Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Ryan
I've been reading reviews on XM and it's competition. System seems to work well as long as your not around buildings or near any metal stuctures. You know,...kindof like your cell phone. So instead of 'Can you hear me now?' it's a "I can't hear it now' scenario. I don't seem to have ever had that happen with a CD. All else aside, with XM you are still listening to what someone else has decided to program and have to put up with the "wart" on the roof.
I just got off the phone with the dealer purchasing agent and she stated that I could not order the Bose 6CD changer system without getting the XM as well. I've been an engineer for nearly 25 years and even test driven prototypes for GM in the 80's and I've never heard something as ludicrous as this. I'm sure that the folks that have it give it many cudos at least during their initial free period. Will be interesting to see how many of those same customers keep the subscription after this time.
Cathy,
Best answer I can give in response to your problems with the dealers is to keep trying. Try contacting dealers via the internet and especially the internet salesperson. Many of the sales persons here are straight salary and have little interest in getting back to you on 'finding' a vehicle. They are interested in selling what's on the lot,.. clearing inventory. I've often gone with recommendations from other business owners and professionals. Ask them who they've used and if they were happy. Also, learn as much as you can about the dealership and the shop usually attached. During my research, I found that the dealership that I had planned on going to for my purchase had several lawsuits, specifically Deceptive Trade Practices, pending against them. As a test and after setting a firm date and appointment time with the service manager, I took my suburban in for what amounted to nothing more than reseting my computer. A five minute exercise that could have been performed by any one armed monkey. I waited seventy five minutes only to have them come back to tell me that they didn't have the right tools. Last time I've been back. Good example of why I should have listened to the advise of others.
Good luck in your searching. I still think I will be able to beat my best time by at least fifteen minutes.
gb
As for the xm radio, I love it. Best $10.00 a month I spend. Only minor problems with reception, same kind of problems as fm and am have.
Now to deal with the buildings and metal structures, XM has land based repeaters that are designed to eliminate dead zones in large building areas like New York. These are repeaters that broadcast on a different type of carrier wave that is not as affected by large building or steel structures.
I did call two other dealers who were listed in BJ's Auto Club. At one dealership I spoke to a mgr. who was very nice but he wanted to sell me a 2002 LT 4WD for $1995 more that what the other dealer wanted for a 2003 ($37K). When I pointed this out to him, he explained to me that he has to get at least his invoice price plus $700. It was the same story with the second dealer I called.
I am going to go back to the first dealer to see if he will fax all the paper work prior to going in and signing. I want to be sure he has no plans to change the price.
I do not know how Greg obtained the information about one dealer who had complaints filed against him. I called our AG office and they could give me the number of complaints filed each yr. since 1999 but not a breakout of what type of complaint was filed.
Again, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
Greg, let us know when you shave those 15 min.
Cathy
John, I did see the new smaller antennas. Much better. But I've also talked to several that have the radio and they aren't very happy with the reception. Maybe it's just Houston.
Cathy, seems you may still be getting taken for a ride. Concerning the dealer info.; research them through the local BBB and online under your county and state dot gov sites. good luck.
I'm not sure where mine will be built--it looks like there are three plants that produce the Suburban--Wisconsin, Texas, and Mexico. The dealer said I could get mine within 4 weeks, but in looking at other sites the usual lead time is 6 - 8 weeks.
Did not know about the shutdown at the Mexico plant. gblake1 do you know why they are shutting down? If my truck is to be produced in Mexico, it probably will delay my delivery date. I too want to take advantage of the $2000 rebate. Hopefully GM will renew after Jan 2. With what I have been reading in Automotive news I would predict that they will. I am going to keep in touch with my dealer though and if it looks like I won't take delivery by Jan 2 will see what we can do about it if the rebates aren't renewed.
BTW, sticker price on my 2500 is approx $50,800--has almost all of the options except for quadrasteer--nice idea but EXPENSIVE, dual buckets second row seats. I wanted the rear entertainment center in lieu of the sun roof.
My 01 Suburban has been great--in a way I hate parting with it, but this new one should be even nicer. Has approx 26400 miles and has not given me any trouble. Anybody have a lead as to who might want to buy it in the Washington DC area? Otherwise may try selling it on my own or take it to Carmax.
Steve K.
Steve, Host
First I must say that I spent hours searching for the best deal and I paid about $39,400 - $2K rebate. I think XM radio is the best when driving around and have never had a problem. I have it in all my vechiles!
Now to my problem... When I turn the steering wheel quickly, I hear a short noise. I can't seem to pin it down of what it is. Almost sounds like some sort of powering steering noise. It happens on an irregular basis. Any reports of such noise?
I'm going to bring it in, but you know what will happen... they won't find it!
Thanks
I did a flip down panasonic in my 01 burb.
I don't believe that the headrest should be any harder to install, just a little more money. I paid 900.00 and the headrests were 1300.00.
Lee
On a recent towing trip I experienced hard shifts into 4th gear while towing (tow haul was on). Transmission temperature was normal. The hard shifting went on for about 100 miles and then went away.
I noticed transmissin fluid on the tongue and front of the trailer that evening. I took it to the dealer immediately. There was transmission fluid dripping from the transmission casing. They found no problem and no leak. Could offer no explanation for the fluid or the hard shift.
Now, I am getting hard shifts into 4th gear intermittently, even when not towing. Otherwise the truck runs perfectly and shifts flawlessly. Have experienced no further leaks.
