Re: USAtoday review of Pontiac Torrent

With quotes like this, it's a good thing ONLY two million people read this paper...

"Manufacturers send a TSB to alert dealers to a widespread problem and to have them all fix it uniformly.

The first one that pops up on the TSB list at www.nhtsa.dot.gov is a doozy, suggesting the Torrent has problems with the engine losing power, the transmission failing to downshift, the heater motor going on strike and the speakers buzzing. Others deal with safety belts that are difficult to use. Car companies have been installing belts only about 50 years, so you can see why they might not have it figured out yet."



How embarrassing.

 

I really like the Pontiac Torrent Torrant. I think they did their home work on this vehicle.

 

isn't this a chinese engine and share european platform?

I have to say the Torrent is a LITTLE LESS ugly then the Nox... not that I think either one is that overwhelming....

not a home run when it was needed

 

Re: USAtoday review of Pontiac Torrent

The story writer just sounds like a grumpy person to me.

 

sounds about right. that's the way i feel about the Equinox. i don't recall the steering wheel radio controls being too small though, and i thought the turn signal stalk was about like all others from GM. hmm.... even still, i think this review is spot on. the Torrent and Equinox already feel dated and they're (almost) brand new! hopefully they get a refresh soon to bring them up to par.

 

isn't this a chinese engine and share european platform?

I have to say the Torrent is a LITTLE LESS ugly then the Nox... not that I think either one is that overwhelming....

not a home run when it was needed

I don't think Europe wants to share Theta after this review. Even the Vue has had quality issues from day one and still does not get a great rating. Theta's been out about 5 years now and GM still can't get it right.

Some nerve asking 30grand MSRP for this pile of junk.

 

healeys a fair guy. the Nox isnt all that great. a fool in the shadow of the Rav4.

 

I wonder what they will write about once the US auto industry is in its coffin

 

I wonder what they will write about once the US auto industry is in its coffin

Probably how the coffin squeaks and rattles when they open it up to laugh at the corpse.

 

sounds about right. that's the way i feel about the Equinox. i don't recall the steering wheel radio controls being too small though, and i thought the turn signal stalk was about like all others from GM. hmm.... even still, i think this review is spot on. the Torrent and Equinox already feel dated and they're (almost) brand new! hopefully they get a refresh soon to bring them up to par.

I don't know WTF you guys are talking about.
I have 2 fully loaded Nox in my family and I haven't experienced any of these problems.
The size is perfect, mpg is good and competitive, the power feel is there and the ride is smooth.
The USA today is a retard newspaper anyway, the whole article is only an opinion.

 

USA Today is usually pretty objective compared to the usual wet rags like the New York Lies and such.

 

might i add healey really like the Buick Lucerne a few weeks ago.

 

^ And the dude gave the Impala a good review!

 

If you read this guys review of the equinox, it does not sound as bad, it actually sounds pretty good.

Since this is a rebadge, you would think he would be more consistent.

 

sounds about right. that's the way i feel about the Equinox. i don't recall the steering wheel radio controls being too small though, and i thought the turn signal stalk was about like all others from GM. hmm.... even still, i think this review is spot on. the Torrent and Equinox already feel dated and they're (almost) brand new! hopefully they get a refresh soon to bring them up to par.

I own a 2005 Equinox with over 12,000 miles on it and have driven a Torrent (rental car). While some points he makes are valid, others are not.

The steering wheel controls on the Torrent are too small - they are very annoying to use. The 2005 (older version) steering wheel on the Equinox has controls that are much larger (albiet not as nice looking) and easier to use.

What did he get wrong that I don't agree with?

My transmission gear lever feels very solid and accurate when shifting it through its settings. No slop in my Equinox.

My plastic trim, although consisting of fairly cheap-feeling materials, is not loose. As a matter of fact, I have no desernable squeaks or rattles after 12,000 miles, to my surprise.

V-6 vibrates? Mine is very smooth - the engine note could be more pleasant under load, but he fails to mention that.

Handling is fine for what it is - a car-based mid-sized SUV. I expect some body roll. The ride is harsher than in a sedan, but I accept that as a trade off for the ride height and less body roll than other SUVs I have driven.

Groans? Again, no squeaks or rattles here. Maybe he had a bad example.

Why mention the TSBs? I've had my Equinox for about a year and have none of these related issues. He doesn't mention TSBs in his other reviews and he generally writes a new review every week. This seems like unnecessary bias.

I have AWD so I can't compare how the traction control operates, but with AWD it has performed very well in winter conditions.

What do I agree with? Well, other than the steering wheel controls and the positive comments he makes at the end (sliding rear seat, etc.), I agree that the shifter selector is low on the console and counterintuitive (left to right when the shifter operates up and down) and the window controls on the console are also counterintuitive. However, these are nitpicks that I have become accustomed to, just as I became familiar with the ignition between the seats in the Saab 900 Turbo I had years ago. One last thing I do agree with, though - the turn signal stalk is unacceptable. Again, a minor irritant that GM should fix, but still a bit pedantic to focus so much attention on it.

This is one of the harshest and unfortunately worst reviews I read from James Healey in a long time.

 

Ok then.... how about if GM turns to their new Buick Enclave or the Euro Chevy TSX (or whatever nonsense they have called it) as the basis for a new Torrent? I love the angles on the body and the Pontiac Twin Nostrals from the G6 would look hot on an SUV of their stature!

 

Probably how the coffin squeaks and rattles when they open it up to laugh at the corpse.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :rotf:

 

Ive driven a Nox and I loved it.

 

I assume it's the same steering wheel and buttons as found on my G6...I completely agree. The cruise control and audio buttons are not only small, but there's a raised plastic seperator between the bottons that further disables you to get your finger to the correct place.

 

Re: USAtoday review of Pontiac Torrent

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2006-02-16-drive-torrent-usat_x.htmOne of Torrent’s strong points is its attractive styling. It looks more expensive than it is. One of Torrent’s strong points is its attractive styling. It looks more expensive than it is.

I really like the Pontiac Torrent Torrant. I think they did their home work on this vehicle.

Is there an echo in here in here? Just kidding.

The Torrent is growing on me. I liked the Equinox at first sight, but thought this thing was such a blatant rebadge and was really bothered by it. At least it's a little glitzier; if only its powertrain were a little more differentiated from the Chevy.

 

My god this review is ridiculous. I don't know why everyone is agreeing with this guy, he has a few good points, but overall it's a ****************ty smartassed article written by an idiot.

 

I'm sure this guy has a dark poetry background.

Look what Edmunds had to say about the Equinox... it's Editors' Most Wanted SUV under 25.000$...and Torrent is an improved version of the Equinox.
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/mostwanted/2005/103368/article.html

PS:

The Ferrari FXX doesn't handle well on ice cuz it's not AWD and does not have cup holders and there's no room for kids, not even for a small dog, and the engine is to powerfull and it makes a lot of noise and it cannot tow my boat like a 25.000$ Tundra can and this thing costs much more.

 

My god this review is ridiculous. He has a few good points, but overall it's a ****************ty smartassed article written by an idiot.

I agree!

 

I dunno, I don't really agree, Ive driven a few of these, and they seemed just fine to me.

 

My wife has an '06 Torrent and loves it with a couple exceptions. The turning radius is to big, does turn as short as our old Montana. The electric boosted steering should be faster ratio, and the fuel tank could stand to be bigger. Engine is very smooth, no rattles, very quiet for this type and price car. I think this guy missed it on this one.