Topic: Edmunds Most Wanted SUV Under $25,000 - Chevy Equinox??

[gibsonguy]

The Equinox has the 3.4L derivative of the 3.4 from the Ols Cutlass of the 90's which is a DOHC derivative of the 3.1L which is a bored derivative of the 2.8 MPFI from the 80's which is a derivative of the carburated 231 cubic inch V-6 from the 70's...

How am I doing Barrie??

[mrthompson]

It's all so derivative...

[barrie1]

Gibsonguy you have done very good except don't forget the 3.3 and the 3.8 which are the same family of engines from this time period as well. To me these were the best of the designs built thru this period. There are countless 3.8's still on the roads to-day and are running very strong. The 3.3 were not built and used as often but were a heck of a great motor for its time. The 4.3 V6 is also dated back to the mid 70's and is another well built and fairly fast engine that has been used in some cars and many truck applications as well. Some were definitely better then others but I like the V8's best as there's nothing like the sound of a good running small block Chevie. I still have a 1996 Corsica with the 3.1 in it with over 300,000 Klms on it that runs very strong. Even the air still works very well in this car.  Most modern engines are designed from older engines which have paved the way for the ones we use to-day. They just continue to create ways to improve upon their designs of the past. Gas or Diesel it dosen't make any difference as they both have improved greatly over the years.

(Message edited by barrie1 on July 22, 2005)

[skypoint]

I got as far as "tasteful aluminium accents" in the article and gave up. Anyone who thinks the so-called aluminium accents in the Equinox is tasteful clearly needs to have their head examined.

I got majorly turned off the Equinox when I sat in it and saw/touched the cheap tacky barely shiny plastic trim. It's one of the worst fake aluminium attempts I've ever seen!

It's not as though GM don't know how to do goood fake aluminium. I sat inside a Pontiac Pursuit Coupe and actually sat there stroking the aluminium effect trim to work out whether or not it was real.

I ended concluding it was fake, but was the best fake aluminium I ever touched.

If they put that stuff in the Equinox, then perhaps I would have been more convinced. As is .... the Equinox interior is not my cup of tea at all. Especially after a Euro Honda Civic, it felt cheap and tacky.

[mari]

I test drove the Equinox LT with sunroof yesterday...came with leather seats - not good for hot weather; I stuck to the seat!
In any case, I did find that the interior left a bit to desire.  I don't really know much about cars at all, but just sitting in the driver's seat the one thing that was right there in my face, so to speak, was that long, deep, flat, black boring top of the dash.  It just seemed to go on and on forever!  And the silver colored plastic did also catch my eye and first thing that came to my mind was 'cheap looking'.  The dash itself (with guages and all) just seemed too dark; everything is black; everything blended together which I guess is the look maybe one is after but it made it hard to look at/for the guages.
The back seat definitely leave lots of leg room! (seemed just as roomy as my Intrepid)  I tired it out with the front seats pushed back as far as they'd go and there is lots of room in there.  Looking back from the driver's seat this thing looks hugh (very long) at least compared to others I test drove (mini SUVs).
The ride was very smooth;  again I don't know much about cars and what all the numbers relating to engine and performance mean but I definitely felt a much smoother ride with this SUV than the CR-V, Escape, Tribute, Tucson.  I personally really liked how it felt on the road.  Smooth!

Price quoted (MSRP) for the 2006 FWD LT Automatic with only chargeable option=sunroof (including air and gas tax, freight): $29860; there are no incentives or rebates for 2006 at all. I was told GM is offering the LT at near price of 2005 LS (lowering their prices for MY2006) and getting away from rebates so it is easier for customers to compare shop when looking at vehicles.
Now, if only I could get the exterior look of the Escape, the smooth ride of the Equinox and it's rear leg room

[ovr50]

Mari - one thing to remember is that an Escape and an Equinox are not really the same vehicles underneath. The Equinox is a car-based crossover, the Escape is more truck-like and is closer to a real SUV (but not quite). Naturally the Equinox will ride better, just as a (say) Taurus would ride better than an Explorer.

[hondasalesguy]

I thought the 2.8L/3.1L/3.4L/3.5L were a totally separate family of engines from the 3.8L Buick dating from 1962 or so. That old 3.8L is a good engine, but nobody has ever said too many nice things about the others...

Honda won't let GM put their 3.5L in the Equinox, they are only allowed to use in in the VUE.

[barrie1]

The 3.8 is from a seperate family of engines as it is the big brother of the 3.3 which was out a few years back. You are correct on the rest of the group you mentioned as being related. Not totally sure if the 3.5 is from this group or a seperate issue by itself. The 3.5 is better then the rest except the 3.8 which i think is the best of the group.

[Smainville]

The 2 Equinox I saw yesterday had 3.4L in them, they look quite good, very nice interior.  My dad tried one and said it was very pleasant to drive.  But in  the end I think he will stick to a car and that should be a Camry.

[Wetson]

I like the looks of the Equinox from the outside.  Interior wise I don't remember so it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.  I don't remember anything being terribly wrong with the interior.