Welcome back! Quick – what comes to mind when I say the words “Rattle rattle thunder clatter boom boom boom”? If you’re of a certain age, and prone to getting TV jingles stuck in your head like I am, you’re probably picturing two cartoon birds sitting on a sign for famed muffler shop Car-X. I thought Car-X was long gone, but it turns out they’re still in business. Anyway, that old jingle came to mind when I found two cheap cars that both need some exhaust work, so I had to share it.
It’s only fair that we’re looking at runners today, after yesterday’s derelict hulks. It turned out to be a pretty close vote; the Datsun wagon took a narrow win, but hardly enough to matter. I could go either way on this one myself, but I think I’d enjoy working on the Duster more. I guarantee it has fewer spiders in it, being parked inside.
I know a lot of you don’t really like it when I show project cars, and that’s fine. But I also wonder if some of you understand the idea behind having such a vehicle. The point isn’t really to work on the car until it is “finished,” because I’m not sure such vehicles ever are finished. Nor is the point to “invest” money into fixing it to increase its “value.” The point, as anyone with such a car in their garage knows, is to have something to work on. The work is its own reward, if you enjoy doing it, and if you don’t, no problem. You do you. That’s why I don’t always feature projects.
For today’s choices, I only had two criteria: Under $2,000, and running/driving. It just so happens that the first two vehicles that caught my eye were all-wheel-drive wagons that both need exhaust work. It’s not much of a connection, but it’s what we have, so we’ll go with it. Here they are.
2002 Subaru Legacy GT wagon – $1,950
Engine/drivetrain: 2.5-liter overhead cam flat 4, four-speed automatic, AWD
Location: Clackamas, OR
Odometer reading: 230,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Since the 1970s, Subaru has been synonymous with station wagons. It has made plenty of other types of cars, of course, but it’s the station wagons that put Subaru on the map. Combine that practical bodystyle with all-wheel-drive, and it’s no wonder that Subaru wagons are so popular in places within a couple hours drive of ski resorts.
They come in a few flavors; this is the less commonly seen GT variant of the Legacy. It has stiffer suspension and bigger brakes than the standard Legacy, along with a limited-slip rear end and some other goodies. No one will mistake it for a sports car, of course, but at least it’s a change from the fake off-roadiness of the Outback. This one runs well, even with 230,000 miles, and everything works, but it has a rattly heat shield in the exhaust. If you’ve ever had that problem with a car, you know how nuts it will drive you after a while.
It’s in remarkably good shape inside for that many miles. Since I’ve been doing this job, I’ve come to notice the condition of a car’s interior more, and how I treat my own cars inside. I don’t trash them, but I’m not especially careful with them either. To keep a car this nice for 22 years and 230,000 miles, I imagine you have to be one of those people who won’t allow any food or drinks in the car at all.
It’s nearly as well-kept outside, though it does have a few battle scars. There are dents both in front of and behind the left front wheel, which means at least two altercations with something. But hey, at least they didn’t spill their drink when the accidents happened…?
2006 Saturn Vue – $1,700
Engine/drivetrain: 3.5-liter overhead cam V6, five-speed automatic, AWD
Location: Edgewood, WA
Odometer reading: 192,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
GM’s bankruptcy and reorganization in 2008-09 cost us some of its coolest brands, including Saturn. From its beginning as “A Different Kind Of Company” to its final days as America’s only source for certain Opel models, Saturn always felt a little more earnest and no-nonsense than some of GM’s other nameplates. In 2002, Saturn entered the crossover SUV market with the Vue.
The Vue was available in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, with either four- or six-cylinder engines. This one is AWD, and by 2006 the optional V6 was a 3.5-liter engine from, of all places, Honda. The five-speed automatic transmission is also a Honda unit, and it has a very un-Honda-like reputation for premature failure. I don’t know if the Vue suffers from the same failure rate as the Hondas do, but it’s something to take into consideration. There’s nothing wrong with this transmission, the seller says, but it is in need of a muffler.
It’s in good shape inside, maybe not as pristine as the Subaru, but mighty clean for almost 200,000 miles. Saturns never were luxurious, but they’re comfortable and typically more sturdy than some of GM’s other interiors. It’s well-equipped, with all the power stuff, and it sounds like it all works.
It looks good outside, but then, it’s a Saturn; it has those famous dent-proof plastic exterior panels. There’s a steel structure under that plastic that can and does rust, but in the Seattle suburbs, I don’t think that’s as big of a concern as other places.
When you’re looking at cars this cheap, you’re going to have to compromise on something. And if a rattly heat shield or a hole in the muffler really are the least of these cars’ faults, then that’s not bad at all. Which one would you take to the muffler shop?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Sigh. The GOOD power train in the VUE was the 2.2 Ecotec and the 5 speed manual. I still kind of miss that car.
A relative had an Outback of this generation, same powertrain, and even shod with all-seasons worn down close to the wear bars, it’d plow through powder up to the headlights. An LSD could only improve the situation.
That car’s leather seats were hell on my back, but I liked the rest of that car enough to attempt to (hypothetically) drive this one home to New England. If the cloth seats turned out to be just as rough, I could still break even reselling this fine rust-free example here.
I wasn’t voting against the Vue, though.
