[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

Ooops! Didn't mean to expose ya, buddy.

The color has been one of the best surprises with this vehicle. Even when it's dirty AF it looks clean and shiny from 15 feet away. I was really thinking of getting the blue (I originally test drove the darker blue one lurking in the background of my picture) but my wife's Tesla is blue and I didn't want to have two blue cars.

It's all good. In all honesty, I was just hitting the hornets' nest. I know the mere mention of EVs on this board brings out the daggers. Quite a few have been thrown my way before the threads meet the chopping block.

And that's good on the color not showing dirt too much. I wash mine, and even when I'm drying it I can see the pollen getting on it. Tough to keep clean, but looks dang good when I get it there.

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

I thought this was a blazer not a Trax. I was confused on how it has 137hp when the base engine option for a blazer is 220 or 228. I leased a gen 1 Trax (2018) and man i was really not a fan of that car. It did its purpose well, which is A to B and get good mpg. I don't think I got under 30mpg average for a tank of gas. My favorite car I've leased was a 2020 equinox lt with the LTG engine. That thing was actually fun to drive, comfortable and would lite the tires up from a 40 roll. I have a blazer now, it's basically the same as the equinox but less refined. They ride nearly identical but the loss of 40hp is beyond evident. If the Trax had a 9 speed trans like the blazer and equinox, it would be so much better. Even the new Trax....the 6 speed gearing is too far apart for the lack of power that car has.

They're easy to get confused. And I might be wrong on the HP number, but with the turbo from a dead stomp it's quick enough. But, damn, does it drop off around 40. Loving it, though.

Originally Posted by Bad Anvil Garage

I traded my 2017 Hyper Blue 1LE M6 in on a 2019 Traverse because I was having back issues. Drove it for 6 years, and 110k miles, until I was well enough to get back into a Camaro. Last November I gave the Traverse to my wife and picked up a 2020 2SS A10. You'll probably find yourself in another Camaro someday. Enjoy the new ride!

Thanks. It's been great so far. That warranty helps because I'm not too sure about this engine. But, heck, if it craps out, it's on U.S. Route 66's dime. Gives me some peace of mind.

Originally Posted by IMCWORTH

we love our Trax It's no Hot Rod for sure. But my lady doesn't like to go FAST anyways. and the price point was very respectable.

Yeah, it's a great little vehicle for the money. With the warranty I got I'm not concerned. That belt in the oil, I'm not a fan. But I'm covered at least.

Originally Posted by RallyRunner

sorry to see you leave the camaro fold but it sounds like you had a good run, particularly with that coverage. what was up with the BCM, did the trunk flood?

i have an extended warranty on mine as well, even though its used. modern cars are giant computers now, i was worried i'd have no recourse but to spend an insane amount of money if something electrically complex went down.

They changed the damn BCM with a new one, but I ended up finding on YouTube somebody having the same issue. Ended up being a wiring issue running into it that the mechanic missed. I honestly think on purpose to charge the warranty company for a new BCM. Then I had to pay the wiring, which is one thing my warranty doesn't cover.

And I did have a hell of a run with my 1SS. It was good all the way till 100k. But then I saw the writing on the wall. Actually had it covered to 144k or July of '26, but still owed money on it, so trading it in was the right move for now. But I'll get in another hotrod. It's just a matter of time. Hope a new ICE Camaro comes out. Doubt it, but damn I hope.

[bishopts]

What is the first 2 digits of the VIN on your trax?

Nevermind i looked some up KL7. That's crazy that they sell those here as a trax.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by bishopts

What is the first 2 digits of the VIN on your trax?

Nevermind i looked some up KL7. That's crazy that they sell those here as a trax.

No worries, bishopts. I was about to reply. I knew it was made by GM's South Korea division and their design, but I didn't know that was what the first two letters of the VIN meant, and I was wondering why you were asking. I learned something today.

Not sure if the first Trax was, but this second generation is a hell of an improvement in the looks department for sure. Wonder if it will be hit with the tariffs. Might be quite a bit more here soon, if not already.

Edit: I have nothing against South Korea, so I'm fine with it. On a similar note, my parents love to buy American products. And for reasons I won't mention to not get this thread closed out they hate China and want to buy good-ole US of A products to "Make America Great Again." Back in 2017 they bought a Buick Envision. I checked into it and found out that it was made entirely in China and imported over here.

