saturn SKY.

--
marx404

_________________
"-Cronus-" <trollw (AT) tch (DOT) er> wrote

Quote:

In article <4817d311$0$31757$4c368faf (AT) roadrunner (DOT) com>, 404 (AT) 404 (DOT) com
says...
Sorry AFAIK, the 2.4L IS made in the US, the VUE is assembled in Aripez

You seem to be correct on this 2.4 engine (Spring Hill, Tenn.).
Seems like I seen these ecotecs were being made in Germany.

Mexico (I'm none too happy 'bout that, but look at the great improvement
in

For their price I'd rather they were made in Spring Hill.

quality now). NONE of the new VUE models have a timing belt, all have
chains
and are VVT. The 2.4L is a derivative of the SKY engine but only requires

And what is the Sky engine a derivative of...

regular gas, not premium and the 6cyl is a derivative of the Cadillac
CTS.
Both of these engines come from the US. The transmission on both of these

There are two V6's offered in the Vue.
A 3.5 which is based on the 2.8/3.1 GM engines but with VVT and a dry
intake.
Not sure where they're making these. Michigan perhaps.
(AKA GM's High-Value engine)

A 3.6 which is GM's global engine.
Produced in Ontario Canada and Port Melbourne Australia.
(AKA GM's High-Feature engine)
**Used in some Cadillacs, NOT CADILLACS ENGINE**

vehicles is a derivative of the GM Hydra-matic. Saturn stopped using the

The 6T70 is produced in Warren Michigan
The 4T45 is produced in Ontario Canada

Honduh (belt driven) engine in '07 models as well as the 2.2L was
retired.
CVT engines were a flop and retired with the '04 model year, replaced by

CVT engines? Uh what are those?

aisin (borg-warner) and hydra-matics. According to www.gmpowertrain.com
Ecotecs (well at least '08 and under models) were mfg in Spring Hill, the
Hydra-matics are made in Windsor, Ontario.
[snip]
contender against the VUE. However, lets compare HP ratings according to
Cars.com:

2008 VUE
---------------
169-hp 2.4-liter I-4
222-hp 3.5-liter V-6
257-hp 3.6-liter V-6

2009 Vibe
---------------
132-hp 1.8-liter I-4
158-hp 2.4-liter I-4

Never noticed the 2.4 before. New Toyota motor... Gas mileage isnt that
great but thats not the one I would suggest the OP to look at.
With gas nearing 4 dollars a gallon this is the one to look at
1.8L 132HP 26/32 mpg

Obviously, with the smaller engine, the Vibe would yield a few more
(32mpg)
over the VUE (26mpg). As well I believe that the VUE is a much heavier
vehicle too.

The vibe weighs about 3000lbs depending on auto/manual trans. The 1.8L
will have no issue pulling it. This is more on par with Astra Coupe
which weighs about 100lbs less. The reasons why I didnt suggest the
Astra is that it is imported, has 2 doors, and has a timing belt...

((I'm not even sure the OP is still watching this thread.))