Originally Posted By: steve20
may well be in the situation to replace the aging Tahoe.
When considering the 4 cyl-now that you've lived with it a while, would you buy the 4cyl model again, or opt for the V6?
I get the feeling the 4cyl is really straining to pull that weight around, and consequently, gas mileage is not that great
Steve
Originally Posted By: steve20
Thanks for the replies guys-appreciate it very much. Nothing like getting the opinion of someone who actually drives the vehicle every day.
Hey Char, when we go to Buffalo we take 20W in Mt Morris off of 390. Plenty of hills (Warsaw to name one). Would that be a painful trip for the 2.4 if we were carring 4 people and a 105 lb German Shepherd?
Steve
Well, IDK! Are you speeking of a Malibu or Eqinox? Our trip from Roch-Buff(in the Equinox) was about an hour+ and completely flat and straight as an arrow(I-90). Although, I really am a fan of 4 cyl's and don't mind them working a bit through the hills as I have taken many 4 cyl w/auto trannys down the east coast mainly form Rochester to Myrtle Beach and then to FL without issues.
4 cyl's today are so smooth and quiet and the trannys shift so smoothly/quickely that it's not a bother to me. Both the engine and tranny seem to work well with each other. I have in the past, driven some 4 cyl that I liked better than some V6's I actually think that this Equinox 4 cyl feels(on flat road) as good as my wifes '01 Lexus RX-300 3.0 V6 "under normal driving". But, step on it and this is where the difference is. The V6 makes more noticible power when the tranny kicks down(WAAAAAAA!), both vehicles weighing in at about 3900 lbs.
Here is a quick story/example...This same friend of mine(with the Equiox) and ourselves, have traveled to Myrtle Beach SC over the years. One year(about 1989-90) they took their '87 Chevy Celebrity EuroSport 2.8 V6 EFI(125hp) and we took our '88 Honda Accord 2.0L 4 cyl w/carberator(98hp). The 4cyl Accord was smoother, equally pulling it's own weight and better MPG. Pulled through the mountains like a little train [as did the V6]. We swithced driving each others vehicles and we both agreed that the 4 was the better engine or better engine to weight ratio.
I'm not saying that 4 cyl's are better or stronger than a V6, I am saying that 4 cyl's seem to have plenty of "usable power" most of the time even through the mountains in a heavy vehicle like the Nox.
On the other hand, what we have noticed is...Some of the V6's have matched the MPG of the 4 cyl's until you put your foot into it. Then the V6 MPG drops alot and the 4 cyl MPG only drops a little.
The shepherd might put you over the top though! JK