2008 Saturn changes looks, but is good RV dinghy

By James Raia
www.TheWeeklyDriver.com

As the oldest and best-selling vehicle in the Saturn stable, the Vue has found a solid, well-deserved niche in the compact Sport Utility Market. But Saturn couldn't leave well enough alone.

Instead, Saturn wanted more success in the compact SUV segment and redesigned the Vue. The 2008 edition, nearly identical to its global counterpart, the Opel Antara, further establishes the Vue's reputation. It offers a smooth, steady ride and superior handling and steering. The new Vue also has a new Euro-style look with sleek exterior curves and improved cabin quality.

FOR RV ENTHUSIASTS, the Vue, like all Saturns, is designed to be flat-towed at normal vehicle speeds up to 65 mph.

In its early versions, the Vue was a lot cooler. It had a retro look with white background on instrumentation dials, for instance, and unique netting on map and accessory side door bins. Nonetheless, with the 2008 edition, the Vue is likely to turn a few more heads and it's a more comfortable vehicle than its predecessor.

My weekly test drive was XR edition with all-wheel drive. It included a 3.6-liter, 257- horsepower V6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.

While its wheelbase is the same as previous editions, the new Vue is one inch shorter overall. It looks appreciably small, though, particularly with its angular rear end slope.

And that presents perhaps the Vue's only downfall. Its interior cargo volume is only 54.3 cubic feet, the smallest in its class. The Toyota RAV4 leads the compact category with 73 cubic feet of overall cargo volume. Surprisingly, the Vue has the longest wheelbase in its class, 106.6 inches.

Regardless, the Vue's improvements are commendable. Plastic body panels, for example, have been replaced by steel. A five-passenger SUV, the Vue is available in three trim levels: base XE, midgrade XR (my test vehicle) and sporting Red Line. All are available in front-or all-wheel drive. The XE features 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, keyless entry, full power accessories, OnStar telematics, steering-wheel audio controls, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat and a CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio and an auxiliary jack.

The XR adds 17-inch alloy wheels, luggage rack rails, automatic climate control, a power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated mirrors and lighted vanity mirrors. The Red Line features a lowered, sport-tuned suspension, rear spoiler, chrome exhaust outlets, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front sport seats, leather and suede upholstery and unique instrumentation.

Most of the XR's additional features are available as options on the XE, and leather seating and heated seats are also available on those models. Other available features include a premium audio system and CD changer, a navigation system, rain-sensing wipers and a remote vehicle
starter.

There's no doubt Saturn has improved the Vue, and it should fare well in a tough market segment that includes the previously mentioned Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester. But it's just that some of its original uniqueness is no longer around.

Base Price — $26,270.00.

James Raia writes the syndicate auto review column, The Weekly Driver. To read more of his reviews or to subscribe to his free electronic newsletter, visit: www.theweeklydriver.com.

Futuristic Looking "Bird" May Be Toad of Future

A California firm has a new wrinkle in the world of eco-friendly autos: It's a three-wheeled, bird like mobile that promises nearly 300 miles per gallon in its hybird version, and a 120 miles "per charge" in its all electric variety. Can you buy one? Not yet--but you can put down a deposit on one, provided you live in California.

Aptera Typ-1 is actually registered as a motorcycle, but don't let that scare you. The vehicle safety design and statistics are impressive, and includes airbags as part of the standard equipment. The two-seater gains its fuel efficiency from aerodynamic design, light-weight construction, and with "three on the ground" instead of the typical four wheels, less rolling resistance.

California buyers will have first crack at the new bird-mobile, but the company promises all across the US these new high-flyers will soon be available. According to the company, the first Aptera vehicles will begin rolling off to buyers in the fall of 2008. Meantime, a $500 deposit will hold your place in the line. And how much does it cost? At this point Aptera coyly says, "The purchase price is yet to be determined." Visit the Aptera website for the full scoop.

2008 Guide to Dinghy Towing now available

If you plan to pull a vehicle behind your motorhome, the 2008 Guide to Dinghy Towing from Motorhome Magazine should be an essential resource about how to do it -- and do it right. The slim but info-packed book outlines which 2008-model cars, SUVs and trucks can be pulled behind an RV with all four wheels down. Most vehicles are not classified by their manufacturers as suitable for towing because of concerns about damage to automatic transmissions. If a vehicle is not included in this guide, then it’s not officially approved for flat towing. Another very important consideration is the towing capacity of the motorhome chassis. This 2008 guide includes a comprehensive section that includes virtually all the major RV chassis and their weight ratings, plus information about towing equipment and dinghy braking systems. The editors profile many different tow bars to help you decide what’s best for you. The 2008 Guide to Dinghy Towing is a slim 32-pages, but it contains all the information an RVer needs to know about pulling a vehicle behind a motorhome.


