Re: 2008 Saturn Vue XE 4 cylinder vs 2008 Pontiac TorrentIn article <3d9bcdc8-05f9-4745-b21b-
1f3f5f8fc59f@u10g2000prn.googlegroups,com >, jobs@webdos,com says...
> RE: 2008 Saturn Vue XE 4 cylinder vs 2008 Pontiac Torrent
>
> I've narrowed my search for a small SUV to these two cars.
Personally I dont like the New Vues. Foreign made (german engine,
mexican chassis IIRC) and the new 2.4L gets worse gas mileage than the
2.2L. The 2.4L also up'ed the octane requirements... (I'm not saying
timing chain driven Ecotecs arent good engines.) Just be sure to factor
'octane' into the mileage difference of what ever you get.
You never said which engine you were looking at in the Torrent but I'm
guessing its the 3.4 by the city mileage. The Torrent is based on the
same chassis as the Equinox. The 3.4L is no longer made in America and
is made only in China now. The Equinox&Torrent is also made in China.
The 3.4L engine was an awful design so stay away from it. The optional
3.6 VVT engine is very advance (aka complex) and still to new to judge
but I don't really care for it...
I'm not fan of the CR-V either... There are no SUV's I like anymore
since the Vue changed... Maybe you could consider a Crew Cab Colorado
but I doubt it that. The 2.9L actually does pretty good in it. I could
name a few nice cars but I don't think they'll fit your need. If I HAD
to have a 'new' SUV it would be the Vue but I'd rather have the older
2.2L ones.
> Main reasons, forward folding passenger seat, reclining rear seats and
> lots of rear leg room. I need these features as I sometimes need to
> work on my laptop from the car and like to sit in the back.
>
> Both FWD,
> Both Leather interior.
> Both black exterior.
>
> I was able to negotiate the Vue down to about 24k Out the door.
>
> And the Torrent for about 25k out the door.
>
> The Vue is 4 cylinders, but drives real nice for a 4 and will save
> some gas money.
>
> The Torrent is 6 cylinders, but engine seems loud and kind of low
> torque for a v6.
>
> The Vue does 19 city mpg, the Torrent 17mpg. (Slight win for Vue -
> though not a fair play)
>
> Leather on Torrent seams cheaper grade, comes in charcoal, Vues
> leather seems nicer, but in taupe. I prefer charcoal, but the taupe
> does look nice with black.
>
> As far of space in the back seat, the Torrent is incredible. roll the
> driver seat up and fold the passenger side and I feel like i'm in my
> living room. Incredible to think it's a small SUV.
>
> Exterior looks, both have their pros and are attractive. To me, much
> more attractive than the Honda CR-V. Also the CR-V does hot have a
> folding passenger seat (who cares right? well I do). Many small size
> suv's also still have the spare tire showing which is stupid.
> Sometimes the Torrent looks like a Minivan. Sometimes the Vue looks
> like a cheap Korean car.
>
> All that said, I would just buy the Torrent for the rear seating space
> and dark interior, my only concern is a online few reports I've read
> that might imply cheap plastic parts int he car might break and that
> over time, and in classic GM style, the engine might get weak and
> clunky.
>
> Any strong opinions about these cars or better alternatives? Any
> reason to simply not buy the Torrent?
>
> My most desired features in my next small SUV.