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Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy
18329 messages, Last post on Apr 30, 2012 at 8:10 PM
You are in the Buick Rainier Forum.What is this discussion about? Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy XL, Isuzu Ascender, Oldsmobile Bravada, SUV
#11567 of 18329 Extended Warranty, Bonus Cash, 6 or 8 Cylinder, MPG, Steering Question... by iexplore2000
Jun 05, 2003 (12:38 pm)
Hi Everyone,Sorry.. I was absent for about a week on this board.
1) As far as what the GMPP did not cover on my aunt's Trailblazer, I will be happy to post the list of items that I requested service on, however, I cannot do it until tomorrow (I am currently out of town without access to my home pc).
2) Extended Warranty vs. Aftermarket: Well.. after careful consideration, I finally did ended up purchasing another GMPP. I was two seconds shy of purchasing a 1Source Auto Warranty or Warranty Gold contract last week then I "accidentally" stumbled across an article someone had written that changed my mind dramatically!
In a nut shell, this article discussed a guy who was suing one of the above because they wanted to replace the transmission in his newer Honda Oddessey van with a third party remanufactured transmission because the OEM transmission had cost much more than they were willing to pay. THAT was a breaking point for me... at least I do know that if GMPP does cover a failing part, they will use OEM GM parts (whether new or remanufactured) and that makes a big difference to me!
I really did not want my vehicle to have non-gm parts installed should something fail. So.. with that being said, I ended up going over to a local dealer (since my original contract on my 2003 Envoy SLT XL had already been processed and could not be changed.. dealerships move fast! I've only had the vehicle for a week!!) and purchasing the GMPP cash at the General Motors employee Price. I was quite surprised because I had the exact same coverage on my 2002 GMC Envoy SLT and it was for the 5yr/75,000K with $0 deductible and road hazard.. all for $1,290! The new 2003 Envoy SLT XL-V8 with the exact same coverage cost $1,510!! What a price increase! Oh well.. that's that.. Now I am just dealing with the pestery e-mails from the two third party warranty companies stating, "The offer has been extended.. call now for our new promotions!"
3) Bonus Cash: Here's a funny story! My sales rep called me late last week and had mentioned that they made a mistake on the additional $1750 dealer cash discount that I had received on my Envoy off of the GMS pricing? Apparently, the $1750 incentive applied only to their county (in Ohio) and a few select Michigan counties.
Since I was not a resident of their county, I should not have received the $1750 extra? If transacted correctly, I should have only received GMS discount and the extra $250 bonus cash! She kindly suggested that I consider titling the vehicle in Michigan (since I have family there) but I told her NO. However, I did tell her that since she's a resident of that county in Ohio, she could title it at her address and after everything was processed, we could switch back over to Columbus.. Ha,ha. Needless to say, the dealership ate the $1750 and I did not have to change any paperwork. Oh well.. they should have done their math ahead of time!
4) 6 or 8 Cylinder: Honestly, I have the pleasure of driving them all right now; I have my aunts 2002 Trailblazer LTZ that I am attempting to sell (3.42 rear axle), my roomate has the exact/identical 2002 Envoy that I got rid of except for color.. it has the 4.10 axle, then there's mine.. 2003 SLT XL V-8 with the 3.73 axle. YES.. our neighbors have been scratching their heads trying to figure out WHY there are so many SUV's in our yard that are all pretty much the same? Either that or wondering if we are involved in a drug cartel or something.. Ha, ha.. Just kidding
There is a BIG difference between the two. Whenever I drive the shorties (reg models), they appear to be much more "buzzier" than the V-8. The performance is good but the higher RPM revving can drive you nuts at times.. especially since I am accustomed to the V-8 now. The V-8 model in the XL moves along with very LITTLE gas pedal effort at all. I am constantly surprised at how well it moves and works in conjunction with the transmission. It's a much more "relaxed" engine so to speak? Merging on to the freeways do not require much effort or downshifting (if any) at all. I'm not a tech person either, but that's the best way to describe it.
Now that I have over 500 miles on the odometer, I had the chance to PUNCH the accelerator and I was QUITE surprised. You can very easily BURN rubber from a stop that's for sure. Even given the extra weight of the XL's and having the AC running, the vehicle performs quite well, plus the V-8 rumble sounds so good! Kinda makes the vehicle feel more SUV'ish, but maybe that's because my past SUV's have been V-8's??
If I had a choice to do it all over again, I would definitely choose the V-8 over the V-6.. I like having the abundance of power sitting on tap just waiting to be released! Also, the mpg is not bad either! Now I don't know about you all, but I can imagine that the Buick Ranier will kick some major BOOTY with the V-8 engine and less weight!!
