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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 1771 of 1834

#17698 of 18329 Re: Chevy Trailblazer Internet Experience [markcincinnati] by hammen2

Mar 25, 2006 (8:05 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 24, 2006 9:18 am)
Mark,
 
You'll have to pardon GM, as they continue to try to adjust their pricing to reduce the amount of incentives, and get their pricing closer to "real-world" levels. It is GM and not the dealer that is fooling around with the prices. The sticker readjustment is something GM did, not the dealer.
 
Now, there is a way to eliminate all of the "what's my price" stuff going on... that is, to get "GM in the Driveway" pricing. This is not the same as the employee price; it's the employee price + 4.5% (which is the same deal that suppliers get). This is a fixed price, not negotiable - the only caveat is that the dealership does NOT need to honor GMID - that's at their discretion (i.e. scarce or hot-selling car, they may not). My experience is that most dealers will do a GMID deal, particularly towards the end of the month.
 
How do you get GMID pricing? You find a GM employee or retiree, who can issue two of these GMID certificates in a month. The only info the employee needs is the buyer's DOB and the last 4 digits of their SSN. The employee then enters that information into the GMFamilyFirst website, and it spits back a certificate number which the employee emails to the buyer. The buyer then takes that number in, tells the dealer they have this GMID certificate, and it's processed when the deal goes down.
 
My mother-in-law is a GM retiree. I looked at the GMID pricing (available through the GMFamilyFirst website) and a TB SS with an MSRP of $39,435 has a GMID price of $36,353. Factor in the $1k rebate and now you're down to just over $35k. If you still have a non-GM vehicle I believe there is a $1k conquest rebate which brings the price down even further (though rebates are region-sensitive). If you had a GM card you could take even more off... welcome to the fun! More questions on GMID - contact me at the address in my Edmunds user profile.
 
And hey, the Trailblazer SS is one heck of a machine! It's got the LS2 engine, same as the 'vette, GTO, SSR, and '06 CTS-V, pushing out 395 hp. Friend of mine has SS #1 and does performance tuning on them... loves the truck (haven't seen it yet). It's not just a run-of-the-mill SUV. Interior design/quality is still the weak point on these vehicles... but, they've been around otherwise since 2002, and the reliability is getting better... no major refreshes coming except maybe the interior for the 2008 MY...

#17699 of 18329 Re: 02 Envoy -- Loose Feel [02envoyowner] by lend1

Mar 25, 2006 (8:43 am)

Replying to: 02envoyowner (Jan 18, 2006 8:15 am)
I have a 2004 Rainier(same as envoy) that just had the stabilizer links replaced. Huge difference in handling.
I also have the clunk/surge/normal behavior issue. The dealer states that the computer is going through various checks, which causes the bump. The bump only occurs after starting the car, and getting to the first full stop. The stop time has to be long enough for the computer to do its full check, or it won't occur until the next lengthy stop. After it occurs, it will not happen again until the car is restarted and comes to the next full stop. It actually makes some sense regarding the system check.

#17700 of 18329 Re: 02 Envoy -- Loose Feel [lend1] by moosie1

Mar 26, 2006 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: lend1 (Mar 25, 2006 8:43 am)
I also have a 2004 Buick Rainier and mine does not bump as you say. I doubt that that behavior is normal. I have 27000 miles on mine and it has never bumped. Maybe you should check with other Rainier drivers to see if there's is doing the same. Just to let you know.

#17701 of 18329 Re: 2003 Bravada struts [nuyorkah] by deano

Mar 27, 2006 (4:01 am)

Replying to: nuyorkah (Mar 23, 2006 5:26 pm)
I wonder why they would use a totally different suspension format in the Bravada than the Trailblazer. My '02 TB EXT definitely has MacPherson struts in the front.
 
Deano

#17702 of 18329 Re: 2003 Bravada struts [deano] by tblazed

Mar 27, 2006 (7:31 am)

Replying to: deano (Mar 27, 2006 4:01 am)
My 2002 Trailblazer SWB LS has coil-over-shock front end with upper and lower control arms. The shocks run up through the center of the springs, but the shocks do not actually support the vehicle like a MacPherson strut suspension would do. You might want to double check your information source. BTW the replacement Bilstein shocks, front or rear, cost the same, and same shocks apply to all 360-370 chassis with the exception being those with the rear air suspension. That application takes a different part number for the rears only.

#17703 of 18329 Re: 2003 Bravada struts [deano] by burdawg

Mar 27, 2006 (8:08 am)

Replying to: deano (Mar 27, 2006 4:01 am)
The tripletts all have wishbone front suspension. People get confused because the shock runs in the center of the coil spring somewhat like on a strut.

