New Car!

[Tourigjm]

Well, new to me anyway.

I actually traded my '98 corolla ve for an 03 saturn vue.

Now i know that I'm losing some significant MPG possibilities in this switch, but it was a deal i couldn't pass up. It was a direct 1-1 trade for the two cars. Now i have power everything, all the extras, sunroof etc...

Best part is its 5 speed manual, mated to a 2.2l inline 4.

First few fills have netted me ~ 28mpg, considering highway epa rating is 26 i think im doing well. I'm not doing P&G, and with winter in full force im not going to be turning off the engine anytime while im driving.

I'll get a new fuel log started up soon so y'all can monitor my progress/regress

Major Mods aren't going to happen unless they have the potential to increase the value of the car, I'm not keeping it for much more than a year and a half.

[Red]

Cool. Sweet deal

[RH77]

Of all the Mini-Utes, the Vue was always popular with the fam to rent for weekends (that, and the Malibu Maxx). I always liked that Ecotec 2.2L matchup -- never had the pleasure of a manual test drive. For a bit of unruly fun, the Honda V-6 they put in those was a blast.

I look forward to the results! IIRC, 4 adults with luggage and cargo with the automatic was around 24. Great potential.

Enjoy the new ride

-Rick

[bclark89]

Keep in mind that the ecotec's oil life system counts every time the car is started and calculates that into the oil change algorithm. So if you decide to do some EOCing in the future you would want to ignore the light or change at 3k miles anyways.

[Tourigjm]

hehe that light's been on for years, my dad never figured out how to turn it off after changing the oil.

[Christ]

J35A3

* 2001 - 2002 Acura MDX
* 2005 - 2008 Acura RL
* 2004 - 2007 Saturn Vue L66


Taken from:
Honda J engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I find this LOL-able.

[SVOboy]

Where are the pictures?

[whokilledthejams]

Wow, I had no idea those could be had with a stick. I did know it had a Honda engine, however (which is really weird, but definitely for the best-- other than the current Ecotecs, GM has never made a 4-banger that was any good).

Nice numbers, too! 28mpg in a vehicle that size (and shape) is definitely nothing to sneeze at.

[cfg83]

Tourigjm -

Congratulations! Pictures please. Can I see a picture of the engine bay? I think you have an Ecotec.

whokilledthejams -

I *think* the Honda engines were V6's.

CarloSW2

[Clev]

Originally Posted by Tourigjm

hehe that light's been on for years, my dad never figured out how to turn it off after changing the oil.

If it's like the Ion with the Ecotec, hit the button on the odo until you see "Oil Life", then hold it for a few seconds to reset it.

Good luck with it! My Ion has the 2.2 Ecotec with a 5-speed, and even with the nightly climb up the hill, I'm breaking 36 mpg. It's a good engine.