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)
The VUE, all Day Everyday. But mostly because of the Honda 6 in this case.
My mother got a Subaru like this after my dad had a great experience with his ‘94 US Postal Service wagon and me with my ‘95 4-Cam Turbo estate which is in my top 3. We never had a Subaru again. All the flat four character was completely expunged, the ergonomics infuriating and the auto box on the 2.5 sucked the life out of the car to make it feel much slower and duller than the older 2.2. It’s so boring that I voted for the white on grey Saturn SUV.
I’m considering both as wagons, since the VUE is definitely in that category, albeit a tall one (I used to own one…with the CVT…YIKES…). That being said, I think someone already spoke ill of the 2.5 on the Suby, and rightfully so. However, the Honda transmission was absolute garbage at the time (look up MDX from the same time frame if you don’t believe me). This one is tough, but Saturn for me. I’d rather have a pooched transmission than a blown engine.
The Honda V6 improves the VUE considerably. We’ll take the Saturn.
Honestly, both are great choices, but I went Subaru because the interior looked less stained at a glance.
These Legacys and their engines really turned me away from Subaru, but it looks like a good one and that heat shield rattle is a couple of longer stainless steel band clamps away from quiet. Saturn looks like a circle of hell for me.
Subie because wagon and I spend a lot of time in the mountains and those things are mountain goats. Not fast but they will always get you there. Nothing inherently wrong with the Vue. It just looks like a fleet rental and they did have an issue with rust.
No 2.5’s ever again. Saturn for me.
Subie. Either would be fine, but having owned Subarus of this vintage with the same engine and (mostly) the same drivetrain, I know I can wrench on the Legacy with ease. Plus: wagon.
My criteria for voting is usually pretending I need a car ASAP and which one could I live with for a while. We’ve all been there. Doesn’t apply to project cars.
For this showdown either could work. Voting Subie because I just like the design better than the Vue, but if you need ASAP transportation either could work.
Ugh. I had an 01 Legacy GT wagon, bought new, and it had the godawfulest sunroof drains that drained down the rear pillar. After 8-10 years of parking it outside, they clogged up. I found a way to snake them out eventually, but the wet stink never went away completely unless I was smoking a cigar in the car. That’s how bad it was, my wife would let me smoke in it. My brother in law had a similiar vintage Vue with the Honda engine, and he said the problem wasn’t the engine, it was all of the [crap] that GM built around it. He had to have something done to the axles or wheel bearings up front that finally sent the car to the junkyard.
I’m going with the Subaru, just because I know it will provide transportation, but I’d prefer none of the above.
this is not Legacy only. roughly similar year GM suv’s have the same issues. the Dodge boys have foam in the quarter that actually tends to trap sunroof water. that is especially bad when they rust from the inside out,
The first onramp would make you extremely glad you got the Saturn over the wheezy Subaru.
Just don’t forget to adjust those valves.
I’ll take the Not-So-Great White.
For 1.7K in today’s market it’s a Good-Enuf-White.
Wagon > SUV.
That should explain my vote.
I’m usually right behind you, but that 2.5 doe…there’s a reason its so cheap even though the more reliable examples of this in the PNW go for more than $3K…and are OLDER…
No hesitation – Saturn, please!
I used to have a 2007 in this configuration (AWD, V-6) and it was a great vehicle. Eventually the undercarriage became too rusty to be safe, but doesn’t look like an issue with today’s candidate. If it’s any indication, my wheels were infinitely more corroded than the ones we see here.
I’m not sure if this was intentional, but with the front passenger seat folded down, the Vue would carry 2′ x 8′ pieces of plywood (standard sheet ripped lengthwise) without interfering with the shifter and with the back gate closed. The back of that seat was also hard plastic, rather than pleather, so I had no qualms about stacking stuff on it.
For not other reason than nostalgia, I’m going with the Vue. I’ve had two Saturns and should have purchased a Vue instead of an Ion back in 2003. It was a little out of my budget at the time.
Not that I’m expecting perfection from a $2k car, but those “makes you wonder things” – the Legacy’s wheels are from an Outback, and the rear badge placement is off on the VUE (“AWD” should be on the right by “V6”).
