Ask the Car People.SM


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

Messages Page 1641 of 1834

#16394 of 18329 Re: Problems at GM [imadad2] by canddmeyer

Apr 17, 2005 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: imadad2 (Apr 15, 2005 10:42 am)
I have a 2003 4Runner, and you won't avoid wind noise buying a 4Runner, in fact the 4Runner is louder than my former 1997 Blazer. But the TB is way more comfortable than a 4R. You are right that quality is the main issue-that's why I didn't buy the TrailBlazer. Too many recalls on 2001 and 2002 models as well as endless complaining on this forum. You'd think GM selling 275,000 of these a year is a good thing, but 1/2 of the buyers won't buy GM again for at least a decade if GM doesn't put some quality in their product. My 4Runner ain't perfect, but it turned out to be the better choice in 2003 even though I could have got 0% GM financing, $1400 GM card $, as well as one grand owner loyalty $ toward a TrailBlazer.
 
Believe it not, I'd still consider either a 4Runner or TrailBlazer today, as I need 4-lo and skidplates for my travels. A pickup is too long and light in the rear for my use. And YES, my former Blazer did get a helluva lot of use out of the skidplates, but I never got stuck with my Chevy's as I did with my Fords. Chevy's and Toyota's have a better 4-lo crawl ratio. Jeeps are a consideration too if their redesigned 05's are better than their prior generation models. Jeep's handling and straight-6 were fantastic, but forum comments about transmission and brake issues, among others, kept it out of consideration for me in 2003. On top of that, there was only (1) Jeep in all of No. Calif. from Bakersfield to the Oregon border at the time that was equipped with an L/S diffy and skidplates, and it was 150 miles away. These were essential options for me that were standard on 4Runners and TB's .

#16395 of 18329 Re: heated mirror question [01_hoe] by gmoudy

Apr 18, 2005 (7:42 am)

Replying to: 01_hoe (Apr 16, 2005 10:12 am)
01 hoe: I have a 2002 TB with the heated outside mirrors also. Can I order the turn signals from GM or aftermarket? Any idea on cost? Would you happen to know how I would convert what I have? It doesn't look that easy.
 
From what I have been reading on this forum about the TB, it looks like most of the problems people are having are with the 4 wheel drive TBs. Mine is a 2 WD and I have been very lucky in that I haven't had any major problems. Yes, I have taken it in for the recalls, but haven't had the air noise problem from the luggage rack rails, haven't had any rust problems, haven't had any electrical wiring problems, pretty much a dependable vehicle for me. I did have to have one of the O2 sensors replaced and the original battery started leaking about 18 months after I bought the vehicle in Aug 2001. I can only guess that I have been lucky with this vehicle. I love it!! Guess I got one that was made when all the workers were in a good mood.

#16396 of 18329 Re: 2nd Row Child Car Seat Cpacity [suitedpair] by jay_24

Apr 18, 2005 (9:09 am)

Replying to: suitedpair (Apr 16, 2005 6:16 pm)
It will be really close. 2 years ago we were in the market and the same car seat possition. We found it difficult with the three seats we had. An option was to go to the EXT and use the third row for the oldest child, but that can be a pain.
The Honda Pilot is just a bit wider. According to spec the TB is 58 inches but I remember measuring about 54inches on the seat. (58 door to door) The Pilot measured 56.
 
We opted for a Tahoe. All three fit in the 2nd row fairly easily.

#16397 of 18329 Hotchkis Install Question [twinrotts] by ylab by twinrotts

Apr 18, 2005 (2:12 pm)

Thanks for your comments YLAB
Any other voices on this?

