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I recently heard that the Saturn Vue had a honda transmission and engine, and after some trawling on the internet, I read on Wikipedia that some 04-07 Vues came equipped with a 3.5 liter J35A3 honda engine and a five speed honda transmission.
Is this true?
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Yes, it is true. I have a 06 with the Honda engine and transmission. The engine is to strong for the torque converter and if you do not change out the fluids every 30,000 – 40,000 miles it starts to act funny. I am on my 3rd one (torque converter) right now and I am out of warranty at 103,000 so I change the fluid regularly with only Honda transmission fluid. Hope this helps.
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Ok Thanks guys, but since I am possible considering buying a used 04-07 vue, do you think I should get the one with the Honda engine and tranny or one with GM parts. Based on reputation the Honda should be better but I know reputations are not always true. I dont really care about power, Im more concerned with mpg and reliability.
GM or Honda?
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@Babersher How much are you looking to spend?
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I dont really have a specific amount in mind as it varies so much on the used market as Im not going to buy from a dealer but from a classified private source. Im not picky as long as I get a good deal. So the amount will vary based on miles, content, and condition. I initially wanted a crv or a escape but the resale values of those here in the LA area is way too much, especially the crv, so I looked for alternatives and then I thought about the vue, and when I heard about the honda components, I really got interested. The vues here are dirt cheap because most people here have never even heard of them and they really are an afterthought so that got me even more interested because every vue on the market here is thousands less than it should be worth because of its low demand and bad reputation.
So you do you think the honda components are superior to the GM ones?
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When I drove that first-gen Vue from Miami to Orlando (my friend’s car), it was one of the worst vehicles I’ve driven and reeked of everything I disliked about Old GM. The car was tossed easily by the wind (song “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas comes to mind), NVH levels were off the chart, and the interior squeaked as if it was made 100 years ago. Ironically, the Vue was less than a year old (from production), and even younger than that on the road. Then I drove the Equinox and realized that it wasn’t just the Saturn, it was the Chevy, as well.
I walked away learning one thing: the first iteration of the Theta architecture was pretty bad. Anything else in the class is better, by any standards (perhaps except for price).
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The center gauge pod is one of the thing that I liked about the car, and like more today then in the past. Not that it is good looking, (and GM’s rendition is not) but for the simple matter that my hands or steering wheel are never in the way of any gauges.
Questions been answered …. stay away from the VTi trans.
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@Babersher I wouldn’t be able to say with any kind of accuracy which is better — the Honda or the GM powertrain. I do, however, know this: that 3.5 is a derivative of the engine used in the 3rd gen Acura TL — and those things have been known to last for a very, very long time. I have a friend with over 450,000 miles on his — but he is the original owner and he does all the maintenance work himself. Being an Army engineer helps.
Also, when referring to wind, I should clarify that it wasn’t that there was a lot of wind per se, but that the car felt really unstable at highway speeds (65-75 MPH).
If I were you, I’d set a budget for myself and go on a hunt looking for something other than that first-gen Vue. Unless you really like it, that is.
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Ok, I figured that as well just wanted to make sure.
Well right now Im just thinking about it, just like ive been think about getting a new compact car ever since the cruze came out. So its not like im in a rush to go buy one or even necessarily need one. Its just that the vue is just so damn cheap here that its really hard to pass up but Ill keep my options open.
Thanks to everyone for the answers.
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