We all may remember the Cash for Clunkers program of 2010. Well, I have paid some cash to drive some real clunkers. From the time I started driving in 1986 until I bought my first brand new car in late 2005, I have had a steady diet of cars that lasted only a few years. Only one really lasted me more than four years during that time, and I had a few others that I just had to make last as long as possible.
Finally, that changed on my 36th birthday in late 2005. I grew weary of driving clunkers that cost more each month to keep running than a monthly payment for a new car. Therefore, I decided to buy my first brand new car, a 2006 Saturn Vue.,Six years and 100,000 miles later, I know that I currently have the best car of my life so far.
Gas mileage
Radio commercials for the Vue brought my attention to it, especially when advertising its gas mileage at 23-27 miles per gallon. I did not believe this at first, but the Vue could not have done any worse than the 18 mpg of the minivan I traded in for it. After I bought it, I began paying attention to the mileage. I still could not believe it, but after a few trials and calculations, I finally believed that my Vue does indeed get 23-27 miles per gallon depending on driving conditions. I remember getting blasted as a crazy nut-job for posting this in the online version of our newspaper’s Rants and Raves during the gas crisis and “gas-guzzling SUV” arguments. I shook off the criticism because I knew the truth, and as math teacher, I know how to calculate gas mileage.
Smooth ride and good acceleration
My 2006 Vue rides very smoothly. In fact, I can reach and exceed highway speeds without even realizing it. Often, I wonder how I got up to speed so quickly because I did not even notice it. In addition, I can surprisingly accelerate from a stop to road speed much faster than people may think. The onramps to the Interstate highways give me plenty of time to accelerate to highway speed before merging into the driving lanes.
Built-in phone and Onstar service
I love the built-in hands-free voice-activated phone and the Onstar service that comes with the Vue. I got the first year of service free when I bought the car, and I have paid $20.28 per month from that time on. I buy the 100-minute package each year, and I have the entire year to use the minutes. This comes in very handy for times that I need to call my wife but do want to pull over to use my cell phone. Occasionally, I will forget my cell phone, but I still have the built-in phone and the assurance of security in that I can still call for help in emergencies. The Onstar service allows me to get directions or check account balances at any time or make local and long-distance calls at no extra charge. Onstar also performs a monthly vehicle diagnosis and emails me the report each time.
Routine maintenance, very few repairs
I bought the Vue mainly for Saturn’s reputation for building safe and reliable cars. Routine maintenance costs for any vehicle can add up fast, but in six years, I have had only one serious problem with the Vue, in 2011, which by far beats the hassles and expense I had with every one of my previous cars. I now pay a little more for high mileage oil changes, but I want another six years and 100,000 miles before I even consider buying another new car.
Sadly, Saturn has since gone out of business, so when the time does come, I will have to research other makes and models or find the latest version of the Vue available. Whatever I buy next, I just hope and pray that I will have the same satisfaction with it that I have and will continue to experience with my 2006 Saturn Vue.
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