The long and short of it is.....my wife isn't thrilled with the RoadMonster in the snow and I'd like to tow with something alittle newer and more reliable ? than my 150K-mile RoadMonster Sooo.....knowing the dealership would be slow today (really bad weather) I went in .... been eyeing the Trailblazer / Envoy / Ranier since they came out....liked the 129"+ wheelbase extended version even better.......and equip it with the 5.3 V8 and Im liking it even better :Brow: Soo....after drooling all over the Fully equipped new '04 model in the showroom I ask the nice sales lady If they have any '03s left that are the same (I'd already spied their dealership as having one on the internet :TU: She said prolly not an XL ....with a V8 - I said "Why dont you check o No: She's flipping through the pages and says "Wow !! we do have one..." I sad, is it Carbon Metalic with leather heated memory seats, running boards, 2nd row DVD, Bose Stereo...etc.etc. and she was amazed :grin: I said its amazing what you can find out on the Internet :Comp: Anyways.....Its a Totally Maxxed out truck/SUV with just about every option available (Incl. towing pkg) and I can really steal it for just over $10,000 Under MSRP - trade in the wife's RaodMonster AND Subaru still lying around and we're down to some really manageable figures .....But before I sign my left chestnut away I thought I'd run it past my Buick Bretheren....and Sistah's Not looking for a SUV Rant here.....just anyone who has one....knows someone... etc. Or someone with any other GM Truck / SUV with the 5.3 V8. I know there were early issues with piston slap but from what I've read thats been fixed ? o No: Any Dealer Service guys wanna comment too ?? Thanks all..... In very excited as this will be the closest thing to anew car I've ever owned.....by at least 9 years and I dont want it to be a mistake
Based on all that, it looks like the monthly payments won't be too horrible!!:TU: Personally, I like the size of the Yukon XL!! Not too big..not too small.:bglasses: As goldilocks said..."this one's just right"!!:grin:
Alan, one of my co-workers, and one of my bosses each own an 03 Envoy, but not the XL. They really like them, but have had some minor issues, that the dealer has taken care of. Not V8 vehicles, I don't believe. Paint quality was an issue for one of them. A couple rattles developed that they tracked down and took care of. That's about all I know.
Hey Alan what dealership did you go to? If you want to check out some GMC or Buick SUVS, you should come to South Hampton Buick Pontiac GMC. I know its a far cry from where you live but I work there. You seemed like a really nice guy when I met you at the BCA show over the summer. But we have a nice selection of Envoys and Rainiers.
bah.. i'd go with the Rainer... its the only one of the "trailblazer" lineup you can get with a 5.3L vortec.. i'd go with the rainer.. i've been in both the envoy and the rainier and i liked the rainer more.. i'd definately check them out first.. i'm a buick guy, i own 2 buicks now and i just turned 21.. and if i buy another... you guessed it.. it's gonna be a buick... so excuse me if i'm biased granted the Rainer is smaller than the Envoy XL...
Allan: I just bought my wife a new 03' at Christmas. It is the extended V8 version. So far i've been on one long trip through the mountains with it and it performed admirably. The reason I insist on the extended V8 is the towing capacity. It has enough to trailer the GS behind. I don't plan on trailering it too far but our nearest track is 180 miles away over some rolling hills. When I come to play with you boys in Norwalk and Bowling green I have the motorhome. The Extended version also has better ride and handleing characteristics than the short one. I am really impressed so far with it and being as I drive for a living I'm hard to impress. I"m not the kind that likes something just because I own one ( woops, I mean my wife). I managed to get 21MPG through the mountains on the way to the coast but drove considerably faster on the way back and got about 19mpg. I was leaning toward the Rainier myself but there were not alot to choose from and the dealer told me that the 4wheel drive system was not the same as the Envoy and it wasn't as good on gas. Any other questions feel free to ask.TOM
Hey Alan, I think its a good deal. I work at a GMC dealership, and dont see alot of issues that should scare you off from the Envoy with a v-8. To me (my opinion) the 4200 just seems sluggish, but it might be a towing machine. 5.3 just feels like it has alot more ump to me. I have a 5.3 in a 99 Z71, and so far, no engine issues. (no water pumps, no nada)I had the piston slap concern you mention (carbon buildup) but ran some top engine cleaner through it (3 years ago) and it hasnt come back. I have found that the harder you drive them, the less likely it is that concern will arrise( keep that piston top clean) As far as buying a Rainier, I think its all cosmetic, frame, drivetrain look to be the same. Just whether you want to pay the 3-5 grand more for a Buick version of the Envoy....... Hope this helps:bglasses:
If you are going to pull a trailer, then go with the Envoy XL with th 5.3, the Rainer only comes in the shorter version and one thing I hate to see the most is short wheelbased vehicles towing something longer than the tow vehicle. I've seen too many jackknives on my 500 mile a week drive to work for almost 13 yrs, where the tow vehicle was shorter or lighter than what it was towing! Just a thought, the GM in the Driveway or 24 hour test drive is still available, where you can take one home an try it, I'm not sure pulling trailer is included though, and it's not, I just checked it out! But here's the info The short wheelbased versions are all made in Moraine, OH, and the XL's are built in Oklahoma City, OK if anyone wants to know. Isuzu also has a version of the Ascender XL built in OKC and next up is a Saab version made in OH! Why we need all these different nameplates on the same vehicles is beyond me, hopefully the marketing people know more than I do, and what's the general public to think, confusion, I'm sure!o No: o No: RV
My father has an '02, and has had no issues whatsoever. He got the six-cylinder standard wheelbase though. The 5.3 is a derivative of the Vette engine, it's a pretty good motor but in order to keep these engines running their best you have to drive 'em like you stole 'em. The harder I drove my Vette the better in ran:grin:
my dad has an '00 chevy p/u with the 5.3 70,000 miles no probs. yet. my "woman" has an '01 yukon with 5.3 57,000 miles no prob. so far. what is the diference in the envoy and the ranier 4x4 system? is the ranier awd like the olds bravada was? i've heard a lot of people with bravadas had trans/xfer case problems
GM in the Driveway discounts! Interested in buying or leasing a new GM vehicle at a great price? I can help! The UAW and GM have teamed up to offer employees an exciting certificate program called GM in the Driveway. The certificate entitles you to purchase or lease an eligible new GM vehicle at the GM Supplier Discount Price. All you need is my signature and your name on the certificate, which you then take to a GM Dealer. It's that simple! This certificate offer can also be combined with most current GM consumer incentive programs. GM in the Driveway program details, current vehicle incentives, pricing examples and restrictions are available at www.gminthedriveway.com. To find out more about the great lineup of GM vehicles, visit www.gmbuypower.com, where you can search dealer inventory, compare vehicles and even send a message directly to a dealer. Also, be sure to take advantage of the GM 24 Hour Test Drive, which allows you to test-drive the GM vehicle of your choice and then sleep on your decision. For participating dealers, available vehicles and program restrictions, go to www.gm24hourtestdrive.com. Make sure you contact me soon to take advantage of this great offer and to obtain a GM in the Driveway certificate. The GM in the Driveway offer is only good through March 31, 2004.
Thanks Everyone......Was at the Dealership Last night ready to sign on the dotted line.....then Mr. Mgr. showed his colors giving me a RIDICULOUS price on my wifes' RM Wagon..... .....and the Truck didn't start when we went to test it out ou: Dead Battery......or Alien's telling me a secret message ?? Appreciate everyone's advice and sharing info - What a great place we have here Berta - a Big Ole Slushy Thanks for the offer - I'm sure glad you chimed in. May not work on this vehicle as they're below invoice as is......but with this I can now look at '04s at a similar price point (at a different dealership - I dont think I'd be welcomed there again after what I Implied the Mgr. could do to earn my Business) :beer THANKS !!!!!
:ssst:: Alan...........SOUTHAMPTON BUICK PONTIAC GMC :ssst:: :laugh: Who said that ::looks around:: o No:
