Chevrolet Equinox

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Comments

  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    I would not worry about taking delivery of your nox.

    TSBs are issued by the manufacturer to communicate with their dealer service people. They do not mean that there necessarily is a problem. In fact, when you look at some of the listed TSBs, in particular the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th and the last, you will see that they really are pre-sale prep instructions for a new vehicle that the service people of course are not yet wholly familiar with.

    By way of comparison, the Toyota Camry, had 11 TSBs in '04, following its update launch year.
  • john6019john6019 Member Posts: 2
    Still no word from my dealer regarding repairs. It is odd that some Chev dealers are retaining the bad 'Noxes and giving the owners a rental/loaner car for weeks at a time and other customers are left waiting for the front end to collapse. I see we have some Chev/GM employees posting to this message board. I am well aware of the MN lemon law procedure and am following the outlined course of action.
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    suppliers who post in some of the Edmunds' boards. I have not seen a post from any of them since your post. Care to elaborate on what you are trying to say?

    Here is a link to the Minnesota Lemon Law:

    http://autopedia.com/html/LemonLaw/MN_lemonlaw2.html

    The statute is clear that it only applies where the manufacturer refuses to fix an express warranty issue.

    Unless you could show the mileage issue is the result of an engine defect or broken part, and a Nox getting 19 mpgs seems pretty normal to me, there would be no violation of an express warranty. The fact that the car does not meat an EPA mpg estimate would never be an express warranty issue. In fact, all manufacturers disclaim any obligation to meet EPA estimates.

    Your rear visibility issue could also never be a violation of an express warranty. It is just the way the vehicle is designed. When you put the seats aside in a Honda Element, the side windows are all blocked. That is not a warranty issue that is design.

    The strut issue which is apparently a problem with a minor group of Nox's is being repaired. The MN Lemon Law only applies if the manufacturer refuses or is unable to repair after a reasonable number of attempts. If you only have 800 or so miles on your 'Nox, it seems hard to believe that you could have met the reasonableness standards.

    Finally, dealers are independent. Manufacturers give them guidelines on how to deal with customer service courtesy. But in the end, the choice is theirs.
  • snowmansnowman Member Posts: 540
    Some people are very good at killing the joy of driving new vehicle. These type of little problems should be considered as nothing. Remember, Nox is a new vehicle and I am sure there will be more problems in future.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    We are likely going to sign the papers tonight on a FWD Equinox LT with 1SD preferred pkg (leather, 6 CD changer 17" wheels ect) and side curtain air bags. List is C$33,395 including destination and we are hoping to negotiate that down to the $30K mark. The vehicle is on order and should be here mid August.

    2.9% financing for 48 mo, or 4.4% lease for 36 so we may go purchase though leasing is what we usually do for my wife as she like something new every few years.

    Anyone else here bought or leased one in Canada? Should I wait and see if the rates drop a little before mid August?
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Dan, if you order SAC, you might not see the car this year! It's really deplorable how GM puts safety on the back burner.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    The truck is on their to be built / on the way list. Our lease is up in August so hopefully it will be there. Even if the curtains aren't there I would still buy. It's nice to have but I could live with out them.
  • vuefor2vuefor2 Member Posts: 490
    The Equinox seems to have curtain air bags available though it's an option.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    5 speed Camry... Good luck!!!
  • quimbynyquimbyny Member Posts: 1
    Have had my Equinox about two months. Runs great although steering is a bit sluggish. Really like leg room both in front and in back. Really hate the headrests. You can't get a good position for your head. It's like you always have to lean forward. Also detected a design flaw in that you cn't operate emergency brake with anything in pull-out cup holders and vice versa. They both want to occupy the same space!!!
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    Yup, the SAC is the phantom option that no one can get. Still not being produced due to claimed problems. That's false advertising in my book. The SAC's are available in VUE's, so what's the problem GM? Like bigdaddycoats article, probably another part that's made 10K miles away where there's production delays in some 3rd world country.
    GM's taking a big chance with a 5 day supply of engines that have to travel 11K miles to get to Ontario. One freighter sinks and the line has to shut down. Stupid move when GM's Tonawanda plant in NY must be less then 100 miles from the Canadian Border.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Maybe GM figures their chances are better with freighters than unions?

