In response to the quality of GM products.... There is a big difference between 2002 and 2011. As you know GM has seen it's fair share of problems during that time period. However, since there "resurrection" and restructuring, the company has done a complete 180 in my opinion. I've owned Chrysler products and GM products and have experienced my problems with both. However, my main complainant was always the fact that neither company really ever upgraded their products over a 5-8 year period and the materials they used were always second rate.
Due to this, I was dead set on getting a foreign, small suv. Audi, Lexus rx, etc. I began to look at as many as I could, but kept coming up with a price tag of $40,000-$45,000! A few people said to take a look at the new Equinox. So I checked it out. The interior was something I had never seen before in a GM product! The quality materials and futuristic cluster rivaled foreign, expensive brands. I took it for a test drive and I was excited. When I was told that I could get everything I wanted on it for $30,000 , I was sold!
If your worried about reliability, you always get the 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty and can buy an extended one if you choose. My wife owns a VW with the carefree maintenance plan, and I feel it's not as great as they make it out to be. (similar to the toyota) they will only change the oil every 10,000 miles or once per year! I don't agree with waiting that long to change it and found myself doing my own change in between.
I know have 4,000 miles on my Nox and couldn't be happier!