Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

I have been trying to decide on getting an Equinox or not. Any pros and cons you've experienced? Do they handle well in winter weather? I see some are FWD or AWD,

Taco wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 21, 2022 8:22 am

I have been trying to decide on getting an Equinox or not. Any pros and cons you've experienced? Do they handle well in winter weather? I see some are FWD or AWD,

Informal survey… since I do a lot of driving (bus mostly on the freeway) the equinox is top 5 behind Jeeps of any age and the old vehicles on their last legs that I see on the side of the road either abandoned or broke down. When you consistently see the same kind of vehicles on the side of the freeway in an inoperable state you get the feeling they are junk.

This website is a great place to get feedback from thousands of owners....

Generally, avoid US cars.

https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/equinox/2020/review/

I have a few, they are good basic transportation and get the AWD. There have been a few component recalls, but the dealer has handled it.

My current vehicle is a 2020 Equinox. I also had a 2016 and a 2013. They're plain and boring as Hell, but reliable. None of them gave me a minute of trouble. One reason why I bought them was because they were built at the GM plant in Ingersoll ON, about 20 miles from here. We have neighbours who work at the plant.

But my current Equinox will be my last. GM has moved production of the Equinox to Mexico. I only buy Union built North American vehicles. So my next one will be a Ford Escape or maybe something by Jeep.

I would sooner buy a Honda, Subaru, or a Volvo. Very reliable cars overall. Never buy new though.

I was actually looking at a 2020 AWD. My 2012 Cruze is aging hard... just hit 198,000 miles and has a cracked windshield, rust, scratches, etc. Lately I'm starting to smell burning oil. Drove the hell out of this thing!

I have driven new Equinox's in the past as loner vehicles while my Cruze was being serviced a time or two.

Taco wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:20 am

I was actually looking at a 2020 AWD. My 2012 Cruze is aging hard... just hit 198,000 miles and has a cracked windshield, rust, scratches, etc. Lately I'm starting to smell burning oil. Drove the hell out of this thing!

I have driven new Equinox's in the past as loner vehicles while my Cruze was being serviced a time or two.

It aged better than most 2014 Cruzes. Those things are shit boxes. When I worked at GM, they had between 10-14 recalls on almost all and a class action to boot.

Overall my Cruze has been pretty good to me. I did have issues occasionally. At this point I just don't wanna put anymore money into it should the need arise. I really liked the fuel economy.

MotorCityRadioFreak wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:34 am

Taco wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:20 am

I was actually looking at a 2020 AWD. My 2012 Cruze is aging hard... just hit 198,000 miles and has a cracked windshield, rust, scratches, etc. Lately I'm starting to smell burning oil. Drove the hell out of this thing!

I have driven new Equinox's in the past as loner vehicles while my Cruze was being serviced a time or two.

It aged better than most 2014 Cruzes. Those things are shit boxes. When I worked at GM, they had between 10-14 recalls on almost all and a class action to boot.

MotorCityRadioFreak wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 22, 2022 8:16 am

I would sooner buy a Honda, Subaru, or a Volvo. Very reliable cars overall. Never buy new though.

Stay away from GM and Chrysler products. The Ford Escapes look nice though.

I've heard very good things about The Subaru Forrester. Honda is overall a pretty solid choice as is Mazda. Not all that familiar with Volvo. A family member of mine has a Nissan Rouge

I disagree with the whole " never buy new" theory, if you look at the prices of used cars, you can get a new one these days for not that much more, I keep vehicles until they become money pits so buying new seems to work out better for me, my current vehicle is getting close to needing replacement. Being nearly 12 years and needing a lot of work, not to mention it having a little bit of cosmetic damage from a snow plow hitting it in a parking lot last winter(and almost taking the guy to court),

Escapes have transmission issues that pop up. I have 2 co-worker who have newer ones and both have had to have major transmission work. Volvo isn't as reliable as they used to be. I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it is trouble free. Regular stuff like oil changes and tire rotations is all I have ever needed.

Google

equinox engine trouble

It is possible GM has managed to right the wrongs in 2020+ model years; the only people I know that have owned previous year models have spent much time and money (on repairs and legal) in getting theirs to the point where they could drive or sell them.

kager wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:10 am

Google

equinox engine trouble

It is possible GM has managed to right the wrongs in 2020+ model years; the only people I know that have owned previous year models have spent much time and money (on repairs and legal) in getting theirs to the point where they could drive or sell them.

I've had a 2013, a 2016 and now a 2020. I haven't had any trouble at all with them. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Engine trouble? I’ve had 4 Ford Escapes have an engine go bad, always the head. I get $500.00 when I trade them in. They all were traded for Equinox’s. I have not had any problems with the Equinox yet, but as Ralph Nader pointed out years ago, I’m sure they have a planned obsolescence ahead.

zzand wrote: ↑

Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:29 am

Escapes have transmission issues that pop up. I have 2 co-worker who have newer ones and both have had to have major transmission work. Volvo isn't as reliable as they used to be. I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it is trouble free. Regular stuff like oil changes and tire rotations is all I have ever needed.

My parents had a lease Grand Cherokee back in the late 90s, very nice vehicle. I've always wanted a Volvo , the older ones were much more solid. The 760 GL, those were tanks.