Saturn Vue Redline

[TA^Guy]

OK well the wife has been 'looking' at new vehicles now that her car is nearly 6 years old.

She is totally in love with the new Pontiac Torrent, and who wouldn't be it's dead sexy looking. But $33,000+ is a little steep.

Thats when I came across the Vue Redline. 250hp 3.5 liter V6, Sport suspension, 18" wheels, lower body cladding, etc.

Only thing I didnt like about the one I saw was that it's FWD and not AWD (anyone know can they build a Red line in AWD?). The one I priced was only just about $25,000 for it brand new.


Let's hea
r everyone's opinon abut it..\

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by TA^Guy

Only thing I didnt like about the one I saw was that it's FWD and not AWD (anyone know can they build a Red line in AWD?). The one I priced was only just about $25,000 for it brand new.


IIRC, that's the one with the Honda V6 in it. The lack of an existing AWD trans for it might be why it's FWD.

[Shad0wguy]

If it is the 2006, I like it. I much prefer the newer body of the 2006. It is a nice little SUV and I like it much more than the Torrent.

Atleast go for the Equinox over the torrent. It looks better in my opinion.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by Matt95GT
IIRC, that's the one with the Honda V6 in it. The lack of an existing AWD trans for it might be why it's FWD.
They still offer the Vue with AWD, I don't know if the Redline is avalible with the AWD or not, the one I looked at fora bout $25,000 was FWD.

Not sure what powertrain it has, all it said on the window sticker was 250hp 3.5 liter V6.
Originally posted by Shad0wguy
If it is the 2006, I like it. I much prefer the newer body of the 2006. It is a nice little SUV and I like it much more than the Torrent.

Atleast go for the Equinox over the torrent. It looks better in my opinion. Oh god no, we test drove a Equinox when it first came out. Nice, but the Torrent's frontend looks 10 times better. Equinox looks dopey in the front.

Yes it's a 2006 Vue. I don't care for the regular ones, but the Redline looks awesome.

http://i.tnpv.us/2005/WKA200506/WKA2005061455774_pv.jpg
http://i.tnpv.us/2005/WKA200506/WKA2005061455766_pv.jpg
[img]http://i.tnpv.us/2005/WKA200506/WKA2005061455841_pv.jpg[img]

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
They still offer the Vue with AWD, I don't know if the Redline is avalible with the AWD or not, the one I looked at fora bout $25,000 was FWD.


Right... they have an AWD setup for the GM engines, I meant an AWD trans to mate with that Honda V6.

[Foxy]

My impressions:

Pros:
-Honda engine; ought to be reliable!
-Can get AWD with the V6 and Redline package (Saturn.com sez so!)

Cons:
-Suspension not up to snuff (including a recall!)
-Inefficent use of interior space (Ford Escape is smaller on outside, yet holds more on the inside)
-Weaksauce AWD system (basically FWD)
-Interior sort of cheap-feeling

Personally, I'd put my bucks down on a CRV or RAV4, but then, you know what kind of cars I prefer.

What's your budget? And are you looking exclusively at compact, car-based SUV's?

Here's edmunds.com's spec comparison (http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?styleid=100564162&maxvehicles=5&op=17&tab=specs) of the major competitors.. Y'know, I rented a Kia Sorento once (they gave it to me as a free upgrade), and I was pleasantly surprised. Yeah, it's a Kia, but the one I drove was pretty nice, and it was a rental, so I was sure it was beat on.

Edited to add:

Can't believe I forgot to mention it.. but what about a Subaru Forester XT? They are a bit pricier than the Redline AWD, but you get essentially a detuned STi engine in a boxier Impreza chassis. Most of the performance parts for an Impreza will bolt right onto a Forester, and the engine is pretty tunable as well. It has a nicer AWD system than the Redline (more capable in the slick stuff), but the tires may be the limiting factor. It gets better gas milage, is very safe, has better ground clearance, better handling, Subaru reliability, and over 2 seconds faster in the 1/4 mile.

Downsides:
-Smaller rear seating area
-Pricier
-Smaller cargo area (negligble difference when seats are up though)

[Prospeeder]

I like the torrents and Redlines, there pretty cool, id get one, but The Torrent only has a 3400 V6 in it, whoopdie doo, youve experienced that engine for years now in your grand am. Get the Vue, the 3.5 sounds promising, and has what, 65-75 hp more

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by Foxy
My impressions:

Pros:
-Honda engine; ought to be reliable!
-Can get AWD with the V6 and Redline package (Saturn.com sez so!)

Cons:
-Suspension not up to snuff (including a recall!)
-Inefficent use of interior space (Ford Escape is smaller on outside, yet holds more on the inside)
-Weaksauce AWD system (basically FWD)
-Interior sort of cheap-feeling

Personally, I'd put my bucks down on a CRV or RAV4, but then, you know what kind of cars I prefer.

What's your budget? And are you looking exclusively at compact, car-based SUV's?

Here's edmunds.com's spec comparison (http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?styleid=100564162&maxvehicles=5&op=17&tab=specs) of the major competitors.. Y'know, I rented a Kia Sorento once (they gave it to me as a free upgrade), and I was pleasantly surprised. Yeah, it's a Kia, but the one I drove was pretty nice, and it was a rental, so I was sure it was beat on.

Edited to add:

Can't believe I forgot to mention it.. but what about a Subaru Forester XT? They are a bit pricier than the Redline AWD, but you get essentially a detuned STi engine in a boxier Impreza chassis. Most of the performance parts for an Impreza will bolt right onto a Forester, and the engine is pretty tunable as well. It has a nicer AWD system than the Redline (more capable in the slick stuff), but the tires may be the limiting factor. It gets better gas milage, is very safe, has better ground clearance, better handling, Subaru reliability, and over 2 seconds faster in the 1/4 mile.

