[ObNOXious]

I test drove the CRV, RAV4, Tiguan, Sportage, Outback, and Q5. I found the Equinox to be the best overall choice. However, if money were no object, the Q5 was very nice, but almost 20K more.

So after making my purchase like I spoke to family and friends about my purchase. Overall, I get a reaction of shock from almost everyone that I didn't purchase a Japanese SUV. "I hope you leased it, so you can get out of it in a few years." (I bought.) "Don't you know the resale of Chevy is awful, you will be lucky to get 5000 bucks in 5 years." "Japanese cars hold most of there value, in 5 years you can get 50% back, that Chevy will be near worthless." "Hope you have AAA, you'll need it" "What were you thinking, you could have had a CRV for that price." ...

Needless, to say I was not ready for so many negative attitudes towards my purchase. Not one person said, "Thanks for buying American, maybe it will help a little to get us out of this recession."

I often find myself defending my purchase, but it's tiring. And I usually don't care what others think, but it still is enough to make you second guess yourself.

Has anyone else experienced this? How do you handle it?

 

[Sunnysue]

Wow.......I am always amazed at how quick people are to give you THEIR opinions, especially when they are ignorant!!!! I recently ordered a 2011 Equinox 2LT myself. I test drove many vehicles, and I was totally sold on either a Tuscon or Santa Fe, until I drove the Equinox. Now I currently drive a Monte Carlo.....so I am already a Chevy girl......that being said.....I LOVED the Equinox, and had to get one.

I live in a small town, with a small dealership. They are awesome. One of the things I liked that they told me was that, when sales were down, in the past few years......production lines were closed, and cars weren't being built. When the Equinox changed the body style in 2010, a surge of popularity started, and production lines got moving and people went back to the job of building cars. I love that!!!! It really made my decision even more apparent, knowing I was helping Americans get back on their feet and back to work.

You can tell people whatever you want, or you can tell them nothing!!!! It is really up to you. But I like knowing that by purchasing this car, I am helping others get back to work and make a living.

Sue

 

[Dave25]

I have to say that if youve never been in a 1st gen equinox then you wouldnt know what they are talking about. GM vehicles have been horrible for so long that people are just ignorant now to what GM is building. I am a Chevy guy, and my family finally can see now what ive seen for years.

give it a couple of years and people will start to see that you made a smart choice.

We live in a world where Toyota can do no harm even though they killed customers by denying that they had safety issues. it will take years for people to realize their wrong ways.

I must say though, most GM vehicles are built outside of the US (Mexico, Canada) while Toyota, Nissan, Honda and some BMWs are built in the US.

 

[jason.angove]

don't worry about it. I bought a Nissan truck and my family thought i was nuts. At the time you couldn't touch a chevy for what i bought mine for with the options (that chevy didn't have). I would buy a chevy truck if the price was right. I bought the equinox because the price was right and the wife loved it. I did test drive several others that my wife like and told her no because they felt small or drove like crap. I do tend to over drive a car/truck. Just keep it till it's paid off and it's all good. My 06 Titian has been paid off for 3 years so it's money in the bank every month.

 

[NoobNox]

My 2010 Equinox was the first American vehicle I've purchased in nearly 25 years....and I didn't even have GM/Ford on my radar when I went shopping for a smaller SUV. Needless to say the Nox won me over versus similar offerings from Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai...and just to make sure it wasn't an illusion of import quality in an American car I test drove everything twice and carefully inspected the fit and finish of the Nox before I declared it either equal or superior in all areas. Just going by the reaction you recieved from family/friends...I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you either live in the Northeast or maybe west coast? ;D Everyone who has looked at/ridden in mine has loved it...but yes they are surprised themselves that they actually like a Chevy.

edit- as far as resale value, sadly that is based partly on reality and partly on perception. There are certain Ford models that have slightly higher resale than some comparable imports...but it is going to take more than GM's current crop of great new vehicles to change the reliability/quality perception.

 

[2010Nox]

I live in between a smaller town with only domestic dealers and a large city with everything. The dealerships, especially the GM dealership, in the smaller town are hands down way better than any of them in the city.

Yet I know many people that insist on buying imports only because they are brainwashed to think they are the best, or once upon a time they had a real good one so all of them must be outstanding. Everyone has had a vehicle of every brand that defied the odds and ran forever or they liked the best for some reason like maybe memories. All of my GM's were retired or sold off near or over 300,000 km on them.

With that said I also know people that were long time Japanese car fans and are now considering a Equinox. Another one of my friends has a CRV and says that while it's a good vehicle, it's also noisy, rather uncomfortable and doesn't even get all that good a fuel mileage.

So tell all the people you know with nothing good to say about your Nox to get their heads out of their ass and stop living in the past. Yes GM has made some less than great vehicles but so have all the brands. The new Nox is leaps and bounds above this. If they want to live in the past then they should think about problem vehicles like: the Hyundia Pony, Datsun (Nissan) B210, Mazda rotary powered cars, early Toyota minivans, VW Rabbits and earlier diesels and the list goes on.

