Vibe, Torrent, Equinox, Escape

**bobh33** · 06-21-2009, 08:52 PM

We are into the head spinning stage of vehicle shopping. What can you all tell us about these four? It is for my wife's job which could be 10-20K miles a year travelling. Safety is number one and mileage number two because of the mileage payback factor. I had posted before about the Dodge Calibur and thanks to your responses, we are not even considering it! Thanks in advance.

**clones_jer** · 06-21-2009, 09:23 PM

The wife has an 07 Escape. She loves it, but she used to drive a Neon that was basically a death trap, so her standards were pretty low.

**clonerules** · 06-21-2009, 09:37 PM

If you decide to go with the Escape you should most def. check out the Mercury Mariner. For virtually the same price you get a little bit nicer ride, as well as a little quieter ride due to having twice the sound proofing insulation in it. Either way, they are both very dependable vehicles.

**CycloneErik** · 06-21-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by clones_jer

The wife has an 07 Escape. She loves it, but she used to drive a Neon that was basically a death trap, so her standards were pretty low.

You're kind of asking for trouble here, chief.

**clones_jer** · 06-21-2009, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

You're kind of asking for trouble here, chief.

It's pretty obvious I married up.

**clones_jer** · 06-21-2009, 09:46 PM

oh, and we got the 4-cylinder version ... the V6 with all wheel drive is a monster on fuel consumption from what we've heard.

depends what you're using it for. The 4 is alright, but it's not going to lay and rubber down.

**acrozier22** · 06-21-2009, 09:47 PM

We had a Toyota Rav 4 for four years and have zero problems with it. Nice car.

**brownie** · 06-21-2009, 09:50 PM

We've had an '05 Escape since new. V6 AWD, averages 23 mpg with mixed in and out out of town driving. Rides well, quiet and comfortable. Much better than the Explorer we had before it.Over 74,000 miles and no real problems yet (knock on wood). I'd recommend one if you aren't looking to seat more than four on a long trip. Storage space can be limited for vacation unless you load the roof rack (picture the Griswolds)!

**bobh33** · 06-22-2009, 06:14 AM

Thanks everybody! Has anyone ever owned or driven a Pontiac Torrent or a Chevy Equinox?

**dmclone** · 06-22-2009, 06:46 AM

Be careful about buying the Pontiac. When Oldsmobile closed shop their resale values plummeted.

It looks like your hooked on Domestics so I won't even mention the imports that you could buy that are better. With that being said, have you tried a Saturn Vue?

It seems like when it comes to these small SUV's the domestic's are a lot better if you get the 6cyl model.

**CyGal** · 06-22-2009, 06:47 AM

We've had a Toyota Matrix for the past few years, which is very similar to the Vibe. Car drives nice, good gas mileage, never had any problems with it at all. We chose the Toyota over the Vibe for the warranty.

**dmclone** · 06-22-2009, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by CyGal

We've had a Toyota Matrix for the past few years, which is very similar to the Vibe. Car drives nice, good gas mileage, never had any problems with it at all. We chose the Toyota over the Vibe for the warranty.

I agree.

Quality, ride, handling,mpg, etc should all favor the Vibe.

**RayShimley** · 06-22-2009, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by bobh33

We are into the head spinning stage of vehicle shopping. What can you all tell us about these four? It is for my wife's job which could be 10-20K miles a year travelling. Safety is number one and mileage number two because of the mileage payback factor. I had posted before about the Dodge Calibur and thanks to your responses, we are not even considering it! Thanks in advance.

We recently purchased a Vibe over the matrix. We're not really worried about the resale issue with Pontiac since we usually drive cars until they die. The certified used Vibe came with a 5 year 100,000 mile powertrain and a 2 year 48,000 bumper to bumper extended warranty as a used certified vehicle.

The availability of the Vibe AWD model for Iowa winters is what tipped the scale for us.

**SchuellerClones** · 06-22-2009, 07:23 AM

I drive a 2007 pontiac torrent.....overall good car as for mileage but it being a front wheel drive it doesnt get around in the snow at all! i drive my wifes grand am when there is snow on the ground. we have talked about trading it because my wife and i both travel for work. i dont know how the all wheel drive does in the snow but i would NOT recommend a front wheel drive torrent! Unless you live in the tropic!

**JBone84** · 06-22-2009, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by bobh33

Thanks everybody! Has anyone ever owned or driven a Pontiac Torrent or a Chevy Equinox?

I own a 2008 Pontiac Torrent and love it. Gas mileage averages 22-23 mixed, and I can get 25 on the interstate. The Torrent sits 1" higher than the Equinox and has some nicer touches on the exterior and interior. One of my favorite things about the Torrent/Equinox is that the rear seat slides 9" forward or backwards depending on if you want to put more crap back there or people in the backseat. Both my wife and I can fit in the backseat comfortably with plenty of head room and leg room; I'm 6'1" and she is 5'11".

I'm not concerned about the resale issue either since I will drive this car into the ground. We bought the Torrent with 30,000 miles on it and now have 36,000 on it; no problems to this point.

EDIT: Just saw the snow comment above; I also have the FWD model and it does have traction control and ABS so will have to see how it handles in the snow.