BigPontiac

Current car was slated for replacement in early 2009, death in the family forced reallocating the saved car funds to the estate. Life happens. Shopping kicked off when the executor reimbursement check was finally cut as the estate was settled.

She didn't like the look of the CX-7 for some reason...gas mileage was also on the lower end of the spectrum. VW Tiguan was branded "too manly", also not great mileage. GMC Terrain - "fugly". Hyundai/Kia - "I'm not buying a damn Hyundai/Kia". Toyota RAV4 - started as a lock, cheap interior turned her off. Subaru Forester - "kind of plain looking, not enough stuff (re:features) inside". Honda CRV - "nice, but the Equinox had a nicer design inside/outside..and more stuff". I think you get the gist... She did like the Vue online, but wanted new and by shopping time the Saturn dealers were closed.

The current car will go on Craigslist as someone else's cheap beater! It was actually quite bulletproof until the first trade-in appraisal...after that it seemed to know it's days were numbered and began to rebel I'm a bit surprised that a 2000 Dodge Neon ES with 198,000 mi has lasted this long! I am still lobbying to turn it into a LeMons racer...

Always interesting to see different opinions and perspectives. The 6-8 week time frame quoted by the salesman was "built, shipped and on our lot". I asked about him to confirm it 3 times! He also said GM had addressed the short supply issues. So there are a few issue in play here: - The salesman set an unrealistic delivery date expectation with the customer - The salesman never followed through on the promised follow-up communication - The customer, acting on the salesman's lack of follow-up, discovers promised commitments will not be met - Communication and commitment issues lead to a feeling of mistrust on the part of the customer - Customer is left with a negative impression of the GM buying experience before they even get the vehicle - Customer shares these negative experiences with their friends and co-workers, thereby reinforcing a negative image for GM This is another clear case of "Over-commit and under-deliver" and GM's dealer body still seems to not grasp the basics of retail, especially an item costing $33K. And as the person who put their personal reputation on the line to "vouch" for GM to even get them to be *considered* in the shopping process, I am not happy. I've also shared this negative experience with the two other prospective Equinox and Terrain buyers I had pointed towards GM.

So I have a friend who decided she wanted to buy a small SUV. After much convincing, I finally got her to *consider* test driving the Chevy Equinox...all her neighbors had convinced her she should buy either a Toyota RAV4 or a Subaru Forester. I check a few local Chevy dealers that have some Equinox's in stock and we set out to test drive. Dealer has 2 AWD Equinox LTZs in stock, V-6, full loaded, $37K. Both have *way* too much crap on them, but serve the purpose to sell the Equinox and provide a test drive. She likes it, but wants the gas mileage of the 4 cylinder...so we move on to test drive the CR-V, RAV4, Forester, etc. One weekend down. When all is said and done, she still likes the Equinox so the next weekend we drive an hour away to the only other Chevy dealer that has a 4 cylinder in stock for a test drive, a Red AWD 2LT...it also has the standard radio instead of the Nav like the previous test drive candidate, so she can decide whether she wants the factory Nav or not. The EcoTec passes muster, however she wants the LTZ in Silver w/solid black interior, so the 2LT is out. Second weekend down. Back to the local Chevy dealer, no searches yield a 4 cylinder LTZ in Silver w/black, sunroof and the 18in wheels. So, it's on to placing the factory order -- dealer says 6-8 weeks. Dealer takes the order, deposit placed, life is good. Third weekend is the charm. So the deposit was placed on Sat Jan 16, 2010. No word from the sales guy since the deposit was placed, so I advised her to check-in (since it's been 4 weeks) and see if they can provide a status. Estimated build date is March 21, 2010! with estimated delivery at the dealer around April 10, 2010. Now as her current car is slowly disintegrating, she actually *needs* a new car, this is extremely annoying. At this point, I'm wishing I hadn't even mentioned the Equinox! We may still end up at the Honda dealer before this ordeal is over.

http://www.car-part.com

My commute to work this past Wednesday before the snow came...

This one looks like it's going to be more your speed: Link

Camaro has been returned back to Avis...once less thing to do in the morning before I catch my flight back to the East Coast. They had a fair amount of them on the lot. Although, what *really* caught my attention was they had a few SS's on the lot! While the V6 was fun to knock around in, I would have been much more interested in renting the SS! Pictures once I get home and can get them off the camera.

I've been in California since Fri 12/18 to visit family for Christmas. When I went to rental car counter, the agent presented the Camaro upgrade option, so I took it out of curiosity. The choices with gray or red, so I took red (being Christmas and all). It's a V-6 car, pretty basic, but has still generated a fair amount of conversation wherever I've taken it. I've put about 600-700 miles on it so far and will write up driving impressions once I get some free time. Here's a few quick iPhone pics to get you started until I can take some with my real camera. Quick shot of car Backseat shot of my nephew's booster seat before picking him up at daycare in the Camaro Kids at play in the fullsize Hot Wheels car while their parents take pictures More later...

How rusty is the ROPOS?

Was that the basic one?

Central CT.

It's about an hour from me according to google maps. Call the seller and see if it's worth checking out and let me know. I may be off on Fri, but definitely could look at it on Sat or Sun.

Here's one in MA - 94 K3500 w/plow and sander

Basic. I like it. Also appears reasonably "unmolested".

I see a fair amount of 80s-ish El Camino's being driven around too. I thought I saw a late 80s/early 90s Chevy K3500 with a dumpbody and plow for sale while I was out on Sunday. I can't find a listing anywhere online for it, so I need to find some time during the daylight to go back to where I saw it sitting with the For Sale sign. It was white.

We just have an abundant supply

Did you try CarMax?

Have you tried taking it to someplace like CarMax to see what they'd offer you for it? They'd be able to deal with the title/loan payoff thing too.

International Scout: Anything less, is just a car...

Or this one plus the Mothertruck's crate motor: 1978 Chevy K20

Probably the best transportation option you've posted so far.

Very nice job new-GM

Hey, watch the Nova cracks! You would not like the Nova when it's angry...