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-juice
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=19&article- _id=7878&page_number=1
Let's hope the 3.4l gets the same updates that the 3500 did in the Malibu.
-juice
The 3.4L engine in the Equinox is made in China. I was seriously considering an Equinox until I saw the engine source as China on the window decal. I understand the global market (we own a Honda and a Dodge), but I DON'T like sending money to communist China. They get enough of it already and I certainly didn't expect this kind of thing in a Chevy touting it's "American" attributes. Yes the platform is soucred, but this China thing caused me to walk out of the show room.
For those who may not be aware, China isn't using all of this wealth we're sending there to help their citizens. It's being spent on nukes to point at the US and it's allies and build a huge military force....for which I have no clue. I don't know too many European or countries in the Americas just itching to attack China.
I'll buy US product and that from our Asian and European allies which means GM is out of the picture.
There are Liberty Bell souvenirs here in Philly that are made in China.
For instance, CR-V gets 22 mpg city on EPA tests but just 15 mpg from CR. But it's the same vehicle!
So either compare EPA or compare only CR's results, but I wouldn't mix and match because that comparison really carries no significance.
-juice
FWIW, I agree on the speed issue. 8.5 second to run 0-60mph is plenty fast enough for this class of vehicle. In fact, it's quite competitive.
Back to the Equinox- the car is actually pretty good and roomy from what Car and Driver says. I wonder if they will stretch the platform a little longer and create an Equinox EXT version for those people that want three rows of seats without all the bulk of a TrailBlazer.
Steve, Host
Apparently for quite a while (see China Nuclear Forces Guide).
But that is not the topic here so best we stick to the Equinox.
tidester, host
The more I look at the Colorado, I think the 3.5L I5 would have been the best engine for the Nox.
The Colo/Nox are about the same size. and the OHC package would probably fit OK in a mini-SUV (just like the I6 in the Trailblazer). 225 lb of torque would have been nice, plus a 5sp manual.
The Colorado basicaly in the same price range, so where's the big savings on the Nox with an imported engine?
If you want the I5 in an SUV, wait for the H3. Word is, it will have a turbocharged I5 with ~300 HP.
Sitting in the drivers seat, I felt that the seat was amply comfortable for my 5' 11" frame. Decent lumbar. Headroom was quite sufficient. The dash materials are marginal. The center console is fairly cheap painted plastic but it looks OK. Controls had a good feel. Window controls are on the center console. In between the seats there is a well with cupholder and plenty of room for storage. There is a dual cupholder in what looks like the center ashtray. The center armrest lifts up to reveal a CD rack. It has a small storage compartment.
The steering wheel adjusts upward but only enough to barely make it acceptable to me. It should really go an inch higher. Guages are fine.
Cloth is unusual. It's a flat cotton with a faint texture, unlike the velour-like fabric in my Envoy. It felt fine though.
Rear seat was very comfortable and when my wife drove with the seat pretty far up, I could stretch my legs fully but the backs of the front seat rails were exposed to about 3 inches because she sits so far up. Sliding rear seat is a great feature. Rear view is impaired somewhat by the headrests but they are removeable I was told.
Rear hatch has no separate moving glass piece but that doesn't bother me.
Rear cargo is as expected. (See above discussions)
Exterior is very stylish. It looks great in Black and Red, especially. Seam on side of hood doesn't look bad at all. There is a fairly big well for the wipers that looks a little wierd. You could almost put luggage in it.
Fog lights incorporate nice looking lenses.
Driving was a pleasure. Acceleration off the line is very strong but it really excels in mid-range torque. Very quick acceleration from 30-50 etc. and probably higher. Suspension is tight and it handled bumps very well. No bottoming. Engine is quiet but has a nice whine to it.
It cornered with very little body roll and the steering has a strong on-center feel. Road feel comes through the wheel at just the right level. It is not rangy or vague compared to my Envoy. Brakes worked very well.
The base radio has quite good sound. Very adequate unless you're an audiophile. Strong bass.
It definitely doesn't have the interior quality of say the Highlander or other more expensive comparable vehicles and it's probably a little cheaper in feel inside than say an Escape or Tribute.
Overall, my wife and I were quite impressed.
We are waiting to see one with leather before making a decision.
Any questions?
I didn't try to fold down the back seats. If they don't fold flat, how do they fold?
As for first year models, I agree with you but I have always been a sucker. I must say, as time goes on and quality improves, it's been less of an issue. My Envoy was a first year model and it was trouble free. There were 2 recalls but you see that with many vehicles old and new.
I did try to convince my wife to consider the Highlander, but she doesn't like the shape of the vehicle. Too station wagon/van looking for her. Its interior quality is definitely superior to the Nox and I suspect the mechanicals are too. I'm still annoyed by GM's decision to use drum brakes in the rear. You can see them plainly through the alloy wheels and it's not an impressive sight.
Some US cars are even made in Canada. Should we boycott them?
Canada also takes advantage of the US trade deficit but we all know the ratio with China is the worst and growing. Not to mention a country that has no unions, child labor laws, minimum standard of living, etc.
Funny how the WTO and GWB wants free open markets with all our jobs getting out sourced, and allowing millions of Indians to freely come here and take our jobs, but most countries run surpluses not balanced trade with the US. Not to mention, most countries have stricter immigration laws then the US. Why are we asked to carry the world with nothing in return?
But they should boost production of the 3500, better yet have that replace the 3400 entirely.
