|
CD_Editor
|
 |
« on: February 03, 2006, 07:15:01 am » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
y2chuck
|
|
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2006, 08:58:49 am » |
|
Love the look of the Torrent, but for an SUV, the cargo space doesn't seem to be well thought out. The removable tray in the back seems to be a complete waste since those big blocky thingys that support the tray take up way too much space.
The photo with half of the seat folded down shows how bad the cargo space is. I have an 03 VUE and while the Torrent/Equinox twins make my VUE look like it's from 1980 (interior quality wise), the VUE has much more usable space even tho it's a bit smaller in size.
Saw a black Torrent, dark tinted windows, chrome accents the other day and it's a fantastic looking vehicle, but if you need every last drop of interior space, definitely better options out there.
Gimme the exterior of the Torrent with the interior of the Highlander... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Current Cars: 2012 Mazda5 GS, 2011 Ford Fiesta SE Hackback
|
|
|
wing
Big Wig
Administrator
 OfflineVehicle: '01 S2000 & '05 Titan SE
Gender: 
Location: Ottawa, On, Canada
Posts: 17626
If you ain't first ... you're last!
 
|
|
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2006, 09:05:07 am » |
|
The Equinox has that same thing, and I have a friend that complains there is no space because of it. But man that looks like a well layed out and nice looking interior! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Bullet Blue
|
|
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2006, 11:27:14 am » |
|
I drove past a Torrent the other day and I still can't believe they classify it as a compact. Same with the Equinox. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Howswedeitis
Learner's Permit
OfflineVehicle: Volvo V70 SE
Gender:
Location: Canada
Posts: 147
member
|
|
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2006, 11:29:50 am » |
|
Not a bad effort and from what I hear the Torrent/Equinox can hold its own against the likes
of Honda, Toyota et al. Certainly this GM SUV is a heck of a lot better than the
dinky Honda CRV which is a joke. Evidently, others feel the same way as Honda
has announced they will scale back production as the demand just isnt there. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
haris
|
|
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2006, 11:39:11 am » |
|
That cargo shelf is optional, luckily, so it would be the first thing to go.
What I don't understand with this and other Pontiacs I've driven is the turning circle (I have a Pontiac with turning circle of an 18 wheeler, or at least it feels like it sometimes).
Why is it so hard to make a car that can actually make a U-turn on a two lane road?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
AVToller
|
|
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2006, 11:44:28 am » |
|
That cargo shelf is optional, luckily, so it would be the first thing to go.
What I don't understand with this and other Pontiacs I've driven is the turning circle (I have a Pontiac with turning circle of an 18 wheeler, or at least it feels like it sometimes).
Why is it so hard to make a car that can actually make a U-turn on a two lane road?
Perhaps because it takes some thought and effort to produce decent steering geometry. Pontiac designers seem too busy with "styling" to bother with trying to get the mechanics right.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Retired, married, and loving it
Ross
|
|
|
|
The Fuzz
|
|
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2006, 11:51:05 am » |
|
We were looking at the Equinox when I was looking for a new vehicle. If I liked it, I was going to wait for the Torrent since I like the looks of the Pontiac waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more than the Chev. We didn't choose the Torrent because: A) After just spending $3000 on fixing the Blazer I was hesistant to get another GM product B) I found that my left shoulder rested in an uncomfortable position against the B pillar C) Although the rear seat folded flat, there was lots of room between the seatbacks for the dog's feet to drop into which could hurt her if she twisted. (Yes the dog gets to sleep on the seatbacks without being belted in, I'm a bad dog owner, I know...), and D) Those 'pillars' of plastic in the back took up way too much of the cargo room. What a stupid design. In hindsight, it probably would have been a more useful vehicle for us but not near as much fun...  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Everyone hates us until they need us.
|
|
|
skypoint
Auto Obsessed
Offline
Gender:
Location: Toronto
Posts: 598
Give me a turbo or give me death
|
|
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2006, 12:02:46 pm » |
|
I hated the inside of the Equinox, but the plastics in the Torrent, whilst the same shape, are of better quality.
The Torrent looks better than the Chevy too, in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Black 2002 Volvo S60 2.4T
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bullet Blue
|
|
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2006, 12:05:41 pm » |
|
What's in the $40 "smokers package"? An ash tray? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
The Fuzz
|
|
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2006, 12:45:33 pm » |
|
What's in the $40 "smokers package"? An ash tray?
Probably an ashtray and a lighter. Wifey's Alero was around a hundred bucks if I recall correctly. However her's takes up far more room and one of the cupholders so it must be worth the extra money.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Everyone hates us until they need us.
|
|
|
Benhaze
Drunk on Fuel
OfflineVehicle: 04 Mazda6 GT V6, 10 Fusion Sport
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 1817
member
|
|
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2006, 11:45:53 pm » |
|
I had great hopes for the Equinox and when one of my family member wanted to replace his CRV, the Chevy dealer was our first stop. Though the exterior look of the Equinox/Torrent is very nice IMO, the interior quality was subpar. But what killed the deal was the test drive. I didn't have anything special against the engine as I had an Alero with the same engine then and liked it. But we didn't like its performance in the Equinox. We also didn't like the handling and it actually was very noisy on highway (wind/road, not engine). There is nothing that makes me believe the Torrent wouldn't be just as disappointing.
