lil_mikey69 05-08-2006, 10:36 AM My fiancee is interested in either getting a Malibu SS or a Chevy Equinox, I would suggest the AWD version, unless it's no good. She likes the looks of both, and they are pretty similar in pricing. The Malibu gets a little better MPG, but not that huge of a difference. We have not yet sat in an Equinox, but we are familiar with the Malibu interior and she likes that.
Basically wondering if they are any pros or cons to either vechicle.
She currently drives a 97 Sunfire GT, and said she will never drive another Pontiac again.
97z28/m6 05-08-2006, 10:43 AM get the maxx ss.:cool:
lil_mikey69 05-08-2006, 10:45 AM get the maxx ss.:cool:
She hates the Maxx.
97z28/m6 05-08-2006, 10:45 AM get the sedan then.:cry:
Chrome383Z 05-08-2006, 10:51 AM My wife likes the Nox, but I'm steering her to wait and keep our Blazer a few more years because I'm hoping they get away from that 3.4 (I believe) Chinese engine.
97z28/m6 05-08-2006, 10:58 AM My wife likes the Nox, but I'm steering her to wait and keep our Blazer a few more years because I'm hoping they get away from that 3.4 (I believe) Chinese engine.the 3.9 would make a great upgrade.:cool:
Wait until 2007 to buy either.
lil_mikey69 05-08-2006, 11:16 AM Wait until 2007 to buy either.
Reasons?
SNEAKY NEIL 05-08-2006, 11:24 AM Since this topic is already started, I would like to jump in too.
My father is thinking about buying a Malibu Maxx SS or a Saturn Vue V6 (maybe Redline), Would it be beneficial to wait on these vehicles for the 07' model year? Thanks.
OutsiderIROC-Z 05-08-2006, 12:10 PM She hates the Maxx.
Sounds like she's got taste.
You should take her to test drive a Maxx. IMO they look a lot better than the appliance-like regular Malibu, and the packaging is one of GM's better efforts.
The Equinox's AWD is the slow-witted VersaTrak system. It's okay for something like crawling up a snowy driveway, but it's not nearly as sophisticated as a Volvo or Subaru system. Put a good set of snows on the Maxx (or even a FWD 'Nox) and you'll be in good shape.
AAAAAAA 05-08-2006, 12:51 PM As for the vue, I doubt any changes are in store in 07 since it already has gotten the new interior this year and I doubt they will upgrade over the 250hp honda drivetrain.
lil_mikey69 05-08-2006, 01:03 PM You should take her to test drive a Maxx. IMO they look a lot better than the appliance-like regular Malibu, and the packaging is one of GM's better efforts.
She really dislikes the look of the Maxx. So just based on that I know she would never want it. I don't think she is too concerned with the actual ride. She thinks they are cute.
Reasons?
They all get the new "black tie" Stereos. 224HP 3.5L V6 in the Malibu instead of the 200HP 3.5L. Lots of other small changes, you can see them all at GMinsidenews.com
2008 Malibu will be all new and the 2008 'nox and Torrent get DOHC 3.6L V6s
As for the vue, I doubt any changes are in store in 07 since it already has gotten the new interior this year and I doubt they will upgrade over the 250hp honda drivetrain.
Vue gets a 2.4L hybrid powertrain for 2007.
2008 Vue is all new.
lil_mikey69 05-08-2006, 02:16 PM They all get the new "black tie" Stereos. 224HP 3.5L V6 in the Malibu instead of the 200HP 3.5L. Lots of other small changes, you can see them all at GMinsidenews.com
2008 Malibu will be all new and the 2008 'nox and Torrent get DOHC 3.6L V6s
She wants the SS, which already has 240hp. Any significant changes for that model?
That website says it is being replaced by "Malibu’s current 3.5L V6 will be replaced by GM’s other 3.5L with VVT that pumps out 211 HP."
Big Als Z 05-09-2006, 04:37 PM Has she looked at the G6 or Aura? Im trying to think outside the box here.
I would wait for the Nox/Torrent to get a more powerful engine first.
But both the G6 and Aura will have the 3.6 252hp V6 mated to the new 6spd auto. Id probably go with the Aura myself as it looks a little nicer and has a stellar interior.
Colin 05-12-2006, 02:10 PM My fiance and I just bought a new G6 GTP. It has the 3.9L. Let me tell you, that car will smoke the tires at will off the line. We only average about 20 around town, 23-24hwy cruising 80-85. The gear ratio really hurts the car on the freeway.
I highly recommend the panoramic sunroof although mine does rattle a bit on rough roads. Still, best thing since sliced bread.
Ours has leather. We really like the leather more than we thought we would. And the heated seats are nice. The remote start is pimp. It's a sweet car. PM me if you'd like me to take some pics of it for you.
