Aura vs '08 Vue

[Rob Leigh]

I drove the Aura the other day and it is close to the car I might replace my '99 300M with. About the same pep, not quite the same handling, but it has the 6 speed and 3.6 L compared to my 300M's 4 speed (autostick) and 3.5 L.

My question is how could Saturn build (re-badge) the Aura and so totally screw up the new Vue? The '08 Vue, I understand, is heavier, smaller, has no sunroof, etc. What were they thinking? I will never replace my '06 V6 FWD Vue for that piece of overweight junk!

[BobbyP]

Even I wasn't that hard on the 2008 VUE... To be fair we need to wait and see the finished product.

IMO Saturn wasted their time and money tooling up the Mexican plant. They should have just rebadged the Equinox and sold it to us.

A Pontiac Torrent with a better power train wouldn't be a bad ride.

[montrealvue]

My question is how could Saturn build (re-badge) the Aura and so totally screw up the new Vue? The '08 Vue, I understand, is heavier, smaller, has no sunroof, etc. What were they thinking? I will never replace my '06 V6 FWD Vue for that piece of overweight junk!
You base this on what? a spec sheet? Have you driven one? My guess is you haven't. You drive a Chrysler now, you haven't earned the right to criticize something that hasn't even been PRODUCED YET!!!:hmpf:

[Rob Leigh]

montrealvue
I believe I do have the right since I enjoy my '06 V-6 FWD Vue. I certainly will drive the '08 Vue when it comes out. I will then decide how accurate my forecast was. My point was how could Saturn do such a great job on the Aura, build a car competitive with MT's '99 Car of the Year and seem to mess up the new Vue so badly?

BobbyP
When the time comes, you're correct that Pontiac Torrent might be good depending upon the available sports suspension, but it is longer and has a longer wheelbase. I doubt it would handle like my Vue with its Eibach springs.

[montrealvue]

montrealvue
I believe I do have the right since I enjoy my '06 V-6 FWD Vue. I certainly will drive the '08 Vue when it comes out. I will then decide how accurate my forecast was. My point was how could Saturn do such a great job on the Aura, build a car competitive with MT's '99 Car of the Year and seem to mess up the new Vue so badly? I have the same vehicle as you and I love it. I myself am unsure if I will get another Vue next year when my lease is up. On paper, I agree, there are some things I do not like (the new front end or the bumpers for example). However, there are MANY new standard and that the present Vue does not have (stabilitrak, standard side airbags, alloy wheels etc). I still disagree with you that GM messed up the '08 Vue, I think you are assuming it will be a disaster. If anything, the overall package for the '08 Vue will be better than the present one. Test drives of the '08 Opel Antara have come back very favorable. Inform yourself before you open your mouth next time.

[spencerb]

The '08 Vue, I understand, is heavier, smaller, has no sunroof, etc. What were they thinking?I don't care how much my car weighs. I care about its acceleration and fuel economy.

I don't care what the cargo capacity of my car is. I care about whether or not it will hold the stuff I want to put in it.

I think you are reacting to qualities that are only indirectly material. Wait until you drive one, then judge. Or it might be too late if you have prejudiced your opinion.

[sspeer]

I don't care how much my car weighs. I care about its acceleration and fuel economy.

I don't care what the cargo capacity of my car is. I care about whether or not it will hold the stuff I want to put in it.

I think you are reacting to qualities that are only indirectly material. Wait until you drive one, then judge. Or it might be too late if you have prejudiced your opinion.

I agree....the cards are stacked against the VUEv2 for some issues on paper..but numbers can be deceiving..for instance..is the new VUE losing 'usable' cargo space?

I think Charlie mentioned (after sitting in one at the NYIAS) that the floor space is about the same, but the sloping rear hatch could hinder large and tall boxes

The extra weight could hinder performance and fuel economy, but a better suspension and the new 6 speed could alleviate it at least partially..and the extra weight from higher quality materials, sound insulation and a stiffer chassis have their own benefits

[John10]

I certainly will wait until I see and drive the new VUE before I come to any conclusions about it, but I believe Rob Leigh's points at least create questions I will look into. The existing VUE fills an important range of needs in my household at a very attractive price. When it becomes time to replace it, I will be looking for a vehicle that fills a similar niche.