    Just-in-time yields no time at all (ISA.org)

    Steve, Host
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    I'll bet GM could get some 3.4L from NY if they had to. That said, lots of other companies get stuff from China just fine so why not GM.

    No word on any issue in getting the curtains so hopefully all will go well.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    "That said, lots of other companies get stuff from China just fine so why not GM."

    This is very true.

    That's why China's economy is booming and we are losing manufacturing jobs hand over fist. Can't blame companies though...Labor is CHEAP there.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    Yes, very cheap labour over there. I try not to buy Chinese products in general but I can live with some components coming from there.

    We took a Rendezvous out for a drive last weekend. Might end up with one as the deals are great. Not sure about the looks though, the Equinox is just so much nicer.
  • vanman1vanman1 Member Posts: 1,397
    I was on vacation this past week and I must have seen no less than 6-7 Equinoxes driving around. The vehicles is catching on fast, at least here in southern Ontario.
  • confewshzconfewshz Member Posts: 1
    I bought my NOX in March of 2004. It is a black NOX LT with leather, sunroof, 17" wheels, and a single CD player. It has about 5500 miles on it currently and the only thing ive done to it is gotten an oil change at about the 3000 mile mark. No foul odor smells yet. Not strut noise yet. No other major problems. The only minor problem I had is when the passenger side one-inch plastic tab came off of the column (between the front windshield and the passenger window). I have since glued it back with super glue and it has not come off since. As far as gas is concerned, I dont really notice a diference between my NOX and the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder 1998 Dodge Stratus I used to drive. I drive the highway any chance I can get. While on the highway, I always drive between 80 and 90mph, as I did with my Stratus. I have pushed it over 100mph a few times without really noticing I was going that fast. I also weave in and out of traffic, with the same ease as with my Dodge Stratus. The NOX has great pickup (low end torque) and has a great braking distance (I have ABS). I like the car-like drive and handling the NOX has. In fact, in my opinion, the NOX has better handling than the Impala and the TrailBlazer, that I test drove. The only thing that I still have a hard time getting used to are the location of the electric window buttons. However, that should be expected seeing that every car I have ever driven has had the buttons on the door. The only things I dont like about the NOX are the flimsy cupholders and the lack of air vents in back seat (although the lack of back seat air vents dont pose too much of a problem because it gets pretty cool back there quickly, even when it hella hot outside). So basically, ive had this car for 5 months and put about 5500 miles on it with no problems yet.
  • jrestjrest Member Posts: 26
    nice to read a positive post. i'm expecting the arrival of my nox by month's end.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    Trying to decide between a NOX and a clear out 2004 Rendezvous. Must make a decision in the next week or two.

    Anyone seen a NOX with head curtains yet? My dealer is suppose to get one but no news yet.
  • kennethkenneth Member Posts: 13
    "I always drive between 80 and 90mph" "I have pushed it over 100mph a few times" "I also weave in and out of traffic"

    So, you're the idiot I keep running into on the highway. How many accidents have you caused with your reckless driving?
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    How does his weaving cause accidents? I mean obviously HE isn't hitting anyone. If a car travelling faster than you causes you to have wreck, I'd father share the road with the speeder than someone who is easily frazzled by a passing car.
  • carsntruckscarsntrucks Member Posts: 22
    I would say that the weaving is more of a problem than the speed. Safe, fast driving (on a freeway or highway) does not cause accidents. Weaving in and out might cause someone else to overreact. In Europe 80 to 90 would be a little below average, but slower cars ALWAYS stay to the right and passing is done on the left.

    Relative to the Equinox, I am glad that it is capable at the higher speeds where horsepower comes into play more than torque. But I really wonder how bad the gas mileage will be at those higher speeds. I'm still poking around at 65 mph trying to get decent mileage like the EPA estimates.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    Average speed on the return trip was 61 mph including all fuel, bathroom, diaper stops. Not much weaving but plenty of 80-90 cruising. under cruise control.

