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Buick Rainier, Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy

18160 messages,  Last post on Aug 21, 2008 at 1:25 PM

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

#18088 of 18160 2003 GMC Envoy XL V8 - 50,000 Mile Report by glubash Sep 29, 2007 (11:52 am)
2003 GMC Envoy XL V8 - 50,000 mile report   General Likes: 1. Seat heaters work very well 2. Decent towing performance 3. Nice ride on the highway 4. Air suspension works well 5. Oil Life % readout 6. Third row seats good for short trips   General Gripes: 1. Bose Radio - Volume control "steps" are too big. Not enough resolution in the volume control. 2. Need more cup holders up front 3. Bose Radio - 6 disc changer is okay, would like the option to repeat a single disc or random a single disc 4. Bose Radio - Auto volume control - over compensates for ambient noise, would like high/medium/low setting 5. DVD player - Cannot pipe audio through the sound system, have resorted to a battery powered computer speaker (headsets not small child friendly) 6. DVD player - Does not play DVD-R's 7. Auto-wipers do not work very well in heavy rain or snow, ok in light rain 8. Changing the air filter takes about 1 hour 9. No aux input on the stereo   Warranty Work: 1. Air Leaks - driver door, passenger door, and both rear windows 2. Rear license plate well seal (replaced gasket) 3. Rear spoiler - detached itself 4. Failed ignition relay - stranded 6 hours from home 5. Rear Wiper arm replacement (replaced 4 times) 6. Rear drivers side door handle 7. Driver Memory Seat Buttons broken - Driver 1/2 (Replaced) 8. Loose shifter knob 9. Squeal at 1000 RPM - Demonstrated and acknowledged by dealer, unable to fix 10. Suspension Noise from bumpy road (replaced sway bar end links front and back) 11. Rear drivers side door panel (interior plastic molding fell off) 12. Replaced serpentine belt 13. Replaced both backup lights (seal failed - lights were full of water) 14. LH Rear door panel pulling apart (replaced) 15. 4WD service light on, 4WD did not work (replaced module, updated software) 16. Rear visor on top of rear window peeled off (replaced) 17. Right Rear backup light inoperative (replaced socket) 18. Rust in rear gate area (repainted hinges) 19. LH Rear door trim loose (reglued trim) 20. LH Rear door hard to open (re-aligned & lubed) 21. Rear air deflector loose (replaced) 22. LH Rear door panel problem (replaced)   Post-Warranty Work: 1. Fuel Pressure Regulator failure - difficult to start, ran poorly (38,600 miles, $295) 2. Blower Control Module - blower would not shut off even though engine was off and key out of ignition, drained battery overnight (43000 miles, $325). 3. Front Air Conditioner (needs service - currently only working intermittently) 4. Sounds like it might need a brake job soon.   Recall Work: 1. Replaced tail lamp circuit boards 2. Rear side door closure   Summary: The Envoy is a nice looking vehicle with some decent features but based on my experience is poorly made and assembled with substandard parts. It appears that some maintenance-friendly features were designed in (easy to change the oil), but others were completely forgotten about (must remove metric and english bolts from the same cross-bar when changing the air filter).   The engine has been good so far but there have been three instances where I have been stranded or nearly stranded due to component failures. I have driven GM vehicles all of my life and this one by far has had the most issues. It is obvious to me that "GMC Professional Grade" is no more than a marketing slogan. This is the last GM vehicle that I ever plan to purchase (and I have family that works for GM!).   Glubash
#18089 of 18160 Re: Envoy Air Suspension [d2000one1] by gdavi4 Oct 02, 2007 (4:13 pm)
Replying to: d2000one1 (Feb 16, 2002 8:13 am) D,   Did you ever get the problem fixed regarding the air suspension problem you were having and how much did it cost (if you don't mind me asking)? I have a 2002 Envoy SLT and I've noticed over the past couple of weeks that the rear suspension becomes deflated after the truck sits for over 24 hrs.
#18090 of 18160 Envoy vs. Safari van ???? by spike99 Oct 02, 2007 (6:58 pm)
