Chevrolet Equinox

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Comments

  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    The intake manifold gasket will go on the back 3 cyl. facing the firewall making it a bear to get to. Things like this should not be 50K problems!
    Maybe a water pump/alternator I'd expect a chance of seeing, but major problems like this should not be common at 50K.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    joey: the CR-V EX doesn't have side curtain air bags, so no fair comparing a loaded up LT to that model.

    You should equip them the same and then compare prices. Maybe even factor in a $1000 rebate and invoice price vs. the CR-V's real-world price.

    No DVD on the nox? That's strange. Even the Malibu Maxx gets one.

    -juice
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    I saw one in a 'Slade that was as big as my laptop screen. I could drive along side and let my daughter watch "Finding Nemo". Those things are kind of distracting for other drivers!

    My wife wants one in her next vehicle, which is to be an SUV. The Equinox intrests me mainly becaue of the GM discount. If I don't have to drive it, I don't care what she buys.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    EX has front side airbags, not curtains. Again, you'll never get the totally exact config in 2 models. I want some kind of side protection and a moonroof with AWD. The EX and LT with moonroof, curtain airbags come very close. Now we have no real world prices yet only MSRP. Use the Edmunds TMV price calc: CRV: 22,556 Nox: 25,890
    I'll assume little or no discount the first month. I don't see any value for that extra 3K, especially with an old tech iron block Chinese made 3.4L Now if I get 2K cash back and only 1K over invoice, I might consider it.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The CR-V EX's air bags only protect the torso, not the head, though. It also doesn't even offer leather, heated seats, traction/stability control, etc.

    Honda value priced it, but to do that they really limited the content to the very basics.

    I don't think anyone will find value if it's a first-on-the-block model. Better to wait and let prices settle down. Even the mighty Sienna is being discounted at my local dealer.

    -juice
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Not having heated leather seats is roughing it to you? There is no traction/stability control on the Nox, just ABS like the Honda. Drum brakes and no variable valve timing on the Nox. 5sp Auto and it has only so-so MPG numbers. Now which car do you call only having the basics? What great options does the Nox feature: a plastic tray in the back? I'm only considering it because of the styling.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Maybe I was hoping GM would equip it better.

    Toyota offers VSC in the RAV4, I think Navi is coming. Forester has a turbo and heated seats, mirrors, even wiper de-icers. Vue Redline gets 250hp. Two of those get 16" and the Vue gets 17" or 18", I forget now.

    I thought the 'Nox would offer at least some of those, maybe not.

    -juice
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    I could have added the optional 17" rims, MP3 player, and 6 way power seats to the Nox but that would make the base price diff even worse. A 250HP Honda V6, even without the i-vtec, is the best option anyone could ask for!
  • bporter1bporter1 Member Posts: 229
    Wow, I thought the Nox would be a little cheaper, but it is almost worth it to go with the Saturn Vue. Better engine and pretty close to the same optional equipment offerings. I know the Chevy will be cheaper when you factor in the invoice price. Anyway I don't know if it is worth it, IMHO.
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    I figure 88% of MSRP for GMS pricing, which puts a fully loaded LT around $25500. Edmunds lists a comparably equiped Escape Limited for around $27000, or $25500 with the current $1500 rebate. This suggests to me that the Equinox is somewhat overpriced and there will be the perverbial incentive money on the hood shortly after launch.
  • rctennis3811rctennis3811 Member Posts: 1,031
    What pros did GM put into the Equinox to distinguish it from the Vue?? I'm not understanding how the Vue has a better engine, the same safety features, and probably more features. Hey, I'll take the dent-resistant panels anyday! Any chance the 3.5 from the Bu will make it into the Nox soon?? :)
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    GM's too worried about the Chinese economy and was probably easier to import into Canada since Suzuki engines were coming in anyway. The Mexican 3.5L will get shipped to US assembly plants. Maybe Nox's will be built in the Vue plant also if sales really take off.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    GM is expanding in China big time and I suspect to make the communist government happy and show that it's all benefiting China, they had to find something to export. I am still unclear if the 3.4L from China is the exact same as the 3.4L built in the U.S. Sounds like it is but who knows, maybe some mods have been done.

