Pull the trigger on 2002 Saturn Vue AWD 95k miles for $2500?

[WhipperSnapper]

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on this vehicle for $2500 (or maybe I could talk them down a few hundred). I tend to think that Saturn has reasonable build quality. I would like to have a 3rd vehicle around that can haul some stuff and AWD would be great for winters. The (small used car dealer) claims it has new tires which must add a couple hundred to its value.

Did the 2002 Vue have reasonable build quality? Would you pull the trigger? Does having only 95,000 miles really mean anything for a vehicle that old? I assume they were tough city miles. Still, it seems unlikely that a clean titled mini-SUV/crossover of reasonable build quality would show up for $2500 with under 150,000 miles.

Only problem is that it's a Saturn, so it's going to be completely stripped down and utilitarian and Saturns are kind of meh.

https://fargo.craigslist.org/cto/6140021022.html

I think I'm most interested in having a vehicle that would be reliable for a few years (at say 3000 miles/year) that I could carry some cargo in.


<EDIT> Nevermind. I just learned about the CVT transmission failure problem in the 2002 Saturn Vue with the AWD CVT transmission. Not a risk I want to take.

<EDIT> Nevermind. I just learned about the CVT transmission failure problem in the 2002 Saturn Vue with the AWD CVT transmission. Not a risk I want to take.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

This is kind of interesting. 2001 Chevy S10 Blazer, 118k miles for $3400. I don't know anything about this vehicle nor its build quality but the mileage / price ratio doesn't seem too bad.

https://fargo.craigslist.org/ctd/6139998854.html

 

[NutBucket]

The Blazer is pretty solid. Has an old but simple drivetrain. The 4.3 is bulletproof. I'd have no reservations having one for a cheap car.

 

[RLGL]

his is kind of interesting. 2001 Chevy S10 Blazer, 118k miles for $3400. I don't know anything about this vehicle nor its build quality but the mileage / price ratio doesn't seem too bad.

KBB lists that one in Very Good condition for $1700. Trade in value is around a grand.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

KBB lists that one in Very Good condition for $1700. Trade in value is around a grand.

Good luck actually finding one with 118k miles for $1700 or even $2000. I haven't seen any prices like that for SUVs, at least not in my region. Arguably the closest thing was that Saturn Vue (95k, $2500) but maybe there's a reason the price is so low (with a little research you can learn about the transmission problem).

 

[Meghan54]

The Blazer is pretty solid. Has an old but simple drivetrain. The 4.3 is bulletproof. I'd have no reservations having one for a cheap car.

The 4.3 is bulletproof, as long as you ignore the intake manifold gasket failures. They're almost legendary....the gasket failures as well as the 4.3's durability.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Stay away from the Vue. Admittedly anecdotal evidence, but I remember an old friend of mine having insane problems with that era of Vue. It was in the shop more often than not, and eventually when they gave her a "too good to believe" deal to get out of the Vue and into another Saturn (possibly another Vue, can't remember), she had problems with that one too.

 

[NutBucket]

Huh. The only major issue I can recall my coworker having was one of the cats melted/clogged years ago. It was fixed under warranty. They still have the car and I haven't heard of any other complaints.

 

[desy]

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Saturn/Vue/
Looks good here but doesn't look as good here
http://www.dashboard-light.com/vehicles/Saturn_Vue.html

So with a car that is 15 yrs old, most important is what has been done to it in terms of upkeep.
It doesn't look like it has any fatal flaws so condition would be paramount

 

[dave_the_nerd]

My parents have an '08 Vue they like alright - mostly just use it for "truck" things (4WD / Trailer Hitch) that the Camry can't do.

But come to think of it, they have had a couple of odd maintenance issues with it. The air conditioning broke, which was kind of an expensive fix. And there was something weird with the 4WD system I think.