Wife wants a smaller GM SUV, what's good and what should we stay away from?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Posts
7,124
Reaction score
14,364
Location
St. Louis
My wife is wanting to get a small GM SUV to replace her mustang as a daily. She doesn't necessarily want new, but maybe like a 2017+ something like an Equinox, Terrain, Traverse, etc.

What should we avoid (certain model year, etc)

Anyone have any experiences with these? Good or bad?
 

tom3

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Posts
1,071
Reaction score
1,676
The Terrain/Equinox through 2017 with the V6 engine is a pretty good all around machine if you can find a low mileage machine. The Acadia or Traverse is also a really good SUV in a bit larger size. Stay away from the 4 cylinder motors in any later model machine.
 

Tonyv__

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2018
Posts
3,426
Reaction score
7,702
Location
Bucks county PA
Only input I can say is any small suv with the ecotec engine is gonna be bad news. From personal experience and Google.

Now I don’t know if the engine has evolved since but I can say the engine is in Chevy sonics, sparks, trax, Buick Encore and a few more small SUVs. Major PCV issues and turbo failure.

However some of the issues are recalled and will be corrected via dealer but apparently the parts haven’t been redeveloped. They’re just replacing with the same parts that failed originally
 
OP
OP
gooffeyguy
Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Posts
7,124
Reaction score
14,364
Location
St. Louis
It sucks to be buying a used vehicle right now. She wants to go look at this 2017 Terrain Denali with ~40k miles for $26k. It has the v6 and AWD. I just think that's a bit high, and more then what we paid for the 2012 XL Denali 4 years ago.
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
26,247
Reaction score
39,347
Location
Stockton, Ca.
If these gas prices keep going up the dealers will concentrate more on the smaller vehicles and "maybe" some slightly larger vehicles will drop a smidge, I would hold and just keep looking a couple times a day, don't be afraid to travel to find what you want, I flew in and drove my Denali home 7 hours from Vegas.
I like the look of the Terrain's and for as much guff as they get for not being more off-roadish the new blazer's also
 
OP
OP
gooffeyguy
Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Posts
7,124
Reaction score
14,364
Location
St. Louis
Wife sent me a link to a vehicle she found and asked me what I thought.

It's a 2010 Yukon Denali, 98k miles, 1 owner, most of it's life in Texas, $20k (looks just like our 2011 we had)

I told her I thought she wanted something smaller/newer. She said she could adapt and that we'd be twinsies, but mine is bigger
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
19,611
Reaction score
26,321
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
It sucks to be buying a used vehicle right now. She wants to go look at this 2017 Terrain Denali with ~40k miles for $26k. It has the v6 and AWD. I just think that's a bit high, and more then what we paid for the 2012 XL Denali 4 years ago.

Wife sent me a link to a vehicle she found and asked me what I thought.

It's a 2010 Yukon Denali, 98k miles, 1 owner, most of it's life in Texas, $20k (looks just like our 2011 we had)

I told her I thought she wanted something smaller/newer. She said she could adapt and that we'd be twinsies, but mine is bigger
My wife keeps vacillating too, at leas the Terrain is out of the picture, it was too small for us, but now she's looking at the K2s and T1 Yukon Denalis! $$$$$ And I thought we were settled on a 2012-2014 Yukon Denali or Esky Platinum! LOL Now I'll have to buy a compatible diagnostic tool, new oil, filters, etc.!
 

jd08

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Posts
638
Reaction score
169
Location
Jackson, WI
We had a 12 Equinox 4 cylinder 2wd, 17 Acadia 3.6l awd all terrian, and now a 19 Yukon slt.

Equinox was good on gas but the 2.4l was under powered and had an engine rattle that dealer said was injector noise. We loved the Acadia, awesome in WI snow storms, decent mpg, 3.6l did everything we wanted. Was going to keep it for the long run but wife wanted to tow a horse trailer so we upgraded to the 19 Yukon slt.

I would recommend an Acadia.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,366
Posts
1,866,807
Members
96,989
Latest member
Mreedini
Top