My only complaints are minor: rear headroom is pretty poor in the sedan. My fiance's Dad is about 6'0" or so and his head brushes the headliner, the car doesn't have an available nav system, no HUD availability, and no availability of a supercharged GTP version (we would have purchased all those options had they been available).
Still, the car is wicked. I love it.
Later,
Colin
mr00jimbo 05-12-2006, 10:10 PM Why does she hate Pontiac?
95GRNZ 05-12-2006, 10:37 PM I had an Equinox rental for a week when my TA got totalled back in February. Would've probably had it lnger, but the Check Engine ligh came on and I took it back and got a Freestyle instead.
It was probably the very basc model since it didn't even have dark tinted windows in the rear, but I was kind of positively surprised by it.
I think it drove pretty good. Could use a bit more power/torque, though, but it's adequate enough for normal driving. I was surprised by the quite high seating position. It feels like you are driving something bigger. However, at the same time, I thought it made it feel a bit tippy. I'm sure the OE tires (Generals, think...) probably had something to do with that, too.
Interior materials were okay. Definetely much better what GM used to put out, so that's a definite plus.
Overall, I think it was a decent little thing.
TS
305fan 05-13-2006, 12:24 AM They are slow and have a minivan look to them at the rear. I love stomping on them in my wifes Honda powered Vue :D
lil_mikey69 05-13-2006, 02:01 AM Why does she hate Pontiac?
She's owned a Pontiac Sunfire for the last 7 years.
That should explain it.
Jason E 05-14-2006, 10:21 AM Go with the Malibu SS, although after she drives that, stop by a Pontiac dealership anyway and make her sit in a G6 GTP...that should seal the deal right there :D
lil_mikey69 05-19-2006, 01:22 AM We went and drove an Equinox today. I was actually surprised at how roomy it is. The back seat is incredibly roomy for a 'small' SUV. It had much more room than our old Mountaineer.
She really liked it, so I think we will def. be getting one with in the next month. The only thing is that they won't budge from MSRP. Seems like there would be at least some wiggle room since MSRP was like $27,xxx and invoice is like $22,xxx. Any tips for finding a deal would be greatly appreciated :D
Also, we basically wanted a payment of around $300. Not because that is the most we can afford, that just seems like a nice reasonable payment to us. We were open to any option of getting the car(purchase, lease, smart buy), but they made it seem like it would be impossible to get that low without an $7-8k downpayment. Which we could do...but when I got home we saw a commerical for a 27 month lease on the Equinox AWD LS for $229/month....which they never even mentioned? So that kinda pissed me off. Of course it was for "Qualified Leasees", but they didn't run credit or do anything of that stuff, so they couldn't possibly know if we qualified or not. May have to check out another dealer to see if that is avaliable through them, if its not through the closer one.
lil_mikey69 05-19-2006, 01:28 AM There is also a $1,000 rebate on the Equinox according to this website: http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/chevrolet_equinox_lt_awd_2006/17211/style_rebates.html
This dealer also said there were no deals or incentives going on at all.
Are we just shopping at the wrong dealer? Seems like they left out several fairly big things. Like things that could have made them a sale.
Colin 05-19-2006, 09:28 AM Dude, I'd hit another dealer. I got my G6 for like 24 out the door and it was 27k sticker. Another example, I got my first new car (Ford Focus ZX3) fully loaded and out the door for 15,500 and it was 18200 sticker.
As for the rebate, I'm not too sure. GM runs local promotions pretty regularly so your area may not have one at this time.
Another thing, a rule of thumb is around $20 per $1000 financed. If you finance 25k expect to pay around $500 per month. I don't see why you couldn't get it for around $450 a month with good credit and a good rate, though.
How did you like those sliding rear seats? I loved those. I also liked the non-slip cellphone pad around the shifter :)
Later bro,
Colin
96_Camaro_B4C 05-19-2006, 09:44 AM There is also a $1,000 rebate on the Equinox according to this website: http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/chevrolet_equinox_lt_awd_2006/17211/style_rebates.html
This dealer also said there were no deals or incentives going on at all.
Are we just shopping at the wrong dealer? Seems like they left out several fairly big things. Like things that could have made them a sale.Run, not walk, to a different dealer. :mad:
Though invoice would not be $22k on a $27k car. There is not $5k of markup on the Equinox, I'm guessing. $5k is more like the gap between invoice and msrp of a Vette. Unless invoice is $22999 and msrp is like $26500 and you are rounding funny. :think: :p
But yeah, if they are unwilling to move from MSRP, I'd find another dealer. Plus, it sounds like they weren't even making you aware of the rebate. I'm not saying you should be able to buy the car at invoice, but they have to be willing to deal some.
