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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

Messages Page 1750 of 1834

#17483 of 18329 Re: Death of the EXT and the XL [imadad2] by hammen2

Dec 13, 2005 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: imadad2 (Dec 13, 2005 8:52 am)
Bear in mind that you are comparing the EXT/XL to the current Tahoe and Yukon. All-new versions of those vehicles will be on sale in early January (they are in production now), and will answer many of your complaints (especially regarding fit and finish - the interiors will be the nicest of any SUV). The new models come with new engines and class-leading fuel economy. I believe the current EXT is about as long as the Tahoe, but the Tahoe is wider, for example.
 
The other shoe is the birth of GM's new crossovers. The Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave will likely be shown at the North American International Auto Show. These vehicles are car-based but about the size of the current Triplets. It's expected that many SUV shoppers will look to migrate to the crossovers. To that end, GM has delayed the 2007 revamp to the current midsize SUVs.
 
Given the death of the Envoy XUV, the impending death of Isuzu (or at least their sales in NA), and the slow sales of the EXT/XL, it doesn't make sense to keep the OKC plant open any longer...
 
--Robert

#17484 of 18329 Purchasing our Envoy by hammen2

Dec 13, 2005 (9:11 pm)

My wife and I bought our 2004 Envoy SLT (fairly loaded, everything but air suspension, sticker over $40k) for about $27k after all incentives (GMS, retiree certificate, GM Family Card max allowance, $6k in rebates) back on September 30, 2004. At almost 15 months my wife has over 22k miles on it and would have more had she not broken her right arm almost two months ago, and had me chauffeuring her around.
 
She was looking at an Equinox or a VUE, but the deal on the Envoy was much better, and it's much more vehicle. Of course, reliability has not been great - it's been in twice for CEL (once towed due to flashing CEL - cracked spark plug from the factory - I had complained to the delivering dealer about a shudder at idle, and he told me, without seeing the car, that "they all do that") and once for Service 4WD. It had a problem with a shudder going uphill at 70+ mph - upgrading the software on the PCM and TCM seemed to fix the problem.
 
I had the fan clutch replaced at a different dealer after the first dealer refused to do it (I should also note, this first dealer is where I bought my GTO from, and it had to be buyback/exchanged due to a number of problems, some caused by the dealer's service department). There's still an intermittent ticking from the HVAC, the tranny shifts really hard in temps less than 20 degrees, and the car can refuse to move if in A4WD on a dry stretch of pavement (yep, delivering dealer says this is normal - no, my wife doesn't drive in A4WD when it's dry out, just if you're driving over a dry patch, i.e. back out of a parking spot onto a clear spot, then put it in drive = no go).
 
Needless to say, sometime in the next month I'm springing for a 4 year, 60k GM Major Guard warranty from http://www.gmoutlet.com - about $1300. I don't have much confidence that the vehicle will be solid, but, even though we're not upside down on the vehicle, I'd prefer to drive it for at least another couple of years before getting rid of it. The GTO buyback/exchange experience, and the problems with the Envoy, means I most likely have purchased my last GM vehicles... sad, too, since my mother-in-law is a GM retiree and her continued benefits are dependent on how GM is doing...
 
--Robert
 
P.S. My sister bought an '03 TrailBlazer... so far she's had the power steering pump replaced (noisy in cold weather), the taillamp recall, the back tailgate glass refusing to open, and recently her entire driver's side rear door came completely apart - her dealer accused her of the vehicle being in an accident - and the plastic cut the rubber door seal). Not too impressive in only 20k miles (she doesn't drive it in the summer)...

#17485 of 18329 Re: Gas Smell [b36] by raleigh

Dec 13, 2005 (10:16 pm)

Replying to: b36 (Dec 11, 2005 1:18 pm)
b36 - If you don't smell gas with recirculation on and the windows up, that would suggest that it's coming from under the hood. Can you open the hood, stick your head under it, and have someone else start the vehicle? DO you smell gas? Can you locate approximately where it might be coming from? Could it be a leaky injector that "seals" as soon as it gets warm? I'd take it to a different dealer and raise hell about it.

#17486 of 18329 Re: battery dying periodically on 2003 envoy???? [quarque] by wrenchspin2

Dec 14, 2005 (10:20 am)

Replying to: quarque (Dec 12, 2005 7:55 pm)
Wow, I guess I've been lucky so far to be on the other side of the coin (at least with batteries that is!). I have had decent luck with orig equip batteries over the many years, usually having them lasting longer than any replacements I've used. Typically my family has always gotten 5-7 yr range out of an orig equip battery. I live in the northeast so the weather varies from hot summers to cold winters. Didn't matter if the models were foreign or domestic, V8's, 6's, or 4cyl. I just recently got 10yr and 1mo (wow) out of the orig equip battery in my 1995 Subaru Legacy 4cyl base model (cheap...has no power options, not even elec windows). I think it was manufactured by Fuji Heavy Ind. Guess it all depends on many variables...the orig manufacture of the battery (no defect, number of plates used and such), how many electric goodies/accessories draw on it, the environment the battery lives in (temp variations), a good electrical charging system, always clean the terminals for a good charge, etc etc. My early model 2003 Envoy (purchased Aug2002)battery is still going strong.

#17487 of 18329 Re: Purchasing our Envoy [hammen2] by quarque

Dec 14, 2005 (9:38 pm)

Replying to: hammen2 (Dec 13, 2005 9:11 pm)
hammen2 - wow, so many problems! I used to drive only Subarus, Toyotas & Nissans until in '95 I bought my first SUV - 4WD Blazer. That was the first year of the new body style. I had very good luck with it (no major repairs) so in '99 I gave it to my son and bought a new one with a few more goodies in it. That one never had anything done but regular service for 5+ years. Early this year I sold it and bought an '05 Rainier. It only has 8500 miles on it now but has been almost trouble free (minor problem with one computer module). So GM has been pretty good for me for 10 years. My best friend has likewise had good luck with Blazers and now a TB. Not sure why some people have such bad luck with cars...

#17488 of 18329 Re: Purchasing our Envoy [quarque] by snoking

Dec 15, 2005 (6:30 am)

Replying to: quarque (Dec 14, 2005 9:38 pm)
Some People even have problems with a Honda, and that is really hard to do! Wife loves her Rainier. Noticed a couple features the other day. At 37 degrees it warns that it is possibly icey. If you leave the turn indicator on, after awhile it will tell you it is on. SNOKING

#17489 of 18329 Still Solid by gmfan

Dec 15, 2005 (8:19 am)

At 85,000 mi, my 02 TB still going strong. Here are the only repairs, other than rountine maintenance:
 
1. Front end rattle turned out to be coming from hood. Dealership adjusted mounts, and no problems since
 
2. Steering shaft replaced under warranty. Not sure what this would have cost.
 
3. Bad Oxygen Sensor at 40,000 miles. Replaced for $140, not covered under warranty
 
4. Battery Acid Leak from Delco battery. Replaced for free by dealership since it is a known problem with these problems. No big deal besides having to jump the battery and drive cautiously to dealerhship since faulty battery was causing havoc on the electronic transmission
 
5. Most recently at 80,000 miles, had a rear pinion seal leak, it was very small and it was leaking, but blow back could be seen on the differential. Rear end was not whinning, but I went ahead and had it fixed since a new rear-end can cost a couple thousand if allowed to go. Dealership replaced seal, and installed BG synthetic for around $225.
 
At 85,000 mi I still have original brakes. Tranmission fluid has been serviced once at 60,000 miles. (I did the drain rather than the flush)
 
So, 3 years and and 85,000 miles, I am out $365 excluding transmission maintenance ($60).
 
So far, still very pleased with this vehicle. I feel like this engine could go on forever since it feels hardly broken in. At 100,000 miles, I will change the plugs, service the radiater and coolant, and do another trans service.

#17490 of 18329 Re: battery dying periodically on 2003 envoy???? [bitterwater] by rhen1

Dec 18, 2005 (11:59 am)

Replying to: bitterwater (Dec 01, 2005 7:50 pm)
It seems like the Delco battery have leakage problems. My battery recently stared failing in my 2003 Envoy. Should I replace it myself or have GM fix it, and if I replace it how many CCA's do I need? Pros and cons please.

#17491 of 18329 Re: Purchasing our Envoy [quarque] by lmavros

Dec 18, 2005 (10:20 pm)

Replying to: quarque (Dec 14, 2005 9:38 pm)
i have owend gm for 15 yrs the old s 10 blazer and sonoma both ran for ever with only regular maintenance. never any problems never a tow .. both had over 200,000 miles and still going. so i decided to up grade a new TB . i hope to have as much luck with this . but after reading the problems people are haveing i am beinging to wonder .
 
  power steering pumps , transmisson problems seem to be big ..rear ends , computers , is GM not the same anymore ..
guess i need the extended service plan ? i am already having a problem with wind noise in a back window the
On- star will not work . and the plastic is bowing on the front bumper .. back to the dealer and have only owned this a week .. only time will tell !

#17492 of 18329 Re: battery dying periodically on 2003 envoy???? [rhen1] by 01_hoe

Dec 18, 2005 (11:01 pm)

Replying to: rhen1 (Dec 18, 2005 11:59 am)
If it is still under the 3/36 warranty have GM fix it. If out of warranty, I think consumer reports recommends a Walmart battery.

Messages Page 1750 of 1834

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