I kept my mouth shut for a few months till the occasion presented itself in a heated discussion to let them know, "Did you know your vehicle was made 100 percent in China and imported over here?" They were dumbfounded and damn near in shock. LOL. I loved it.

Then there's that Trump Bible with the Constitution and the Bill of rights in it, which ironically is also made in China, that..............disregard. I've said too much already.

[bishopts]

I work in used cars so i always look at who is making the new cars so i can have an idea of how annoying/unreliable the cars i have to work on are going to be.
Im not the biggest fan of Korean cars but but they are better than crap like the ecosport from India and the compass from Italy.

[bishopts]

First digit is country of assembly.
So like 1 4 5 6 are USA ,and 2 canada, 3 mexico, J japan
The second is the manufacturer but sometimes the 3rd is too.
So G would be gm. F would be Ford, C would be Chrysler.

I run into odd ones like a toyota yaris today that started with 3M so knowing what i know that's a mazda made in Mexico. Turns out its a rebadged mazda 2

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by bishopts

I work in used cars so i always look at who is making the new cars so i can have an idea of how annoying/unreliable the cars i have to work on are going to be.
Im not the biggest fan of Korean cars but but they are better than crap like the ecosport from India and the compass from Italy.

Got you. I don't know how reliable it's going to be, and with a 3-cylinder with a turbo, wet timing belt, my bullsh** meter kicked in, having worked on engines and cars for years.

But that warranty has me covered, so I don't have a care in the world about it now. I do, however, feel bad for people who don't know motors, what turbos do to the engine and the oil, and especially a timing belt that's submerged in oil. The last one is the biggest "WTF" for me.

They recommend that belt to be changed at 150k and oil changes every 7k. Hell, no. That's a recipe for disaster. I did an oil change at 500 miles, 1500, and now every 3,000 to 3,500. Seven thousand mile oil changes, while it might be perfectly fine according to GM, I'm not buying it.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by bishopts

First digit is country of assembly.
So like 1 4 5 6 are USA ,and 2 canada, 3 mexico, J japan
The second is the manufacturer but sometimes the 3rd is too.
So G would be gm. F would be Ford, C would be Chrysler.

I run into odd ones like a toyota yaris today that started with 3M so knowing what i know that's a mazda made in Mexico. Turns out its a rebadged mazda 2

That's what I found when doing some good-ole internet searching. My first instinct was to think "Why the hell would anybody ask that question"? LOL. So, I dove into it to find out. It was interesting. Even an old a$$ like me learned something new about cars I never knew before.

[Martinjlm]

Originally Posted by Texas1ss

No worries, bishopts. I was about to reply. I knew it was made by GM's South Korea division and their design, but I didn't know that was what the first two letters of the VIN meant, and I was wondering why you were asking. I learned something today.

Not sure if the first Trax was, but this second generation is a hell of an improvement in the looks department for sure. Wonder if it will be hit with the tariffs. Might be quite a bit more here soon, if not already.

Edit: I have nothing against South Korea, so I'm fine with it. On a similar note, my parents love to buy American products. And for reasons I won't mention to not get this thread closed out they hate China and want to buy good-ole US of A products to "Make America Great Again." Back in 2017 they bought a Buick Envision. I checked into it and found out that it was made entirely in China and imported over here.

I kept my mouth shut for a few months till the occasion presented itself in a heated discussion to let them know, "Did you know your vehicle was made 100 percent in China and imported over here?" They were dumbfounded and damn near in shock. LOL. I loved it.

Then there's that Trump Bible with the Constitution and the Bill of rights in it, which ironically is also made in China, that..............disregard. I've said too much already.

The first gen Trax as well as the current gen originate from the Global Gamma platform that is engineered out of S. Korea. As far as the tariffs…The Buick Enclave is assembled in Lansing, Michigan. All other Buicks are imported and prone to get hit hard by tariffs. The Trax and its sister car, Buick Invista are among the lowest priced best value vehicles in the GM portfolio. Base prices under $25k in a market where the average vehicle sold is in the $46 - 48k range, but they will more than likely lose that vale proposition when they get slammed with tariffs. Unless GM chooses to eat them.

