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Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

18177 messages,  Last post on Sep 22, 2008 at 10:01 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy XL, Isuzu Ascender, Oldsmobile Bravada, SUV

#16422 of 18177 Re: That's like saying the color red is superior to the color blue [gmoudy] by missouri2 Apr 20, 2005 (6:50 pm)
Replying to: gmoudy (Apr 20, 2005 9:28 am) i have had a 2003and a 2004 bravada and now i have a 2005 buick rainier, i average miles 50,000 a year. and all of these suv's have done a great job. they are fully loaded. and have very few problems. i guess as you would say i bought the right ones. my wife would not drive any thing else other then my 2004 cts.
#16423 of 18177 Happy enough by jr222 Apr 20, 2005 (7:18 pm)
I've had my 03 Bravada for 2 years and 35k mis and it is one of the most satisfying vehicles I've ever owned (and I've had a bunch). True, I complained bitterly about a shuddering in the AWD system until GM finally developed a fix which involved a PCM update and replacement of something called an "encoder motor." Other than that I've really had no problems. Next year I might even look at replacing it with a Ranier (unless I get a bigger boat in which case I'll have to move up to a Tahoe, etc.).   JR
#16424 of 18177 Re: Problems at GM [imadad2] by eddennis Apr 21, 2005 (5:51 am)
Replying to: imadad2 (Apr 15, 2005 10:42 am) Could you please share with me some of the steps you took to reduce/resolve wind noise.   Thanks Replies to this message: imadad2 (Apr 21, 2005 9:39 am)
#16425 of 18177 ficuss by scottc454 Apr 21, 2005 (8:40 am)
You have posted my quote out of context. You must think there's not a cost involved in tightening quality control. It's a catch-22.   No worries - you'll be whining on the Mitsubishi forum soon enough. The under/over in Vegas is 2 weeks. Bwa ha ha ha ha!
#16426 of 18177 Re: Problems at GM [eddennis] by imadad2 Apr 21, 2005 (9:39 am)
Replying to: eddennis (Apr 21, 2005 5:51 am) Depending on what year your SUV is, there could be several sources of wind noise. The first is the side mirrors. I believe 2003 and prior models have this issue. If you do a search, you can find a solution to the problem. It is a matter of taking the mirror apart and putting tape in it. I have a 2004, so I don't have the exact information for this fix.   Next, the seals with the door and the top of the roof create a wind noise. Buying some weather stripping and placing that under neath the stripping on the SUV helps eliminate the noise.   Next, I am not sure what they are called, but there are plastic inserts you can buy that guy into the top part of your windows. This helps eliminate wind noise as well.   Finally, moving your roof rack bars behind the "B" pillar on the SUV or removing them all together helps reduce wind noise that they make.   I had problems with me door seals, and once I put in the weather stripping, my wind noise reduced greatly. It sounded like a window or door was not closed all the way.   Hope that helps.
#16427 of 18177 A rant on GM to answer ficuss by imadad2 Apr 21, 2005 (10:47 am)
Replying to: ficuss (Apr 19, 2005 5:35 pm) ficuss. I agree with you on a lot of what you are saying. I disagree with you on the premise that Mitsu makes a better vehicle. I had a Chrysler Labaron that had a Mitsu engine, and I hated every minute I owned that car. It was not the car itself, but the engine. My cousin bought a Mitsu. After a couple years, the thing fell apart around him. So, Mitsu and Chrysler have been scratched of my list of companies I can trust.   That leaves Chevrolet and Ford. I try to buy American when ever I can, but most Japenese cars are now made in the United States. I have owned only one Ford. It drove well, but seemed cheaply put together and I never felt safe driving it. My mother owned a couple Fords and they did a good job for her. Chevrolet however, seems to be the "Lucky" brand for my family. My Dad drove a van and pickup into the ground. Both he and I drove seperate Nova's to near 200,000 miles. We did the same thing with the Caprice we each owned.   I also own a 2000 Prizm, and yes I know it hasd Toyota stuff, but the car has been great to own. My trunk lid broke on it, but besides normal wear, it is one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned. My TB has had similar luck. After a year, no problems except wind noise. If I had test driven the truck over 55 mph I would have known the issue before leaving the lot. I still would have bought it. The price was just to good. I hope five years from now I will still be signing GM's praises.   The problem I have with GM is this. Their customer service is very poor. I should not have to wait almost two months to have wind noise issues looked at. I have read other persons writing about similar stuff happening to them trying to get warrantied repairs done. Speaking of warranty, why doesn't GM give you a 5 year 60,000 mile warranty? I see Kia, and Hyundai offering better warranties, and I get intrigued about buying their vehicles. Most vehicles are financed for 5 years, so why not up the warranty? I think this would help GM sales. Finally, quality. Those who are not loyal to the brand, jump ship as soon as they can. Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and other companies are stealing away business because they have a reputable quality. GM does not.   If GM cannot find a way to bring a new vehicle to the market without needing two or three years to work out the hiccups, they will continue to lose business. I do not like to buy a new model in it's first year(s) of production. Why? Because the vehicle could be crap. I want to hear what others say. Chevrolet loses a lot of sales by word of mouth. I think the TB is a great vehicle. However, a lot of people that bought the first couple years of it's introduction are complaining here, scarring off business.   I have read a lot about the Honda Pilot and it's shortcomings. Honda has a good rep on quality. I will not buy this SUV, because of what I have read. It is scary to think a lot of people feel the same way I do. A friend of mine had the transmission drop out of the bottom of her 2001 Honda minivan. I would never buy a new one if that happened to me, but she shrugged it off and bought the same model in a 2005. GM owners don't do that. ficuss, you did not do that. Who is to say you just got a lemon, and a new one would have zero problems.   I know people who will never buy a Ford. I know people who will only buy a GM (I am one of them) and I know people that will only buy Japanese brands. GM needs to hit a home run with some model they have coming out. If they don't, GM will become a lot smaller player in the automotive world.
#16428 of 18177 imadad2 by ficuss Apr 21, 2005 (12:52 pm)
I agree with most if not all of what you said. The only thing incorrect is my jumping off of G.M.'s ship after 1 failure. My most recent G.M. product prior to my 2002 TB LTZ was a 2001 Trailblazer. Bought it brand new from a dealer, no G.M. plans, no employee or supplier discount etc. Just plain old financing. It was my 2nd SUV type of car the first being a 98 Jeep Cherokee. Gave a good Jeep to my son and bought the 01 TB. I had to have the TB towed in 3 times in 3 months. I must have really forgotten maintenance and developed bad driving habits for that to happen. Things like wires becoming lodged under 2 pieces of metal under the hood and shorting out. Or like not being able to shift out of park because a wire shorted controlling the sellonoid that releases the park mechanism. I forget the third towing incident, but 3 strikes was enough for me to trade in the 01. The 02 looked so much better and was soo much more powerful, I couldn't resist. I didn't jump ship, I bought the 02 LTZ. So I did give the general a chance. I had owned several G.M. products before, a 68 Olds Supreme, a 74 or so Cutlass Ciera a 78 Olds 98 Regency, and a Pontiac Grand Prix all were good cars. I have owned Ford cars and full size vans, still have 2 vans. I have 1 Chevy Astro Van which is just fine. I've had a Honda Accord a Nissan Maxima and a Mitsu. Diamante. All were good cars. The 01 and 02 TB's have for the time being soured my taste for G.M. products. I said I had hoped the Mitsu. Endeavor will be better than the TB was, it should be, the bar wasn't set very high.  What we are talking about here is ownership experience, good or bad. My experience with Chevy Trailblazers has been bad. Replies to this message: imadad2 (Apr 25, 2005 8:53 am) gmoudy (Apr 25, 2005 9:56 am) imadad2 (Apr 26, 2005 8:01 am)
#16429 of 18177 press request by kirstie_h HOST Apr 21, 2005 (1:18 pm)
A reporter is hoping to speak with anyone who recently discussed a trade-in at a Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Saab, Hummer, or Cadillac dealership. Please respond to jfallonedmunds.com by Tuesday, April 26, 2005 with your daytime contact info and any brief comments you care to share about your experience.
#16430 of 18177 jet chip by sabotage Apr 21, 2005 (2:08 pm)
Anyone ever install one or had one on their trailblazer??? Or know anyone who did?? bad or good??? I have a cold air intake and an exhaust on my 04 tb, just want a little low end kick because of having the ext cab.. Thanks Replies to this message: 01_hoe (Apr 21, 2005 2:26 pm)
#16431 of 18177 Re: jet chip [sabotage] by 01_hoe Apr 21, 2005 (2:26 pm)
Replying to: sabotage (Apr 21, 2005 2:08 pm) I don't and won't personally, due to the negatives I have read on some forums. I am instead waiting for a "tuner" to develop a change to the PCM that is more custom in nature. What little the Jet chip does on this engine is too off the shelf for my needs. I am talking the I-6 engine here. The V-8 has so much more possibilities. GM should make it an option in the GMT360's al la Rainier. With the long development time, I am thinking the 4.2L I-6 engine is not tuner friendly. Hope I am wrong.

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