    Expect to see cars from China in the not too distant future. Everything else comes from there, why not cars right?
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    GM wants to be a major player in China. But China has no plans to import anything but energy and raw material to manufacture and export back out. Their 3.4 is EXACLY the same. Why would want to have different replacement parts for different 3.4L? This was a problem in the old days when every division made its own engines slightly different.
    In general, we buy low end quality products from China and Korea because of the price. So why isn't the Nox the price of a Kia? GM just increasing the profit margin while it gives us low tech product.
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    The Equinox rides a six inch longer wheelbase making rear seat and cargo areas much bigger. The rear seat apparently adjusts fore/aft.

    The 3.5L V-6 in the Malibu makes 200hp/220lb-ft vs. the 3.4L in the Equinox making 184hp/242lb-ft. Given the Equinox weighs more than a Malibu, the greater torque of the 3.4L may be a better choice.

    They need to make a SS model with the 3.9L...
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    The 3.4L only puts out 210 lb-ft not 242.
    The 5in of extra leg room and 5 cu. ft of extra rear cargo are probably not measured at the same time. (Marketing can thank the sliding rear bench!) Funny, go to the Saturn web site and it let's you run a comparison between Vue and Nox. Even the the other GM division thinks the Vue's a better deal! Hehe.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Engine is only 1 component in the cost of a vehicle. The Equinox is priced about the same as a Kia Sorento, less in base form.
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    You're right. Time to junk that old-time piece of iron. They're probably just shipping the tooling to China to make the engines as part of a trade agreemet and figure they got to stick them into something. Too bad they chose the Equinox. Maybe they should have used fleet Impalas and Classics instead.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    The 3.4L is already made there. It goes into Chinese Buicks.

    Unions would have no part of Chinese engines. It had to go to CAMI. I too wish they would have gone into the fleet Chevy Classics or something. 3.5L from the Bu would have made a much better choice.
  • stumack1stumack1 Member Posts: 56
    ...an Equinox this morning in traffic a couple of kilometres from the GM plants in Oshawa. Silver with a dealer plate.
  • rctennis3811rctennis3811 Member Posts: 1,031
    It may be a little thing, but I do like the steering wheel of the Vue better. That 3-spoke from Caddy should've gone to the Nox too. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I much prefer the looks of the Equinox. I wish they took better advantage of the longer wheelbase.

    Saturn has the nicer engine but I wasn't happy with the interior, especially the seats.

    -juice
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    looks the same between the VUE and Equinox, which was something I really didn't like about the VUE. I thought it felt like sitting in a sedan covered by an SUV body - too low relative to the cowl and door windows. Maybe with a power seat you could raise the seat up enought.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    ateixeira : The new V6 model interior on the VUE is much nicer for 04. It's top 3 on my list of vehicles for sure.

    stumack1 : Must be pre-production.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At NAIAS, I asked the guy at the Saturn booth, though I think I asked if the Redline's seats were different from the other models. Perhaps the entire 2004 lineup got upgraded seats.

    Hope so, they needed it. Especially more side support.

    -juice
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Have not sat in the 04, just peered into the window.

    The dash looks much better though on all V6 models. Only option I would get is an MP3 player and I'll be happy.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They changed the dash too? I hope the interior colors are better. I'll go drive a Redline model one of these days.

    -juice
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    yep, the dashboard was updated for the '04 VUE. Chrome rings around the dials, which are now sort of a yellowish-cream color and a new steering wheel.
  • chevyguy657chevyguy657 Member Posts: 216
    For intake manifold gasket reasons, as you know, I'm not really all that interested in the Nox. But, now you have me on a VUE-review (thanks, and I'm being sincere). Ironically, I accompanied my sister when she took her SL2 in for routine service in Nov and picked up the '04 VUE mini-brochure.

    Wow, I really hadn't looked at it. The dash is a big step up (steering wheel is classy, but a bit weird). The materials state:"Satin-nickel finish door handles, chrome bezels, six-way power driver seat, and extra sound-proofing insulation". AND a $2,500 rebate on non-Redline models right now(can get the V-6 on the base VUE, thankfully).

    Something to contemplate.
  • chevyguy657chevyguy657 Member Posts: 216
    I'd better stick to sedans or the Maxx.

    Nox engine is a no-go and the VUE's front seat legroom (per the specs) is even worse than a friend's Santa Fe, which I can't fit in at all.

