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Ok so I am in the same bind as some of the others on this board with an expiring SUV lease in May (Envoy), looking for something smaller, in possession of GM points and not knowing what to get. The Escape/Tribute is a possibility but the styling is old. The Pacifica is one of the best values out there but won't fit in my garage.
That may leave the Pilot or Highlander although they will be quite a bit more expensive I think. The CRV I know has a great reputation but I was very unimpressed with the interior. It looks like an old Isuzu inside with very strange dash features and an parking brake from Mars. I was trying to avoid a conventional wagon although I was impressed by the '05 6 and the Legacy.
The new Outback looks great but it will likely be out too late.
Thoughts?
You might want to consider a Malibu Maxx if you have GM points, that 3500 engine is nice and it's usefully shaped.
-juice
What about a Liberty? Its gotten good reviews and seems well put together. Distinctive appearance too.
Juice has a good point about the Maxx.
I had the chance to sit in that one, too. Much better overall package than the Nox. If I had a substantial discount from GM, this is the car I'd be looking at.
I am looking forward to seeing an Equinox to compare to my Vue. BTW, we love our Vue and it's been rock solid. Coming from a Honda, we have not been disappointed.
So you could wait for the Freestyle to arrive, but that'll be fall. It uses the Volvo P2 platform (S80!), with a Duratec 3.0l engine.
Pacifica is getting heavy discounts now, too.
The Forester XT uses a de-tuned WRX STi engine. It's cool, it's not a built-up 2.5l, it's a toned down 2.5T with the semi-closed deck block, forged pistons, and AVCS variable valve timing. Published specs are 210 hp/235 lb-ft but on the dyno it's making 250 hp/265 lb-ft, so Subaru has understated power.
It's compact, but if you fit inside, and drive it, you'll love it.
If you find it small wait for the Outback XT due in June, also a 2.5 turbo with 250/250 stated power figures. It would make a good crossover/inbetween vehicle, with 8.7" of clearance, plus heated seats and side curtain air bags will be standard. Worth the wait IMO.
-juice
The SRX would be nice and I really wouldn't use the 3rd row anyway. Will check out those prices in the Spring.
Outback may be worth waiting for from everything I read.
I am not ready to absolutely rule out the Nox but I'm pessimistic about it.
If the freestyle has great space and interior features, then I will definitely take it over a equinox. Waiting for both to show up somewhere near by where I can go look at them.
I am considering another Renv, but I really don't want two of the same car.
Well, you have all given me some good food for thought. Right now, I'm thinking I'll wait until late April and see what the pricing is on a variety of vehicles and make the decision.
I'll bet the Equinox will sell like gangbusters in spite of the rear space issue. Most people who drive these small SUVs are not hauling a lot of cargo, just kids to hockey practice and groceries.
Looks like a big, tall wagon. Did you notice the raised roof? The roof rack sort of hides it, like the old Durango.
It is pretty vanilla but buyers like that, look at the Explorer's sales.
I see it as a potential bargain. It's a Volvo P2 platform (think S80), for $25-30 grand, with a DOHC V6 and 6 speed auto, or CVT with AWD. It's gonna eat the Pacifica's lunch.
-juice
The V6 is probably okay, but it's not as good as the Saturn's new 3.5, the Escape's 3.0, and those who realy want acceleration may go for the Forester's turbo power.
The cargo area is okay, but it doesn't compare with the CR-V's volume, the Escape's regular shape, or even the VUE's cargo area. You mentioned people with kids, but the back seems to prohibit strollers.
The back seat has lots of room, but the seats stink. The same backroom can be found in an Escape, CR-V, Santa Fe, or several others that also have better seat cushions.
It's not a bad vehicle, and it will sell. But it won't lead the pack in any way, shape, or form. I think with GM's resources, they could have done much better.
-juice
-juice
As for Freestyle, I am sure that those not much into style will buy it for its features. I agree it's well laid out and seems to be priced well.
The 3.0L in our Vue is an OHC engine and I would say that the 3.4L in the rental Alero was no more/less refined.
