2011 Chevy Equinox
Two weks ago put in order for 2011 Equinox 2LT. Orderd 6 cyl. for a little extra push and to get away from slloppy elecrtic steering. Have a 2008 Malibu....great car. Hope UAW has it's act together with the NOX....Wingroot
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I think if you buy the Equinox, you buy the 4 cylinder and enjoy the advertised gas mileage savings. Otherwise, you buy the Traverse. Why pay Traverse money for a "compact Traverse"? They're both "new-technology" vehicles, but with the Traverse being more spacious and versatile.
Wingrooy
Once the vehicle is ON the expressway or interstate, unless we're talking unusually hilly upgrades (like on the Merritt Parkway in NY), ANY vehicle is going to move along well enough (4 or 6 cylinder). In '89 I drove a 2-year old 4-cylinder Escort GT (1.8L engine) from New England to Central Florida (I-95) non-stop. No problems keeping up with (or leading) the pack. However, if you have special considerations in the area where you routinely drive - like steep on-ramps merging into a densely-populated expressway, I'd really want to test-drive the vehicle in those conditions to see how it performs. Just because you're getting a 6-cylinder engine doesn't mean you're going to get the kind of quickness that you want. You may simply be paying a lot of extra money up-front (and in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle) for little or no benefit.
Can't wait to see what the solution is. If they tweek the software, they may be able to get rid of the noise, but the gas mileage will probably suffer.
Considering that GM was trying to build the biggest small SUV on the market with the best gas mileage, the vehicle may simply be too heavy a load for the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine to handle (under all circumstances).
It's a chevy.....but what a great chevy.........Wingroot
Does the 2011 Equinox come with Bluetooth and USB? It looks like the packages have been consolidated in the 2011 (LT1 at least) and I don't see any mention of these features from the 2010 model.
The interface package (USB, bluetooth) does not come standard and the package was an additional $700.00 (CDN). My father opted for the base 2011 1LT which is exactly the same as my base 2010 1LT.
I went car shopping with my father and found that there was very little differnce between the 2011 and the 2010. One car dealership had six 2011 Equinoxs on the lot. 3 were base 1LTs (with no USB interface, etc...) and were priced at $27,725. Two were upgrades 1LTs...with 18" tires, interface package (USB, bluetooth), XMradio ($260.00), and it was listed at $29, 995. The last one was a 1Lt with a 6cyl and AWD.
With the 2010 LT1, there was something called the "Vehicle Interface Package" ($495 option), which included the leather-wrapped steering wheel w/redundant audio controls, remote starter, USB, and Bluetooth. It appeared on probably 60-70% of the stickers. I'm sure it was very popular.
Now with the 2011, it appears the Vehicle Interface Package has been replaced by the "Driver Convenience Package" (almost TWICE as expense as the VIP @ $845) which (according to Edmunds) retains the remote starter, ADDS the 8-way power seat and rear camera ($425 and $320 options, respectively, in the 2010 LT1), but DELETES the USB and Bluetooth (and also apparently the leather steering wheel and audio controls?). I'm guessing there is some sub-package to add just the Bluetooth and USB features to the LT1 (as I believe there was for the 2010 LS), but it shouldn't cost anywhere near ~$700. I would think it would be about $200-$300.
Also would like verification on what happened to the leather-wrapped steering wheel w/audio controls. Is this just an Edmunds gaffe, or is that now another separate sub-package?
Wingroot:
How about the USB? Do you have that on your 2011 LT2?
The Driver Convenience Package for 2011 does not replace the aforementioned content.
And you're right - the "Driver Convenience Package" does not replace the "Vehicle Interface Package", but the nomenclature (at first) gave the impression that it did. GM plan to intentionally confuse??
From what I can see looking at the 2011 stickers, at least for LT1's - there are FAR FEWER unique MSRPs than there were with the 2010's - which makes sense with the Power Seat and Rear Camera rolled into the new Driver Convenience. Package. Personally, I don't like this because I don't want the Power Seat (height difference between my wife and I). So this means the "Driver Convenience Package" is out for me - which also takes out the Remote Start and Rear Camera. And I betcha they won't be offering the Remote start of Rear Camera as separeate options to be added to an LT1. Haven't seen it so far ... Too much tinkering.
