Trade from Ion to Vue?

Its always better to drive a car you hate than to live your life in ever increasing debt IMHO... I've heard the new Ions have better handling. Something to consider.

Never lease, always buy. Why over pay for something you will never really own? 3.5 liter V6's in Vue's are made by Honda. Facter in higher service and repair cost on these engines. Also remember gas prices only go one way, and thats up. An AWD V6 Vue gets 19/25 mpg. I dont know what a Redline gets.

If I was looking to get a SUV I would get a FWD Vue with an Ecotec (4 banger) with traction control. Traction control works about as good as AWD but it doesnt eat up gas or add a bunch of costly drivetrain components. Only thing lacking is about 100 hp and torque. The ease of service and savings in gas balances that out to me.

Heres something everyone should think about. In every car commercial what do they advertise; Lease price or Vehicle price? They ALWAYS give you "lease price". Why is that? Because they make MORE money that way. Hint hint, nudge nudge, say no more...

First off, ditch the '03 QC, it has the CVT transmission which Saturn doesnt make anymore. All IONs except red lines of course, use a newer automatic transmission for the '05/'06 year, no more CVT in the same yr 4cyl VUEs either. Thats whay they are also flat-towable too (dolly towing on all 4's behind an RV etc.).

You can get a decent deal on the remaining '05 VUEs, including RL models, but hurry, they are getting hard to find and the sale will end mid Sept.

However - IMHO, the '06 IONs and VUE have been redesigned way classier and sportier then it's predecessors. With the enhanced steering, quiet interior and new interior, (the radios are sweeet) well worth checking out. '06 VUE RLs havent come out yet but will be even nicer. 4cyl VUEs are faster and quieter now IMHO.

One more option to check out is the new 2.4L Quad Coupe, new 170hp, tuned exhaust and steering.

To answer the lease question, with leasing you have many limitations, but it is preferrable to some. Mfgs show lease prices on TV because lease prices can be lower then purchase prices and many ppl still do lease. (Keep in mind that advertised lease ads and finance percentages are based upon an individual). Choose whats right for you.

Saturn.com has been slacking on thier website, but you can see the '06 models on

Many options, happy shopping!

marx404

I've got the manual transmission.

Some other reasons why I want to ditch the ION is that it is horrible to drive in the winter. Since it has the body kit on it, I have to drive extra careful and sometimes I do ground out. Stress cracks have formed on the front lip and the paint is pealing also. Just stuff I don't want to deal with anymore.

I saw the radio in the '06 IONS, very nice. But I do want to go with the VUE because it has more room and is higher off the ground. Also checked out the 170hp ION, also nice. The '06s don't have any financing options right now though, as far as I hear, and no employee pricing.

I get about 420-480KM per tank in my ION depending on how I drive. Does anyone know what the actual is for a FWD/AWD/RL Vue?

I owned a 04 V-6 AWD Vue & traded to a 05. The dealer made me a sweet deal to trade up. I am a travelling sales rep in Manitoba that puts on 60,000 kilometers a year & travel in horrible conditions. I also tow a 3000' boat &

2 snowmobiles in an enclosed trailer. My Vue does this with out breaking a sweat. I get 30 mpg Hiway at 110 kmh & get approxiamately 20-22 mpg in town. This is on a 4.54 liter Canadian gallon.

The saturn dealer here in Houston offer 0.09% APR for 05 VUE . I think not many 05 VUE left , only higher prices Redline. But comparing to my Highlander, I think Saturn VUE price is more reasonable.

blah blah, check out Saturnfans.com to stay ahead of the game. All other websites are behind the times. Cjarlie does an exceptional job of keeping us all informed.

The 2.4 VVT 170hp engine has been released fro the '06 ION QC only, it is out already and available. No news on usage in sedans or VUEs. Basically, tis engine is the same that will be used in the future SKY.

marx404

Trading up to the VUE is too much money right now. They won't give me much for my ION, I'd take a big loss if I did. I'll never both with add ons such as a body kit etc next time.

Perhaps in April I will see what my options are as I will have my degree and be done school anyways. I can manage a 3rd Winter in the ION I suppose :S

Thanks for all the opinions and comments though!

Jon