2010 Traverse purchase???

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Barkleymut

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Hey Guys, my wife and I test drove a 2010 Chevy Traverse LTZ today. It drove just like new and I am hoping that they can get down to the price I want. My main concern is the reliability of the car long term. (Wife has driven the 01 T&C in signature for 9 years). Here are the basics on the Traverse, anything I should be looking for?
Mileage: 55,343 miles
Engine: 3.6L V-6 cyl
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Electronic with Overdrive
Drive Line: FWD
 
I hate these things, and IMO, they are not service friendly.

The oil filter location on the 3.6 sucks. Jammed right up by the exhaust manifold. IIRC the air filter and cabin filter are a pain too. I do not like the underhood packaging of these things...looks like a throwaway car. I have also seen them with the dash lit up with all kinds of warnings...service air bag, service traction control, service this, service that.

I think a Trailblazer would be more durable, and you probably wouldn't sacrifice much MPG. Interior build is about the same on those two...unlike many GMs the GMT360 interior actually got a little better during its run instead of worse.
 
thanks Ranger, she also liked the new (2014) Flex that we drove and tomorrow she is going to drive an 09 Venza with the 2.7 4cylinder. Comments on those cars are appreciated as well.
 
Read the owners reviews on the Venza on Edmunds.com. IIRC many were unhappy with the ride, noise level etc.
 
I've never even sat in a Venza to be honest. I can remember seeing maybe one or two ever, but I've never had my hands on one. It's likely to use Toyota's newer canister oil filters, which are kind of a pain because you need a special socket to not tear them up, but if it's basically like a Camry wagon (I think it's on the Camry platform), then it's probably better than the Traverse. I think the only reason there aren't more Venzas is probably the Highlander being similar in size/function but with a more well known name and more SUV appearance.

I've only seen a couple Flexes up close, but I had a good impression of them. The interiors were pretty nice and I think the oil filter is just an FL500S mounted on an adapter, so they are easy to maintain, at least with the 3.5 or 3.7 non-turbo V6. The only thing that would really be suspect in those cars that I know of might be the transmission. If it's related to the ones they were putting in Fusions and the last generation of Taurus, there could be potential for problems, but I don't know what trans the Flex has.
 
i bought a 2013 travers and like it so far. the 3.6 is tough on oil and recommended to run full synthetic with 7k oil changes. i have gone by oil monitor. The oil filter is a pain but really not too bad. haven't changed air filter yet. got 13k on mine now. earlier traverse modele had issues with timing chain stretch. I cant remember if GM corrected in 2010 or what year it was addressed.
 
The 3.6L is pretty much the standard-bearing V-6 now for GM. If you keep it serviced, it should run a long time provided it was well-maintained by the previous owner.

For what it's worth, a Traverse is on the short-list for our next vehicle.
 
I had a 2008 GMC Acadia; one of the many Lambda vehicles:

2007–2010 Saturn Outlook
2007–present GMC Acadia
2008–present Buick Enclave
2009–present Chevrolet Traverse

I put 97,000 miles on it before trading for my FX4 and the only engine issues that I had was a failed water pump at 80K. It was driven coast to coast and was a great vehicle. Due to the Internet claims about the engine, I ran PP in it with a 7.5K OCI and the head look spotless when viewed through the oil fill hole. As others have said, the oil filter is in a *$@%!& of a location, but otherwise it was maintenance free. The only other issue (that perhaps is solved now) was the lack of tires. At the time that I had mine only Goodyear Fortera HL Edition tires were available for it (mine were P255/65R18). No matter how they were rotated (and I religiously did at 6K intervals), the life of them were less than pathetic. I had 4 sets installed during ownership and this was one of the deciding factors to trade it in.
 
We compared the Traverse and Venza. Ended up with a 2009 Venza AWD V6. Reasons - Smaller than Traverse yet huge second row, built in NA and Toyota reliabilty. No complaints after 4 years.
 
The early 3.6L V6s were also known for timing chain issues. Revised components are now available, and I think some qualify for an extended warranty for the chain issues themselves. This is something to keep in mind...
 
I have an '09. If you need that much size, they're hard to beet. If you can get by with something smaller, do so.

Yes, they are having timing chain and water pump issues. But they did extend the warranty to 10y/120k miles, or something similar to that. I got a letter from GM about both issues.

I think the ride and noise levels are fine. I think it's a little louder now with 60k miles on the original tires.

Oil filter is a pain in that location. Transmission drains are easy though.
smile.gif


Don't even want to think about changing plugs in it.
crazy.gif
 
Recently got a 2013 2.7 venza and it's great. Avoided the 20' inch rims since the road noise is far greater but the 19s are pretty decent.

Comfy ride through and through
 
its essentially a very expensive space inefficient minivan. if you enjoy those qualities, by all means buy one.
 
Originally Posted By: Barkleymut
thanks Ranger, she also liked the new (2014) Flex that we drove and tomorrow she is going to drive an 09 Venza with the 2.7 4cylinder. Comments on those cars are appreciated as well.


If you go for a Ford, look into the el cheapo ESP factory warranty extensions they sell through internet discounters. A 7yr 100K $50 deductible "basic care" policy (covers the stuff that keeps you from getting to work) for a Flex ought to be less than $1000 at Flood Ford. Actually $790
http://www.floodfordesp.com/esp_plans.ph...Submit=Continue
Warranty is transferrable if you sell before the time is up.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl

I've only seen a couple Flexes up close, but I had a good impression of them. The interiors were pretty nice and I think the oil filter is just an FL500S mounted on an adapter, so they are easy to maintain, at least with the 3.5 or 3.7 non-turbo V6. The only thing that would really be suspect in those cars that I know of might be the transmission. If it's related to the ones they were putting in Fusions and the last generation of Taurus, there could be potential for problems, but I don't know what trans the Flex has.


We really, really liked the Flex when I was shopping at the end of 09. The trans is the 6f50 for the non turbos and the 6f55 for the Ecoboosts. Don't hear too much about them - there were some early programming and a bad trans range selector issues but nothing major. Like all autos, change the fluid every 30k or so and you should be fine.
 
Well the wife has narrowed it down to a Flex. She really wants leather but I'm refusing to spend $30k on a new car. Found this one online http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ctd/4304390127.html and since I need to be down that way for work tomorrow I am going to kick the tires. The Carfax is perfect, always got a 5k oci. And this is the best price I have seen on one that has decent miles.

Looking at truedelta and online reviews from owners it looks like all of the model years are pretty reliable. Anything to keep in mind on the 3.5 on this 2010? Anything else to look for specifically? Thanks
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
I've never even sat in a Venza to be honest. I can remember seeing maybe one or two ever, but I've never had my hands on one. It's likely to use Toyota's newer canister oil filters, which are kind of a pain because you need a special socket to not tear them up, but if it's basically like a Camry wagon (I think it's on the Camry platform), then it's probably better than the Traverse. I think the only reason there aren't more Venzas is probably the Highlander being similar in size/function but with a more well known name and more SUV appearance.



The Venza shares the platform with the Lexus RX350 not the Camry. The canister is real easy to work with and you can get the wrench on amazon for $20. You can get the 4cyl or 3.5L V6 2wd or awd flavors.
 
They are really nice vehicles for CUV I would consider. However it seems like the year you are interested in seems to be hit/miss in terms of reliability for parents I know who have them.

In terms of being a fuel pig you lose about 1-3MPG compared to a minivan in city miles. On the highway more.

The low end models are quite cheap and honestly I would not bother as it makes me feel like its the old school american cars. The upper end models are much nicer with leather etc.
 
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