-juice
On the 1SD package with 17" inch wheels and side airbag, the cost is $380/mo. These are premium prices for a non-premium car. I could get a Caddy SRX for around the same.
-juice
It's a nice mini-SUV but it's no way better then a CRV. How can it be worth 3-5K more? Zeen's right. When they first anounced the Nox over a year ago it was mentioned that it would base under 20K at around 18K. Now it starts at over 21K! You'll reallysee some depreciation if you buy at current prices.
Thanks for the rear seat info Larry. I think the design flaw you mention is a result of the sliding rear seat set up. One has to weigh the advantage of the great legroom against the disadvantage of not having a flat deck.
I have some work to do to convince my wife to consider the Highlander, but I'm trying. It's just a style issue.
Zeen: The Nox is alot bigger then the CRV, on the outside, with little to no extra space on the inside. The 4 cyl Highlander's are heavily discounted now. I saw a base 6 cyl (all 6's get the 3rd row seat) for only 26K advertised, so it was probably only FWD. But I'm sure as summer approaches, more deals will be out there. Gas prices should scare SUV sales to a halt and then watch for the discounts.
Seriously, the 'nox came out priced higher than some forecasts. Buyers will just wait for the rebates, GM has not choice but to offer them.
Look at the Element, sales were forecast at 40k/year. They sold something like 67k the first year and are on pace to double forecasts.
Why? It's heavier and slower and smaller than the CR-V, and only seats 4, and you have to remove your seat belt to let someone sitting in the back seat out. Styling is unconventional. What's the secret for their success?
PRICE.
Element is significantly cheaper than the CR-V. Even with 16" rims standard.
Honda has had to increase production twice, and it's selling at a brisk pace near double what they were prepared for.
Honestly, do you think Equinox will sell at double the pace of sales forecasts before rebates arrive?
Anyone want to take that bet? )
-juice
For leases, people will see that a comparable Trailblazer is at least 10% less and other manufacturers like Ford, Chrysler and Mitsubishi are offering very attractive lease prices. One important variable on a lease is residual value. Using a low residual results in an expensive lease. GM did this with the Envoy/Trailblazer when they first came out and then, within about 3-4 months, raised the residuals and thus lowered the monthly payments. The big question is, as was asked above, will people pay a big premium to be the first on the block?
Subaru is doing a 7 seat SUV/crossover and price is a major point of debate. Some people want it all: HIDs, Nav, side curtain air bags, XM/Sirius, OnStar, etc., but at what price? Some have it in Acura MDX/Lexus RX price territory.
I'd rather see something sized/priced like the Pilot but sportier.
-juice
1. The center console is not very functional. A good place to rest you arm but not much for useable enclosed storage space.
2. The Nox is only available with disc/drum brakes. I believe in this day and age that 4 wheel discs should be a no brainer.
3.The rear hatch doesn't have a separate flip up glass window.
4. A very poor attempt at a tilt steering column. It may be adjustable, but not by much.
5.The rear seat was not as comfortable as I would have hoped. They skimped on padding.
6. The center rear seating position does not have a head rest. A small one that can be raised to a useable position is needed.
The Nox is a great looking car from the outside, but that's only a small consideration when we look for a vehicle. We are not ready to buy anything yet but the Nox is off our list at this point. What's really irritating is we have a GM Mastercard and an Olds customer loyalty rebate. The two together are worth at least $2500. I feel that neither of these will be redeemed anytime soon. Right now the SanaFe,CRV and 2005 Escape/Tribute come the closest to having what we feel are important features for our next auto. It's really sad that these vehicles have been out for several years and Chevy ignored the leaders of the pack when they designed the Nox.
A sad day in Mudville!
Ateixeira, Im not sure what the pricing is like down in the States, but up here it seems very competitive. Incentives are generally higher in the U.S. than here so maybe GM built in more room in the price down there?
j30, The 3.4L is a decent mill. I know some people don't think it's good but over all it's pretty reliable and smoother than a 4 cyl. you will find in many of these little SUVs.
As for the center console, I never really needed hidden storage so that's not a big deal for me. There are hidden CD slots and a deep well on the floor for junk. Most of the stuff in my present vehicles enclosed console is trash anyway.
I agree that rear drums are inexcusable. They even look horrible through the nice alloy wheels.
Tilt column doesn't adjust high enough. I have a separate glass on my hatch on my Envoy and I've used it about twice in 3 years. Not a big issue for me.
Center rear seat headrest is not that important unless you drive 5 people around all the time. I found the rear seat fairly comfortable. As VW ads go, firmer seats are better for long trips.
I would argue that the Nox is much more stylish than the Santa Fe or the CRV. I would not feel comfortable in either. Too feminine for me. The Sorrento may be the best looking of them all but Kia quality is way below anything American or Japanese.
Escape/Tribute will be real competitors for the Nox and the 05 models have some upgrades that will attract buyers.
Time will tell. It all boils down to pricing.
The new Escape is nice, saw it at the auto show. I'm still a little weary of Ford from our old Explorer but I would buy again.
I agree with you on Korean quality. It's just not there and the re-sale and gas mileage is also bottom of the barrel.
The Malibu's 3500 is night-and-day better. The Equinox get a 5 speed auto so perhaps that masks that a bit, I just think it deserves at least a better upgrade engine. At $28.5k (loaded) you expect better than 185hp.
OTOH, base models are a much better value. $22k or so, right? If you buy based on size, especially wheelbase, it's an easier sell.
-juice