[Charlie]

I think you are reacting to qualities that are only indirectly material. Wait until you drive one, then judge. Or it might be too late if you have prejudiced your opinion.
I couldn't have said this better myself. I have to admit that with all of negative chatter about the new Vues I was a little wary of the '08 when I went to the NY Auto Show last week. But when I walked up and sat in it, I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't feel any smaller than our '05, but it did feel a lot nicer. The interior is much more luxurious and "felt" more solid... even though it was a preproduction model. Pictures don't do it justice either; the new look is much nicer when you see it in person. And I'm really excited about the new powertrain options.

It'll be arriving at retail facilities soon now... check it out before you write it off.

Charlie

[hasitha]

http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/autoshows/07la/brands/saturn/vue.htm

The 08 Vue is a bit shorter in length, a bit wider and a tad taller than the current Vue. Overall cabin space is lrger, but cargo capacity is less than the current car, and the 08's are about 500lbs heavier.

Don't know if this is going to affect mpg numbers or the amount of cargo you can actually carry.

[montrealvue]

It will be very interesting to see how Saturn will price the '08 in Canada. My lease is up next year on my '06 Vue and am hoping to get a slightly larger vehicle. I love the Outlook but it wouldn't fit in my garage, its a mammoth of a truck.

So I decided to check out the '07 Mitsubishi Outlander 2WD on a whim today. I liked what I saw, drove great and is slightly larger than the vehicle I have. So I figured that my '06 was about 30 grand, the Outlander would be 32 grand plus, right? Nope, it comes in nicely dressed for 29 grand :whoa: With Japanese vehicles (yup, its made in Japan) pricing below the predcited price of the next Vue, I wonder how Saturn plans to sell this vehicle? Say hello to incentives, no one will pay MSRP.

[hasitha]

With Japanese vehicles (yup, its made in Japan) pricing below the predcited price of the next Vue, I wonder how Saturn plans to sell this vehicle? Say hello to incentives, no one will pay MSRP.

At least around here, the only vehicles that get consideration for being Japanese are Toyota and Honda. Nissan and Subaru are trailing far behind. Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and Isuzu are not even noticed. Mitsubishi has to price their vehicles low for that reason. Hyundai is a better regarded brand than Mitsubishi. I have a sibling who has owned three Mitsubishi's and swears by them. They may be good, but are not players in the US auto market, and are trailing GM, Ford, and Chrysler in quality rankings. I think the Vue is not threatened by Mitsubishi, but other players (Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai) are credible threats and may stop the Vue from getting MSRP.

[lordkosc]

Has anyone else here test driven a Hyundai SantaFe? It does drive very nice and has a excellent feel of the road when inside, steering is a little overpowered. But I just do not like the interior. Feel really cheap, at least cheap compaired to the 2007 Vue I sat in earlier this week. If the 2008 Vue has a better interior than the 2007, I am easily going to be sold on that aspect.

I hope the 2008's ride well. :yes:

[DeMAN]

I drove the Aura the other day and it is close to the car I might replace my '99 300M with. About the same pep, not quite the same handling, but it has the 6 speed and 3.6 L compared to my 300M's 4 speed (autostick) and 3.5 L.


The Aura is probable in one of the most competitive markets in the industry. It a nice car but its just another midsize. I dont see Saturn bringing in that many more customers from other cars of its size and options.

The Vue will have a better chance in that its a Gen2 version. People already know it exist unlike the Aura.

The Aura would have had to come with more agressive styling to make an impact on its first time out than it did. The Gen2 Aura will have a nicer look than this version if the early photo of the 08/09 Vectra are any indication.

[BobbyP]

http://media.gm.com/us/gm/en/news/events/autoshows/07la/brands/saturn/vue.htm

The 08 Vue is a bit shorter in length, a bit wider and a tad taller than the current Vue. Overall cabin space is larger, but cargo capacity is less than the current car, and the 08's are about 500lbs heavier.

Don't know if this is going to affect mpg numbers or the amount of cargo you can actually carry.

Put 500 lbs in a current VUE and you'll have a close approximation. I did last month moving some equipment.

The current VUE is very accomodating. The ride really smoothes out with 500 lbs inside. It does affect the fuel economy by 1-2 mpg.

IMO one desireable feature on the current VUE, the CAF (cabin air filter), has been eliminated on the 2008 VUE. CAF's are on 90% of the cars in Europe, but domestic car companies have been removing them.