Glad to hear that your SC2 is doing so well under such conditions. I have a
2002 SC2 w/ 55K mi.  This is what I kow about the VUE, as I used to sell
them and know many ppl who had them.

Stay clear of any automatic tranny 4cyl prior to 2005 which is CVT tranny.
This belt driven tranny had many issues and was discontinued by Saturn in
favor of a more traditional 4 gear auto tranny. Man. 4cyl in just about any
year is ok, but after 2004 was more refined.

Favor V6 models after 2004 which is when the Honda engine was introduced. I
personally like the old V6 which was from the Caddy Catera, but the newer
Honda VTEC engine runs faster, cleaner and quieter and has the highest hp
(250hp) vs gas mileage, 28mpg.

My best bet would be a 2005 as this is when Saturn made over 800 model
changes tot he VUE as well as overhauling the V6. Special package models can
be worth your while, like the Sun & Sound pkg (SR & adv. audio combined) or
the Redline version are quite favorable and will hold thier value better.

marx404

They don't win when fighting with a barbed wire fence, trust me. The plastic
paneling wont survive.

Not that I've driven through one or anything >.<

<snip>

We have an '05 V6 that we bought in January last year. It has been running
perfect. A bit smallish and cramped for my tastes, but then you already
have a sub-compact SC2, so it won't be much of a shock.

The V6 engine is fantastic. I know there will be a cost associated with
changing the belt at 60K miles, but I did that on my Kia prior to selling
it for my Avalanche and it was only around $350. Well worth having the
extra HP of the interference engine.  Of course the HP/weight ratio on the
Vue blows away my Avalanche.

The features are nice in the Vue, with the sunroof, fold down seats, very
easy to open tailgate and the CD/MP3 player. My only complaints - except
for the small size of the car - are the following:  

Sounds. It is noisy at 80MPH and rattles a bit in the doors.

The Window Controls are located in this bizarre configuration on the
center console. I always have to look where they are.  

The right-side turn signal thingy is exactly where the ignition key goes.
I'm always turning on the windshield wipers when I start the car.

Other than that, I can't complain about the car. Very nicely done. I have
friends with the Rav4 and the Honda mini-ute and this is far and away
better. The only other one I like is the newer Kia Sportage, which I
bought for my mom earlier this year. It has less horsepower but a bit more
refinement than the Vue.

HTH!!

try http://www.carbuzzard.com

I got my V6/FWD new in 2005 and it is the best car I have ever owned bar
none. It does have some weird interior things, like the center console
and
switch placing but I got use to it pretty quick. I am a big guy and my
main
complaint with most cars was the narrow seats. The vue is perfect for my
frame.  Also, at about 20,000 mi I had to drive from San Diego to Houston
TX for a family emergency and averaged 32.6 MPG for the trip. Not bad for
a V6.  Gets about 26 around town.

JohnS