Has anyone had experience with this problem??
Thanks.
Installing it is also a problem because I don't have 10 hrs to work on it.
One quick solution is: http://www.atctechnologycorp.com/vidego_why1.html
but when you have a 1 year old and 2 1/2 year old and kicking the seat this is a problem.
I find the biggest problem in my 03 Suburban is that the 2nd row bench seems to be too close to the front seats. I dunno why they don't make them so you can move the bench back.
Steve, did find out that we can get the smaller of the two antennas available for the XM. Jury is still out on whether or not we keep the subscription.
Lobbiest, I am surprised to hear about the price. At looking at the dealers info. and it looks like I will be right at 40K and change for the 4WD version and about $1800 less for the 2WD. This is with all the bells and whistles minus the sunroof. I also have an additional $1500 off for the GM card. Probably opt for the 2WD version. One dealer even offered to give $100 per tire/wheel if I wanted something other than the Firestone AT's and stock wheels. It appears they are trying to charge me for the Advertisement adjustment ($695) but think that I can get that one thrown out. We should make a decision today and I'll let you know. Don't think the vehicle will be here by the end of the promotion. Talking to their cust. svc. and marketing centers is not much help, but maybe they'll extend it.
Does anyone know of third party financing co's that meet or offer competitive rates??
Kitchens: No way I can verify the Mexico plant shutdown, just what I was told. Makes sense though. According to several purchasing managers, once an order goes into the system, the dealership doesn't have much control on where it's mfg'd. Once again, GM C.Svc. wasn't much help. I use to have an email of a good engineer in Michigan that could answer or find the answer to just about any question, but think it's on an old computer. Makes sense that GM should offer the incentives to existing vehicles on dealer lots AND to those that order by a specific date. Anyone agree?
G. Blake
P.S. I had a dealer tell me that if I ordered it from him, he will not only beat my 45 minute record but would go one step further. Said that I wouldn't have to come in at all, do everything by fax and/or fedx, and even deliver the vehicle to my home, which is about 1 hr away. Not bad and sounds almost too good to be true. Anyone tried this before?
GB
What options did you get? Just wondering because on the 2500 autoride makes a BIG difference in ride. Was also wondering if you ordered 4 wheel steering. I have driven the Sierra Denali and love the turning radius. Just thought that since you have a trailer it might have been an option that would interest you. If your truck has not been preferenced you can still alter the order if you wanted either. I think autoride is still forced if you wanted the 8.1L engine.
I did order autoride on my 2500--I have it on my 1500 and I too think it makes a big difference in the ride. As a matter of fact, I think if you order the LT package and/or 8.1 V8, the autoride is required. My 2500 is going to be the grey metallic--I originally wanted the redfire metallic, BUT you can't get that color in the 2500 unless you order quadrasteer. I did not order the quadrasteer mainly because of the price ($4,400!!) and my fear in something going wrong with it. I ordered the 8.1 Vortec, trailer tow package, limited slip differential, rear entertainment center, XM Radio, cargo package (kind of a rip-off because my 01 came with this stuff STANDARD), side air bags (again my 01 had this standard) the steering wheel radio, info center controls, and the telescoping side mirrors. Of course with the LT it comes with leather, CD changer etc.
I am not in a big hurry for the truck, but do want to take advantage of the 2K rebate. AGain if it looks like it will not be coming in before Jan 2, I will contact dealer to see what we can work out--that is assuming that GM does not extend the rebates, which is always a possiblity.
gblake: I currently have my 01 listed with carsdirect.com, but will also try autotrader.com. Thanks for the lead about that.
Also didn't I read somewhere in this forum, that once you got your VIN, there was somewhere on the internet (gm site?) you could go to track the progress of when your truck was going to be built, and track its progress once its shipped?
Thanks everyone!
As for financing, talk to your auto insurance agent about financing. Many times they will beat the dealer by a good margin.
Jon
Thanks!
--GottaGetaBurb
The other options that used to be standard are GM's way of cost cutting, they also dropped the base price on the truck from last year because of the deletion of options. After you put them back you are right around the old base price for the LT trim level.
The Expedition (02 or newer only) would be an excellent choice if slightly less room is desired. Becuase of independent rear suspension, it is very roomy for its size.
The Durango is very outdated and I would not recommend it.
I recommend 4 wheel drive for pulling a boat trailer (I have had a few bad ramp expperiences without it). It does, however increase complexity and reduce gas mileage somewhat.
I've searched back through the archives on this board and found periodic discussions about it, but nothing definitive that I thought I could take to a dealer to refure his claim of it being a charge from the factory.
Thanks all,
--Gottagetaburb
steve_ "Toyota Highlander" Jan 23, 2002 10:31am
Steve, Host
Regards, ED
Calgary, AB
Canada
Reply to: edmundo.d@netzero.net
For the guy looking for info on Advertising fees look at it this way if you are paying MSRP and it is on the Window Sticker its probably legit. If you are paying X over invoice and its on the invoice its probably legit. And you are agreeing to pay X over Invoice. If it is not listed I wouldn't pay it.
Besides, you wouldn't want to try the safety features of you new rig, away.
On a recent trip of 2300 miles at 70 to 75 I got 17.5 mpg.
2001 Sub 4x4 5.3L 4:10
I do have an 01, but I have never seen an automatic climate control function differently. If yours doesn't work that way, you have a problem.
Anyone saying that you should pay them is a car salesman or dealer.
Safe Driving,
Cathy