Well we finally had enough trouble with the Trailblazer from hell, that we struck a deal with GM. The end result was she got a loaded, laser blue Equinox with pretty much every option (MSRP's 31K) for $23K. Not a bad deal considering that they only had $1500 in rebates.

So far she loves the truck. It seems screwed togethor as well, if not better than her old Rav4. Interior gaps are small, dash has nice soft touch plastic, headliner is woven and high quality. The rear seat has plenty of room, and the ergonomics are great. One thing people knock the Equinox for is having the 185 HP Chinese engine...however mated with the Aisin 5 speed, it feels almost as quick as the TB and is very smooth. It also is vault like quiet and rides very nice. Several times she caught herself breaking the speed limit because the thing is rides so nice and isolates the passenger. The rear package tray is really neat also.

Only real gripe so far is the electric steering they seem to insist on putting in all the new cars. It feels almost unnatural, and takes a bit of getting used to. I really wish GM would have done a better job on the engineering end of it. Also, though I have not tested them, the cup holders look useless.

Overall, for a blue/purple vaginamobile, I am very happy with it. I honestly feel it is a much better vehicle than the loaded TB we had, and the best value we were going to get for $23K. We could have bought from the Toyota dealership that was part of the franchise, but we were not downgrading to a Rav4, and the Highlander did not seem as good a value as th Equinox.

 

Going from a Trailblazer to a Equinox.......aren't you going to miss the interior room?

 

OT: imagine a Honda or Toyota buyer, or even a GM buyer of 5 years ago saying "only" 1500 in rebates...

 

I'm not a SUV guy but I really like the Equinox...........

Nice to hear about your purchase......also that Lazer Blue color from what I have seen it's the most wicked shade of blue ever. It has 3 tints in it a blue/purple in shade, true blue, and blue/green when alot of light hits it. If the purple didn't show up as much I would say that GM has the almost perfect color blue in their lineup. At least it gots some character in it i suppose.

But nice to hear about your purchase. If the Equinox was a RWD based I'd love it even more.

 

Trailblazers have the crappiest interior space of any small SUV i've seen. Even a S-10 blazer had more space.

Nice deal on that equinox.

 

Honestly I'm not a big fan of the current highlander. I'd probably consider it if I was in the market for that type of vehicle, but I'd surely check out other options in the process.

Saying a new 30k dollar Equinox is put together as well as an older version of Toyota's cheapest SUV which is based on the Corolla platform isn't exactly impressive, but I guess it's a start.

 

Highlander= Camry
Rav4= Corolla.

Also, the Equinox is Chevy's cheapest SUV ...matter of fact, it starts at $21K. We got pretty much every option. My wifes old RAV4 costs like $25K in 2002, which seemed really expenssive too me...especially with how small it was.

My wifes mom has a Highlander, and they have had it in the dealer a few times over it burning oil and getting really crappy gas milage. I really didn't pay that much attention. Plus it seems really emotionless to me...like it it just a hunk of steal. The Equinox has some personality in the exterior, and interior...least I think so.

Either way, GM can't keep them on the lots, and they sell with virtually no rebates, so I think other share my opinion on the 'nox.


As for missing interior room, the Equinox has more rear seat room than an Explorer because of the sliding rear seat. We only lost room in the rear....and since all it sees are groceries, that is no biggie. I honestly hate Trailblazers now....never had nothing but issues with them. It is a shame because it's great dynamics are destoryed by a horrible interior, and mechanical glitch after glitch.

 

Congrats on the Nox Branden! It was deffinatly #2 choice, but I just couldnt come to grips with owning an SUV.

 

Were you trying to educate me or just stating the obvious?

I was referring to your comment that the equinox was screwed together as well as the Rav4 which is a 4 year older design that typically sells for significantly less money option for option.

It's crazy, though, IMO that you can buy a 25k dollar RAV4 (yeah I know they get up that high if you option them out w/ leather, heated seats, side airbags and all the other stuff) when we bought our very well equipped 4Runner limited for 31k + tax after negotiations.

 

Hehehehehehehe....

What about that "Toyota Quality?"

Nice car! I'm waiting on the Torrent as a possible car for my fiance...I think it will come down to a G6 or Cobalt for her though, in reality. Until they give it an American engine though, I won't buy one anyways. I'm hoping '07 = 3.9....

Hope you enjoy it...they seem to be great cars. Did you trade the TB or did GM buy it back? Sorry you had such trouble...my dad is on TB number 2, and his 76k mile '02 was phenomenal...the '05 only has 1k on it so I can't vouch for reliability yet

 

The Chinese engine excuse is kinda irrelevent in my opinion. You know how many parts of your car or not made in the US? The 'nox is made in Canada isn't it?


We looked at 4Runners, and the Limited seemed pretty expensive, even used. They had two used 04's that were selling for $27K. Given the difference between used car and new car interest rates, a used truck didn't make sense. The new 4Runner Limiteds the dealer had were mid $30's. It would have cost more than yours because my wife is a nurse and needs 4WD (It does snow a littler here).

 

Branden,

Its not so much that I think the engine is necessarily any less reliable than a U.S. built engine. Its the fact that, it general, cheap crap comes from China...lets face it. I know, I know...China is getting better and better and that I am biased here. But the sheer fact that GM is assembling entire ENGINES in China for the US market really pisses me off. I don't mind trim pieces or small things being made overseas...but entire ENGINES?

I'll pass....

 

What about the drivetrain in your 97 camaro? Isn't the LT1 and T56 built in mexico and the car itself assembled in canada? None of this stuff is new and I bet china made some fine engines. hopefully.

 

I do not believe either one is built in Mexico. Could be, but I don't think so. Like I said...I'm biased. I don't have to make sense to anyone else

I just think its a shame GM is choosing to build engines in China for US production...period. I will not purchase an American car with a Chinese engine...period. Call it pig-headed, call it stupidity. I call it not supporting a product I have an issue with. Equinoxs are nice, and the engines are probably fine. But I will not buy a GM car to get a Chinese motor...

 

ahh hell, i think the world must be comming to an end ... i agree with you.

i feel dirty.