2013 Chevy Traverse - Thoughts?

[aphex]

Thinking about stopping by a Chevy dealer today to check out the new Traverse. Don't know much first hand about Chevy/GM reliability, but we are looking at three row sport utilities right now to support our growing family. The lambda platform seems like a good size for what were looking for right now with a pretty good short term lease deal (24-36 months), $239/mo w/ 3k down. The base Traverse LS comes standard with a V6 (decent mileage, 17-24), backup camera and a touchscreen. Consumer Reports seems to like them as well.

How are Chevy's in general? Thoughts on the new Traverse?

I like the Acadia as well, but the lease deals are around $299/mo and i'm not seeing enough difference to justify the higher price.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1210_2013_chevrolet_traverse_first_drive/

 

[iamwiz82]

I have a lot of passenger seat time in an Acadia and I like it. Though you should not be putting cash down on a lease unless it's refundable security deposits.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Yes, no point in putting down the 3k, roll it into the lease if the money factor (interest rate) is negligible.

I've spend a ton of time driving the parents Enclave and test drove all 3 of the pre-refresh lamba triplets. Ours is a 2010 and has had absolutely nothing done to it except a couple of oil changes.

It's hard to explain the differences between all 3, but I suggest you drive both the Acadia and the Traverse (the enclave is definitely a bit more $$, but they had some fantastic 24 month leases over the summer). It's hard to explain, but the traverse just felt cheap compared to the other two.

 

[Mermaidman]

It's hard to explain, but the traverse just felt cheap compared to the other two.

But isn't it (Traverse) significantly cheaper?

The Enclave is one of GM's few aesthetic hits. Design still looks good five years later. Perhaps the OP will consider a used Enclave?

 

[KentState]

I don't have any experience with the cars in particular, but don't put money down on a lease. Whatever you pay up front is not refunded if the vehicle is totaled.

 

[NutBucket]

But isn't it (Traverse) significantly cheaper?

The Enclave is one of GM's few aesthetic hits. Design still looks good five years later. Perhaps the OP will consider a used Enclave?

Its just a touch cheaper than a similarly equipped Acadia. Of course, it also isn't available with as many bells & whistles. As far as driving experience they are very similar.

We bought an Acadia in June, SLT-1 AWD. Great road trip vehicle and lots of passenger space.

EDIT: Just to be clear these are people/cargo haulers first and SUVs second. They're more like minivans with a lift kit.

 

[SandEagle]

traverse = travesty
spend your money on something better

 

[NutBucket]

Sorry SandEagle, the Pilot is not impressive at all.

 

[Zivic]

Personally I wouldn't buy a chevy beyond a corvette, a classic, or a beater truck around my farm. In a lease situation if it's cheap enough I might go for it, but I would have to have completely exhausted offerings from other manufacturers. Have you looked at other makes?

 

[phucheneh]

traverse = travesty
spend your money on something better

I'm gonna go with this, unless it was totally redesigned this year.

I've been in like 2010 or 2011's, and they're like the suppository-shaped SUV cousin to the Impala. It showed the improved GM build quality (in contrast to the Impala)...felt solid, didn't have rattles, et al. But like the Imp, everything about driving them annoyed the shit out of me.

[insert 'yeah, but everything annoys you anyway' comment]

 

[DeviousTrap]

I'm gonna go with this, unless it was totally redesigned this year.

I've been in like 2010 or 2011's, and they're like the suppository-shaped SUV cousin to the Impala. It showed the improved GM build quality (in contrast to the Impala)...felt solid, didn't have rattles, et al. But like the Imp, everything about driving them annoyed the shit out of me.

[insert 'yeah, but everything annoys you anyway' comment]

You complemented the way it was put together and that it felt solid, but you wouldn't buy it because driving an 8 passenger SUV that's as long as a Tahoe "annoyed the shit" out of you?

Since I'm assuming you'll only buy a foreign car, the only two competitors in this class are the brand new Nissan pathfinder and the Honda Pilot. I haven't driven the former, but the Pilot is not even remotely impressive if you drive them back-to-back. If you don't have a better suggestion, what is the point of posting your rant?

 

[ElFenix]

if you're going to drive a minivan just get a minivan. 2nd row captains chairs are way better than the bench middle row, bigger cargo box, lower load floor, oftimes better mpg, and also often less expensive than things like the lambda, which is just a minivan trying to look like an suv.

 

[boomhower]

I like them a lot but of the three versions it's aesthetically the least attractive. That's a lot to put down on a lease though.

 

[phucheneh]

You complemented the way it was put together and that it felt solid, but you wouldn't buy it because driving an 8 passenger SUV that's as long as a Tahoe "annoyed the shit" out of you?

Since I'm assuming you'll only buy a foreign car, the only two competitors in this class are the brand new Nissan pathfinder and the Honda Pilot. I haven't driven the former, but the Pilot is not even remotely impressive if you drive them back-to-back. If you don't have a better suggestion, what is the point of posting your rant?

You really like to read stuff that isn't there.

I was basically saying that they appeared to have spent time making it look nice inside and generally appear to be well-made.

However, they didn't bother spending any time trying to make it not drive like trash. I was annoyed by the dead steering, the mushy handling, the bad brakes, the lifeless throttle, the uncomfortable leather-covered unpadded barstool seat...

Oh noes, I'm a domestic hater that likes to give free blowjobs to Japanese businessmen because I like to drive cars that don't repulse me in every possible way.

edit: and FWIW I would much rather drive an older rattletrap Tahoe/Suburbarn/ect any day of the week. At least they remembered to put padding in the seats and connect the steering wheel to something.

 

[leper84]

Not a big fan of GM's reliability right now, but if you're leasing I wouldn't worry about it unless you plan to buy it out at the end of the lease. Then you might look at getting an extended warranty from GM to hold on to the bumper to bumper for a few more years.

I'd also check out the new Explorer. I'd argue better build quality and if you can find one with the 2.0 EB you'd be getting 20/28 vs 17/24 mpg.

 

[mmntech]

GM's trucks are okay on the reliability scale. I've driven quite a few Traverses from the 2010 and 2011 model years. Don't recall having major issues with them. They've got good power and handle okay. They're also fairly roomy. Even with the third row of seats in use, they've still got some trunk space, unlike the Kia Sorento. The downside is a cheap and very utilitarian interior. Lots of cheap plastic. They also chew through gas.

Between the Sorento and the Traverse, I'd probably go with the Sorento. They have a much nicer interior and better standard features. I like how they handle, they've got plenty of power, they're comfy, and they're just an overall nicer experience. The biggest downside is they have next to no trunk space with the third row up. Just make sure you get the V6 version. I think the I4 model would be too underpowered.