Also part of many Japanese vehicles' resale value is due to what was just mentioned and that being perception, right or wrong. And in many cases the fact that it cost more initially as compared to a similar domestic, so obviously it will be more money after a certain number of years.

 

[NoobNox]

Wow.......I am always amazed at how quick people are to give you THEIR opinions, especially when they are ignorant!!!! I recently ordered a 2011 Equinox 2LT myself. I test drove many vehicles, and I was totally sold on either a Tuscon or Santa Fe, until I drove the Equinox. Now I currently drive a Monte Carlo.....so I am already a Chevy girl......that being said.....I LOVED the Equinox, and had to get one.

I live in a small town, with a small dealership. They are awesome. One of the things I liked that they told me was that, when sales were down, in the past few years......production lines were closed, and cars weren't being built. When the Equinox changed the body style in 2010, a surge of popularity started, and production lines got moving and people went back to the job of building cars. I love that!!!! It really made my decision even more apparent, knowing I was helping Americans get back on their feet and back to work.

You can tell people whatever you want, or you can tell them nothing!!!! It is really up to you. But I like knowing that by purchasing this car, I am helping others get back to work and make a living.

Sue

I don't want to rain on your patriotism parade sunnysue, but the Equinox/Terrain are assembled in Ontario, Canada and the Caddy SRX in Mexico. There is debate as to which is better..a foreign make assembled in the U.S. or a domestic assembled out of country? Even though I wish all domestics were made right here on U.S. soil...the fact is that most of the money from sales goes to the country of the parent company. The fact is...buying an import assembled in the U.S. may help a few hundred factory workers have jobs (higher up executive positions are still often given to Japanese/Korean/German workers however) but the bulk of the money still goes back to Japan/Korea/Germany.

 

[2010Nox]

I don't want to rain on your patriotism parade sunnysue, but the Equinox/Terrain are assembled in Ontario, Canada and the Caddy SRX in Mexico. There is debate as to which is better..a foreign make assembled in the U.S. or a domestic assembled out of country? Even though I wish all domestics were made right here on U.S. soil...the fact is that most of the money from sales goes to the country of the parent company. The fact is...buying an import assembled in the U.S. may help a few hundred factory workers have jobs (higher up executive positions are still often given to Japanese/Korean/German workers however) but the bulk of the money still goes back to Japan/Korea/Germany.

Myself being in Canada, the Nox helps us directly and I feel that the quality is up from assembly plants in places like Mexico or China. I would always prefer a vehicle from either Canada or the US and I believe the engine in our Nox is from the US.

Besides most Canadians like to spend their hard earned dollars in the US anyway so the workers may still help the US economy. Please don't look at us as foreigners since we're neighbours and other than politics, our lives are quite similar.

 

[Denali AWD]

I think that peoples perception that Japanese vehicles are superior were well founded years ago. However, that has changed. The new Equinox/Terrain vehicles are every bit as good as their asian counterparts.

I am very impressed with the fit and finish and level of quality of my Equinox. Plus it looks great!

You'll never convince the ones that wouldn't buy anything but foriegn made vehicles that a Chevrolet is just as good or better so just drive it, enjoy it and smile knowing that you made a wise purchase.

 

[gearhead]

Keep this in mind:

When you buy from a North American owned company such as Ford or GM, the majority of the profit money stays in North America no matter where the vehicle was built.

When you buy from a Korean, European or Japanese manufacturer, for example, 80% of the profit goes back to the country that owns the company.

That my friends, is a cold hard fact.

Also, remember that YOU helped bail out GM in Canada and the U.S., so you're buying back from yourself, so to speak...
;D 8)

 

[NoobNox]

Myself being in Canada, the Nox helps us directly and I feel that the quality is up from assembly plants in places like Mexico or China. I would always prefer a vehicle from either Canada or the US and I believe the engine in our Nox is from the US.

Besides most Canadians like to spend their hard earned dollars in the US anyway so the workers may still help the US economy. Please don't look at us as foreigners since we're neighbours and other than politics, our lives are quite similar.

I knew the Equinox was assembled in Canada before I bought it and I don't have a problem with it, but I am constantly surprised by how many Americans just assume since they're buying GM, Ford or Chrysler (which is no longer American owned) they're getting a 100% made in America product. I would never buy a Chinese made vehicle no matter what badge is on it, and Mexico seems like a strange place for GM to build their flagship of the Theta platform. (SRX)

 

[ObNOXious]

Thanks for everyones input. I do feel no matter where the car is built (Canada, Mexico, US); the money does flow back into the American economy. Just as Honda also builds cars in Canada, and that money goes to Japan.

And I am sure many of the parts are from overseas (radio electronics, computer chips, etc.)

As some people did guess, I am from the West coast - SoCal area. I think people here can be more outspoken and they have a bias towards Japanese cars. Not sure why, but they just love the Toyota's and Honda's.

As for resale, only time will tell. But if the difference is 3-4K after 5 years, I would rather spend the extra money to ride in a quiet car. That CRV and Rav4 were to noisy for my taste.

