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Originally Posted by 93AccordLXwhite I've heard that the Saturn panels are prone to 'cracking,' do you know anything about that myth? Another major factor is handling, which is a personal issue. She is looking for a vehicle that is easy to park. |
Have not heard of any "cracking-related" issues with the polymer panels... tho if hit hard enough, they
would crack instead of causing a dent. They have just enough give to fend off most domestic parking perils. If hit HARD (to the point where they'd crack), you'd probably be looking a panel replacement... which is not that big of a deal. The Vue construction is pretty modular.
as for parking... the Vue is pretty easy. The electric-assisted steering is very light, and visibility is good. You can see all four corners of the vehicle clearly.
another plus... low insurance rates. The Vue has excellent crash test scores... and yes, side curtain airbags are available.
The Vue's not perfect, though its downsides are tolerable. Because of the modular construction, there lots of places that retain water after washing, so if you're anal retentive about proper washing/detailing, a typical wash will take about 90 mnutes. Also, there's a lot of plastic in this crossover, so a few squeaks (plastic on plastic) are to be expected on occasion. It's not a LandCruiser, nor is it as expensive as one. The steering is a tad on the light side for my tastes, and is extremely direct (no dead spot on-center), so you have to watch when looking over your shoulder (on the freeway) that you don't change lanes. The interior on the pre-'06 models tends to look a little plasticky... but it's durable.
avoid the 4 cylinder models with the CVT. The 4 cylinder engine is fine, but the CVT is a well-known trouble-spot. The AWD system is also another potential maintenance issue, so avoid that as well. Other than a scheduled recall servicing, my Vue has been flawless for the past 3 years.