My moms looking for a new vehicle. I went to a Chevy dealer with her and she seemed to like the 1st generation (2006-2009 models). I have no experience with them but they seem like nice vehicles. What motors are good with them and had anyone ever owned one and could share experience and reliability with me? TIA
Chevy Equinox???
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We had a 2008 equinox Sport. It was AWD with a 3.6L 265 horsepower with a 6 speed automatic. It was pretty quick and returned about 23ish miles per gallon on the highway. The base engine is the 3.4L with a 5 speed auto. The 3.4l seemed kinda slow when we test drove the AWD model.
Great car, we would've still had it if my wife didn't total it in the summer of 2010.
Great car, we would've still had it if my wife didn't total it in the summer of 2010.
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The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
With a very small exception, all 1st gen Equinox were powered by the 3.4L V6 and an Aisin 5-speed trans. The small exception is the Equinox Sport that was produced for one or two model years that was equipped with the 3.6L HFV6 and GM 6-speed trans.
The 3.4/Aisin combo is pretty robust. The 3.4 has a dry intake manifold and doesn't have any of the intake gasket issues that the earlier 3.4 had. The Aisin trans has shown no common problems.
Stay away from AWD. The rear drive unit is a bit fragile and expensive. Electric power steering is overassisted, completely devoid of feel, and sometimes a little flaky. In typicaly GM fashon, front end parts aren't all that tough and rattles are common. Sway bar end links and upper strut mounts making noise are usually the cause. Wheel bearings are a common replacement item too.
My in-laws have a little over 125K miles on their 2005 AWD Equinox. It's had it's issues. Nothing major and it's never left them stranded. It's also had no maintenance except for oil changes, if that tells you anything about the type of vehicle owners they are.
I owned a Saturn Vue for a while (my wife's). Close cousin to the Equinox, except with a Honda powertrain (which was both the best and worst part of the vehicle). 70,000 miles and the results were similar. Had some issues, but nothing major.
The 3.4/Aisin combo is pretty robust. The 3.4 has a dry intake manifold and doesn't have any of the intake gasket issues that the earlier 3.4 had. The Aisin trans has shown no common problems.
Stay away from AWD. The rear drive unit is a bit fragile and expensive. Electric power steering is overassisted, completely devoid of feel, and sometimes a little flaky. In typicaly GM fashon, front end parts aren't all that tough and rattles are common. Sway bar end links and upper strut mounts making noise are usually the cause. Wheel bearings are a common replacement item too.
My in-laws have a little over 125K miles on their 2005 AWD Equinox. It's had it's issues. Nothing major and it's never left them stranded. It's also had no maintenance except for oil changes, if that tells you anything about the type of vehicle owners they are.
I owned a Saturn Vue for a while (my wife's). Close cousin to the Equinox, except with a Honda powertrain (which was both the best and worst part of the vehicle). 70,000 miles and the results were similar. Had some issues, but nothing major.
Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
The big issues were the 3.4l engine. The sport modles had a different power and drive train. We had no issues with our sport model in the 45k we put on it.
The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
The big issues were the 3.4l engine. The sport modles had a different power and drive train. We had no issues with our sport model in the 45k we put on it.
ls1mike
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I have an 07 that has been good, the early ones may have had a leak from the hatch. I have 70,000 on mine and have done brakes, tires and oil changes. I hear some folks have had wheel bearing problems. They only have the 3.4, unless you get an Equinox sport or Pontiac Torrent GXP (same car) They have the 3.6. This 3.4 has the updated intake and gasket so no gasket issues. The engine is loud when cold but it is the nature of every 3.4 ever. It has an Aisin 5 speed which does fine.
My wife has been happy wiht it. That is a big plus.
We just did a 3500 mile round trip to San Diego and back. I averaged 22 MPG with the AWD. It was comfortable and cruised along nice between 70 and 80 mph.
