Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
I think very few people heading to their Buick/GMC dealerships will cross-shop the two.
We test drove a trailblazer and a rendevous. We hated the trailblazer but we loved the rendevous and bought one (2002). We previously owned a honda accord and a v6 toyota camry. We wanted that car drive with the extra space and convertabilty. That is why we love the rendevous. Drives like a car, with lots of headroom, lots of storage, easy to get people in and out of (kids, older people with leg problems).
The trailblazer lacked the headroom, space, mini-van like features and drove stiff like a truck.
Back to Equinox. The reason we are interested in Equinox as a second car to go along with the rendevous is that I was told that it would ride like a car. That it was built on a car platform.
Waiting to test drive. If we do not like it, then another rendevous.
I got a $750 off coupon in the mail today from GM on almost any 04 model including Saturns and Saabs. Unfortunately it does not include Equinox SO.. if we do decide to buy in the spring (coupon expires April 30) the VUE will have a $750 advantage in this category.
$750 isn't enough to make me buy before year end clear outs but it can be combined with current offers so if they get a bit better before April 30 I might bite.
They then had a 3k rebate later on near end of year (Aug/sept). I would wait until then if possible to give the equinox some time to get the early bugs out and see what rebates show up in the summer. That is what I am going to do. I plan to test drive the Equinox when it arrives. If I like it and the price, then I will wait until late summer to decide. If I do not like it, then I will look around for other cars or might get a second Rendezvous.
Still prefer the look of the NOX and VUE, but who knows. I really like the space of the RDV.
-juice
The RDV looks nothing like the Aztek. I think you need some new glasses if you think so.
That is the problem. I work with a lot of insecure people who are so worry about impressing people that they will not try something that has not been proven by someone else that its cool. I work with lots of followers.
Anyway, I recommend atleast giving it a try. Our initial thought was that it was very unusual and somewhat ugly. We also almost fell for the stereotype that Buicks were for older people. Almost fell in that trap.
We then test drove it. We then went one dealer over and test drove the trailblazer.
Talking about night and day. The ride, the space, the comforts, .... was so much better then then the TB. I tried to convince a co-worker to alteast test drive it. But he did not want his friends to know he would even consider a Buick. He instead paid for a fully loaded TB at 35k or so, I paid 21k for a RDV. Mine is paid off. He is struggling with payments. My RDV drives well, fits lots of people, has move flexibility, but I think he thinks his is cooler plus he worries a lot more about his getting dirty.
I thought SUVs were for offroad. Not for sitting pretty and clean.
FWIW, the Pacifica is *not* based on a minivan platform, in fact it uses suspension bits from the Mercedes E-class. It's just a bit heavy, that's all.
-juice
And for those that still don't get it, you shouldn't compare a TRUCK/SUV against a VAN/CAR and say you don't like the truck because it rides rough. Its supposed to.
Its like explaining to my mom why my G20 does not have a supple ride/feel like here Maxima does. The G20 has a tighter suspension because it was made to be a sports car, not a sunday driver's car.
-juice
My comment about the RDV vs. other crossovers like the Highlander, Pilot, RX330, MDX or XC90 is that the RDV:
1. Has no ground clearance above a traditional minivan and small tires.
2. The body design is such that there is a lot of metal between the base of the car and the base of the green house with a high beltline.
3. The position of the hood and leading edge of the windshield is positioned like a minivan.
The best comparison is actually the Pilot or MDX which are minivan based too. They look much closer to a true SUV than the platform donor minivan Odyssey.
Some crossovers do look intentionally more car like ala the Ford Freestyle, Pacifica, Forester which are all more like a tall station wagon.
These are the 'L-o-l-a, Lola'days of car and light truck design.
It's interesting how for example the Rendezvous which is based on the Montana has higher insurance though maybe not as high as say a Trailblazer.
I wonder how much of the RDV's front structure they used in these updated minivans? It would be a good cost savings opportunity for them as they clearly didn't want to invest alot of $$$ in the update.
ANYWAY, I'm interested in seeing the Equinox at the Chicago autoshow. I showed a picture to my wife and she said she'd consider driving one.
-juice
Vans always seem to have cheap insurance. I guess it's profiling by the insurance industry.
Get over it and let's move back to the Equinox/VUE thing please.
I'll be "outta here" if the Maxx (when and if I finally see one; dindak, let's hope for this weekend. Expect impressions in the Maxx discussion) ends up being acceptable.
Rendezvous, never. See a 100 a day, though. (Grandies and Grannies from Canada and NE US all over the place with their CXL Versatracs). THEY put the seats all down to shlep stuff.
Go for it, dindak.
Extra intake manifold gaskets, anyone, to through in?
hey man, stop. those simple GM pushrod v6's are reliable because they have fewer parts. Less stuff to break down!
And if you DO need to get it fixed, you can fix it yourself! Throw the tv in the garage with NASCAR on the tube and get out the wrenches! Any high life in the fridge?
chevyguy : RDV is mostly a family wagon around here. I wish it had a touch more power. Perhaps they will drop the 3.5 in next year as the base. Ultra with the 3.6 is too pricey. Aztek is a nightmare. Too bad because it was a cool concept. Great deals if you can stand to live with one.
Glad to see some pre-production Equinox's are showing up now. I'm looking forward to seeing it at the Chicago Autoshow in a few weeks.
lichtronimo : My only concern with the NOX is the 3.4L. So long as it's ok I could very well own one later this year. The NOX is the best looking small SUV, no doubt about it.
Apparently, the new Chevys are all over "au canada", but finding one in the lower states is the needle in the haystack bit.
I have seen 2 Aveos on the road, though.
dindak in one, on vacation, and reg in the other.
Seriously, I have seen 2 but not a single malt Bu.
Yes, very true!
chevyguy : Perhaps I am more just more observant when I drive around. I find it hard to believe there are no Malibus sold in your area.
Why are you guys are talking Malibus in the NOX forum anyway?
Hey chevyguy what color was the aveo i was driving? was it a hatch or sedan? Memories of old chevettes dancing through my head.....
dindak: Chevyguy never said that Malibu's weren't selling in his town. He meant he hadn't seen one. Metroplexes are big you know.
logic1: What does cities have to do with anything?? Everyone has their own opinion which is a good city and which is not. You're just upset whenever someone makes a comment AGAINST GM because you are such loyal GM fan.
tidester, host