2004 4-cylinder Vue (this is bad)

me · 06-02-2004, 08:20 PM

My wife and I just purchased a 2004 4-cylinder manual Vue (for her), and unfortunately, it's turned us off to Saturn as a whole.

The vehicle makes a loud rattle/grinding noise in 1st, 2nd, and sometimes 3rd gear. The day after we brought it home we made an appointment to bring it into the dealer for service to look at. They heard it and did some research, and it turns out that it's inherent in that vehicle. Bottom line - they can't fix it.

So we're pretty much stuck with a nice looking p.o.s.

We've tried explaining to the folks at the dealership that we'd like to trade the car in for a model that doesn't sound like it's 15 years old the day after it's driven off the lot (the 6-cylinder Vue), and that we shouldn't have to pay the full difference in price to get a decent car (nice bait-and-switch operation that Saturn has going), but it's too bad for us.
I've told them that they can keep the car, and just refund our money, but they're insisting on sticking with their 30-day exchange policy... exchanges only, no refunds.

Now we get to pay legal fees.

Just a bit of information for anyone else thinking of buying this vehicle.

MD_BLUE_SL2 · 06-02-2004, 08:44 PM

welp...you bought the cheap POS vue...and ya got it. I read many reviews of the 4cyl, and the pre 2004 V6s. Steer clear. I love our Redline Vue.

Revolver · 06-02-2004, 09:58 PM

How did you not notice the noise during the test drive then?

cohocarl · 06-02-2004, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me

and it turns out that it's inherent in that vehicle. Bottom line - they can't fix it..

Huh...... Mine didn't inherit it.

BandDirector · 06-02-2004, 11:50 PM

I bought my 4 cyl., 5 speed Vue a week ago today and I don't have any complaints...I don't have any rattling grinding either.

Sorry to hear you're having a bad experience, but I think you have 2 options. It obviously sounds like you got a lemon, so why not return it under their 30 day exchange policy for another one just like it? I don't remember seeing in my paperwork that you couldn't do that. If it does say that, then get a Vue minus the CD player, or change colors of the ext. or int. or something.

Another option is to keep it and keep taking it back to your dealer or another dealer and then if the problem can't be fixed, lemon law it. You will get your full purchase price back then if you go that route.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, good luck!

khrussva · 06-08-2004, 07:23 PM

In late May, 2004 I bought a 2004 2.2l Vue with the VTi transmission. It was 5:00 o'clock rush hour traffic when I did my test drive -- not the ideal situation, so I did not get a good feel for the SUV and the behavior of the Vue's power train. It stop-and-go traffic, it seemed just fine and the price was great, so we bought the car. A few days later, after loading up the whole family and taking a lengthy "Sunday Drive" I started having second thoughts. Acceleration was not what I'd hoped for and I could not get used to the shiftless VTi transmission. Later, after reading some glowing reviews of the new 3.5l V6, I got a bad case of the regrets and decided to take the car back to Saturn for a trade up to the FWD V6. It was a bit of a hassle for the dealership and for me -- it was as much or more work that doing the original purchase. But they seemed happy to do it and I have not regretted the decision.

The only stipulations in Saturn's offer are that you have 30 days or 1500 miles (which ever comes first) to do the swap, the car must still be like new (have no non-warranty damage costing more than $300 to fix) and you must pay the difference for a trade up or they will refund the difference if you trade down. I took advantage of this unequaled Saturn policy and am very grateful that it was there so I could correct my mistake get the model I really wanted.

Thank you Saturn! As far as Iâm concerned, you live up to your reputation for great customer service.

PeteSaturnSales · 07-12-2004, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me

we shouldn't have to pay the full difference in price to get a decent car

What? Nice troll action there, mr. post=1 "me". What, you think Saturn should discount the more expensive model because you weren't happy with the cheapie? This makes no sense at all. Like buying a 3 dollar item, taking it back to the store and exchanging it for a 5 dollar item and expecting them to charge you only 4.25 for it for your inconvenience?
At least you have the option of turning it back in for another vehicle. ANY other manufacturer would tell you to screw yourself. Quit whining and either exchange the vehicle or live with it.

TooFast4Radar · 08-16-2004, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteSaturnSales

Quote:

Originally Posted by me

we shouldn't have to pay the full difference in price to get a decent car

What? Nice troll action there, mr. post=1 "me". What, you think Saturn should discount the more expensive model because you weren't happy with the cheapie? This makes no sense at all. Like buying a 3 dollar item, taking it back to the store and exchanging it for a 5 dollar item and expecting them to charge you only 4.25 for it for your inconvenience?
At least you have the option of turning it back in for another vehicle. ANY other manufacturer would tell you to screw yourself. Quit whining and either exchange the vehicle or live with it.

LOL. Yeah that was one of the stupiest things I've heard in a while. Easy way to remedy the problem if you don't have the money to buy the V6 - turn the radio up. I have solid motor mounts and a turbo-back exhaust on my Stealth. That's what I do when I don't want to hear the car. I mean, you're strapped into a box with fuel exploding and gears spinning at high RPMs 4 feet away from you. What do you really expect? The sounds of seaguls on a beach at sunset in Maui?

davedavedave · 09-13-2004, 04:00 AM

Saturn is the ONLY company that will take back your cheap 4 banger and let you upgrade to a V6. How can you expect anything else?! If you go to the lawyers, the only one that will get what he wants is the lawyer - your money...
You really should have drove a 2004 V6! You would never have bought the 4cyl!!!
Take it as a lesson learned, always research what you are going to buy, and compare, compare, compare!!

DCxMagus · 09-13-2004, 06:37 AM

at least you even have the option to exchange it just get the v6 with a little less features or another v4. My friends girlfriend drives a vue and she loves it and it's the v4 no squeaking or anything while shifting. It might just be a lemon.