Fellow readers may think I have something against Nissan from some of my postings: I do for the unacceptable interior quality of many of their products. There are a couple of exceptions, the X-Trail being one. And the CRV was replaced with a X-Trail SE. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Benhaze
Drunk on Fuel
OfflineVehicle: 04 Mazda6 GT V6, 10 Fusion Sport
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 1817
member
|
|
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2006, 12:50:33 am » |
|
Another downside of the Equinox/Torrent: the AWD system that can only transfer up to 30% to the rear wheels. Probably one of the worse imitation on an AWD system on the market.  So does it even worth it paying for the AWD version? I don't think so. But then why buying a FWD SUV?  Another 1/2 a.. GM design.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
The Mighty Duck
|
|
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2006, 01:05:19 am » |
|
I'm a little disapointed by this particular rebadging... Pontiac has some decent cars in their lineup with the new Solstice that really cater to their "Built for Drivers" slogan...
But then they give you an underperforming, unremarkable SUV like the Torrent. This is, imo, where GM falters... the Equinox is fine, but why spend the money and energy to rebadge it as a Pontiac? Why even have two brands if all the vehicles are going to be rebadges? |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Demosthenes [noun], dem-aws-thene-s
1) (384 BC – 322 BC) the greatest of the Ancient Greek orators
2) pseudonym used by Valentine Wiggin in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game to alter the events of world history
|
|
|
footlong58
Auto Obsessed
OfflineVehicle: 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R
Gender:
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 900
|
|
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2006, 10:07:36 am » |
|
I'm a little disapointed by this particular rebadging... Pontiac has some decent cars in their lineup with the new Solstice that really cater to their "Built for Drivers" slogan...
But then they give you an underperforming, unremarkable SUV like the Torrent. This is, imo, where GM falters... the Equinox is fine, but why spend the money and energy to rebadge it as a Pontiac? Why even have two brands if all the vehicles are going to be rebadges?
It's the Future Shop / Best Buy approach... Gives the customer the illusion of competing companies... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Benhaze
Drunk on Fuel
OfflineVehicle: 04 Mazda6 GT V6, 10 Fusion Sport
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 1817
member
|
|
« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2006, 08:13:33 pm » |
|
I'm a little disapointed by this particular rebadging... Pontiac has some decent cars in their lineup with the new Solstice that really cater to their "Built for Drivers" slogan...
But then they give you an underperforming, unremarkable SUV like the Torrent. This is, imo, where GM falters... the Equinox is fine, but why spend the money and energy to rebadge it as a Pontiac? Why even have two brands if all the vehicles are going to be rebadges?
It's the Future Shop / Best Buy approach... Gives the customer the illusion of competing companies... I don't think no one takes that bate. It's has more to do with meeting Pontiac dealers complaining of not having a CUV to sale. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
y2chuck
|
|
« Reply #16 on: May 30, 2006, 11:09:34 am » |
|
After recently testing a Torrent Sport recently, I must say, I was very impressed with it. The steering, ride and handling are spot on and dare I say very Mazda-like. If my Mazda6 was a tall mid-size SUV, I would expect it to handle just like the Torrent.
I took some pretty aggressive corners and twisty roads and the Torrent held up to everything I threw at it flawlessly. very impressed.
Interior is great. Lots of room, versitile and the Pioneer sound system is just plain wicked. The sliding 2nd row of seats is fantastic as well. Opens up a ton of extra cargo room when slide forward (5 more cubit feet than our VUE) and lotsa leg room when pushed back. Pushed all the way back it makes putting the little guy in his car seat very easy.
The front seats don't have much lateral support, but they are a lot more comfortable than my 6.
the interior was dead quiet on the highway, no rattles, no squeeks and no wind noise or leakage. It felt just as solid as my 6.
don't let the "lowly" 3.4 L and 186 HP fool you, this thing has plenty of get-up-and-go for everyday driving. Highway merging is not an issue, neither is passing. I didn't find the engine to be excessively loud when stomping on it either.
Wife really like this car as well.
On the flip side, we took out an 06 VUE with the honda 3.5 and were dissappointed in it compared to the Torrent. Our 03 is full of rattles, I thought they'd fix that after 3 model years. nope. Turning into a parking lot over that little curb bump made the whole vehicle shake. Not as bad as our 03, but the Torrent was completely solid and quiet, the VUE just didn't feel solid at all. The Honda 3.5 is FAST as hell, but it's loud, there was wind noise and generally it was just a soft, mushy, loud experience.
Pontiac deserves a ton of credit for the Torrent IMO. Out of the 15-20 or so vehicles I've tested, the Torrent stood out as being one of the best for my needs. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Current Cars: 2012 Mazda5 GS, 2011 Ford Fiesta SE Hackback
|
|
|
|
y2chuck
|
|
« Reply #17 on: May 30, 2006, 12:06:31 pm » |
|
Perhaps because it takes some thought and effort to produce decent steering geometry. Pontiac designers seem too busy with "styling" to bother with trying to get the mechanics right.  And people comment on the Hyundai 2.7L that "only" has 173hp yeah, people are too focused on a high HP number. doesn't make any sence to me. The 186 HP 3.4 "felt" just as quick as the honda 3.5 250 HP and for everyday driving, that's more than adequate. I suppose bragging rights are more important to some people tho. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Current Cars: 2012 Mazda5 GS, 2011 Ford Fiesta SE Hackback
|
|
|
|
Shnak
|
|
« Reply #18 on: May 30, 2006, 12:12:50 pm » |
|
Perhaps because it takes some thought and effort to produce decent steering geometry. Pontiac designers seem too busy with "styling" to bother with trying to get the mechanics right. And people comment on the Hyundai 2.7L that "only" has 173hp well the GM 3.4L has a ton more torque than the 2.7L, and at a much lower RPM too... Hyundai's 2.7L has to rev pretty high to get its torque, which is kind of disapointing for a V6, but understandable for such a small V6... |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
smainville
Guest
|
|
« Reply #19 on: May 31, 2006, 06:07:39 pm » |
|
bah...2.7, 3.4, I will take you all on with my 2.5...yep...maybe close of the line but no problem thereafter  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