Other books and DVDs about dinghy towing behind a motorhome.

Small Toyota SUV gets "best buy" ranking

Thinking about buying a small SUV to pull behind your motorhome? Consumer Reports published its test results of 2008 model year small SUVs in its December issue, which you may wish to read before making a purchase. When the testing was done CJ put the Toyota RAV4 Limited (V6) at the top of the “Best Buy” category. Small SUVs, Consumer Reports noted “can handle some light off-road duties and light towing, and they get significantly better fuel mileage than larger SUVs." At the bottom of CJ’s ratings, in the 17th position, was the Dodge Nitro SLT (3.7) which the magazine reported had poor reliability even though it was among the highest priced of the vehicles rated, which ranged from roughly $21,000 to $30,000 as tested. Photo: 2008 RAV4 Limited V6.

An easy trick to ensure your RV dinghy tracks properly

RVtravel.com blogger Jim Twamley provides a quick tip about how to determine when you're driving your motorhome that the vehicle you're towing is tracking properly. This is a simple little trick that will cost you next to nothing and help ensure that you don't make a costly boo boo.

Motorhome RVers Can Install Their Own Tow Bar System

I’ve been RVing many years but this is my first experience with towing a vehicle behind my motorhome because it’s my first motorhome. I experienced a little angst at the prospect of ordering the equipment and installing it myself. You can get all the parts you need from your local RV dealer, or order online from an RV distributor that carries Demco products. I ordered a towing base plate for my 2000 Honda CRV, a tow bar, bulb kit and a six wire light cable. FedEx delivered the equipment right to our RV site a few days later and I couldn’t wait to unpack the boxes. Here’s what I ordered. Each towable vehicle make and model will have a different base plate and therefore a different installation procedure. I will describe what I did to successfully install mine. When I began this project I thought that it would take me a couple hours to install the base plate and maybe an hour and a half to install the bulb kit. As it turns out, it took me abut 30 minutes to install the base plate and an hour or two to install the bulb kit. The reason it took me so long to install the bulb kit was because I couldn’t decide where to run the electric wire. I played around with running it through the body panels and other ideas, but once I figured it out, it didn’t take long to install. All the newer model cars have a base plate that is "hidden" in the grill; however my installation on my 2000 CRV is on the outside of the grill. The base plate installation is straight forward. First you remove the bottom plastic splash cover and the tie down hooks. Next you attach the brackets using the existing holes, making sure you apply “Lock-tite” (supplied) to help secure the bolts in place. I didn't tighten the bolts completely until I inserted the cross-bar and loosely connected it. I tightened all the bolts, and reattached most of the plastic splash cover (don't button up the portion where the female receptacle will be installed). Next I puttered around trying to figure out how I would run the wire from the front the tail lights to the front receptacle. I was able to run the wire through an existing hole in the taillight section inside the sidewall panel and out another existing hole by the rear license plate. Next I ran the wire back out under the bumper and used wire ties to fasten it under the vehicle and brought it back up through the engine compartment (being careful not to locate the wire near the exhaust system or moving parts). I made sure that the ground was connected to each bulb all the way to the front receptacle (if you don’t this it probably won’t work!). I drilled a hole into the back side of the existing tail-light housings and inserted the bulbs.Use a hole saw to make an opening large enough to insert the female wire light cable receptacle in a “hollow” spot on your front bumper. Run the wire out, connect the receptacle, screw it into the bumper and button up the splash guard and you're in business. Now you’re ready to hitch-up and hit the road with your toad. Demco products can be purchased at your local RV store or you can contact Demco for a store location near you: Demco
If I can do this by myself without adult supervision, and you can use a wrench, then chances are you can do this too. The more stuff I can install myself, the better, because if something goes wrong, I can usually fix it myself. Helping you keep on top of your RV game – Jim Twamley

Dinghy towing: Don't back up!

Jerry Dale, representing Blue Ox Towing, offers a short tip to RVtravel.com readers about backing up a motorhome with a dinghy in tow. "Don't ever do this," warns Jerry.