Also, I'd be careful about being a "payment" shopper. Dealers kinda love that, because it leaves them all kinds of room to get funny just to keep you at a payment range you are comfortable with (longer financing, forcing bigger down payments, etc.). And, unless your credit is not so hot (or you are buying beyond your means?), you should NOT have to put down $7k to get a loan (though you might get a better rate that way?...).
:)
There is also a $1,000 rebate on the Equinox according to this website: http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/chevrolet_equinox_lt_awd_2006/17211/style_rebates.html
This dealer also said there were no deals or incentives going on at all.
Are we just shopping at the wrong dealer? Seems like they left out several fairly big things. Like things that could have made them a sale.
Contact 5 or 6 dealers if you must. Let them know that you are looking at what other dealers have and tell them you want an Equinox for $500 (or less) over invoice. You should have no problem getting one. Someone will play ball.
AAAAAAA 05-19-2006, 09:53 AM I wouldnt say that the equinox is a small SUV, it is only 2 inches shorter then a trailblazer.
91_z28_4me 05-19-2006, 10:21 AM I wouldnt say that the equinox is a small SUV, it is only 2 inches shorter then a trailblazer.
But it is quite a bit narrower and weighs less:
71.4 for the nox vs 74.7 for the TB.
3776 for the nox vs 4523 for the TB.
DrewSG 05-19-2006, 10:58 AM She currently drives a 97 Sunfire GT, and said she will never drive another Pontiac again.
At least she's looking at other GM brands.
lil_mikey69 05-19-2006, 11:09 AM As for the rebate, I'm not too sure. GM runs local promotions pretty regularly so your area may not have one at this time.
The thing where I found that rebate did say it was "Nationwide". So I'd be surprised if there was some specific reason they were not offering it.
lil_mikey69 05-19-2006, 11:17 AM Though invoice would not be $22k on a $27k car. There is not $5k of markup on the Equinox, I'm guessing. $5k is more like the gap between invoice and msrp of a Vette. Unless invoice is $22999 and msrp is like $26500 and you are rounding funny. :think: :p
The MSRP on autobytel for it is $22,275, but I guess that is a starting invoice, so it would be higher on one with more options. The one we looked at was nearly fully loaded too, so that explains the difference.
lil_mikey69 05-19-2006, 11:21 AM Also, I'd be careful about being a "payment" shopper. Dealers kinda love that, because it leaves them all kinds of room to get funny just to keep you at a payment range you are comfortable with (longer financing, forcing bigger down payments, etc.). And, unless your credit is not so hot (or you are buying beyond your means?), you should NOT have to put down $7k to get a loan (though you might get a better rate that way?...).
:)
We are def. not buying beyond our means. We could likely afford a much larger payment, but we didn't really see the point in that. We can easily put several thousand down, we just though the idea of a $300 payment would be nice. Thats like two days of work for my finacee, so it is a very affordable number for us. The only thing on her credit would be school loans, but those are never paid late or anything like that. One of them is even deferred at the time so I don't think that even shows up.
And it wasn't that we needed to put $7k down to get a loan, thats just about what we would have to put down in order to get the payments near what we liked.
96_Camaro_B4C 05-19-2006, 12:50 PM We are def. not buying beyond our means. We could likely afford a much larger payment, but we didn't really see the point in that. We can easily put several thousand down, we just though the idea of a $300 payment would be nice. Thats like two days of work for my finacee, so it is a very affordable number for us. The only thing on her credit would be school loans, but those are never paid late or anything like that. One of them is even deferred at the time so I don't think that even shows up.
And it wasn't that we needed to put $7k down to get a loan, thats just about what we would have to put down in order to get the payments near what we liked.:cool: BTW, I hope you didn't take that as me suggesting you ARE buying beyond your means, because I didn't mean to imply that. I was just offering a bit of advice, since I have read some things (and seen the behavior) where, when the negotiations start, the dealer will ask what kind of monthly payment someone is after. Some people (and it sounds like you are not in the category) will just say a number and let the dealer run with it, at which point the dealer can come up with some pretty crafty deals (long terms, high rates, etc.) or "You can buy this for only $325 per month (and you'll own it after 84 months mehehehehe)". :mad: Some dealers don't even like to TELL you (even if you ask) what the final price of the car is. Buyer: So what's the final price on the car? Dealer: $325 per month. :mad: Sounds like you are keeping in mind the actual amount you'll be spending, not just the payment, which is good. Nothing wrong with keeping the payment in a range that is comfortable or makes sense to you.
:)
lil_mikey69 05-19-2006, 01:22 PM :cool: BTW, I hope you didn't take that as me suggesting you ARE buying beyond your means, because I didn't mean to imply that.
I didn't take it that way at all.
lil_mikey69 07-20-2006, 02:42 AM Well..surprisingly enough we actually ended up purchasing a Torrent today. As I mentioned earlier she was totally opposed to even looking at a Torrent because she wasn't completely happy with her Sunfire. But as I explained to her the Sunfire is basically their entry level car, and was probably the cheapest model avaliable in 97. That would be like getting mad about you $7,900 Aveo breaking and getting mad about it.
