Do I dare get a Saturn?

[jmg]

I am going to be in the market for a crossover type vehicle later this year. Looking for recommendations. I have a 50 mile roundtrip commute so i need decent mpg. with the threat of $5/gal. gas, but I also need something to tow a 1,300-1,500lb. boat,motor and trailer.

I've noticed some great deals on Saturn Vues, but am worried about parts availability, since they are no longer made- or do they have enough Equinox parts in them to keep 'em going for a long time?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Do plan to get a 4x4 or all wheel drive something.

Thanks

[leech~~]

I have a 2006 Vue that came with the Honda motor and drive train. That would be the only one I would look for as it may hold some value since you can still get it serviced at Honda. The Honda motor has some good power and I pull my boat and sled trailer with no issues. I have talked to the old Saturn dealers and they said that they will be carrying parts for all their cars for some time to come. I think it maybe some kind of law that they have to provide parts for so long?

[Jeremy airjer W]

That's the only way I would buy a Vue as well. Honda powertrain! The rest of the stuff is just nuts and bolts.

[island guy]

Which year(s) VUE's have the honda powertrain?

[ted4887]

I think it maybe some kind of law that they have to provide parts for so long?

If I remember from my Pontiac days correctly, I believe it's 10 years post-manufacturing date that parts must be availible for the vehicle.

[Scott K]

Unless the company files bankruptcy, in which they did!

[leech~~]

Which year(s) VUE's have the honda powertrain?

If I remember it was only about 2-3 years they did it right around 2006? You maybe able to look it up on line?

[deadeye]

Its on Wikipidia.

I think it was for the first 3 or 4 years they were made. That motor and transmission are both the honda and I would have no problem owning one of them. Very solid vehicles.

When I was looking at cars this past month that was one of the ones I had on my list too. I ended up getting a Outback and so far I am very happy with it. Similar specs as far as towing ect but a bit better mileage. I have had it out on the lake and it did as good as my Blazer did so thats all I can ask.

[jmg]

Deadeye. Thanks for the info on the Outback, since the Outback and the Forester are also on my list, along with the Sante Fe, Escape and Equinox. Any pros or cons on these? This process gets frustrating after awhile, esp. when I can't buy new. Appreciate everyone's input.

[Jeremy airjer W]

The sante fe is a full frame rear wheel drive vehicle. Much better setup if there will be any towing and a little bigger than the Saturn I think. All the others you mentioned are nothing more than cars with lift kits.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I should mention that about once a month we get an equinox with around 40k with a blown head gasket.

[G.J.]

There is a body shop tech that plays on my Tuesday pool league team and tonight out of the blue he throws out if your going to buy a vehicle, stay away from saturn. He went on to say they've had two vues in the shop that both took over a week extra to repair because of the delay in finding parts. I remembered this thread and thought I'd post the info for whatever it's worth.

[jmg]

Thanks so much for the info. I was worried about that(parts availability).

Also found out that the last year they used the Honda powertrain seems to be 2007.

That means finding a Vue with low miles from that era is pretty slim. Will keep on looking. Thanks to all who replied.