I like the Subaru and it has the better AWD system, but I went VUE for the Honda motor plus a little fewer miles, a little less coin, and a little bit of nostalgia. The 2006 VUE interior was a big improvement over the earlier interior, not the greatest but not as obviously gray hard plastic. It even looks like the finish on the buttons on the corporate GM radio haven’t chipped away. Knowing 2000s era GM, it could easily be simple water stains on the fabric, but also knowing GM of the era I’m more concerned if the suspension bits are rattling around like rocks in a coffee can – not from rust either.
Subaru because I have a decent comfort level with that era of them.
Legacy GT longroof for me.
A Honda V6 is easier to work on than ANY Subaru motor. I do worry about the transmission, but Vue it is.
Sorry, I’m just anti-Subaru.
I went with the Legacy because I prefer wagons over crossovers. Both of these are cheap enough that you can either budget in the next major repair or send them to the junkyard the first time you get a 4 digit bill.
there is a less than 2″ difference in ground clearance, I call them both wagons lol
One of my best friends has a Saturn Vue in this spec: white over gray leather with the Honda V6. And you know what? It’s a decent car with a characterful design. It’ll do all the same outdoorsy things as a Subaru without the Subaru tax, the V6 is a lil’ ripper, and the mechanicals and body are stout.
But that interior.
The Saturn Vue will redefine your baseline for the concept of “wow, the bean counters really eviscerated this design.” The front seat armrests are molded plastic, and GM saved $0.03 by not trimming the parting line where the two halves of the mold met. So there’s a ridge running around the armrest perimeter that cuts and scratches your arm when you brush by it. The seats were also made 20% cheaper by just making them 20% smaller; I’ve sat in plenty of rear seats that feel child-sized, but this is the only car where I’ve experienced that phenomenon in the front.
Anyway, give me the Subaru. They’re a peppy delight to drive, those boxer engines are fun to work on, and the interior won’t make me feel like the cheap bastard I actually am.
And as a Nissan Altima owner, I’m already used to “booger weld rattly exhaust heat shields back on” being part of the routine maintenance schedule.
“ And as a Nissan Altima owner, I’m already used to “booger weld rattly exhaust heat shields back on” being part of the routine maintenance schedule.”
That’s the same approach I have taken to soldering copper pipes. It’s going to be covered up, so as long as it doesn’t leak I don’t care how amateurish the finished job looks.
This comment piqued my interest so I measured the front bucket seat width on my fleet:
03 Sat Vue 20in
23 Chev Traverse 19.5in
99 S10 20in
67 Camaro 19.5 in
So if the Vue seats are 20% undersize, it’s been the GM way for many decades and continues today.
This is the in-depth research and knowledge I genuinely appreciate from the commentariat here. My size complaint is specifically targeted at the length of both parts of the seat. It feels like sitting on a dentist chair to me: the seat ends like halfway down my femur, and it feels like my shoulder blades clear above the seat back. And I’m not a particularly large human.
RE: Keeping it clean…. I have drinks in my car and after decades, they still look immaculate inside.
I keep almost nothing in my cars and I think that helps. My interior is almost always empty, the trunk is empty aside from stuff under the false floor. Any garbage I create gets tossed aft er each trip. This is opposed to how my ex used their car as a catch-all bucket for stuff, wardrobe, garbage, etc. I think that ultimately leads to stains.
I think the key is to give a damn, clean it on a regular basis and to quickly clean-up after any messes occur.
I’d take that clean Subaru.
That’s how I’ve always treated my cars too. Regular cleaning, no trash stays in the vehicle. I smoke but do not smoke in my car, I did in previous vehicles and keeping it clean/smelling nice was always a challenge. I once told a friend I don’t really keep anything in my car, she got in the car and proclaimed, wow, you really don’t keep ANYTHING in here. The things I do keep in the car are in the glove box, a covered storage area, or under the floor in the back of the wagon. I’ve hauled all manner of things (bagged dirt, mulch, bricks, lumber, bales of straw) in the wagon and always take a minute to lay out tarps or sheets to protect the interior, and clean up any resulting messes immediately.
I’ve driven this generation of Saturn with the V6, and it was a great little SUV. This one looks decent for basically f**k it money.
I went wagon over crossover, but the Saturn is more likely to hold up. Just get the timing belt changed, because those are always overdue on these Honda engines.