Downsides:
-Smaller rear seating area
-Pricier
-Smaller cargo area (negligble difference when seats are up though)
I've been in a RAV4 and did not like it at all.
Never been in a CRV but I think its too fugly to be parked in my driveway.

I like Subaru's alot, but not the Forester. I think it's the ugliest of all Subaru's. I'd rather a Legacy Outback sedan.

Not just looking at SUV's, actually I hate SUVs. Just more or less whatever catches my eye for a decent price.

IIRC my wife likes the Kia Sorento alot, so that might be one we are going to look at. She also wanted a Altima or a G6. We've even test drove Cobalts amd Sentra's (Sentra was far better for less money than the Cobalt) But with two kids, a stroller, car seat, etc she wants more space. It's too bad because the miles we drive to work and inflating fuel prices we wouldn't mind a gas sipping 4 banger. But it can't be a pethetic four banger like the cobalt felt.

[Foxy]

Yeah, the Forester is the unlovely stepchild of the Subaru family.. and all Subies are pretty ugly to begin with! A few little mods make them look nicer (http://verdugo.smugmug.com/photos/36229254-M.jpg), but hey, if looks are important.. Baby seats don't fit too well in the backs of Imprezas / Foresters, though.

Legacy / Outback wagons are nice, but to get the nice engine, you have to shell out a few bucks.

Perhaps look at some of the 'sport wagons' or whatever the term of the day is - Mazda 3 / 6 wagons (6's are pretty fun cars for FWD family sedans, and the 3 is great bang for the buck), Magnum SXT/RT, Volvo V50 (though I hear they are pretty small - but nice interiors). They offer a good tradeoff on space vs fuel economy, and are more fun to drive than SUV's.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by Foxy
Yeah, the Forester is the unlovely stepchild of the Subaru family.. and all Subies are pretty ugly to begin with! A few little mods make them look nicer (http://verdugo.smugmug.com/photos/36229254-M.jpg), but hey, if looks are important.. Baby seats don't fit too well in the backs of Imprezas / Foresters, though.

Legacy / Outback wagons are nice, but to get the nice engine, you have to shell out a few bucks.

Perhaps look at some of the 'sport wagons' or whatever the term of the day is - Mazda 3 / 6 wagons (6's are pretty fun cars for FWD family sedans, and the 3 is great bang for the buck), Magnum SXT/RT, Volvo V50 (though I hear they are pretty small - but nice interiors). They offer a good tradeoff on space vs fuel economy, and are more fun to drive than SUV's.
To be honest I would love a wagon more than a SUV.

We looked at the Malibu Max, and a normal 4 door Mazda 3 (before we had the baby). If I got a big car like the Magnum it would need to have a Hemi, and thats just a little out of my price range. To be honest, I'd rather purchase a preowned leased vehicle or something of the sort. We've purchased one new car, thats enough for me. Funny, motorcycles I'll purchase new, cars I'm happy with second hand.
Originally posted by buchajo
I'd recommend the Kia Sorento IF you can get a good long warranty on it. I think that the jury is still out on Kia vehicles, but if I was ever going to get a Kia, I'd for sure go for the Sorento.

I agree with Foxy on also looking at some Mazda vehicles. If you're into sport wagons, you might like what you see in say the Mazda6 sport wagon.

A Subaru Legacy Outback would be great too. If Subaru is still makin' their new engines like they used to make their old engines (I used to have an older Subaru), then I can tell you that it's pretty next impossible to kill them, and they'll go forever mileage-wise. This I have proof of. :)
I love the Mazda Line up, minus the Rx8 (that thing is pretty ugly).

My wife would LOVE a Mazda6, and settle for a 3, but the 3's not large enough.

And I agree. Old Subaru's were unstopable. They rusted out fast but you couldn't kill them. I had a 1986 GL that I punished everyday and made sure it went airborn and off roading just about every other day. Lets just say that little car was like a BDSM porno, it took a beating and begged for more.

[Matt95GT]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
My wife would LOVE a Mazda6, and settle for a 3, but the 3's not large enough.

Have you seen the new Mazda 5 at all? Just saw one on the road today. Bigger than the 3 wagon and even tho it had mini-van doors on the rear, it still had that nicer wagon stance of the cross-overs like Matrix/Vibe, etc.

Originally posted by TA^Guy
Lets just say that little car was like a BDSM porno, it took a beating and begged for more.

:rofl:

[Rayz]

A family hauler doesn’t have to be new or boring
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/RAYZ97/Wagon1.jpg

[IrateGT]

I say go for the redline! They're awesome cars :)

[2001GAGT]

John I would shop around for a lease return/used outback, Mom had one for a few weeks as a rental nice, She wants the outback Sedan as well. (But for the price of the sedan you can get a nice Volvo or you could a few years ago) I have to agree with you on the Torrent very nice looking but priced little high. Maybe wait until the fall there might be a few on the used lots.

[CanadAM]

you can get a base solstice for cheaper then a torrent ;)

[04REDGT1]

John

Did you get anything yet? Funny you sould mention an 86 Subaru. I had a Cresent Brown GL Wagon 4X4. I loved that car. That little car could go through some snow.

Jeff

[levey]

dodge caliber r/t?

[praasch]

^^

dodge caliber srt4 :D ...since i saw that in one of the car magazines, i've wanted it....300hp and something like upper 200's in torque...that would be my baby hauler plus fun time when i'm goin' alone to work