With a 2010 LT1, if you wanted the "Vehicle Interface Package", 8-Way Power Seat, and Rear Camera, you were looking at an MSRP of $25,066. For a 2011, you will be paying $25,500, an increase of almost $500.
Still haven't run across any stickers with Rear Camera or Remote Start added as separate items on a 2011 LT1. It's really looking like you can't get one that way anymore.
Good to know that you can at least still get the puny $1000 discount off MSRP with the 2011's. Better than nothing, I guess. Was that the ACTUAL discount, or did the dealer then tack on some silly "doc fee" at the last minute that made the discount less?
Looks like plenty of 2011's out there. WAY different situation than with the 2010's.
Was talking with a co-worker here who bought a new 2010 Equinox. He says no pinging or steering issues, but he can only get 30+ MPG if he drives 55 mph. On the interstate at 70-77 mph, he gets about 23 (which is his manual calc, and lower than the 25 the computer states).
You can't buy or order the 2011 with rear camera or remote start seperatley, it's only available with the drivers convenience package. Funny thing is I visited 2 dealers the day I bought mine. Both FWD Mocha Steel LT-1's. One with drivers convenience and one without. The dealer who had the one without the convenience package refused to move from sticker and was $1600 lower for my trade in. When I told him of the price from the other dealer he simply said that he could not do better than his first offer and I'd be lucky if the first dealer held to his quoted price. So I stepped outside, called the first dealer and verified his exact price. When the numbers were confirmed, I took the deal. Still don't understand why one dealership is willing to deal and another isnt'. Guess that's why shopping around really pays off.
As for fuel mileage, to get good mileage you really need to pay attention to your driving. I use the "instantaneous fuel mileage" view to help. Seems like I tend to rest my foot on the pedal more than I should without going any faster, thus just wasting fuel. By being mindful and still driving 5 MPH average over the speed limit, on my last tank driving just city and rural 2 lanes I averaged 26.7 MPG. I live in a very hilly area also with elevation changes of several hundred feet common. Today driving just highway alone at between 60 and 70 depending on traffic, I averaged 31 traveling 93 miles. This is actual and not going by the indicator. Now I only have 800 mles on it so I do expect to see some small improvements yet. I let my wife drive it tonite when we went out and her driving habits are worse than mine. She will likely average 3-4 MPG worse than me just based on watching the instantaneous fuel mileage window.
It's a great vehicle so far and I'm happy with my choice.
As for the difference in dealer flexibility on price, some dealerships are higher volume and will cut a lower margin deal, while lower volume dealers need to make every sale count. Searching for 2011's online, I've seen dealers with 50-75 vehicles, dealers with 100-130 vehicles, and dealers (claiming, at least) to have over 250-300 vehicles (probably at more than one location). The small dealers HATE the big guys because they KNOW they can't match their deals, but a $1000 discount is something ANY dealer should be able to give a buyer. My guess is that the "tight" dealer was hoping the other dealer wouldn't 'break ranks' and actually give the discount. I think with the greater availability of the 2011's there will be a little more flexibility with the dealers this time around and your "tight" dealer will start to loosen up before long.
I don't know about the Equinox. I'm starting to lean more towards the Traverse. With the Equinox, people complain about the loud engine, the pinging, the steering, and the less-than-advertised fuel economy. Then there's the relatively small cargo area. Can the luggage for a family of four fit back there behind the back seat?? I figure the Traverse would end up costing me at least $10,000 more over its lifetime ($4000 up front and $6000 in extra fuel cost). But that's only about $1000 more per year and in exchange for that I get a lot more room inside, greater flexible with the towing, and MAYBE none of the issues still being worked out in the first year Equinox.