[bishopts]

Ive worked on a lot of first gen trax, the trax doesn't really have many problems. The 1.4 in it is pretty much falling apart as it left the assembly line. They run the cooling system way too hot for the plastic components that attach everything that holds coolant. It's very prone to oil leaks from the oil cooler, timing cover, crankshaft seal. The valve cover causes a vacuum leak that is manageable ,but when you replace it the bolts that bolt the valve cover to the top of the timing cover will more than likely pull the threads out of the holes.
I think GM messed up when they quit using the gen 2 ecotec. It was a bulletproof engine that could have easily been scaled to fit most platforms.

[JamesNoBrakes]

I rented an equinox (1.5T) a few months back (late season AZ heat) and totally killed it going up the highway 87 grade. Had to get it towed back. Full fluids and everything, but just fried it and it went into a limp mode and wouldn't come out, would only go about 20mph at the end. Seems like it just wasn't designed to deal with the environment it was being used in, extreme heat and some steep grades.

Rented a new trax just a few weeks ago in Texas. That worked fine. Much better than the old version. If it has the same powerplant, I'd be scared tho.

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by Martinjlm

The first gen Trax as well as the current gen originate from the Global Gamma platform that is engineered out of S. Korea. As far as the tariffs…The Buick Enclave is assembled in Lansing, Michigan. All other Buicks are imported and prone to get hit hard by tariffs. The Trax and its sister car, Buick Invista are among the lowest priced best value vehicles in the GM portfolio. Base prices under $25k in a market where the average vehicle sold is in the $46 - 48k range, but they will more than likely lose that vale proposition when they get slammed with tariffs. Unless GM chooses to eat them.

Exactly. Now what was a budget-friendly car GM produced will climb in cost exponentially. And I doubt GM will "choose to eat" that cost, or any other manufacturer for that matter. They just care about their profits. Not to mention, at 12:01 a.m. this morning, the tariffs on auto parts not made in the United States went into effect.

I read an article that stated "Most auto part imports will come with a 25% import tax." I'm wondering what they consider "most" and what's exempt. It will be interesting to find out how that brilliant move will affect prices even further.

And then there's this: "The previous auto tariffs left US-made cars untouched. Not anymore. Not a single of the 10 million cars turned out by US plants last year was built without at least some imported parts. The tariffs on parts could now mean tens of billions of dollars in new cost to the industry – and eventually to American car buyers and owners."

I'm not going to derail my own thread (hopefully), but I seriously doubt most Americans realize what these tariffs are going to do and the pain they will cause consumers in this country. But it's coming, and despite the lies they're told on their favorite propaganda channels, they'll find out soon, where even the lies won't hold up to the cold, hard facts, once it hits their pocketbook.

Originally Posted by bishopts

Ive worked on a lot of first gen trax, the trax doesn't really have many problems. The 1.4 in it is pretty much falling apart as it left the assembly line. They run the cooling system way too hot for the plastic components that attach everything that holds coolant. It's very prone to oil leaks from the oil cooler, timing cover, crankshaft seal. The valve cover causes a vacuum leak that is manageable ,but when you replace it the bolts that bolt the valve cover to the top of the timing cover will more than likely pull the threads out of the holes.
I think GM messed up when they quit using the gen 2 ecotec. It was a bulletproof engine that could have easily been scaled to fit most platforms.

Interesting read, and it got me to look a little into this. The 2025 Trax comes with an Ecotec 1.2. From my brief search it shows that that engine replaced the 1.4.

Maybe it will hold up. I'm pushing 10,000 miles, and no problems yet. But that's why that extended warranty I bought is worth every penny. I've got up to 8 years and 120,000 miles bumper to bumper, minus wear and tear and wiring issues, so I'm good.

The engine is the only thing I don't trust on this vehicle. Anybody that gets one without an extended warranty is risking losing their shirt if that belt breaks and scraps the engine, including issues with the turbo. Not a risk I was willing to take at all.

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I rented an equinox (1.5T) a few months back (late season AZ heat) and totally killed it going up the highway 87 grade. Had to get it towed back. Full fluids and everything, but just fried it and it went into a limp mode and wouldn't come out, would only go about 20mph at the end. Seems like it just wasn't designed to deal with the environment it was being used in, extreme heat and some steep grades.

Rented a new trax just a few weeks ago in Texas. That worked fine. Much better than the old version. If it has the same powerplant, I'd be scared tho.