#16398 of 18329 Re: Hotchkis Install Question [twinrotts] by ylab [twinrotts] by tblazed

Apr 18, 2005 (3:38 pm)

Replying to: twinrotts (Apr 18, 2005 2:12 pm)
I did mine exactly the same way as ylab. Only thing I wish I had payed more attention to at the time was that I chipped and scratched the nice glossy black coating on the new bar getting it in place. Potential rust issues. So I crawled under it again with some gloss-black Rustoleum paint and a cotton swap to apply my touch-up. In hindsight, it might have been even easier to get the new bar in place going in from the side, with the driver's side tire off out of the way, and no chips/scratches to repair.

#16399 of 18329 Inactive 4x4 switch / no indicator lights - fixed by deano

Apr 19, 2005 (4:28 am)

Last week my 2002 TB lost the indicator lights on top of the 4x4 mode switch, and also turning the switch didn't engage 4wd.
 
In searching the archives, I found that for some folks, just a "reboot" of the transfer case was needed. So I removed the ATC fuse in the underhood fuse panel for a minute and replaced it. Viola!
 
4wd and the lights are now active again.
 
Deano

#16400 of 18329 Re: Inactive 4x4 switch / no indicator lights - fixed [deano] by bobed2121

Apr 19, 2005 (8:15 am)

Replying to: deano (Apr 19, 2005 4:28 am)
Funny thing to read as right of this minute my LTZ is at the dealer having the module replaced for this very thing. Good to know that it might be such a simple fix in the future,

#16401 of 18329 Re: That's like saying the color red is superior to the color blue [ficuss] by bobed2121

Apr 19, 2005 (8:47 am)

Replying to: ficuss (Apr 16, 2005 4:14 pm)
I never could understand how so many vehicles on the road can have so many problems that so many claim? I have had Ford's, Mercury, Chrysler, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and yes even Hyaundi. I have taken very good care of all my cars in that I let off the gas long before I need to stop. Kept the oil changed at regular intervals. Let the "vehicle" turn the corners. Kept watch on tire pressure. My point is I see so many drivers that are constantly on the brakes because they follow to close, or mash the accelerator away from every green light, or turn corners short of being on two wheels. I can't think that I'm just lucky in that over my 30 years of driving and half as many vehicles that I've never had a problem like those in description on this site. Sure I've been through a transmission or two and have required a engine rebuild but never has anything been premature. I now have 56,000 miles on my 02 LTZ. Some will say "get ready here it comes" I can tell you every morning when I get in and turn that key it fires right up. I don't sit there and have to say "what the heck is that sound?" Whether I turn the heater control or adjust the seat or change the radio station they all work! In fact the worst thing about owning my TB is that I'm now around $45 to fill up the tank. For those that are happy owners and I hope there are more than post here, let me just say garbage in-garbage out. Take care of your car. Sorry to those that think they do yet still are plagued with problems. You just may be in denial of your driving habits.

#16402 of 18329 Re: heated mirror question [gmoudy] by 01_hoe

Apr 19, 2005 (9:29 am)

Replying to: gmoudy (Apr 18, 2005 7:42 am)
To answer your question about the turn signals for the mirrors I need to redirect to another location. Unfortunately, this forum will not let me do that. Maybe you could send me an email.

#16403 of 18329 Re: That's like saying the color red is superior to the color blue [bobed2121] by longdistancetb

Apr 19, 2005 (9:29 am)

Replying to: bobed2121 (Apr 19, 2005 8:47 am)
I have a 2002 TB LS with 45,000 trouble-free miles. BUT I didn't buy a fully loaded gizmotron, either. It does have some wind noise in crosswinds, more than my gf's Acura MDX, but I didn't pay $44K for it either. It trailers well, drives well, and is a joy to drive on long trips. All of the recalls have been taken care of painlessly and quickly. So all in all, this has been a good purchasing experience. And compared to the POS cars (Fiat, Ford, Toyota, Datsun, Chevy, Jeep {OMG!}, Rambler {!}, JagYouAre) I drove in the 70's and 80's, the TB is an excellent SUV for the money. But I am one voice in the wilderness...evidently I got the only good TB made!

Messages Page 1641 of 1834

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement