Torrent, Equinox, and Vibe Reliability?

[Ecocharge]

I have been searching for a little while for a different DD, and narrowed it down to three models that I was able to find a couple of close by and plan to get one if them real soon. Its between the Pontiac Torrent, Chevy Equinox, and a Pontiac Vibe, all of them are 2006 and newer. To be honest, I don't have any experience with any of these vehicles, and never messed with any that shared similar drivetrains.

I know that the Torrents and 1st gen Equinoxes have the 3400 V6. The earlier versions of the 3400 engine I know had IM gasket problems, but has this been adressed in the later version of it for the Torrent and Equinoxes? It kind of makes me nervous that its a Chinese built engine, but if the relibility is there I guess I can overlook it. As far as the Vibe, I just know its a 1.8L Toyota engine that is also used in the Corolla.

I want to get something that is fairly reliable and doesn't require much other than basic maintenance since it is going to be a DD. I know that there are a few GM mechanics on here, along with others that probably have experience with these vehicles too, so I was wondering if you all could tell me if these are fairly reliable, what the common problems are, and what to look when buying one. Thanks for any help you all can give me

[The01Cav]

My mom had a 05 Equinox LT and it had alot of issues from suspension and steering, to having head gasket failure. She ended up getting rid of it at 65,000 miles. If I were to Get a 1st gen equinox I would look into the Sport version that has the 6spd auto trans and the 3.6L DOHC or the Torrent GXP which is the same thing. One other note is these things have a horrible steering radius.

[doogie_13]

Vibes are ok, no major complaints except the sticky excelerator and the BCM (iirc) needs a new flash. O yea, it's a Toyota and had hella recalls!

Stay away from 05/06 Equinox/Torrent. A few suspension issues come to mind, plus rear drums that don't like to come off. 07+ have 4 wheel disc. Don't get a 3.6 either. It's practically the same engine in the CTS/Traverse/Enclave/Acadia/ and many others that need new timing chains every 30,000km (don't know what that is in miles off the top of my head) If it's out of warranty, it can get expensive real fast. iirc they haven't updated the chains either, you just put an unused version back in.

But yea, 07-09 Torrent/Equinox 3.4 would be my pic.

[Maven]

first gen Torrent/Equinox are the same trucks. They dont have any notable problems across the board except for the suspension gets very noisy in about 30k miles. They are ust inherantly noisy vehicles. Other than that Ive replaced the alternator on virtually every truck Ive ever worked on again they get noisy.

Doogie is correct about the chains on the 3.6, but there is a HUGE caveat with that issue. If you change your oil religiouslt with GOOD oil, and keep the oil level full between changes chains arent an issue. The issue is that people go by the oil life monitor, and dont check the oil level.....so you go with 7-10k mile oil changes and couple that with oil consumption and you get low worn out oil. Change the oil at 5k with Mobil1 and they last forever. But I doubt you were looking at Sports anyway

Vibe is a pretty good car, its just a Toyota. accel pedal is bull♠♠♠♠, they are virtually all done anyway. The PCM has a recall, but its just a recall, its not like its an issue that will cost you money.

Cant go wrong with any of them. Judge based on if you need the extra space and can afford the extra running cost.

[Ecocharge]

Thanks for the help everyone. The Torrents and Equinoxes are 07+ and the Vibes I am looking at are 06+ models. Is oil consummption or transmission trouble a known problem with any of them? Is there any kind of timing chain replacement interval for any of these model, or should it last the life of it for the most part with proper maintenance?

I'd kind of like to go with the Torrents and Equinoxes due to being a little larger, but the only thing that concernes me is the 3400 engine and the problems it had in earlier years. Has GM addressed any of the problems in prior 3400s with the engies in the 06+ Torrents and Equinoxes?

[Maven]

OIl consumption isnt a known issue with any of those engines. the Chinese 3.4s were the first of the 60v6s to get the intake leaks fixed. they almost never fail.
no worries on timing chains on 3.4 or 1.8

[qwikredline]

drive shaft is 700 and needs replacement at low mileage, forget the year, Dave here has one for his wife, must be three four years old; rusts awful in the joint/slider and none in scrap yards for cheap they go for new price so that tells me sumthin. a new one with real eco would be my choice, but then i am an eco fan.

[doogie_13]

Yea, like Maven said, consistent oil changes, you'll have no prob. I;m used do dealing with the 5,000 km crew at work, not too many 'car guys' come through our doors like most of the people on enthusisat websites like GMSC (lol you're included in this Ecocharge). Hell, my wife's sunfire get her oil done every 3,000km. 3.4s are pretty dec tho, not too bad on gas either if you keep up with your maintennances.