regfootball

On 3/12/2022 at 10:21 PM, David said:

That makes no sense, electric is smaller and uses less space, interior should be more spacious.

it's GM we're talking about here.  they do dumb stuff like that.

Sister was passing through after flying in and she got a rental car to drive up and visit my mom for awhile.  She had a Nissan Rogue, latest version.   I didn't ride in it but I checked out......not too bad.  Seemed spacious.  Definitely a bit more interesting than a RAV4 or CRV to me.

On 3/11/2022 at 2:09 PM, David said:

Will be interesting to see what the internal dimensions are once this is out since it is on the Ultium platform. Gain internal room but keep the same external dimensions?

I'd hope that is the case, but my fear is they make it smaller inside.

finally chevy sniffs a clue and puts a decent size screen in the blazer (10")

still has the dumb ass vents on the dash

blazer is a nice drive, v6 used to be standard now they keep forcing you up the price ladder to keep that (3LT)

Blazer could stand to be larger inside.....not much size difference inside between the already cramped Equinox and the Blazer.  Gotta move up to the Traverse for stretch your elbols out kind of room.  Not exactly good at 50+ price

One year VANNIVERSARY!

The odometer is less than 9,000 miles.  Boy we'll be way under on our lease....less driving in the covid era.  Actually the spouse is full home remote work now.  So our vehicles may turn out to be keepers over the long haul this time.  In one of the above posts I mentioned that the sales paper for the lease was wrote at 15 thousand under sticker, and when there was a decent supply.  If we had seriously had been two months later we would have gotten screwed.  Some of the options we have on our limited look like supply issues in the 22 models (kind of like GM, some features with limited availability).  We have the tan seats and at least when I last checked, the Limited for 22 was black seats only.  I am sure that stuff changes frequently these days.

I love this vehicle.  The v6 is so relaxed and quiet compared to the turbo four in our TourX.  And even with the MPG drop for AWD vs the previous FWD Pacifica we had, the MPG is still very good.  With gas prices on the rise, if we take trips we won't get crushed on the gas money.

Getting in and out, easy ingress and egress, for an aging human becomes more and more loved all the time.  The TourX is super low to get into, and I still love it.  But the seat comfort on the Pacifica, higher driving height, more relaxed position, the cabin width and such is appealing for those weekly errands and longer trips.  Heated seats in the first two rows and vented seats in the front, are great. This is my first vehicle with vented seats and like the power folding side mirrors, are features I never felt I needed before and now I won't want another vehicle without.  First world issues.  LOL

We've used the van to haul mulch and bricks and furniture, and we've used the Sto N Go very often so far again this time.  It's unfortunate that Sto N Go does compromise that second row seating for adults....the seats could be wider, more comfortable, and have a lower footwell to stretch the feet would be nice.  But its a perfect example of a worthwhile compromise in my book.

The harmon kardon stereo in this van is not bad.  Wayyyyyy better than the Bose 'top of the line' garbage in the TourX.  The TourX stereo is simply embarrassing.  The one in this van is pretty good.  In general the U connect system is quite good also.  Chrysler IMO has the touchscreen down better than many of the manufacturers these days.

Reliability, no issues to date except some testiness on the power rear hatch and one of the side doors occasionally.  We had I think one or two recalls on something insignificant...in fact one of those may have been on the rear hatch actually.  Must me why its worked just fine for awhile now.  Our 2018 Pacfica didn't have any issues really except towards the end of the lease it was getting hard to get gas into it.  According to Pacifica forums, that might be an issue that occurs a bit.  So far on this 21, no issues pumping gas at all.

The all wheel drive has been nice. And it is an enhancement in winter over the standard FWD but whether its nice to have vs a need is up to the opinion of each buyer.  What I will say is the van doesn't drive too much differently in the AWD vs the FWD with the extra weight and such.  If you drove them back to back, some folks may notice a difference in feel and some won't.  It really just means they did a good job making the AWD version feel consistent with the FWD version.  We did not get snow tires for it this year; with the low winter miles we may not at least for the least term depending on the wear of the factory rubber over time.

With all the fuss about the crossover market, I tend to think this vehicle that looks like a van is one of the best 3 row crossovers on the market today.  Quiet, spacious, comfortable, smooth and relaxed v6 engine.....compared with some of the crazy prices on the market today this is a good vehicle to compare to a lot of crossovers...you may find more for your money.

