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Comments
Frank
Husky - I would not be concerned with the quality of the Envoy. Although I only have approximately 1,000 miles on my XL/SLT, I love it. Because I drive over 30,000 miles/yr., I got an extended warrantee. You can bargain with the dealer on one. Tell him to work with you on it and you will buy the truck from him. If you like the truck, get one. If for some reason you get one that does have some problems, trust the dealer to take care of it. It's only a machine that can be fixed. DON'T WORRY SO MUCH!!!
giddens - What do you mean by DIC trickery?
Consumer Reports - I am a long time subscriber that enjoys the magazine. However, I don't agree with their assessment of the Envoy. Specifically, I think the handling and braking are fine. I love the truck and am glad I got one.
I'm not John, but I'll answer anyway! A number of people, myself included, have reported that the DIC avg mpg readout is about 0.5 mpg optimistic. This is compared to calculating it yourself as miles/fuel added.
I know there have been several firmware/electrical issues with the early triplets, but no wide spread major issues and mechanically they seem to be pretty sound. My 02 Envoy has basically been trouble free...except for those blasted auto adjusting mirros with a mind of their own. (Reminds me...need to call the dealer to have the actuators replaced again as the firmware didn't fix them).
Ray
When I went to the dealer for an oil change, I asked about the 'fix'. He said it involves pulling and replacing the inst panel. Have to keep truck overnight to reset the new panel????
When the glitch happens, so far all I've had to do was turn off the ignition for 10 minutes and it healed itself. I'll probably go for the real fix before the 36 months are up.
Overall, I'm happy with the truck and would buy another. Couldn't speak to the 4wd problems which seem so prevalent.
GM can't sell them for that price which is why you can get them for invoice minus another $3500. My '03 Envoy is both better and worse than my '02 Bravada. The drive train is much better on the '03 but it also has many more squeeks, rattles, and wind noise than the '02. Both have panel gaps where I can stick my fingers in to the knuckles. And don't get me started on how they cheapened up the '03's AND increased the price!
On the subject of wind noise, I think I have cured most of mine near the tops of the doors. I added some 1/8" thick self adhesive foam to the seals at the top of the doors. I could see light between the doors and the seals even though the doors were aligned properly. Also, I noticed that I could pull the window door seal away from the door frame at the outside corners of the windows. I pull the seal out, filled the gap with black RTV, and pushed the seal back in, wiping away the excess. The difference is amazing. The wind noise from that area is almost gone. A definate improvement.
Greg
Using myself as an example, I purchased a new '02 Bravada 2wd for about the price of a V6 Accord and I couldn't be happier. And I don't compare it to a Lexus RX300 (although it was roughly the same list).
Can you provide more details of where you added the 1/8" foam and where you placed the RTV sealant.
Thanks
Paul P
I put the foam on the outer rubber seal that the top of the door should contact. I cut a strip about 1/4" wide and attached it near the top of the seal facing in towards the body so it would not be seen when you open the door. The foam forces the seal to contact the door now. As the lower part of the door fit OK, GM said they actually bend the door frames in to make better contact. This is a little less severe.
I put the RTV at the top rear of the drivers door and the top front of the passengers door on the outside window seal. This is the black rubber seal that attaches to the door frame. If you roll down the window a little, you can pull the seal away from the door, squirt some RTV in there and push the seal back in place. I left the window down a little for several hours so it would cure.
Hope this helps (it did for me). I can try to borrow the camera at work and post some pictures if that would be of assitance.
P.S. As far a values go, I think GM makes a mistake pricing the vehicle where they do. The Envoy finished last in the Car and Driver test because the list price was high enough to compare to some good imports, even though we know you can get them for less. People walk into the Honda dealer and see they can get a Pilot with leather for $5-6000 less (sticker)than an Envoy, and buy every one they can. True, you can get an Envoy for that price, but you have to haggle and use incentives, etc. Remember, many shoppers look on Sunday, and sticker price is all they have to compare. Just my 2 cents.