The Tracker/Blazer is dead, I hope after '04. So since Saturn is not big on fleet sales, the Nox will be pumped out in high mass in '05. If Pontiac get's a Theta, it will probably get an engine/interior upgrade. I wonder if the Vue's plastic panels are doomed and it will pick up the Nox's sheetmetal if sales take off.
Basically they are the EJ257 block, same as the STi, not the EJ255 from the 165hp Subarus.
If you want smooth and quiet the H6 is better there, the turbos accelerate like monsters though. 0-60 for the new Legacy turbo is estimated at 5.5 seconds!
-juice
Now I guess the Cunucks will see them before the West Coast. People are seeing them running around Ontario, probably doing some pre-production testing. FYI. It's a porker: 5070 lbs. With that 3.4L it won't get out of its own way. Now you know why the MPG numbers stink.
On the other hand there is the cargo area. I spoke with the GM rep and his take on the pillars was they were needed to support the table or tray for added cargo stacking ability / tail gating utility. It's actually quite strong and one can put stuff under it and suit cases on top for example. I can see it's use now but how usefull that top space is isn't clear to me.
I looked under the hood also and all looked fine to me, no "rust". Over all I was impressed with the look and feel of this small SUV. Inside material quality was average but it all looked good. People looking for a van substitute however can forget about it as it just doesn't have any more cargo room than other small SUVs in spite of the larger size.
No way the Nox weighs 5070. I know that Edmunds lists it at that weight but a Trailblazer is 4660 and a VUE is 3590. I bet it's no more than 4200.
I think Edmunds is wrong.
PS In my business, "Nox" is Nitrous Oxide.
dan165--how was the padding for the rear seat? someone wrote on here that it was hard as a board. does the rear seat have a lap/shoulder belt and headrest for the center person? did you sit in a LS or LT? leather or cloth? 17" wheels? we are very interested in the nox and would like to hear more on your take of this auto.
thanks
Is "nox" pricing available now?
1290 on FWD and 1157 on AWD so the Nox AWD is 3913 and FWD is 3780. Still needs to be drivien to Jenny Craig or get the Honda 3.5. LOL.
Edmunds new car pricing has the Nox and option prices.
Here's the updated specs:
http://www.chevylaunch.com/docs/EQUINOX_SPECS.PDF
The one Equinox they had was getting a lot of attention. I walked by a few times and there were always people in and out of it and few around. Chev should sell lots of these no problem.
Do not compare with the 30k SUVs. The reason I am looking at these cars is that I am not going to spend 25k+ on a car. I do not need the best, I just want something that works and fits my families needs. For one thing there is no such thing as the best. Its a myth. There will always be something better and there is the subjectivity of the matter.
My goal is to pay under 20k or near it. I still think that is too much for a car that will depreciate immediately. I rather put the money in my kids college fund, private school, retirement, ....
When you say they all are bad, I get the feeling you are looking at it from a global SUV viewpoint which includes cars that range from 18-70k. Yes 70k, I saw an Escalade for 70k when picking up my buick from service. There was a lady there with a 50k version that was disappointed because she and her kids now wanted the 70k one. (wanted more, wanted the so called best).
I saw the escape and compared to 30-50k cars, it looks really bad, but compared to 18-20k, its not bad at all.
Regardless of its drawbacks, I still put my money on robust Nox sales. The average buyer doesn't read these boards or Car and Driver reviews. They might look at the crash and rollover tests and of course that's a big question for this vehicle. It might not be until the Fall that we know how it does. The styling will win buyers for this vehicle.
Trucks and SUV's IMO, don't get leather and 2" thick carpet. When I go cruising, break out the sport sedan. But it's that 3.4L that ticks me off. When you got a full load in a car/SUV, nothing worse then the fear of merging onto a highway with a dog motor. Can we say HEMI!
Vue has curtains, but they're optional. IIHS tests the cheapest model available.
Forester is the only compact SUV with perfect scores. NHTSA quadruple 5 stars, IIHS Best Pick for front offset, and best score ever in IIHS side impacts.
Let's see how the 'nox does.
-juice