does anyone have or had first hand experience with a chevy equinox? perferably the awd model? my girlfriend is looking at getting one. are they any good? gas mileage, reliable, common problems.... how many miles do the motors last. she would be getting one with 100,000+ on it and i dont want to have to be wrenching on it all the time.

 

They had some problems with the rear diff. asm in the rears. IIRC the clutch packs would chatter or grab when turning. As far as the motors I know the Equinox could come with the 3.4 or a 3.6 I think. The 3.4 has been around for a good while but the other is a little different.

 

In short, I drove one on vacation (rental) it was a 11 2wd 4cyl. I was VERY disappointed.

 

what were you disappointed in? motor and power? interior? handling?

 

All the above lol, the 4cyl is so underpowered it cannot get out of its own way. Merging into interstate traffic was PITA. The interior was decent in the front with chrome handels and trim and stuff, awesome sterio and center dash and gauges but as soon as you get to the back all that dissapeared and became the interior of a base model cobalt all cheap plastic. It also only had 7k miles and the ceiling material was already falling down! Gas mileage was sad but that's because I had to be in the pedal so much to keep it moving. From a stop to a roll was almost a 2500rpm drop to get rolling lol. Now all this is based on a 2011. I'm sure the older model is better with the 6cyl and then the option of awd just helps it even more.

 

i apreciate the imput, thanks. anyone else with some imput?

 

My mom has one and she loves it. I think its an 07 awd and she hasnt had any problems with it. I think she has around 40k on it.

My roommates parents has 05 and they have had nothing but problems with it. Head gasket went, intake gasket, they had a problems with the awd and it only has 75k on it.

I was talking with my dad about it and the build quality really isnt there compared to our trucks. But then again you are buying a much less expensive vehicle. I dont mind driving my moms, its different but its not bad. By my experience, I would have to say the the early models have some troubles.