19 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

Damn, this stuff (^) is spreading like (O/o)micron.

sorry, this is all i had time for 

😄

On 1/5/2022 at 9:52 PM, trinacriabob said:

A hard pass on the vinyl top on this big Cadillac.  But lots of love for the uninterrupted linear cowl look over the dash, which reminded me of my last car and the ravine dash I liked so much.

(This happens to a sedan, while I had a coupe.)  But I had bucket seats and a console that was ergonomically sensible for me.

No wonder I'm always looking at old cars to have as a "second" car, which you won't be finding both in excellent shape and for a reasonable price.

i bet you would have liked an Ipad slapped over the top of that nice linear dash......

32 minutes ago, trinacriabob said:

This man from Brazil obviously does not know his political geography too well.  I don't know if I'd call him fat, but he's definitely dumb and happy.

I had neither the money nor the time to buy a complicated ship model when I was an early teen.  However, I did build some less expensive models of 747s I had bought.

odd coincidence, I'm not sure if this is the same "K-Pop" but last night for the first time i opened up a bottle of Korean K-Pop sauce and made some grilled chicken with it.  was really good.

finally....

some bench seats for making out

i only think this is significant from the standpoint of they are inferring the Blazer and Equinox will be comparably priced vehicles that exist in mainstream segments already.   the Equinox and blazer currently round out popular segments.  the compact and mid size SUV are market staples.  So it finally shows, to me at least (unless this is vaporware) that actual customers can get a desirable EV in a desirable segment that presumably isn't going to have an EV price penalty.

The Lyriq, Hummer are just PR vehicles.  the Silverado will also have a crazy high price and isn't intended to cut into Chevy's current Silverado market.

The Bolt is a toy, too small for what most people want.

Room, space, styling and utility wise, the Blazer and Equinox EV seem to infer they are simply EV versions of normal desirable cars in desirable segments with looks consistent of what is popular in the market.  No goofy ass styling like a VW ID4 or Nissan Leaf, etc.

So hopefully a start to providing real alternatives to real mass segments, not just PR cars anymore hopefully. And let consumers decide if it is for them of not.

Still doesn't get them off the hook from keeping their gas cars fresh.  

now we might be getting somewhere in the EV discussion

https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/5/22868410/gm-chevy-equinox-blazer-ev-announced-ces

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38676580/2024-chevy-equinox-ev-revealed/

https://www.engadget.com/chevy-blazer-equinox-ev-teaser-184112130.html

Here's the CT9 full EV interior preview, 

oh how an older Fleetwood would be a nice vintage ride.  Did all the Fleetwoods have vinyl tops?

https://www.orlandoclassiccars.net/vehicles/709/1993-cadillac-fleetwood-brougham

^^^^ they should have rebadged it,

CT9

lol

its pointless to gravitate to only one means of propulsion.   we should be encouraging use, and sales, and R&D of several forms of vehicle propulsion in the interest to FUEL DIVERSITY.

gas, diesel, fuel cell, E85, simple hybrid, plug in hybrid, full BEV, all have a place and all our eggs should never be in just one basket.  And hey, let the market decide, subsidize all equally.

How about planning for how all that electricity is going to be produced?

Individual freedom of mobilization should still be promoted, therefore we can't turn to making cars too expensive for everyone.  

Walk the talk and let more nuclear plants be opened if you want the electrics so bad.

GM now the #2 automaker in US.  Toyota #1.  Thanks, Mary.  swirlin the drain

On 12/16/2021 at 5:41 PM, riviera74 said:

People keep saying that Genesis is doing better than ever. 

Which cars/crossovers/trucks/SUVs are being traded in for Genesis vehicles? 

Is Genesis really conquering customers from other luxury marques OR is Genesis netting customers coming from more mainstream brands?

Or is it simply a more accessible 'luxury brand' credit wise........

Hyundai and Kia dealers seem to offer easier entry to new car leasing and sales than the longer established brands.  Genesis is just a way to extend that to the luxury brand set.

Meh,

Hyundai Kia Genesis still has that faux look to me.  Kind of like buying 'off brand' stereo equipment.

this is interesting and goes to show how tough it is to make any advancements at GM 

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-chevy-tahoe-engineer-puts-job-line-independent-rear-suspension/

no real issue with the 'IQ' naming.  bigger issue is abandoning gas vehicles / not putting any more development into updating current products.

