08 Vue AWD and GM dollars

[slv01sc2]

Does anyone know what AWD system the new Vue will have? Will it have the same system as the current Vues that requires front wheel slippage and is known for RDM (rear differntial module) failures. Anyway, the new Vue looks like a big improvement to me and a possible replacement for my 01 SC2. I know that my wife's 06 Outback is much better in the snow than my uncle's 03 Vue tha is on it' third RDm in 40,000 miles. Thanks in advance for any information.

Second question: I have over $3,000 on my GM Card and would love to apply it to a Saturn. I know that I can use it on a Hummer but not a Saturn Why? Saturn is now just another division of GM. Does anyone know if the Gm Card will allow you to use your money on a Saturn in the future?

[MichaelVUE]

On rare occasions they allowed this on a promotional basis, like when I bought my former 2003 VUE using GM points. I'm pretty sure that the points have always been applicable in Canada, and I've never quite understood the continued exclusion of Saturn from the program in the US.

I would have loved to apply my accumulated points to my 2006 purchase.

Maybe things will change sometime; as I recall Hummers were once excluded as well.

Does anyone know if the Gm Card will allow you to use your money on a Saturn in the future?

[slv01sc2]

Does anyone out there know about the 08 AWD system?

[slv01sc2]

I looked under the specs and the new AWD system is not explained it just says that it is an on demand system, so I guess it is like the current Vue's and needs wheel slippage.

[K-1]

This is how the VersaTrak system works. It's all mechanical and cheaper than an electronically controlled AWD system. Besides, you wouldn't need AWD unless the front wheels were slipping in the first place. So what's the problem?

[Ritz]

This is how the VersaTrak system works. It's all mechanical and cheaper than an electronically controlled AWD system. Besides, you wouldn't need AWD unless the front wheels were slipping in the first place. So what's the problem?

The problem is that it doesn't work well. Perhaps it looks good on paper, but I can tell you from personal experience that it is a substandard solution. In fact, I'm told that it worked better initially, but that Saturn had longevity issues with the rear drive modules (and they still do, apparently). What was their solution? Instead of redesigning the module to be more durable they simply redesigned the system to actuate it only under more pronounced front wheel slippage. That is absolutely insane. When your front wheels are spinning and have no traction, you've got no steering input for your vehicle. Combine that with the already pronounced torque steer and you wind up with a recipe for disaster in the slippery stuff.

Frankly, if Saturn had been more honest about how this system works in their literature, there is no way I would have purchased our VUE. The fact that you've got to dig deep to find this out or hang around the forums for a few months to learn it from people who've been burned says to me that Saturn knows this so they go out of their way to keep this information under wraps.

We like our VUE otherwise, but there is no way we'd buy another.

Cheers,