Good to hear you're looking in to the VUE
, but I feel your pain with the GM card points.
Still, the way GM swings it I can choose my supplier discount or the dealer's "deal" and then my GM card points (but not both) -- for the Malibu Maxx I considered the GM card point Redemption Allowance was pretty darned pitiful, so I opted for a similar-to-Saturn MSRP very close to Invoice Suzuki.
Calculate it all out and I think you may still find the Saturn an appealing deal when you consider the trim, etc. The Equinox and Torrent have extremely bloated MSRP's from what I've seen. Heck, I'd consider a GMC Canyon crew cab over the Equinox for that price.
The GM card points (with redemption limits) only seem to really make sense when you're buying a "bus" or a giant pickup, maybe a Cadillac.
Might see if you can get your hands on a used VUE a few months down the line, save a few thousand for a few thousand miles.
Don't give in to the temptation to trade-in when you encounter problems, though. It's like an easy out for GM -- they get your half-fixed trade in still in the shop, and get you in to another new vehicle. A win-win for them, and a lose-lose for you, especially if your new vehicle ends up with problems!