Greg
Ray
Link: http://service.gm.com/gmtechlink/images/issues/cnt_mo/TLcme.html#- story13
Has anyone installed a paint protection film to the hood? I installed the standard kit from Invinca-Shield (www.invinca-shield.com) last weekend. Installation was a bit tricky (not for a novice), but I think it will work great to protect the paint from chips. [We had this type of film put on our other car 6 years ago and it looks fantastic.]
Now I'm looking for a recommendation for headlight protection film. Anyone with experience with any products? I did a little research and it looks like the paint protection film is 8mil thick and headlight films are 40mils. Are they so thick that it looks bad installed?
Thanks.
To all posters on this board: I think whenever we post regarding our vehicles, we should be specific on the year, model, trim line, etc. if it would be relevant to the post.
$. That along with a number of other items was dropped in the '03s.
st1100v4 - What else was dropped from '02?
Thanks for the link. I printed it and will take it to the dealer and maybe my problem will be over.
Thanks again
This list is by no means perfectly accurate as I'm just regurgitating what I've seen here.
Dropped items from 2002's for 2003's.
1. Diversity antenna. This is the radio antenna etched into the rear side windows like the rear defogger. Of all the things I like about the triplets, the diversity antenna is one feature I really liked. No burnt out motors for electric antennas, and no antenna mast to be stolen or broke off by vandals. And I like the looks of no antenna mast sticking up. For whatever reason this one really lights off my mad burners.
2. Glove Box light.
3. Driver's outside dimming mirror
4. Under hood mounted light.
5. Rubber dead pedal.
6. Map pocket on back of driver's seat.
Added items to 2003's from 2002's
1. Changes to the Vortec 4200 engine. New engine components to fix various engine related stuff and added 5 HP. Tim's got the scoop at his site.
2. DRL off button.
Also somewhat related is many features that were standard are now optional for example power mirrors on specific trim levels.
By no means is this list complete, I've probably forgot a few, and don't know about others.
Paul can you email me what you did for the complete DVD installation. I am interested in installing one and would like to know what parts and how you mounted the dvd screen/player.
Thank You
Rainerschlesiger@hotmail.com
Most of the previous posts concerning the vibration mentioned speeds between 50 and 65 mph. The GM Tech link article mentioned rpm's of 800-900 rpm. They may be referring to a different vibration problem .
Frank
A vibrating gas pedal is a vibrating gas pedal. The parameters might be different, but at least the dealer cant recommend psychological counseling to me as if I am a hypocondriac. I have a 2003 Envoy and this bulletin only mentions 2002. I don't care, at least this gives me more credibility than I had before. The dealer told me the GMC service help desk never heard of this problem. I found that hard to believe, but now with the GM web site stating its a known problem, they will have to address it if this cure doesn't work. rorodad had his drive shaft replaced as well, I may push for that to.
Frank
If I concentrate I can just barely detect something at about 55mph. But I don't want to make the mistake of assuming that that's the intensity on other vehicles.
Frank
I haven't noticed it in my '03 Envoy XL. My wife hasn't said anything about it either. All gas pedals are going to have some vibration. But I think what people are experiencing here is more severe. I think the triplets use different tires, and maybe that could be contributing to the problem. Mine has Michelin tires. What kind of tires do you guys with the vibrations have?
I wonder if I need to make a big stink at the dealer about this? I guess it is no big deal since I was not aware I was missing it.
JAW
Even though my right foot stays warm on the gas pedal, it still feels the vibration. Maybe if it was cold and numb like the left foot I may not feel the vibration in the gas pedal. I notice the vibration about 50% of the time and now it happens at any speed. Before it was just 50mph and up. I don't have the Michelin tires.
I think the Line of Fire LED light looks pretty cool on the back of a truck. Not sure how it would install on a Triplet. I did not see any response when asked if anyone had it on their Envoy/TB. I hope someone will post a review if they use it.
http://www.jpcustoms.com/Productpages/Line-of-Fire.html
Mrau,
The LOF light bar would install under the liftgate on the rear bumper, so it's just visible in the opening.
I dropped a note to the folks at JPCustoms and they were clueless... merely responding with a one line reply that read: "Some of our customers have been selling our 49" bar to Trailblazer, Envoy and Bravada" Sheesh... Just because they were selling them didn't mean they fit, and they provided no help.