Anyways we were both kind of put off with how the Chevy dealer handled us. I don't know if they thought we were not serious about buying or what, but she was dead set on getting the Equinox, and we told them we would certainly be buying with in the next month(We went before the wedding, just checking things out). Well the guy got our names and numbers, we went over everything and it was basically just a matter of coming back in and purchasing the vechicle. He said many times he was going to call us and give us some information about the vechicle, and he needed to get back to us about the recent college graduate incentives and just never called back. Our general dealer experience at Team Chevrolet was that they didn't really want our business, because we would have been an easy sell with just a minimal amount of attention.
Because of the poor service she decided she wanted to go check out the Torrent...and we bought it on the spot. Chevy's loss I suppose. I was thinking about writing the manager at Team Chevrolet an email or letter about our experience, but I'm not sure about that yet.
Colin 07-20-2006, 03:04 AM Yo,
I'm sorry to hear you had a problem at a Chevrolet dealer. I recently started working as a salesman at a Chevrolet dealer and I can tell you that at my dealer we spend an hour and a half EACH DAY contacting customers and building a good repertoire with the people that go out of their way to visit us.
I know that all GM dealers aren't cut from the same cloth. I guess that's the downside to having the largest dealer network in the world.
Nonetheless, the Pontiac Torrent is a good SUV. I personally like it better than the Equinox for various reasons. My new wife complains all the time that she wishes we'd bought an Equinox/Torrent instead of our car. Now that we have our first baby on the way (a month after we got married, even!) she has definitely been "making headway" in her arguments to convince me I was incorrect in pushing for the G6 GTP.
Congrats on the new buy. It's a lot of fun driving a new vehicle. Keep it in nice shape and you should definitely enjoy it :)
Take care,
Colin
I'll also add that I have a B.A. in English and while selling new vehicles wasn't (and isn't) my ultimate career choice it does pay fairly well. It feeds my Vega hobby, anyway ;)
lil_mikey69 07-20-2006, 03:32 AM I know that all GM dealers aren't cut from the same cloth. I guess that's the downside to having the largest dealer network in the world.
Nonetheless, the Pontiac Torrent is a good SUV. I personally like it better than the Equinox for various reasons. My new wife complains all the time that she wishes we'd bought an Equinox/Torrent instead of our car. Now that we have our first baby on the way (a month after we got married, even!) she has definitely been "making headway" in her arguments to convince me I was incorrect in pushing for the G6 GTP.
Congrats on the new buy. It's a lot of fun driving a new vehicle. Keep it in nice shape and you should definitely enjoy it :)
Take care,
Colin
I'll also add that I have a B.A. in English and while selling new vehicles wasn't (and isn't) my ultimate career choice it does pay fairly well. It feeds my Vega hobby, anyway ;)
There is always good and bad dealers out there. I'm actually not surprised though, I've dealt with their service dept before and was never really super impressed with them. At first the Chevy salesmen seemed interested in our business, but it seemed as though after we said we planned to purchase in about a month he no longer had interest. They let her take it for a test drive, but only down the street about a mile to the gas station with the guy in the back seat. The test drive at the Pontiac was totally different, and it left a good impression on us. We got there and looked at several of the models they had, and decided on which we wanted to drive. He handed over the keys and basically said go wherever you feel like it..just make sure you come back. We were probably gone for about 20-25 minutes. We did some highway driving and we also took it into town to get a better feel for it 'in the city' since we were only allowed to drive the 'Nox down the highway. So that was all good..when we got back we went over some numbers and got our credit checked, etc. During that time my wife needed to leave to run an errand...and the salesman went and grabbed her a plate and was like "Why don't you just take the Torrent?" She was super impressed, because she needed to be gone for about one and a half hours. Again, he basically just said bring it back in one piece. I think she was a lot more comfortable there because it seemed like they actually trusted us, and thought we were serious about buying a car, and also must have thought we would be able to afford what we were looking at despite our ages. By the time she got back we had the exact numbers figured out as far as payments and junk go.
She seemed to like the Torrent a little better, the interior seems just a little nicer than the Chevy and also I think the outside lines on the Pontiac are a bit nicer as well. But I can honestly say the way we were treated at Chevy was the deal breaker. Had they been more accomodating to us on our first visit, I can almost gurantee we would have driven home in an Equinox. But in the end it is their loss. I'm not so mad I'd never buy another Chevy, but I certainly would never shop there again, and I'll be sure to tell anyone I know looking for a car to avoid them as well.
Hmmm...I have a B.A. in History...maybe I should try and sell cars to tide me over untill I can find a career.
|
|