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Plant City FL USA
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Joined: 05/29/2003
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I want to buy a SUV type vehicle.
Must be as light as possible.
Six cylinder to pull a small boat.
Automatic transmission.
Must be towable four flat.
The only car that I know of that fits my needs is a saturn vue, which I always intended to purchase until the company went out of business.
Now of course there are issues such as service, parts and support, GM says don't worry about it but what can go wrong will go wrong.
I would still like a vue, but would it be a bad idea, if any one has any insight, opinion or experience with this issue I would appreciate any info.
Thanks
Joe
"Oath Keeper"
Joe & Deb And A Conure Named Buzz
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The Texan
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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We own a Saturn and the Saturn dealer was also a Chev Buick dealer, so he is still there and still servicing our Saturn. The service department says that they have less problems getting Saturn parts, than they do many other GM parts. When we decide to trade, we will be looking at another Saturn, of the last model year made.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever"
'05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back.
Where the wheels are stopped today
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travelnutz
West Michigan - On the Lakeshore
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Joined: 04/09/2006
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Same vehicle as the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. Production was started in 2002. The Equinox is still made and selling in big numbers today and has been a good vehicle.
A superb CC LB 4X4, GM HD Diesel, airbags, Rancho's, lots more
Lance Legend TC 11' 4", loaded including 3400 PP generator and my deluxe 2' X 7' rear porch
29 ft Carriage Carri-lite 5'er - a specially built gem
A like new '07 Sunline Solaris 26' TT
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JesseJ1826
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/08/2002
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travelnutz wrote:Same vehicle as the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. Production was started in 2002. The Equinox is still made and selling in big numbers today and has been a good vehicle.
This comment is a bit of a stretch. The 04 - 07 6 cyl. Vue has Honda drivetrain. Very few other parts are interchangeable with Equinox or Torrent. As far as parts availability goes I've experienced no problems yet. Just recently replaced front door weatherstripping and part was available overnight.
J J
2001 Four Winds Chateau 31N E450 V10
2006 Saturn Vue V6 AWD, drivetrain by Honda, body by Tupperware
Aventa II, Brake Buddy
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Joined: 06/08/2001
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The best 'orphaned' SUV vehicle/toad that I know of is my 2007 GMC 4x4 Envoy. I'm including the launching-of-boat requirement.
It's a true 4x4, with transfer case that has low and high gears, AND neutral. It also comes with NO lock on the steering column (TERRIFIC feature for towing).
It has no restrictions on towing.
The straight 6 engine is very torky (at 4.2 litres), yet small enough for decent fuel mileage.
I do all maintenance and repairs, and have not experienced a problem finding parts.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
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travelnutz
West Michigan - On the Lakeshore
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Joined: 04/09/2006
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Cloud Dancer has it right about the Envoy and Trailblazer of any year. However, it doesn't fit the "wants" specified by the OP as it's a very heavy vehicle at 4700 lbs plus but a very good vehicle for all around usage. Being heavy, it gets less MPG's but is a pleasure and fun to drive. Tows trailers well, and is towable 4 down. My wife still has her '05 all wheel and 4 wheel drive Trailblazer and loves it and doesn't want a newer or different vehicle to drive. She said: well maybe when it gets over 200,000 miles on it, we can talk! That will still be a few years down the road at the rate she's turning the odometer! Even likes it more than her big gold trimmed very deluxe Cadillac she had and that was sure a beautiful vehicle. The 6 cyl 275 HP 275 ft lbs Torque Trailblazer sits higher, rides great, gets 15+ in town and 21-22 on the highway, and so easy to park for her. It's also used to pull and launch our 2150 lb boat as it's so maneuverable compared to our big crew cab long box diesel 4X4 truck. It's been excellent with no repairs needed until this year as the heater fan plugged up with hair from our Siberian Husky and stalled/burned out the fan motor. Kind of hard to blame that on the vehicle though.
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belfert
Shoreview, MN, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2004
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Well, GM is still in business. I believe they are required to have parts for a minimum of 10 years and there are always aftermarket parts. If the Vue you are getting is one of the Honda drive train ones you can probably get certain parts from Honda.
Until recently I had a Pontiac Vibe which is also no longer made. I had no qualms about future support of the vehicle. The Vibe is a Toyota Matrix with different body panels. Drive train is completely Toyota. I only got rid of the Vibe because I wanted a bigger vehicle. The Vibe was still working well.
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gijoecam
Midwest
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Joined: 07/22/2011
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Is there some reason an Explorer wouldn't fit the op's needs? V-6, 4wd can have a neutral tow kit installed at the dealership with no problem. Not sure offhand if an Escape can be towed 4flat, but I could certainly find out.
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ridingcamper
Atlanta,GA
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Joined: 05/02/2012
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No need to worry. I am pretty sure that for the next 20 years or more you'd be OK to find parts and have a car serviced even if it had been discontinued. GM uses a lot of badge engineering meaning same parts are used across various divisions. So, you'll still be able to find parts.
Hate living in the house which is like a box.
So I like Tent Camping.
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images
Plant City FL USA
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Joined: 05/29/2003
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Quote:Is there some reason an Explorer wouldn't fit the op's needs? V-6, 4wd can have a neutral tow kit installed at the dealership with no problem. Not sure offhand if an Escape can be towed 4flat, but I could certainly find out.
We have been trying to stay away from ford, we have a Windstar and it has caused us so much grief we just don't want to take another chance on their peoducts.
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