CT5 - weak base engine, can't find hardly any v6's

XT5 - needs to be refreshed inside in the worst way, if not all new.

XT6 - was a stopgap, hows the replacement coming?

CT6 - i know they killed it, still worth considering a real Escala clone that is CT6 sized and has a liftback

XT4 - better interior pls

CT4 and CT5 will those ever get updated in the next 5 years, probably not

Like it or not to sustain brand health, they will still need to refresh the gas vehicle inventory for several years yet.

Got the snow tires and wheel set (with the LaCrosse donor wheels) put back on for winter.  Oil change time, went to the Buick dealer.  And they washed it too!  So had to take pics while it was clean.  Great time of day with the phone camera as well.

Car still hasn't cracked 20,000 miles yet.

Car's worth a crazy amount on the market right now!  Similar / same vehicle used is priced at what i paid new (or a bit higher).

But to replace it would cost so much more now...... Dealer had no new vehicles on the showroom.....I wanted to test drive a 22 Envision but none to be had right now.  And its built in China..... 😛 my rig I can tell people its a 'German car'..... and show them the proof on the sticker.....

I would love a new version of this vehicle with something like the CT6 platform (about an additional 6" of wheelbase) and similar interior room to the CT6  in the front and rear.. a RWD design chassis layout and the turbo six option and the v6 standard.  I'd like more comfy seats and the roof to be about 2-4 inches higher and about 6-10" additional overall length.  A good boost in cargo space would be great.  Ditch the wheel cladding and give it true wagon style but with similar sporty lines like this has now.  More of a 'full size' wagon but with the same driver oriented interior.  And keep the carlike ride and handling.  And not turn it into an SUV.

On 11/16/2021 at 10:22 AM, David said:

Sad that they never really gave the V90 a chance for a station wagon to do well, you have to have it on the lots, not special order only. I think it could have done very well if properly marketed.

being a wagon owner myself, i like the sentiment, but the wagons are usually priced higher than the market seems to value.  If its an SUV they can seem to ask whatever they want for price and get it.  Wagons hit a price threshold and then people say, 'I could have an SUV for that price'.

the other comment is true, if you don't stock them, no one will see them and become interested in them.  for 153 units a year, i can understand pulling them from the market.

They might consider keeping it if it were 10,000 units a year but i guess ^^^^ see the previous part of this post.  I guess the taller your vehicle, the more you can charge.

And most often, your wife will be the one to make the call on SUV vs Wagon, and those will almost unanimously be 'SUV'.

the latter part of the 2010's have nice used wagons selection on the market.  Audi, Jaguar, Volvo, Buick :), etc.  I guess wagon buyers will have to snap up the used ones when they can since it seems the choices are far fewer from here on out if Volvo is pulling out.

Coworker has one.  Looks nice, but i hear its tight inside.

It's nice at first, but I don't tend to dig Mazdas like others do.

Encore GX is a competitor except the Encore GX is sporting a 3 cylinder Mary special for similar prices.  Mazda has the turbo available?  Encore GX should at least have the 1.5 cylinder turbo four available as an option; to even have a chance of matching the powertrains of the CX-30.

13 hours ago, regfootball said:

just roll with the classsic gm t bar!!!! Yup 👍 
 

 

GM sure loves the T BAR!!!

6 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Ok, except for the disgusting carbon fiber...hate the look of that shit, real or faux.  And no cup holders, so not very usable.

With a modern automatic, I see no reason for a big shifter, I like the dial approach as seen on the new GC and Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer. 

 

the integration of the dial shifter on the newest Jeeps is really done nicely....but after two Pacificas with dial shifters (which work nicely but don't really feel natural to use like a regular pull it back shifter) I think I really appreciate my booted shifter in my TourX.  Simple, classic.  Maybe a bit big.

The new Rogue has a little mini shifter, I want to try one of those out.

So does the Volvo XC40....

Not sure if I am a fan of the 'finger shifters' like in the new Envision....

just roll with the classsic gm t bar!!!! Yup 👍 
 

But, it does suck that their doesn’t seem to be the turbo four option here ; grrrrrr

Whoa!  Didn’t know the Compass got an interior redo for 22!  This is a game changer!  Why does anyone even look at GM stuff anymore? Nice interior!

At the dealer getting first oil change on our 21 Pacifica. 
 

here’s another Wagoneer pic. Locked!  Can’t get in!  Such a cool ride !