neighbor needs dealer advice Chevy v Ford

[Boomer]

I now live in a retirement community in central PA. The community is in a small town with only a Chevy and a Ford dealer. All other dealers are a minimum of 25-35 miles way.

An older neighbor asked my advice on buying a new Chevy SUV, preferably a smaller one. They are not Ford fans. Other than reading on the Internet, I have no advice to offer as I have VWs. They want a Chevy as they don't want to drive too far to get to the dealer. Any thoughts that would help me out?

 

[Allaned]

I now live in a retirement community in central PA. The community is in a small town with only a Chevy and a Ford dealer. All other dealers are a minimum of 25-35 miles way.

An older neighbor asked my advice on buying a new Chevy SUV, preferably a smaller one. They are not Ford fans. Other than reading on the Internet, I have no advice to offer as I have VWs. They want a Chevy as they don't want to drive too far to get to the dealer. Any thoughts that would help me out?

My sister, also living in central PA, has a Chevy Trax and she likes it.

 

[IveBeenRued]

If they have the ability to charge at home, the Equinox EV has 328 miles of range and can be had for roughly $23K new. No more oil changes or trips to the gas station.

 

[AZjeff]

What advice can you give? They don't want to drive, the choices are Chevy and Ford and they don't like Ford. Go drive the Chevy models and pick the one you like is all you got.

EV is a good choice if they can charge it easily.

 

[GRUMPYDUDE2]

What advice can you give? They don't want to drive, the choices are Chevy and Ford and they don't like Ford. Go drive the Chevy models and pick the one you like is all you got.

EV is a good choice if they can charge it easily.

Key point on EV is charging ease. They are good short distance around town autos. Prob all most retired people would need.

 

[tbm5690]

They want a Chevy as they don't want to drive too far to get to the dealer.

That's an interesting reason. How often do they think they are needing to go to a dealer where 25-30 miles is too far?

 

[Zee09]

I buy cars from all over. That said
only the youth among us can't understand 30 mile away dealers .
Just buying the car 30 miles away is a hassle for older folks.
Especially if they get a lemon or depend on dealer services.

 

[wemay]

The Trail Blazer and Trax are nice small SUVs.

 

[Nukeman7]

My sister, also living in central PA, has a Chevy Trax and she likes it.

I second the recommendation for a Chevy Trax. For a retired couple that doesn't do long distance trips regularly, it is a great small SUV for the price and needs. Good balance of modern safety features and traditional controls which will be appreciated by elderly drivers. Stylish enough to avoid the Buick/Lincoln/Crown Vic stereotype. Here are two decent video reviews.

 

[walterjay]

The Trax may work well for their needs.

 

[JohnnyG]

The 2026 Chevy Bolt might be a good choice. It looks like it's going to look pretty nice after the redesign. Once again, IF they can charge at home.

Once Three Mile Island is fired back up, electricity prices should go down,.........right? Said no one ever!

 

[dnewton3]

So, two dealers close, and they don't like Ford.

Ummmmmm ....
Sounds to me like there is no choice in the matter.

I have no idea why you need "advice" on this; it's a no-brainer.

 

[walterjay]

Once Three Mile Island is fired back up, electricity prices should go down,

 

[4WD]

I second the recommendation for a Chevy Trax. For a retired couple that doesn't do long distance trips regularly, it is a great small SUV for the price and needs. Good balance of modern safety features and traditional controls which will be appreciated by elderly drivers. Stylish enough to avoid the Buick/Lincoln/Crown Vic stereotype. Here are two decent video reviews.

None of them look like Granny’s church car anymore
BiL got one of these:

 

[Danno]

2025 Chev Equinox, son just bought one. This latest revision is done right imo.

https://www.caranddriver.com/chevrolet/equinox

 

[dogememe]

Trax for gas, Equinox EV for EV. Both are great values.

 

[Boomer]

Any input on the long term durability of the Trax?

 

[Nukeman7]

Any input on the long term durability of the Trax?

The current model was a complete new redesign from the ground up in 2024, so no long term data yet. Don't look at the data for the previous generation Trax since it was a 100% different vehicle platform.

 

[Greenbeforeblue]

If you buy the right vehicle, you only have to go to the dealer once.

 

[AZjeff]

If you buy the right vehicle, you only have to go to the dealer once.

I thought that when we bought a new Toyota 2 different times.