Related Vue story: A year or so ago, I complimented a gentleman’s Red Line while he was loading his groceries, and we struck up a conversation. We talked about the car briefly, first; he claimed to have been part of the Top Gear production team at one point, and had a couple of convincing (read: believable “met one of them briefly” and “got to shuttle this car to the studio” sorts of) stories. Don’t know if he was pulling my leg, but his accent was convincing enough.
I suppose this Vue’s the same thing, apart from its wheels, body kit, and some suspension tweaks. It’s honest, and honestly quick, although I definitely wouldn’t want to beat on that transaxle. I chose the Subaru out of familiarity, and the greater likelihood that I’d find someone willing to buy it with blown head gaskets versus the Vue with a box of neutrals.
I’ll take the Vue since it’s a little more interesting and decent design. I don’t like Subaru that much and it’s just so boring
Personally, one of the tougher decisions to make. I had a friend with 150K + miles on a Legacy wagon without any issues and I was amazed at how quiet and rattle-free it was despite the frameless windows. But I went with the Vue because I always liked the idea of the dent-free exterior panels. My mom had a Saturn that withstood a lot of inadvertent abuse on her part. It was loud on the road, but never stranded her.
My folks had a Vue with that powertrain. Surprising sleeper performance wise. But I love me a Honda V6. They did have a transmission failure, but it may have been towing a little over recommended, so dubious on whether it was the known issues or use problem.
As for this specific dilemma, I was thinking Vue because I know it, I clicked it reflexively. After pondering, the Subaru would provide a better use case so I probably should have voted that way.
My mother had a Vue with the automatic, bought new. It failed repeatedly, to the point where the dealership wouldn’t warranty the replacement or rebuild of the transmissions anymore. I think it was on the third tranny with an equal number of rebuilds sprinkled in, with about 135k miles on it when it started acting up again.
Nobody would take it on trade so she had to send it to an auction house to get rid of it.
I had no idea these were Honda transmissions, as that kind of failure rate does seem wildly out of character for them. I’m guessing the GM bean counters forced them to cut some corners.
I’m amazed this example is still running.
Do I need to say I went with the Subie?
The 1st gen Vue was offered with 4 automatic transmissions over the years:
2002-2004 4 cyl FWD and 2002-2005 4 cyl AWD – CVT (IVT per GM)
2005-2007 4 cyl FWD – GM 4T45
2002-2003 GM V6 – Aisin 5 spd
2004-2007 Honda V6 – Honda 5 spd
The ones you need to stay away from were the CVTs. High failure rate which prompted for a rather quick change to GM’s 4 spd auto.
Early Honda 5 spd were unreliable but by the mid 2000s they were much improved. And no, GM had nothing to do with their lack of reliability. Many 2002-2004 Odysseys and 2003-2005 Accords suffered from early failure.
I would trust this 2006 Vue as the Honda transmission was already in its 5th year of production
Her’s probably was an early version with the CVT, as I’m pretty sure she had AWD.
I owned the 2.2 with the 5 speed stick. Great reliable vehicle after a couple of 1st year warranty glitches. And fun to drive in a crapcan sort of way. Our first family car, then a commuter, and finally we sold it after 12 years to a teen who needed his first car. If my kids had been older, would have kept it for one of them.
agreed, mine was a 2003 4 cyl 5 spd. It got me through college and 1st year on my new job.
Yeah I get what you say with fun to drive with a crapcan sort of way. Mine had hollow sounding doors, the hazard button broke inside the dash and so did the hood release (hanging there but still working but the powertrain never game me real trouble.
I like how mine despite being an econobox came equipped with side curtain airbags and traction control, which wasn’t that common on more expensive vehicles, let alone a $17K econo-CUV
If it was an Outback I might be persuaded by the Saturn, but an honest to goodness Legacy wagon in half decent shape is too compelling.
Those Vues are a steal these days – the one to get has been covered by DT (the Ecotec 4 with the manual trans). However you still see these Honda-equipped ones on the road today and it’s my no-brainer choice.
I owned a used Vue with the Ecotec / 5 spd for 4 years. She kept up with me through college and it was actually a good thing it had the 2.2 rather than the V6 as it kept me away from doing something stupid. She never complained except for an ignition coil and a shifter bushing and that was it.
Fast forward 15 years later and I would rather have the V6 / 5AT one. The manual is ok, but the shifter is not as rewarding as let’s say a Honda, old Nissan or VW. And the power was barely adequate. Also, If you need AWD, there was no option to pair it with a manual, which is non-sense because the crappy and more lethargic IVT could be had with AWD.
Oh yeah it’s not going to be a great shifting experience – the benefit as you know is all about reliability and simplicity. Woof I forgot about the IVT ones – the good news is the only ones I ever see are either the 5spd ones or the Honda V6 ones. The other ones died long ago…
I trust a Honda powertrain more than a Subaru powertrain. Solid powertrain paired with a rattly interior. The 5AT was also much improved from the early 2000s units and is also cheaper to replace than a Subaru Headgasket job. Both will eventually require timing belt jobs, ugh… Well you can’t win them all.
And I’m also a little biased towards the Vue as I owned one but mine was the 4 cyl with the manual. But one of my aunts still owns a red 2006 Vue since new with this same V6 / 5AT powertrain and it’s been super reliable. It’s surprisingly quick off the line too.
Saturn gets the nod today