    We were getting around 24 MPG even on I-77 through the mountains. It's rated at 25 MPG hwy. I was impressed that a car that large could get such great mileage even at high speed and over hills.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    My brother has a Montana with the 3.4L in it and he regularly gets around 26-27 mpg on his long highway trips. Not sure why the Equinox is rated lower, even with FWD?
  • kennethkenneth Member Posts: 13
    First of all, you don't know that he hasn't hit anyone. Second, when he is weaving in and out at a high rate of speed, he is assuming that the cars he is passing will, for whatever reason, not accelerate or put on their brakes. I am not easily frazzled by a passing car, but I am concerned when there is a car going 80-90 (or over 100mph) and weaving in and out of traffic. In that case, I think mine is the normal reaction - concern that I get out of his way and that he doesn't cause an accident with his reckless driving. If you prefer to share the road with someone like that - be my guest. Hopefully you two will be the only cars on that stretch of the road. If you want to respond to this email, I'll let you have the last word, since I realize that this forum is not supposed to be for this kind of a discussion. But, I couldn't help it when I read those comments.
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    But I will agree that anyone doing 80-90 is a hazard if they are over 15-20 mph faster that regular traffic. But here in Atlanta, 80-90 is normal.

    My trip last weekend I had the cruise set at 80 mph from I-81 on the Tennessee state line til my I-85 exit at Cartersville, Ga. No big deal. Only reason we were only doing 80 was that I can't see the police hiding as well at night.
  • jrestjrest Member Posts: 26
    Kenneth,
    You're probably one of those people who drive slow in the left lane which. You're the reason for road rage. If people know how to drive safely while speeding, power to me and them.
  • kennethkenneth Member Posts: 13
    Actually, I'm not one of those people. I do go over the speed limit on occasion - usually to keep up with the traffic, but not to the extent that it endangers me or the people I am sharing the road with. FYI...if a driver has road rage simply because he/she comes up on a driver going slow in the left lane, then they have bigger issues to deal with than just that. The people I see speeding and weaving in and out of traffic are not driving safely. How can you drive 80-100mph, weaving in and out of traffic, and think you are driving safely. Safely for whom? Themselves or the other people on the road? That is ridiculous. For your sake I hope one of them doesn't cause you to get into an accident.
  • joey2brixjoey2brix Member Posts: 463
    The justed making the SAC's this month. I think it's only limited to 25% of production vehicles so it may take another month or so before you start seeing the option on dealer lots.
  • jrestjrest Member Posts: 26
    In Illinois, you can get a ticket for driving slow/holding up traffic in the left lane. People need to remember the rules of the road. Slower traffic keep right.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    How about we take the driving stuff to News & Views and get back to the Nox in here?

    thanks,

    Steve, Host
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    My "SAC" equipped NOX is suppose to be here end of the month. Still thinking about the Rendezvous and even the VUE and the new Escape (both with 0-60 now here). My wife will be the main driver and she can't decide so I'm trying to read her mind, haha.

    Great deals on the 2004s so the Nox will be more for less in a way.
  • infinia1infinia1 Member Posts: 174
    i've had my nox for 3 months now. here are some impressions...

    the cloth seats are very difficult to keep clean! the window buttons are still annoying, but at least i don't reach for the door anymore. i'm having a warranty alignment done today. for those that don't know, one alignment will be done under warranty before 7500 miles. it's in the manual. the passenger side rear window button sticks in the down position sometimes. that's being fixed today under warranty too.

    the space is wonderful! i've filled up the entire back with junk on numerous occasions. i think it holds more stuff than my dad's 91 exploder. of course, he disagrees. no other problems to report-such as the strut or odor issue. i'm at 5000 miles already. i got my personalized NOX wyoming plates too! i did see somewhere it referred to as the EEK. i think NOX is better.

    the power is adequate. i'm hoping for an ss version with the 3.5 soon. i've added a hood/bug guard and tinted the front windows as my only modifications. i still have the only nox in my town. the dealer has 3 on the lot but doesn't advertise them. they need to get the word out! so far, i do not regret buying the nox instead of the crv. i made the right decision!
  • kinley1kinley1 Member Posts: 2
    does anyone else have only a 15 gallon gas tank?
    That shocked the hell out of me when i found out,
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    Why are the seats so hard to keep clean? Is it the color or the fabric?
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    another complaint about the center power window controls! :)

    I truly prefer the controls in the center.

