SUV Suggestions

[robodoc]

Problem: Found that the Impala won't pull the camper. Oops. Solution: Need something that will and still be family oriented.Specifics: Can't be minivan.So I am looking at Trailblazer XL or something like that. Would like GM since I get the discount(hell everyone gets the discount). I have always owned, but might consider leasing. Any pro's or con's to leasing that I need to know about? Any feelings on the Trailblazers? Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks.

[ArcsVibe]

The Chevy Equinox is a nice looking one! Someone here got one and loves it.

[joatmon]

The one time I took my car to a GM dealer for service, I talked to one of the mechanics who told me that Trailblazers were the vehicles that they did the most work on.

[drunkenmaxx]

Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe »The Chevy Equinox is a nice looking one! Someone here got one and loves it.that is exactly what came to mind for me too!! great looking vehicle.

[Pablo1669]

the equinox is a great vehicle, but it only tows about 3500 pounds.

[michaelgt]

I think you need to share more info on the camper. That will determine what SUV can do the tow. The extended Trailblazers can be had with the DOD V8. This would help in gas mileage. Depending on the weight of the camper, and the miles driven w/o camper, would also play into the decision, and whether to buy/lease. I personally would say a 3/4 ton Yukon XL with the 8.1 and 4.10 rear axlw would be your best towing SUV. It will tow 12k lbs, and you have 2k lbs payload.

[tnpartsguy]

I'll agree with the Equinox, or it's more powerful cousin, the Redline Vue from Saturn. I don't recommend the Trailblazer; as in the real-world you can get better fuel economy from a fullsize Silverado with a V8. And like Joatmon said, it is one of the vehicles we do the most work on.I'd agree with the Toyota SR5 4Runner, except their fuel mileage isn't all that great either, but they will last forever with proper care.

[soldierguy]

I'm leery of leasing, but that's because I drive a lot each year, and I ended up having to buy (and later sell) a VW that I had originally leased to avoid paying the huge mileage penalty at the end of the lease. It worked out ok...buying out the lease on the VW and then selling it cost me less overall than if I had paid the mileage fees and walked away, but I think I got lucky...the lease buyout was $9500, I would have had to pay almost $2000 in excess mileage fees, and I was able to trade the VW for $9000 once I owned it. So keep your driving habits in mind if you decide to lease.Another downside of leasing is mods...they have to be able to be removed without a trace, or you might get hit with fees at the end.I'm not a huge fan of the Trailblazer...it seems like a good vehicle, but the styling inside and out just didn't do anything for me...but that's purely subjective and based only on personal likes & dislikes. But then I'm biased...I love my Grand Cherokee, got a great deal on it, and I'm very happy with it...handles good, love the features on it, there's enough room for me and my friends, and the hemi makes it REALLY fun to drive.

[robodoc]

Ok, here are some more specs. The camper is just a pop up, maybe 1400lbs total when loaded. The reason I mentioned the Trailblazer is the third row seats. Need the extra room, but NO MINIVAN!! The GM discount is a big motivator since I want to keep my payments down. Gas mileage is a consideration as the Impala still gets 28-32mpg(3800 V6).

[Kari]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »The one time I took my car to a GM dealer for service, I talked to one of the mechanics who told me that Trailblazers were the vehicles that they did the most work on. Interesting...my parents have owned a total of three Trailblazers so far and the only one they had problems with was the 2002 that came from the first model year of the vehicle...the other two have been great. They actually bought the 3rd one because they love it so much. The extended is extremely roomy too...I actually prefer sitting in the very very back in that one because I find it more comfortable and offering a better view that the traditional rear seat, even if it is a pain to get in and out of sometimes.