5) MPG: I've been averaging about 17 mpg on the DIC with a good mix of city/highway driving thus far. When I first picked up the XL last week, I drove it approximately 170 miles home and I average 19.9 and 20 mpg the entire trip. The 25.5 gallon fuel tank is VERY handy. I don't have to fill up with fuel until approximately 400 miles!
The DIC's on the shorties are constantly showing between 15 - 17 mpg in the city, and about 19-20 on the freeway? I was quite surprised myself, since I had initially thought that the V-8 would consume more gasoline.
6) Steering Question?? For those who have XL's or 2003 models, I quickly noticed that my 2003 has a shorter ratio steering setup than the 2002's did? Initially, I hated my 2002 Envoy's "Auto Bus" type steering... you had to turn it quite a bit before reaching the lock position. Turning the steering wheel from side to side took about 3 revolutions of the steering wheel to complete. On my 2003 XL, the revolutions have been shortened to only 2.5? Is that a feature only used on the XL models or was it something new GM changed for 2003 across the board? Just curious..
Sorry for the long post guys/gals!
Thanks!
IExplore2000
#11568 of 18329 I-6 vs. V-8 by gam2
Jun 05, 2003 (3:56 pm)
FWIW, Car and Driver has an I-6 shortie running0-60 a good half second quicker than a V-8 extended. Just because it feels quicker, doesn't mean it is. No doubt the V-8 has more low end torque, but my Envoy really pulls once it's moving. I would think hard about the V-8 in an extended model, but the I-6 is plenty good for the shorties (not that we have a choice until the Buick arrives). I can also say that my 2003 is light years ahead of my old 2002 in terms of throttle response and transmission operation.
GAM
#11569 of 18329 i have a question by mookie14
Jun 05, 2003 (5:27 pm)
for fellow tblazer owners i have a 03 tblazer and do anyone have this problem. when you brake does the truck dip forward? and when you reverse does it dip also? mine is doin it does yone know what it could be i put 2 logs of sand in the back could that be the problem? let me know somebody please thanks.ps i have a ls 2wd#11570 of 18329 saw video on 2004 Envoy and just wanted to by momstruck1
Jun 05, 2003 (5:30 pm)
ask after watching the video I was wondering is this a regular envoy with just the rear section "enhanced" ? I really like the new rear door but really don't go crazy for the new PICK UP TRUCK combo thing they all seem to be trying. Is this a 5 passanger or a 7 passenger?#11571 of 18329 Why wouldn't the truck dip forward? by zueslewis
Jun 05, 2003 (5:43 pm)
If you're braking, weight transfers to the front (figuratively, through inertia), and your front end dips.Every vehicle I've ever driven does that.
#11572 of 18329 zueslewis really? by mookie14
Jun 05, 2003 (5:55 pm)
even if is dipping? i watched as my wife braked and what im seeing is the shocks are dipping. i know every auto has went forward when you brake. but dipping? is it the brakes? it takes a while for the truck to stop in traffic and on the highway in stop and go so what do you think im trying to describe to best of ability i guess you own a 03 tblazer.#11573 of 18329 Nope, I don't own one, by zueslewis
Jun 05, 2003 (6:12 pm)
but I've driven 60-70 of them ('02s and '03s) in the last year for lemon law lawsuit inspections.If you feel the dipping is excessive, by all means, make a service appointment and have them check the shocks and springs, as well as the brakes.
We can talk about generalities here on line, but you're feeling and seeing the real world thing and it's your own gut you need to satisfy. I don't mess around when it comes to safety issues - get it checked out.
#11574 of 18329 re Hydrogen by aldan93
Jun 05, 2003 (6:15 pm)
Wow it went over your head host, it makes the same sense? Wasting gas? Hydrogen? I didn't know gas was a natural resource, or did I know hydrogen was? I guess I'll drill for gas in my back yard, wouldn't want to waist that would we? Same thing with hydrogen from the air? LOL , Both need to be made! That was the point!! Hydrogen fuel cells, are not as efficient as people think, and that is the point of that domestic terrorist that posted on this board. If its not one thing its the other!!!If cars used salt water for fuel, groups would be throwing themselfs in the OCEAN! to prevent grid lock, no one will ever win!
#11575 of 18329 Anybody put a Delphi XM in their triplet? by jr45
Jun 05, 2003 (6:28 pm)
If so, where did you mount it and what mount did you use? I'm on an accessorizing kick and want to add satellite radio. Since my Bravada has the Bose head unit, it looks like there's no way to connect directly and I will have an fm modulator.#11576 of 18329 Hydrogen by gam2
Jun 05, 2003 (7:00 pm)
FYI,Hydrogen fuel cells are about 45% efficient, compared to 30-35% for an I/C engine. Getting the hydrogen is a different story. It will be very expensive until new technology is found. You will see stationary and portable fuel cell generators
(using reformed natural gas) on the market long before mainsteam vehicle applications. Check back in 10 years though........
GAM
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