.   Our 2001 AWD Safari van is getting near its "end of ownership" time period. Within the next year (or so), we'll be selling this beast and replacing her with something that is simular (or close to it). Time to move to better technology and something different - that can still tow under 3,500 lbs (loaded utility trailer with full electric brakes) and still have 3 rows of seats.   I read the above post "18089 2003 GMC Envoy XL V8 - 50,000 Mile Report by glubash Sep 29, 2007 (11:52 am)" and found it very informative. Thank you for taking the time to post it. Well worth reading - especially being in bullet form.   Due to my small weight towing and 3 rows of seats needs, my wife is targetting the Envoy XL I6 version. And, we'll go with the 2WD version - instead of our current "gas hog" AWD version. Having AWD/4WD in my area isn't worth it - for me.   With all this in mind, just wondering how many folks have gone from a Safari/Astro van to an Envoy XL I6 engine replacement? Pros / Cons, would you do it again? ETC. ETC.   BTW: I do plan to read the many Envoy XL I6 reviews on this forum. If you've gone from Safari/Astro to Envoy XL I6 replacement, just wondering about your "transition / comparison" feedback. This type of feedback isn't usually found in individual User Review feedback.    Many thanks.   . Replies to this message: wlbrown9 (Oct 04, 2007 10:20 am) spike99 (Oct 04, 2007 7:51 pm) wlbrown9 (Oct 05, 2007 10:08 am) glubash (Oct 31, 2007 11:18 am) spike99 (Nov 19, 2007 11:20 pm) wlbrown9 (Nov 20, 2007 11:52 am)
#18091 of 18160 Re: Envoy vs. Safari van ???? [spike99] by wlbrown9 Oct 04, 2007 (10:20 am)
Replying to: spike99 (Oct 02, 2007 6:58 pm) Envoy XL last year was 2006 IIRC. The still have the 5 passenger, but the 7 passenger has been replaced by the Acadia/Outlook/Enclave crossovers. So, unless you are looking for a used one, you will need to look at something else. We do have a 2004 Envoy XL and really like it. It will handle 6 adults confortably...2 in each row... You could put 3 in the second row for a short trip, but I would not think that would be comfortable for a long trip...   RWD I6 gets maybe 18 mpg around town in mixed driving. Hwy cruising tops out at 21-22 in the 70-75 mph range. Replies to this message: spike99 (Oct 04, 2007 7:51 pm) wlbrown9 (Oct 05, 2007 10:08 am)
#18092 of 18160 Re: Envoy vs. Safari van ???? [wlbrown9] by spike99 Oct 04, 2007 (7:51 pm)
Replying to: wlbrown9 (Oct 04, 2007 10:20 am) .   Thanks for your feedback. Yes. We are looking at 3 year old used vehicles. We bought "new" many years ago and soon after, we discovered it was a lemon. Besides that, we lost tons of dollars on its initial deprecision fall. By doing research and looking for "patterns" (both good and bad) in this forum, we'll be able to determine if a 3 year old vehcile (like the Envoy XL with I6 engine) is a good replacement - for our current 2001 van. Thanks for feedback on your 2004 Envoy XL model. Sounds like a 2004/2005 is worth focusing on. thanks.   . Replies to this message: wlbrown9 (Oct 05, 2007 10:08 am)
#18093 of 18160 Re: Envoy vs. Safari van ???? [spike99] by wlbrown9 Oct 05, 2007 (10:08 am)
Replying to: spike99 (Oct 04, 2007 7:51 pm) Another one to keep an eye out for...Isuzu Ascender is pretty much the same as the Envoy... they had 7 passenger versions as well. My understanding in the Ascender was more like the Envoy that the sister Trailblazer. I'm an Isuzu fan owning a '00 Trooper, the Envoy is the wife's daily driver. One difference IIRC was the Limited Ascender had only the V8 engine, can't remember if the Ascender LS had the I6 or not...one thing to look at if you find one of those at a real interesting price point. I'm pretty sure the Isuzu depreciation was even larger than the GMC .
#18094 of 18160 Re: hitch carring capacity [paracanary] by bhille1 Oct 06, 2007 (7:48 am)
Replying to: paracanary (Mar 21, 2001 5:30 pm) The hitch can carry 400# weight. The hitch is capable of 750# with a weight distribution hitch. This does not apply to your situation. The motorcycle will be dead weight. IE use the 400# capacity as your guide
#18095 of 18160 Exhaust manifold cracked by jdavis12 Oct 09, 2007 (8:54 am)
I have had absolutely every warranty problem posted on this site with my '02 Bravada....a lucky guy, right? Well, with just over 61k miles I took it in to the dealer for exhaust noise thinking the manifold gasket had failed (typical for this engine) only to find out that the manifold is cracked! I baby this vehicle and there is no logical explanation from the dealer as to why it would crack. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
#18096 of 18160 How do I keep from getting emails? by bobed2121 Oct 09, 2007 (9:28 am)
Just a quick question. I get emails telling me when someone has posted here but I don't want to get them. I searched for a setting to not get email but can't seem to find it. Replies to this message: tidester (Oct 09, 2007 11:24 am)
#18097 of 18160 Re: How do I keep from getting emails? [bobed2121] by tidester HOST Oct 09, 2007 (11:24 am)
Replying to: bobed2121 (Oct 09, 2007 9:28 am) Click the "Change Tracking" link at the bottom of this page. You can unsubscribe then resubscribe making sure not to click the "send email alerts" option.   tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper

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