2024 Traverse News and Predictions

The Pontiac "Iron Duke" 4-holer was also 2.5L (151 CID), offered from 1977 to 1993. The early Chevrolet 4-cylinder (153 CID) was 2.5L built from 1962 to 1982. The later Chevrolet 140CID SOHC 4-cylinder was 2.3L, and had a short build from 1971 to only 1977, when the "Iron Duke" took over. Similarly, the Ford 2300cc and its evential re-stroking to 2.5L (and its variants) were built from 1974 to 2001. NONE of these were realistically 100,000 mile engines. Certainly, some did make it that far, but it was exceptional instead of expected.

The later Chevrolet 2.2L / 134 CID (commonly called the 122 family) was built from 1982 to 2003. 1990's and later version were potentially a 200,000 mile engine with proper maintenance and timely repairs, but repairs beyond routine maintenance were expected, such as head gaskets, valve train wear, and eventual piston skirt clearances getting the better of them.

Also consider that none of those were pushed to deliver power much beyond 1 horsepower per cubic inch displacement.

Contrast that to a Buick 231 V-6, which had a realistic life expectancy of 200,000+ miles for a "stupid" owner, and 400,000 miles for a conscientious owner, revealing that the sacrifice in durability of a lightweight engine design would have even a crainially-challenged buyer asking hard questions.

Given that brief history, I would also be wary of the first-year powerplant design. Even the current 3.6L V-6 has a history of teething problems for the first few years.

That's reminiscent of a different Olds wagon I had, but not a diesel. A '71 Vista Cruiser (basically a Cutlass platform wagon), hiding behind my '67 F-body in the Polaroid. It was set up with a 455, TH400, and 3.55 12-bolt for towing. It was a real sleeper, too. That Olds put down a lot of torque on the low end (between stop lights).