#17704 of 18329 Re: 2003 Bravada struts [nuyorkah] by deano

Mar 27, 2006 (10:22 am)

Sorry if I added to the confusion. When I was looking for replacements, I looked on the Parts America/Advance Auto Parts website and they called for "Monroe MacPherson Strut: Sensa-Trac" for my TB. Then I went to the Monroe site and they called for either "SENSA-TRAC® STRUTS" or "REFLEX® STRUTS".
 
In looking at the actual repair diagram, I can now see that it's just a "shock module".
 
Deano

#17705 of 18329 Re: Envoy stalling update [carpro3] by fasteddieg

Mar 27, 2006 (9:27 pm)

Replying to: carpro3 (Mar 22, 2006 3:47 pm)
I have an '03 Trailblazer LT that we purchased brand new. The only "aftermarket" item installed is a remote start that was professionally added a few weeks ago. (Note, in between the stalling, not before so the remote start is not the cause)
 
The vehicle has seen very moderate driving on highways and is not a "daily driver" as seen by the mileage. We have 2 months left on our warranty or 1700 miles. We have had an insane amount of warranty repairs on it over the past 3 years, from rear HVAC controls replacment (2x) to rack and pinion replacement, to gas tank neck replacement (2x), to rear windshield wiper replacement, to numerous 4wd repairs (when we only engage it maybe 10 miles a year in really bad snow) among dozens of other minor repairs, and the worst problem of all has hit us in the last 2 months.
 
During the last 7 or so weeks, the vehicle has stalled at least a dozen times WHILE DRIVING. Initially, within the first year of buying the vehicle would stall a few times on startup and initially putting it into gear. Ok, not a big problem as it would only happen once or twice a month, definitely frustrating but not a safety concern. The dealer of course could not duplicate the problem after taking it in several times for the problem.
 
As for the recent stalling during driving, I didn't believe my wife at first when she told me it died when she was slowing down for a car that was turning in front of her, but when I had it happen to me while slowing down at a stop light, it hit me like a brick wall - THIS IS FREAKIN DANGEROUS! She's toting our 13 month old daughter around and we really don't feel safe anymore. This is a serious safety issue!
 
The vehicle's in the dealer as we speak and hopefully they find SOMETHING, but you can bet we will be monitoring the vehicle VERY closely these last few months while it's still in warranty.
 
It was very refreshing (and unrefreshing at the same time) to see others with the same problem. I'm deathly afraid that the dealer will come back and say they could not duplicate the problem, but we will still experience the problem.
 
From reading other posts, I've seen suggested courses of action range from calling GM Corporate, to calling the NTSB to calling a lemon law attorney.
 
I believe lemon law applies if you file before 12 months or 12,000 miles of originally purchasing the vehicle? If so, that is not an option for us.
 
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide,
-Ed

#17706 of 18329 Re: Envoy stalling update [fasteddieg] by hammen2

Mar 28, 2006 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: fasteddieg (Mar 27, 2006 9:27 pm)
There is a TSB for the O2 sensor on the '02-'03 Trailblazers and Envoys. I believe it's a connector problem and can lead to a stall. Have them check this, replacing with the upgraded part if necessary. They then need to clean the throttle body, do a crankshaft position variation relearn, and update the PCM to the latest version. If they don't believe me, have them call TAC. I had similar problems with an '04 Envoy stalling and throwing a P0130 code - bad bank 1 O2 sensor. Dealer gave me a lot of "we can't duplicate the problem" - drove around for over a month with a Kent-Moore data recorder, logging data, until the thing stalled again on my wife near the dealership. She took it in, I pushed some GM contacts, the dealer performed the maintenance above, and the truck's been working great for a week now, so I consider the problem solved...

#17707 of 18329 '03 Bravada Struts, etc. by jr222

Mar 28, 2006 (6:22 pm)

The only reason I used the word "struts" is because that's the term the tech at Firestone used. I do know what a McPherson Strut system is and the Bravada certainly doesn't have it. This guy looked experienced to me and seemed to know what he was talking about.
 
The only only major difference between the TBs/Envoys that might mean the suspension is different is the AWD system unique to the Oldsmobiles. I really don't know, but I had always assumed the Bravada had an identical shock system.
 
What I really want is a set of the Bilstein heavy duties. I've called a couple of the online dealers and none of them seem to have the Bravada in their books and can't tell me one way or the other whether the shocks for the TBs/Envoys will work. Obviously I don't want to order until I'm absolutely sure that the part nos. are going to be the same. You knowlegeable guys please help me out if you can.
 
On the brighter side, I replaced the factory Michelin Cross Terrains with a set of Goodyear Fortera Silent Armor 17" tires. I can't recall owning Goodyear tires, but give these a huge thumbs up. I had read some rave reviews and decided to go with them. They are smoother and handle the bumps better than the Michelins. Pricey, about $150 more for the set than the Michelins, but I've always tried to buy the best tires I can afford.
 
Now if I could get the right Bilsteins, I'll have a great handling truck.
 
Cheers, JR

Messages Page 1771 of 1834

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