    Last weekend I needed a Sedan. So I rented a Mazda6 from Hertz. It has the buttons on the door. It also has the manumatic option. Meaning I pretty much steered with my left hand and was busy shifting with my right. I had to change my driving position whenever I wanted to work the windows. When you work a shifter, it is much more natural to have the controls in the center.

    Also, when I came back to the car after it was sitting in the sun for a while, I wanted to quickly roll down the windows to cool it off before driving. In order to reach the controls, I had to close the door. So I was stifled for a few seconds. Poor me I know. But still, another reason it is nice to have the window controls in the center.
  • infinia1infinia1 Member Posts: 174
    it's absolutely the fabric! my interior is gray, which it also was on my 01 tracker. but that material...it seems to show every little piece of dirt. i have had to scrub out stains at least 5 times and i only have 5000 miles. and my nox is kept immaculate i might add. so it's not like the seats are dirty because i am filthy. i also have an 04 tahoe work vehicle. i just wish my nox had the same seat material as my tahoe. the tahoe has yet to show any dirt on the seats...and that truck is dirty from going to the field every day.
  • vuefor2vuefor2 Member Posts: 490
    Did you Scotch guard it? That will help keep it clean. $8 bucks (I think) a can at Target.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    Scotch guard should help. I always put it on right after I buy my vehicle. The dealers offer to do it for some silly amount of money but I think the can you can buy does the same thing essentially.
  • ufgatorsufgators Member Posts: 58
    I had two questions for owners or people fimilar with this vehicle. I was wondering if 1) the equinox has automatic on/off headlights standard and (or at all) 2) Do the steering wheel mounted audio/cruise control buttons light up at night? Thanks for your help!
  • infinia1infinia1 Member Posts: 174
    answer 1--yes...the nox does have auto headlights...along with daytime running lights-all gm vehicles have these features.

    answer 2--the buttons do not light up at night-except for the on/off light of the cruise control button.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    Spoke to my dealer last night and Equinox is suppose to be here next week. Still wavering a bit as the VUE and Rendezvous are both cheaper options given their incentives and lack of incentives on the NOX.

    It's going to go down to the wire!
  • bikeman3bikeman3 Member Posts: 85
    Both the vue and eqinox have potential roll over problems see NHTSA
  • npgmbrnpgmbr Member Posts: 248
    All SUVs have a (potential) roll over issue. Can you post a link for the rating of the Equinox? I saw the VUE in there but not the Nox.
  • dan165dan165 Member Posts: 653
    What's new.. they are SUVs. I know all about the problems and it's nothing I get too worried about. Rendezvous would be better I suppose.
  • franke767franke767 Member Posts: 2
    I thought that the Nox got a 5 star saftey rating by the government
  • halo0halo0 Member Posts: 6
    So the current $1000 rebate expires on Sept 7th I believe. Anyone have any inkling (GM insiders???) on what the incentives might be for the fall? Will the $1000 go away, stay the same or increase? I am looking to pull the trigger soon but I might cross my fingers and wait until the 7th to see what's in store.

    I can get GMS pricing (lucky me) and am looking to get an LT Nox with leather, MP3 and 17" wheels. The side air bags would be nice if they're available. The one I test drove (in Clinton MI) had them, but it seems difficult right now to find the exact combination of options that I want...
  • friendinthebizfriendinthebiz Member Posts: 31
    to Kinley1 - the nominal rated capacity of the tank is 17 gallons. Typical GM fuel gauge will read "E" long before the tank is empty. Remember that Roadside Assistance will bring fuel (and keys and jumper and flat changing) for 3 years. Any extra fuel reserve can only reduce the frequency of costly calls.
  • vuefor2vuefor2 Member Posts: 490
    So how are people liking their Equinoxes so far?
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