    Oh well, later.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Not much in the way of deals on VUEs here. They sell well with out them I guess. 0% for 36 months and no cash back is all you get. Still, it seems like a decent value with that 3.5L monster engine under the hood.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Dindak: Deep down you want to hear the purr of that Honda OHC's turning 24 valves at 6300 RPM under the hood of your next car. You defend GM's actions for some odd reason. But I think a Honda Vue will be the next car in your driveway. Chevy's "American Revolution" is gonna have to do a little bit better then using old engines with bamboo shoots or chop sticks for push rods to sell 3M cars/trucks. Chevy has to give you quality, performance, MPG, technolgy, styling to make a hit. 2 out of 5 ain't gonna cut it anymore with today's consumers.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    250 hp and good mileage, hard to beat. Yes I do like it, but I liked the VUE with the old 3.0L also. Equinox still may have a sale though, I still prefer the Chev look.

    I've had pushrods in the past and I'd go back. The over all package is much more important to me than what kind of technology is pulling the beast. Really in the end, 90% of people on the street have no real idea whats under the hood.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    until they test drive competitors.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    And still have no idea.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    They might not know an OHV from a DOHC but who doesn't like extra power, engine smothness, and better handling from a lighter front end? You even said the Vue is having great sales now with no discounts since the Honda engine showed up. Vue's in it's 3rd year and just now sales jump? Hmmmm. Thanks Honda, you give the competion a great motor to increase their sales and your own models are still making record sales. Like I said, GM still has a lot of improvement to do.
  • rctennis3811rctennis3811 Member Posts: 1,031
    Well, I disagreed with you before, but I finally got into a Malibu, and it was nice. Power delivery was smooth and constant, though not as refined. I did like the seats which were pretty supportive, but the dash was just average. Overall, I liked the car with its PUSHROD engine. It was much improved from the 3.1/3.4/3.8L crapolas GM HAD been putting out.

    So yea, the "new" pushrods" are pretty good you guys. Ride in one and you'll see. :)
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Sales were up big before the engine hit. 3.5L VUEs didn't show until late in the year. 3.5s are only going to be a max of 50K also.

    3.5L is nice, but if I like the utility, ride and comfort of the NOX better and the 3.4L has been put under the hood properly, I see no reason I would not buy one. I have rented Montanas in the past and my parents had a 3.4L Alero and I found the engine just fine.

    I will say that I am somewhat puzzled by the estimated 24 or 25 mpg on the highway. I would have expected at least 27 given what Montana gets.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    The 3.5L in the Bu sounds like a pushrod, but the power, refinement and noise have really been improved so much. Glad to hear you liked it. The ride quality on the Bu is also excellent, got to love that Saab platform!
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    I haven't seen them posted anywhere. What is the City estimate?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    50k engines might only last a year at Vue's sales rates. Hurry up if you want it.

    The 'bu's 3.5l V6 is fine, folks, go drive one. Remember CR's Malibu V6 was more fuel efficient than Japanese FOUR cylinder competitors.

    It used to be the other way around, hmm...

    -juice
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    Looks like something from a 70s Plymouth...
  • rctennis3811rctennis3811 Member Posts: 1,031
    It's the same wheel from the CTS. :)
  • lichtronimolichtronimo Member Posts: 212
    a 70s Cadillac, then. ;-)
  • vuefor2vuefor2 Member Posts: 490
    Just been reading the last 40 posts. Some funny people here.

    I have to admit, I'm one of those people who only knows there is a 3L V6 under the hood of our Vue and it works fine. I am learning more but really I don't understand the difference between OHV and OHC. All I know is I want something that works well and won't break down.

    The 3.5L in the Vue now is nice, but I still think it's more power than anyone would ever need. I am looking forward to seeing what GM does with this Equinox and how it drives compared to our Vue. In the end, if I likes it I would buy it no matter how "old" the technology might be under the hood. My grandfather always said, just because it's old, doesn't mean it's no good.
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    They are the only thing keeping Saturn going.

    Post 494 is pure fantasy.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    "pretty good", sure, but 'as good as', does it apply?

    having driven the maxima v6 (same as altima), accord v6, and mazda6 v6 its got a huge hill to climb to be 'as good as'.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    reg : I think the 3.5L has an above average performance / refinement quotient. As usual you don't factor in the huge price gap. That's also key.

    logic : You are right, VUE sales are closing in on ION sales.
  • rctennis3811rctennis3811 Member Posts: 1,031
    I agree. You could feel the difference, literally. I'm comparing it to the Camry's 3.0, Honda's 3.0, and Mazda's 3.0. :)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It was torquier than Camry's 3.0l. Toyota switched to a 3.3l now, though.

    Mazda's 3.0l is a Ford Duratec, BTW.

    None of the 3 are as efficient, either.

    -juice
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