Test Drive: 2010's Camaro and GMC Terrain

[Untamed]

My 2010 Camaro and 2010 GMC Terrain test drive experience:

While out in Indiana visiting the inlaws, my wife and I helped her sister look for a new car. While her sister was looking over the Chevy Equinox (very nice), I had the opportunity to test drive the V6 Camaro and GMC Terrain.

The Camaro was a manual V6, black on black, cloth, no sunroof. The Terrain was also a black on black, 4cyl auto, cloth, no sunroof.

Short conclusion - I loved the Camaro and my wife, at 4'10" could drive the (automatic) Camaro, but not the Terrain.

I also loved the Terrain and likely would have made that my next vehicle, however the power seats could not get my wife close enough to the pedals for a comfortable ride. What a disappointment! The interior is laid out very well, the seats are very comfortable (I'm 5'10", 235lbs) and the options are right for my family should I decide on the better equipped model (DVD players, leather, sunroof, etc). The ride was smooth, and didn't feel like a large SUV, nor was it stiff like a truck. Visibility is decent (it's an SUV), and the red interior night lighting is what I want. I would have chosen this as my next.

However, and while you can't compare the two vehicles, I've decided (for the moment) on the V6 Camaro. I don't need a V8, don't need the incredible power for a pleasure cruiser (my company went virtual so I work from home full time). My wife and I really enjoyed the comfort of the Camaro, despite the gun-slit windows, and will look for one with a sunroof, leather, and black on black. Unfortunately it will need to be an automatic since she isn't comfortable jumping into a car with manual, in the event she needs to drive mine. The paddle shifters will be fun at least.

While helping the sister in law search for her next one we bounced all over - Chevy's Equinox, Malibu, and Cobalt; Dodge / Jeep (the Patriot is nice), and a bunch of used cars from all makes and models. A fun day, but no purchases while we were out there.

Conclusion: 2011 Camaro will be my next purchase unless something else catches my eye.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by Untamed

My 2010 Camaro and 2010 GMC Terrain test drive experience:

While out in Indiana visiting the inlaws, my wife and I helped her sister look for a new car. While her sister was looking over the Chevy Equinox (very nice), I had the opportunity to test drive the V6 Camaro and GMC Terrain.

The Camaro was a manual V6, black on black, cloth, no sunroof. The Terrain was also a black on black, 4cyl auto, cloth, no sunroof.

Short conclusion - I loved the Camaro and my wife, at 4'10" could drive the (automatic) Camaro, but not the Terrain.

I also loved the Terrain and likely would have made that my next vehicle, however the power seats could not get my wife close enough to the pedals for a comfortable ride. What a disappointment! The interior is laid out very well, the seats are very comfortable (I'm 5'10", 235lbs) and the options are right for my family should I decide on the better equipped model (DVD players, leather, sunroof, etc). The ride was smooth, and didn't feel like a large SUV, nor was it stiff like a truck. Visibility is decent (it's an SUV), and the red interior night lighting is what I want. I would have chosen this as my next.

However, and while you can't compare the two vehicles, I've decided (for the moment) on the V6 Camaro. I don't need a V8, don't need the incredible power for a pleasure cruiser (my company went virtual so I work from home full time). My wife and I really enjoyed the comfort of the Camaro, despite the gun-slit windows, and will look for one with a sunroof, leather, and black on black. Unfortunately it will need to be an automatic since she isn't comfortable jumping into a car with manual, in the event she needs to drive mine. The paddle shifters will be fun at least.

While helping the sister in law search for her next one we bounced all over - Chevy's Equinox, Malibu, and Cobalt; Dodge / Jeep (the Patriot is nice), and a bunch of used cars from all makes and models. A fun day, but no purchases while we were out there.

Conclusion: 2011 Camaro will be my next purchase unless something else catches my eye.

We should start a support group.

Sounds cool though. I have heard some good stuff about the Terrain.

[Pampered-Z]

Originally Posted by Untamed

I also loved the Terrain and likely would have made that my next vehicle, however the power seats could not get my wife close enough to the pedals for a comfortable ride. What a disappointment!

What model did you look at? I think on the trailblazer the top two models had adjustable peddles and optional and standard.

[Knipps]

The solution: get her more comfortable with a manual transmission.

[Squirrel]

what do you think about the new v6 stang?

[Mike]

Yeah, you sure the terrain isn't available with adjustable pedals to help her fit in there comfortably?

[BonzoHansen]

Dave, problem solved!

[ws6 jim]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Dave, problem solved!

This worked for me and would recommend it to anyone in need of stature modification.

[NastyEllEssWon]

Originally Posted by ws6 jim

This worked for me and would recommend it to anyone in need of stature modification.

yeah i took your word on that and they hooked me up the wrong way...horizontally instead of vertically

[T69SS]

Originally Posted by Knipps

The solution: get her more comfortable with a manual transmission.

[BigAls87Z28]

Get a taller wife? I know a lot of short people that own SUV in that class.

[Untamed]

Originally Posted by cbrrmike

Yeah, you sure the terrain isn't available with adjustable pedals to help her fit in there comfortably?

Hmm, damn good question. The one we looked at didn't have that. I looked at the vehicle online but didn't compare each of the trim levels.

[FoodStampsz]

The terrain is nice, has a lot of nice standard options in it that other makes don't, like rear-view cameras and back up sensors. Problem is the 4 cylinder is underpowered, look for the 2011 models to come out if you can wait and you'll be sure to get one at a hell of a deal.

[87GTA]

i drove both too!!! but i drove the camaro SS here is my thread....http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49822

[BigAls87Z28]

Neither the Nox nor Terrain have the power pedals. Just tilt/telescope steering and mutli adjust seats.
In that case make her wear platforms.

I drove a Nox 4cyl FWD 2LT and that car had power expected of an SUV in the class. Nothing going to blow your mind. In an SUV like that, you are looking for more function over performance. Flex seating its FTW. I miss it on my old Maxx.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Neither the Nox nor Terrain have the power pedals. Just tilt/telescope steering and mutli adjust seats.
In that case make her wear platforms.

I drove a Nox 4cyl FWD 2LT and that car had power expected of an SUV in the class. Nothing going to blow your mind. In an SUV like that, you are looking for more function over performance. Flex seating its FTW. I miss it on my old Maxx.

maybe the terrain they hopped in had the steering wheel adjusted all the way out by a previous tester or employee, which would make people move the seat back and thus feel really far from the pedals

[Untamed]

Yeah I couldn't say how it was set up when we hopped in. The salesperson didn't say anything about the telescoping steering wheel, even as my wife moved the seat as far forward as she could, and I wasn't smart enough to ask.

It wasn't that she couldn't reach the pedals, it was just uncomfortable enough for her feet that she couldnt rest her heel on the floor like she could in other cars. Too damn short.

I'm excited about the possibility of daily driving a Camaro in a few months. That's enough to help me look past the disappointment over the Terrain.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by Untamed

I'm excited about the possibility of daily driving a Camaro in a few months. That's enough to help me look past the disappointment over the Terrain.

maybe you can drive it to the 2nd Tuesday night meet ups.