The brakes could be larger but they are adequate. I don't like the position of the seat controls or power outputs. It has a pretty good blind spot so you have to get used to using the mirrors. The back seat moves forward and back. I like that.
It rides pretty smooth and interior noise is on par for the other crossovers, small suvs, mini-vans (whatever you want to call it) in it's class.
My wife has been happy wiht it. That is a big plus.
We just did a 3500 mile round trip to San Diego and back. I averaged 22 MPG with the AWD. It was comfortable and cruised along nice between 70 and 80 mph.
The brakes could be larger but they are adequate. I don't like the position of the seat controls or power outputs. It has a pretty good blind spot so you have to get used to using the mirrors. The back seat moves forward and back. I like that.
It rides pretty smooth and interior noise is on par for the other crossovers, small suvs, mini-vans (whatever you want to call it) in it's class.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
The big issues were the 3.4l engine. The sport modles had a different power and drive train. We had no issues with our sport model in the 45k we put on it.
What were the 3.4 issues? It is not the same one as in your Impala. Only the 05 had a problem with faulty head gaskets as delievered from the factory on the early one. They were found to have a small tear, but they should have been repaired under warranty and if they were GM will fix them.
Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
The big issues were the 3.4l engine. The sport modles had a different power and drive train. We had no issues with our sport model in the 45k we put on it.
What were the 3.4 issues? It is not the same one as in your Impala. Only the 05 had a problem with faulty head gaskets as delievered from the factory on the early one. They were found to have a small tear, but they should have been repaired under warranty and if they were GM will fix them.
I owned a 2007 and would not recommend the lst generation.
The 2011 seems much improved and a friend has one with the 4 cylinder engine and loves it.
The 2011 seems much improved and a friend has one with the 4 cylinder engine and loves it.
I would avoid the 1st gen, look at a low end 2nd gen. Even a base LS 2012 is pretty well equipped. Plus better gas mileage, much more refined and well put together.
My wife was looking for a small suv in September. We liked the 2009 Kia but they didn't want to deal. Found an '06 Equinox but wife said there were a lot of on-line complaints; primarily electrical. After looking at a dozen Escapes with high mileage we found a 2005 Mercury Mariner (Escape twin)with 41,000 miles.
I will say that the Equinox's we found were in the dealer inventory one day and gone the next so they are popular.
I will say that the Equinox's we found were in the dealer inventory one day and gone the next so they are popular.
hyundai santa fe is nice i have 2 and they were priced great and gave more than the chevy and ford
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
The big issues were the 3.4l engine. The sport modles had a different power and drive train. We had no issues with our sport model in the 45k we put on it.
What were the 3.4 issues? It is not the same one as in your Impala. Only the 05 had a problem with faulty head gaskets as delievered from the factory on the early one. They were found to have a small tear, but they should have been repaired under warranty and if they were GM will fix them.
I didnt know they fixed the gasket issues with the 3.4L. That was the main reason we didn't want the LT equinox. That and in AWD the 3.4L felt like a turd. It was fine under normal driving, but didnt want to move out of its own way during full throttle, lol
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: OldCowboy
The 06-08 Equnox has a worse-than-average repair record and the 09 has an average repair record. Problem areas are drive, fuel and electrical systems.
The big issues were the 3.4l engine. The sport modles had a different power and drive train. We had no issues with our sport model in the 45k we put on it.
What were the 3.4 issues? It is not the same one as in your Impala. Only the 05 had a problem with faulty head gaskets as delievered from the factory on the early one. They were found to have a small tear, but they should have been repaired under warranty and if they were GM will fix them.
I didnt know they fixed the gasket issues with the 3.4L. That was the main reason we didn't want the LT equinox. That and in AWD the 3.4L felt like a turd. It was fine under normal driving, but didnt want to move out of its own way during full throttle, lol
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2026
Fast it ain't. But as far as can tell it is ok, did fine going to California. I have driven slower.
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