Saturn Outlook: The forgotten cheap ticket into the GM Lambda Triplets?

We're shopping "new" family haulers for my wife. We have 2 young children (5yo & 8-month old), and she really wants to find a 3rd row vehicle for being able to be carpool mom hauling friends, general soccer mom stuff, etc.

She's not opposed to minivans, but her tastes tend to outstrip our budget. (She really likes the new Siennas) I can find '08+ body style Chryslers in our budget with leather/DVD all day long though.

She also likes crossovers, and likes the idea of AWD since we live on the westside of Michigan and see substantial snowfall every winter. We know we don't need AWD, we've never been stuck with proper snow tires and fwd, but alas, if it was available, not a bad thing. Again, MOST of the modern offerings are out of budget. (she loves the new Explorer, likes the Flex also)

I'd like to spend less than $15K. I'd like to get a "mostly current" ('08 or newer) body style vehicle with <75K miles. Leather/heated seats as well.

Selfishly I'd like to find a vehicle with a tow package, so I can dolly around my broken VW's without having to borrow a truck all the time.

Most of the Ford Explorers/Flexes or GMC Acadias / Chevy Traverse / Buick Enclave's with AWD/leather are well out of the price range. Then I stumbled upon a Saturn Outlook by mistake.

I forgot these existed. Same "truck", available '07-'09 until they killed Saturn, and '09's got the same DI 3.6 V6 drivetrain. They seem to have been hit with the depreciation stick harder than their peers due to brand mortality.

Example: http://jxn.craigslist.org/cto/4379669795.html AWD / tow package / 83K / <$13K obo.

Almost: http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/4344864586.html AWD / '09 / 62K / $12K (cloth interior though)

Closer: http://saginaw.craigslist.org/cto/4391282594.html AWD / '09 / 73K / leather / ~$16Kobo. (no tow package)

So with a little hunting and expanding my driving distance, I likely can find one on budget with every option we want. She'd probably like them (a couple of her friends have the Chevy Traverse version). Any reason not to own the Saturn variant? Seems like a lot of crossover for the money, plus 5K+ towing capacity with factory tow package.

Am I missing any other contenders?

It was mentioned here once that the dead brands can be harder to get financed.
Check with your own Credit Union in advance to verify.
Otherwise, seems like a wise move.
Saturn also had a mini van, the Relay

Pontiac Torrent (Chevy Equinox twin) may share the same fate. One size smaller but still big.
I think 3,500 tow rating.

We have one and love it. Bought it back in August. Had just under 50k miles, high end package with AWD, Black Leather, etc. It is a great car for my wife and does pretty good in the snow.

We did however have a lifter freeze up due to a blocked oil passage from sludge. It was under warranty since it was a certified GM pre-owned. We got ours for $18k out the door, which was the best deal I could find for the low miles when we bought it.

The DI motors had issues with the timing chains and sludge for the first few years. I'd look for something that had those issues addressed under warranty.

dj06482 wrote: The DI motors had issues with the timing chains and sludge for the first few years. I'd look for something that had those issues addressed under warranty.

Well the '07 / '08 cars did not have DI. Not sure if the '09 is more or less desireable then in actuality? The '07/'08's are typically cheaper anyways.

I think it is the best looking of the bunch, but you know me, I'm strange.

Agreed that the Saturn is probably the best value of the Lambdas. If you want to save a little more $$$, you might look for a Buick Rendezvous Ultra, which also had the 3.6 (not DI though). It's about a foot shorter than the Lambdas, has a more comfortable second row, and is easier to see out of. On the downside, it has a much worse third row, has the old blocky styling, and has the steering feel of a Chevy Venture.

Sincerely, The guy who bought a Buick Rendezvous for his wife

bluebarchetta wrote: On the downside, it has a much worse third row, has the old blocky styling, and has the steering feel of a Chevy Venture. Sincerely, The guy who bought a Buick Rendezvous for his wife

Yeah the Rendezvous doesn't pass the wife test for me.

Not a bad vehicle. I got a Caravan over one, though. Compare them. The Pentastar minivan rocks.

How much can these things tow?

In reply to Swank Force One:
5,000 lbs stated in second to last senate of first post.

Friend of mine has had one for a couple years now. Been happy with it although it's a bit thirsty around town.

JohnRW1621 wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: 5,000 lbs stated in second to last senate of first post.

Erp. My mistake.

Swank Force One wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote: In reply to Swank Force One: 5,000 lbs stated in second to last senate of first post.

Erp. My mistake.

No worries, I wrote a bit of a book up there.

There seems to be some discrepancy from what I've ready online. Most of the Saturn Outlook specific data says 4500lbs. with tow package, but the other general GM Lambda platform data I've seen shows 5200lbs. with tow package.

Either is plenty for what I'd be using it for.

Ours has the factory tow package, but it really isn't great to tow with. These feel massively underpowered navigating the Pittsburgh hills. I towed a small enclosed trailer with a washer and drier out to Columbus and it did great at highway speeds, but really struggled getting up to speed.