[soldierguy]

I looked on Chevy's site...the GM employee price amounts to about a $6000 rebate on a Traiblazer EXT in the base LS1A trim package. Ford is offering $5000 rebates on Explorers, and you have to get the XLT model to be able to order the 3rd row seat, and the trailer tow package is an option on the Explorer, so the price difference between the two ends up being about $4000. Even though I'm not a Trailblazer fan, I really don't care for the Explorers at all, so for the price difference alone the Trailblazer EXT is a far better deal.Either one would tow a pop-up trailer with no difficulty. But neither one would touch the gas mileage of your Impala.Other options:Ford Freestyle: underpowered to me, and dangerously close to being a minivan. And to get the 7 passenger seating, you've got to get the mid-level SEL package, which puts the priceat even more than the Explorer. But the gas mileage would be better...probably not enough to ever recoupe the initial cost though.Dodge Durango: with the current $4000 rebates, it prices out between the Trailblazer and the Explorer (comparing base trim models available with 3rd row seating and trailer tow package, all with 6-cylinder engines). Gas mileage would be comparable to the Explorer, but still nowhere near your Impala.

[robodoc]

Soldierguy: Thanks for the help, it helps confirm that the Trailblazer is the way I am going to have to go.Kari: Thanks for the words of confidence. I haven't heard many good things about the truck, so I am glad someone is having good experiences with it.

[Kari]

Dad's is the extended, and he's very pleased with it. He traded up from the '02 so he could have the third row of seating for his trout fishing guide business. I don't think he's taken it in for anything other than oil changes and the like.

[ColonelPanic]

Hate to thread hijack, but man those Impalas do get great mileage. My sister has one with the 3800, the parents have an '04 SS with the supercharged 3800. Both of those cars have consistently smoked my Vibe in terms of gas mileage. (now that my car's all screwed up, that supercharged Impala beats me by at least 10 MPG on the highway. lol!)Ok, (removed)!

[robodoc]

Yeah, mine is an '02 and it is so better than the Vibe on mileage. Actually considered(shhh!) trading the Vibe for the Trailblazer and keeping the Impala. The Impala is almost paid off, the Vibe is not. Bought the Vibe for work for the mileage factor, 36mgp(sticker) and $.40/mile = cash in the pocket. Now it seems the Impala may be a better option. Hmm, either the A/C condensor is dripping or the Vibe is crying. LOL. Well, at least it's another option

[ColonelPanic]

Uh oh... Sorry to further complicate the decision.

[robodoc]

No apologies necessary. This is how you make any big decision in life, you ask a couple thousand of your closest friends on the internet what their opinions are. Maybe I will be making it to the Super Vibe meet in Fenton after all, when I am turning in my Vibe and picking up my new Trailblazer.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by robodoc »No apologies necessary. This is how you make any big decision in life, you ask a couple thousand of your closest friends on the internet what their opinions are. LOL! That's funny.

[tecton]

Quote, originally posted by michaelgt »I personally would say a 3/4 ton Yukon XL with the 8.1 and 4.10 rear axlw would be your best towing SUV. It will tow 12k lbs, and you have 2k lbs payload. hes not pulling jupiter

[robodoc]

Ok, somewhere out there I think someone really screwed up. LOL. I was comparing manuals today, Impala and Vibe. The Impala states a maximum 1000lb towing capacity, but that is sometimes too much depending on weight dist. The Vibe manual states 1500lb towing cap. Um, whats wrong with this picture. I knew I called my car the Super Vibrator for some reason, but I never expected this. I need to get a superman window sticker for it.

[cohocarl]

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy »I'll agree with the Equinox, or it's more powerful cousin, the Redline Vue from Saturn.I purchased a Saturn Vue (4cyl, 5-speed) just over a year ago, and 22K miles later, I can't complain. The 4cyl models are only rated to tow 1500lbs, but the V6's are rated 3500lbs. The engine they put in the V6's are made by Honda, and pump out 250hp. The thing that ticks me off is that they get almost as good mpg as my 4 cyl. I've seen many of the members on http://www.saturnfans.com are getting in the mid 20's mpg with the V6. The Redline Vue has the V6, but they are not recommended for towing, but I think that's only because you'd have to cut a hole in the rear facia for the trailer hitch. The V6 they put in the Equinox (stretched Vue) is not the 250hp Honda motor.Don't know if you've looked at the vue, but I've been happy with mine.

[mcgusto82]

get a slightly used acura mdx. or new one if affordable. i had one not oo long ago. sweet car. everything i could've wanted, that car had. i tows up to 4500 of boat.