I just purchased a '03 Vue for my daughter. Has 51,000 miles and seems to be in great shape. I was reading on another thread about the VTi tranny and its potential problems. Since I don't have a window sticker for this carand have no idea what equipment it came with, how do I know if I have the tranny? The dealer gave me the option to purchase an extended warranty. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to do this. Thanks, Frank

 

Only the 4 banger came with the VTI. I'd check with the service dept, or Saturn.com.Saturn extanded the warranty but I do not remember for how long or how many miles.

 

Its really very easy to tell if it is a VTI. If the car never shifts gears, then it is. The VTIs use a belt with variable pulleys to change the ratio, therefore, there are no "gears" to shift. A four or five speed auto has that obvious shift feel and RPM drop. The theory behind it is to keep the engine in its powerband as long as possible while accelerating. Instead, GM ended up with a hot mess of a transmission that too weak to even stand up to the Ecotec with the weight of a Vue behind it. They have since discontinued the VTI and you should have a good chance of getting any work done "Warranty Policy" if something goes wrong with the trans.

-JOE

 

If its an 03 with a 4 cylinder and its not a 5 speed manual...its a VTiGM extended the warranty on these to 5 years/70,000 miles IIRC - replacing a VTi trans is about $ 5000, you may want to get the extended warranty as they are VERY prone to failure...

Edited by: john95SW2

 

Some VTis have lasted 150,000 miles and others 150. Edited by: john95SW2