Anybody got an Equinox yet?

Bart2500HD · August 25, 2004

Looking for info on them, pro's & con's. My wife likes them.

BrentDev · August 26, 2004

We looked at them pretty seriously. Ended up with a TB. Really liked the rear sliding seat - really opens up that back seat for the kids. But, the decision was that it was just another variant (albeit a little bigger) of a Pontiac Vibe (which we sold in order to get a bigger vehicle).

It drove very well. The engine is adequate (but not as peppy as a TB).

It ended up being a 4k decision for us...for 4K more I was able to get a loaded 4WD TB with everything in the world.

Had the Equinox had a more comparable rebate (but that is apples to oranges / 05 to 04) we might have been a lot closer. The night we finally picked up the TB, they had a black loaded LT in the showroom....

They have their goods and bads. Still much more car-like than truck like.

sierra34 · August 26, 2004

The wife bought one three months back. She loves it, so do I. Gas milage is geat, she is averaging well over 20mpg. Acceleration is also quite good. I would reccomend to anyone to check it out. It is a first year vehicle, so I am waiting to see what comes up. I hope this helps. By the way ours is an LT with sunroof, 17 inch wheels, but no leather.

GMCSLE · August 31, 2004

I looked at them briefly but with the factory rebates available on larger vehicles like the Trailblazer and Envoy it just didn't make sense to us to buy the Equinox. The 3400 in the Equinox was also a concern as it frequently develops intake gasket leaks.

rreimund · September 2, 2004

I looked at them briefly but with the factory rebates available on larger vehicles like the Trailblazer and Envoy it just didn't make sense to us to buy the Equinox. The 3400 in the Equinox was also a concern as it frequently develops intake gasket leaks.

Same here.. we looked at, and ordered a Laser Blue LT loaded to the gills, but weren't 100% convinced.. a week later we test drove a TB, and were sold.. picked it up 2 days later. We could have gotten a TB LS with just cloth and sunroof and a couple of other options for the same price as the Equinox.. didn't make sense. In the end we picked up a fully loaded TB, as it was already on the lot in the color we wanted, etc. We ended up paying more, but getting more for our buck too..

If you're looking for information on the Equinox, check out two Equinox Specific sites:

http://www.equinoxcentral.com

and

http://www.equinoxownersclub.com

- Rick..

First post.. woohoo!!!

kclm7 · September 3, 2004

My wife likes them. I work PT at a GM dealership so I've driven many fo them. I have to admit they do drive nice but then again they should since they really are just a tall roof car. I personally like truck SUVs with truck frames and truck engines. I suppose for the majority of people that just want the "SUV LOOK" and don't ever tow or really use 4wd the Equinox would be good for them. I prefer the Trailblazer personally but it's $10k more sticker price. I guess as long as I have my Jimmy or another truck SUV for real work the Equinox would be ok for my wife to drive.

Steve

CHVYPWR · September 7, 2004

I guess it would come down to looks but, I can't see why someone would want an Equinox over a Saturn Vue. For the same price, you can get a Vue which has more HP, better gas mileage, and more towing capacity. I looked into both before I bought my Canyon, the Vue by far is a better all around buy. IMO, Chevy dropped the ball on making something competitive with others in the market.

rreimund · September 7, 2004

I guess it would come down to looks but, I can't see why someone would want an Equinox over a Saturn Vue. For the same price, you can get a Vue which has more HP, better gas mileage, and more towing capacity. I looked into both before I bought my Canyon, the Vue by far is a better all around buy. IMO, Chevy dropped the ball on making something competitive with others in the market.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In a vacuum, and on paper, the Vue is a better buy. But when you drive it, you can come to understand why certain decisions were made. Frankly, the Vue rides and feels like a tin shanty riding on a frame. Whereas the traditional steel bodied Equinox feels much more solid and better put together. I'm not saying one is inherently better, just saying that the 'Nox "feels" better to drive. Also, they share the electric power steering, which is calibrated horribly in the Vue, whereas they did a lot of work in that area on the Equinox. It's not 100%, but it's 100% better than the Vue's steering feel. I too would have preferred a little more power, but that engine coupled with the 5 speed automatic, which is phenomenal, makes it work. Granted, the same 250hp engine in the 'Nox with the current tranny would be even better. But all told, they wanted to keep costs down. I'd rather pay for fewer overall luxury features and get a car that's better put together, than get a higher HP engine, etc. but suffer in my ride quality and NVH department everyday I drive the car. (NVH = Noise Vibration and Harshness)

All that said, I bought a Trailblazer for the extra space and the fact that they weren't that different pricewise given current incentives. But I wouldn't have been heartbroken if I was relagated to the Equinox, but I would be if I had to drive a Vue.

CHVYPWR · September 8, 2004

I thought the Vue handled very well, I didn't see a problem with the steering. I felt the steering was very precise and tight. I didn't even drive an Equinox, simply based on the much lower horsepower rating, felt it'd be a waste of time. I drove an Aztec when they first came out, I wasn't impressed with the 3.4's power at all. After all, it's still just an upgraded 2.8 They should have gone with the 3800, then they'd have something!

kclm7 · September 8, 2004

I'm thinking they should upgrade the suspension, install a supercharged 3800 and call it the Equinox SS.

rreimund · September 8, 2004

I'm thinking they should upgrade the suspension, install a supercharged 3800 and call it the Equinox SS.

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That's coming I think for 2007.. - 3.9L V6.. not sure of the specs, nor what it's based on (i.e. is it based on the 3800?) and presumably some suspension and braking differences as well..

Envoy Fan · September 8, 2004

I'm thinking they should upgrade the suspension, install a supercharged 3800 and call it the Equinox SS.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds good to me.

GMCSLE · September 8, 2004

I'm thinking they should upgrade the suspension, install a supercharged 3800 and call it the Equinox SS.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's coming I think for 2007.. - 3.9L V6.. not sure of the specs, nor what it's based on (i.e. is it based on the 3800?) and presumably some suspension and braking differences as well..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The 3.9 is supposedly an available engine for the G6 (Grand Am replacement) so I can certainly see that going into the Equinox and any other currently 3400 powered vehicle.