 

[mnussbaum]

As for resale, only time will tell. But if the difference is 3-4K after 5 years, I would rather spend the extra money to ride in a quiet car. That CRV and Rav4 were to noisy for my taste.

You got it! Resale is part of the equation, but only part. Buy a car you'll be happy living with. What's the point of bringing in that extra $3k after 5 years if you hated the car the whole time? Why bother? Life's too short for that. If it's all about the resale value then go buy a used car in the first place and avoid the hit.

 

[gmiemigrad]

Dave25, Actually, most GM vehicles are built in the U.S. vs. Canada or Mexico

Where GM vehicles are built that are sold in the U.S. and Canada:

United States
-------------
Chevy Cruze (Lordstown)
Chevy Malibu (Fairfax)
Chevy Volt (Hamtramck)
Chevy Express / GMC Savana (Wentzville)
Chevy Silverado / GMC Sierra (Fort Wayne, Flint)
Chevy Tahoe / GMC Yukon (Arlington)
Chevy Suburban / GMC Yukon XL (Arlington)
Chevy Traverse / GMC Acadia / Buick Enclave (Lansing Delta Township)
Buick Lacrosse (Fairfax)
Buick Lucerne (Hamtramck)
Cadillac CTS (Lansing Grand River)
Cadillac STS (Lansing Grand River)
Cadillac DTS (Hamtramck)
Cadillac Escalade (Arlington)

Canada
-------
Chevy Camaro (Oshawa Flex)
Chevy Impala (Oshawa Consolidated)
Chevy Equinox / GMC Terrain (CAMI, Oshawa Consolidated)

Mexico
------
Chevy Aveo (will be U.S. in 2011) (San Luis Potosi)
Chevy Avalanche (Ramos)
Cadillac SRX (Ramos)

Germany
--------
Buick Regal (will be Canada in 2011)

 

[dishdude]

I can't believe people buy overpriced RAV 4s and CRVs, I think the interiors on both of them are very sub par, and the styling (subjective) is unappealing. I also can't believe people flock to import cars like sheep blindly assuming they are top quality.

The nameplates from Japan had a distinct quality advantage in the 90's, but those days are long gone. Todays vehicles are all (for the most part) about equal.

 

[GARYD]

Just punch those idiots in the nose..........just kidding. I dislike people like that who think they know better then you what you should buy. Thankfully everyone I show it to say it's a great looking car (don't know if they say something else behind my back though). I could care less what other people say, I've had to listen nonothings ask me why I buy an antiquated motorcycle (Harley) instead on a new technowizard jap bike. Unfortunately they will never understand.
I laugh at them and ask what will they get in 10 years or even 5 years when it comes to reselling their bikes. I do my absolute best to try and not buy japanese products and try to buy American as often as I can. In my entire life I've only owned 2 foreign made cars.....VW Bug and a Hyundai Tiberon.
When I use to call on the Big 3, I got to park close to the front door. I noticed that they had signs telling you to park in the farthest lot if you were driving a foreign car. Sure like that thinking. ;D

 

[hfdad]

I have always had the best luck with GM cars until my last. A 2002 Buick Rendezvous, it was good for about 5 years then the repairs started. I spent over $3000. in repairs the last year and a half. I wanted my wife to consider the Rav4 but she was set on the 2011 Nox. The deal I got on the Nox was the best and after 1000 miles her only complaint is the engine noise in the lower gears accelerating. I love the technology in it and hope for about 8 years of trouble free service. My vehicle is a 05 Colorado which I am happy with.

 

[GARYD]

hfdad, I love the noise the engine makes when you gun it....sounds like a sports car....at least my 6 cyl. does.

We had the sister of your Buick, the Pontiac Aztek. One of the best cars I've ever owned. Had a 2001 and just traded it in for the Terrain.....10 years and very little problems - none major...drivers side window switch.....bought switch on E-Bay for half what dealer wanted and changed it myself. Would have liked to have kept it though, but no room for it.

 

[NateDC]

The only comments I've received have been positive... like "that's a nice car, maybe I'll buy American next time", and "it looks like that Mercedes SUV". I live in the DC area where Chevy's are about as popular as... well, nothing. I personally don't know a single person in this area who drives a GM car. People here love their high-end foriegn brands. One of my co-workers asked me for a ride to the auto repair shop (to pick up his $40k Acura which had a transmission problem). He loved the 'nox and kept asking me questions about it. I think he was surprised at the quality, and the quiet ride. I think it will take GM some time to overcome their bad reputation, but if they can manage to keep producing great cars, then they will have no trouble winning over some new buyers.

 

[2010Nox]

I have always had the best luck with GM cars until my last. A 2002 Buick Rendezvous, it was good for about 5 years then the repairs started. I spent over $3000. in repairs the last year and a half. I wanted my wife to consider the Rav4 but she was set on the 2011 Nox. The deal I got on the Nox was the best and after 1000 miles her only complaint is the engine noise in the lower gears accelerating. I love the technology in it and hope for about 8 years of trouble free service. My vehicle is a 05 Colorado which I am happy with.

Only real problems other than minor ones with that vehicle were the 3.4L engine coolant sealing issues and some with the Versatrak AWD.