No overheating issues yet here in the hot-arse state of Texas. But I'm in Houston, and it's flat as a pancake around here, so no experience with any high grades. That's one reason I can't wait to get out of this stinking place and head west. It's too damn hot, and I miss the mountains. And they used the Ecotec 1.2 on the Trax. The Equinox uses the LYX 1.5 turbo. Not sure of the reliability between the two engines, but hopefully the Ecotec performs better in the long run.

[speedyink1]

Just keep up with your maintenance and it should last pretty good. Keep your oil change interval low, with good oil. Possibly install a lower temp thermostat if available.

It's not the best engine for sure, but it's kind of a price point thing. Is there another vehicle for that price that would have better reliability? (If there is, I'd be curious to know, so please pipe up!)

I'm going to the Chevy dealer today to test drive one and check pricing (who knows these days). My curiosity is piqued now =P

[Texas1ss]

Originally Posted by speedyink1

Just keep up with your maintenance and it should last pretty good. Keep your oil change interval low, with good oil. Possibly install a lower temp thermostat if available.

Yeah. I hear you. The dealer service writer thought I was nuts changing it at 500, and was actually quite rude about it. It might not be necessary for breaking in these engines, but not taking any chances. Then he told me it only has to be done every 7k miles. I explained how turbos degrade the oil and need more frequent changes than the manual states, but he wasn't listening. He was a prick, quite honestly. Then I changed it at I think 1,500, and now I'll change it every 3k to 3,500.

Originally Posted by speedyink1

It's not the best engine for sure, but it's kind of a price point thing. Is there another vehicle for that price that would have better reliability? (If there is, I'd be curious to know, so please pipe up!)

The engine did concern me, but if you have a First Community Credit Union in your area and can get that warranty I mentioned, it's a bargain, and will have you covered. Helped me a lot when my Camaro started breaking down. And I think some Japanese cars, like the Nissan Versa, is cheaper. It might have been pulled from their lineup, though. But it looked like garbage, as do most of the inexpensive vehicles I've seen. I actually wasn't looking for an inexpensive car. I originally was looking for a 2024 1SS or 2SS in black with magnetic ride control, NPP, and a 6-speed. I came up empty. But on occasion I'd go through the dealers near me to see if I'd get lucky. I happened to see this Trax Activ, and it reminded me in a way on the exterior from the front my Camaro and in the interior. Then my plans changed.

Originally Posted by speedyink1

I'm going to the Chevy dealer today to test drive one and check pricing (who knows these days). My curiosity is piqued now =P

That's awesome. I've heard they're hard to find, but I bought mine a while back. Since they're selling so many maybe they upped their shipments. I'm sure you will if you test drive one, but punch it from a dead stop. It spins the tires just a bit and picks up, to my surprise, around 40 pretty dang quick. Then it's just a slow slog up to 70. It's no Camaro, but it's still fun. Plus it handles really well.

One thing to make sure of is check the infotainment screen before the test drive for the tire pressure. They ship from South Korea with like 45 PSI in all the tires. I saw it on countless reviews on YouTube, and when I got mine home and was checking the pressures on the door tag, it's supposed to be 35 in the front and 32 in the rear. Handles way better. Just lazy dealers. And this might not even be an issue for you, but if you see the reviews the Activ has yellow stictching on the seat, which is fine. But on the vents there's an ugly yellow horizontal stripe that IMO looks way out of place. The 2RS has a red stripe with red stitching on the seat.

But they do sell one with a chrome strip. I just had to look. I would have honestly painted it if I was forced to get the yellow stripe. But some people like it. Lastly, mine listed for 26,500, I think it was. Not sure if on the Activ you can ditch the safety package, but that's 750. I love it, and for me I would have paid more. The only option I didn't get was a sunroof, which comes with a wireless phone charger that's in front of the cup holders. I don't trust them leaking, though.

Like I mentioned, I thought seeing my Camaro disappear in the rearview mirror when driving off the lot after daily driving it for 8 years I was going to have severe buyer's remorse. Not at all. It's a damn fun SUV to drive, looks good, handles good, and other than missing those zero to 60 times couldn't be happier. Plus, the insurance is cheaper, and using regular unleaded is saving me a ton of money. I've been driving the crap out of this thing, where my Camaro with its age I had toned down the cruising wondering what the next problem would be.

Happy Hunting!

[arpad_m]

I can't believe people are discussing a vehicle like the Chevrolet Trax on this forum outside the Funny Pictures thread. Not that there'd be any rule against it, I'm just flabbergasted.