We'll see. Depends on what that price difference ends up being. I low-balled a dealer recently on a $36,000 Traverse, offering $28,000. I didn't really want that particular unit because it had $2400 worth of expensive options on it that I REFUSE to pay for, but I wanted to see what kind of dealer discount the salesguy would apply on top of the rebate. Turned out he got so worked up about my offer that he let me walk off the lot without seeing how much he could close the window. That's OK, I don't need a $1500 double sunroof and $900 worth of flashy chrome (I think it was)...
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That mileage looks pretty good for the V6, but what did you pay for your vehicle (and what options did you get)? Had to have been at least $27,000, right?
And you can tow 5200# with a V6 Equinox? Is there a tow package available like on the Traverse (w/ the heavy-duty cooler, electronics, and hitch)?
The 2011 Nox is a darn good auto.
Dealership is now telling us that it was the failure of a clutch in the transmission that handles gears 1 through 4. Anyone have any information on this? I've searched the internet through and through for a diagram or schematic of this transmission, but haven't come up with anything.
Certainly spoils the anticipation of having a new car!
But judging by an earlier post here, maybe you should think twice about attaching a trailer hitch to this vehicle...
Sounds like maybe you weren't able to give this unit a good test drive??? Regardless - get rid of it and report the whole incident to GM with the vehicle's VIN number. If it's a manufacturing defect I'm sure GM will be embarrased and will happily give you another unit. If it's the result of abuse at the dealership, GM should know about that, too.
They did give us a rental car until they figured out what was wrong with the Equinox and can fix it.
I will definitely be calling GM ... and the local GM rep in the area. Would sure like to know what they can "do" for us. Although everyone likes to suggest that we get "another car" ... there are procedures to follow before the Lemon Law kicks in. So, we have to wait and see how the "fix" goes and all. I told them I want to physically see the parts that failed in the transmission.
Secondly, Combined i'm only getting 18.5 or so combined gas mileage. I have about 900 miles on it. It has NEVER said more than 19.5. I would greatly appreciate anyones opion/insight.
Have you taken the vehicle to a different dealership for a second opinion? Do any codes come up when the problem occurs? Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
Thank you. That might should be my next step. No codes or fail lights on my end and Heritage Chevy in Chester, VA claims no codes and they can't get it to do what I claim. I even offered to show them video clips from my phone. They did not seem willing to do whatever necessary to satisfy me. Of course, I have yet to go to my salesman but that might be next as well. I'm paying too much money for it not to be perfect. They made me pick it up yesterday and said there was nothing they could do. The link is a video clip from my phone this morning at 0530 before I left for work. I have it and plan to get a few more this weekend and then head to the dealership until I get the help I deserve.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux_m6lD43ao
link title
If you go to a different dealership please let me know what the outcome is. The other way we could go is that I could set up a case for you and have an agent look at the situation further. If you would prefer to go this route please e-mail me your contact information, VIN, current mileage and dealership. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMmY2woFEGQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I'd make a new video. They won't take you seriously if they see you mashing the lock button trying to start the car.
Also, I'd extend the video to include a 2nd start with the key to show the difference (if there IS any) in how it starts up. What's with that screeching noise it was making just before it caught and started. Is that a loose/slipping belt??
Using the remote, the car seemed to make a screeching noise at the very end of the startup cycle just before it "caught" and started running. I'm assuming this noise is real and not a side-effect of the video or where the car was parked. You say this doesn't happen with the key. Here's a possibility for where that noise might be coming from:
When a car is started by key, the key is immediately released once the driver realizes (by ear) that the car has started. But if the driver does not drive off immediately (maybe they're sitting waiting for someone), they can make the mistake of turning the key AGAIN with the engine already running (after the engine rpm has warmed down to an inaudible level). Doing this causes the starter motor to try to re-engage a moving flywheel ring gear (causing a screeching noise).
I wonder if the remote starter is somehow trying to start the car twice - engaging the starter motor into the ring gear twice during the cranking cycle. Just guessing here, but maybe there is some microphone inside the engine compartment that acts like a human ear to detect when the car is "started" and it's not working properly - maybe due to distortion? Try remote-starting the car in different enviroments to see if this has any effect (in an open area vs. inside a closed-in area).