So I wrote to another vendor, Premier Motoring Accessories who show that the LOF can be installed on 2000-2003 "NEW BODY STYLE" SUBURBAN, TAHOE, YUKON, YUKON XL, YUKON DENALI, YUKON DENALI XL & CADILLAC ESCALADE as well as the 49" version for TB/Envoy/Bravada, (per their site) but in looking at the write-up, it's necessary to use bolts to anchor and "bend" the light bar slightly to conform with the slight curvature of the rear bumper and liftgate. For details, go to the following URL... I assume the 49" model could be made to fit our SUVs as stated. Heads up tho... JPcustoms price was $10 cheaper than PMA. Price you pay for a knowledgable sales staff I guess. If anyone gets one and installs it, please post pics.
http://www.premiermotoring.net/cgi-bin/2/webc.cgi/suv_line_of_fir- - - - - e.html?sid=2cGKfU0lN0KiERg-10103260561.8a
Background: I initially experienced the OSRV mirror problem with my truck about 4 months into ownership. The service department fixed the problem as per TSB 020864008. About 3 months later, the problem reappeared. Again, the service department fixed the problem as per TSB 020864008. About 1 month later, the problem reoccurred for the 3rd time. A few weeks ago, I took the truck in for service and they installed a new software update to address this concern. I know the service department did something, as upon pickup, I found some of my memory presets off (saved mirror position, clock, etc.). I took a few minutes to reset the clock and set my OSRV mirrors. I then saved the settings by holding down #1 memory button and waited for the two beeps.
As I backed the vehicle into the driveway (when I got home), I was startled to find the mirrors pointing down. I quickly realized that curbside assistance was on. I guess that as part of the software upgrade, it automatically enabled this feature. When I moved the gear selector out of reverse, the mirrors moved back into position, sort of. The passenger mirror moved back into the exact saved position, whereas the drivers mirror moved into the right horizontal position, but the vertical position was slightly facing down by about 10-15 degrees (estimating). I’m not sure whether this is the way its suppose to work or not, so I need your help. Please perform the following steps if your vehicle has memory:
1. Enable curbside assistance via the DIC.
2. Place the vehicle into reverse and allow enough time for the mirrors to move into position.
3. Move the gear selector out of reverse. Note whether both OSRV mirrors moved back into the exact saved position.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until you’re confident with your results.
5. Disable curbside assistance via the DIC if that’s your preference.
Please post your results to this board. Include make, model and year and any service history related to the OSRV mirror-wandering problem.
Thanks Tony
Frank
I am shocked frankly at such horrible quality control. A 35 thousand dollar vehicle with a bad starter, how pathetic.
My 2003 Envoy makes a blood curdling screech when started on 0 degree mornings for 10 seconds. The dealer logged it in case of reprocussions out of warranty. I wonder if these problems are related? The only reason I haven't mentioned it here is so I don't sound like a whiner. The wife has a 2001 Toyota Camry which is back and forth to the dealer every other month, for an oil change that is. None of this mickey mouse stuff like bad starters, vibrating gas pedals, lazy mirrors, etc... But back to ficuss's problem, Im speechless!
That's a serious problem. I hope you took it in immediately.
I can't engage my starter once it's already started, which is a good thing. I've tried it, by mistake, a couple of times. I think it's a great feature.
My solution would be two fold if protection is what your aiming for. First I would consider a product like what Tim has on his Trailblazer called stone gard. You can read more about it at Tim's site. The other protection I would consider is a bug deflector. Oddly enough they seem to protect against rocks better than they do against bugs. GM makes a bug deflector as well as many aftermarket vendors. You can even get a color matching bug deflector from Vent Shade.
Unfortunately I'm unable to understand your reference to the door locks. Could you please clarify.
In fact disconnecting the battery for no good reason can be a bad thing on the triplets, as I seem to remember reading somewhere that doing so can lock up a theft lock factory radio and you would have to pay a dealership to reactivate it.
I have it just about everywhere. Takes a beating and still looks awesome.
tim