Road Trip: Ion RL vs Vue 4 Cyl

[Nero]

On Wednesday night, my wife and I are going on a 1500 mile trip to Bristol, TN. We are headed down to the NASCAR race there and are having a little disagreement over which vehicle to take on our trip. I am pushing for the Ion and she for the Vue.

I am in favor of the Ion for one main reason: Power. The Ion will be easier and less stressful to drive on the hills and mountains in Eastern TN.

My wife favors the Vue for its more comfortable ride and tailgate cookout abilities. She also claims that we will save a lot on gas by not paying for premium fuel. Both vehicle get about 27 MPG on the highway, in real world numbers.

Here is my answer to the fuel cost argument:
1500 miles/27MPG= 56 Gallons of gas used.
Regular @ $2.59 a gallon = $145 in gas
Premium @ $2.89 a gallon = $161 in gas

While it is indeed more money, I feel that if $20 is going to break us on this trip, then we really shouldn't be going.

So I put it to you, fellow Ion Redline owners, which should I take on my trip? The 140 HP Vue or the underrated 205 HP Ion?

[clevelander2002]

I think the ion would be a lot more fun in the mountains. My 04 Cavalier was a blast and that was only a 2.2 w/ aem intake. Also I think the Ion would handle those sudden crosswinds a lot nicer. I never drove a vue though. no offense, I just dont really like SUV's.

[Lin Evans]

So I put it to you, fellow Ion Redline owners, which should I take on my trip? The 140 HP Vue or the underrated 205 HP Ion?

Take the Redline - leave the wife?

Of course if you want to survive the trip, don't take my advice ....... HA!

Lin

[LoungeLizard]

I took my RL on a 1000 mile roadtrip, and it was great!

[bigmistat427]

Take the VUE- More room

[pclear9061]

hell when i drove my rl home from CO springs CO to cali it was a bast and it was soo comfortable. i would take the rl. my wife has the v6 vue and we still take my car everywhere. gotta wear the pants

[SpikemanII]

This is funny, because we have the same exact vehicles. We took the VUE on a trip down to Southern Minnesota about 6 weeks ago. 32 MPG! I shit you not. Now, on the way down, we only did 60-65 without the AC on. Coming back, we got about 27 with the AC on and 65-70 driving. The VUE is much more practical, especially when you have the mother-in-law, three suitcases, and lord knows what else. That being said, don't think I didn't bitch the whole trip that we should have taken the RL. Next time we go on a trip, we're taking the RL. It's just going to be my girl, an overnight bag, and no mother-in-law!

[dipolley]

Originally Posted by bigmistat427

Take the VUE- More room

I agree. More room for stuff and much more comfortable room wise. The IRL can get cramped quick.

[BluStreak]

I have the same vehicles as well. If I am not dragging a bunch of crap around we always take the Redline.

[Cole]

I have the RL and my girlfriend has a 4cyl 2002 Vue. We took the Vue to San Antonio only because we were going to a drive thru safari. If not for that I wouldv'e taken the RL for the weekend trip. If each of you are only taking one bag and some munchies then take the RL. Anything more I would say the Vue out of sheer convenience.

It's interesting how many have the RL and a Vue, don't ya think.