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thanks
thanks
I have a 2002 Envoy w/ 102k miles
Thanks
Thanks
Also, any chance of modding and playing a DVD movie in the main dash unit?
One theory is the rear Goodyear tires, the fronts are standard BFG issue. Also I am getting the anoying service 4wd light that kick out 4wd until it sets a while and is restarted.
One trick I use is to hold my key in my bare hand and touch the key to a metal surface first before anything else is touched. The discharge through the key will not be felt in your hand since it is spread out over a large contact area.
I don't mind starting ... I was motivated by the fact that Motor Trend picked it as truck of the year (although I knew all along that this really didn't mean much); by the fact that it was reputed to have a "world-class" drivetrain; that it had pretty good performance for a truck; that it had rugged good looks; and last, but not least, that you could get a great deal on one. I almost bought a 4-Runner instead, but the salesman didn't get back to me when he said he would.
I loved the look of the EXT TB. The way the roof rack hides the heightened roof, is genious. Also, putting two seats in the back instead of trying to place three, makes the back row usable for adults. Besides the Toyota Sequioa, the TB was 2nd on my wifes and my lists.
When reading about how the brakes on the triplets seemed to last forever, I was convinced that the TB was the truck I wanted. My wife however needed to be convinced that the TB would be better than the Sequoia.
Well, when we had a $12,000 difference in price between the Sequioa and the TB, it was a no brainer. My wife liked the way the TB drove better, and we bought one. Our TB does not need running boards, but if we bought the Sequoia, we would have had to buy them. We got more standard features on the base model, and when I added the V-8 to our package, we can out tow almost every SUV on the market.
IMO, the first few model years of the triplets scared me. The lists of complaints and problems had me a little worried. However, I have always had good luck with GM products and GM seems to work out their issues after three or four years of production. GM dropped some standard features on the 2005 & 2006 models, so I feel I bought mine at the right time.
Besides a bad flicker signal, my TB has not had one issue. It drives as nice as the day I bought it, and I plan on having it for years to come.
Steve, Host
I had just recently experienced the gas smell in my 2002 Trailblazer EXT. Initially, the dealer had indicated that they were not able to duplicate or smell the gas. I told them no way, I can and it is very strong. After a further review the mechanic had found the cause which was a hose under the hood that had a small hole in it and the gas smell was coming from there. I can't think of the exact one but I will locate the service ticket and response back.
I liked Toyota's engineering the best but there was something about the Highlander and 4Runner that just didn't feel right. The Highlander cockpit seemed too awkward for some reason and I could not read the speedometer easily in daylight. 4Runner was too stiff. Every other SUV had some niggly thing - the Pilot had atrocious road noise on coarse pavement (worse than my Blazer). The Acura MDX came very close but was more $$.
I made the mistake of relying too much on website opinions (like auto.ConsumerGuide.com) and almost didn't test drive any of the triplets. They said they were noisier than the Pilot (huh?). Then a friend gave me a ride in his TB and I was intrigued. Five minutes in a Rainier and I was sold! Best vehicle I've owned in 40 years of driving.
Other than needing better cup holders in the front, lack of storage pockets and poor mileage, it is a really nice rig. I would have preferred manual control of the 4x4 function, and have read not so good of reports on the AWD. So, I got new takeoff wheels out of Arizona at a good price and put four studded Les Schwab Winter Cat SST tires on it. They are 245/65R17 and Michelins are 255/60R17 so the size is about the same. Drives great with the snow tires which are the Cooper Discoverer M&S rebadges. Going to try 35 lbs on air in the front in the spring when the Mich's go back on.
The Rainier is the CXL Plus with all options except the side air bags, DVD and Nav. We listen to the XM radio most of the time.
Buick service is very good. They installed the running boards as a TSB to prevent the paint chipping on the lower panels and there is now a TSB for the thump in the V8 climate control system. I signed up for a web site that provides the TSB for 12.95 per year. Good Deal!
This is a very quiet vehicle on the road. The control panel warned of possible icy roads coming home from Seattle Sunday night.
The Rainier is really my wife vehicle and she loves the sharp turning for parking at the mall etc. She also likes a bit of power, which the V8 has in spades. I get better mileage driving it than she does! So I guess she uses the power from time to time.
Head light dimmer is weird. It is push forward for hi beam and pull back for low. What happen to klicking it???? Cruise Control should have been on the steering wheel, wait, already 18 buttons on it!!!! Dual climate control is good for two people that run at different temps. It fits in the garage well with my Ram Pickup.
Any suggestions for sealing the bolt holes? And can it be re-installed when I sell the Envoy?
Thanks.
You will still have a noticeable raise in your roof with the XL. Take the rack off and see if it is objectionable to you.
I'll say also that the straight 6 engine runs like a top and is quite powerful. My truck is quick and I like that.
Passing power out the ying yang.
Another thing is that these vehicles are surprisingly nimble and have a better turning radious than many sedans. My job requires me to go downtown often and parallel parking is a cinch.
Initially there were problems with shuddering from the AWD system, but GM finally devised a fix about a year after my purchase.
I've haven't had any mechanical problems (knock on wood) aside from the shuddering issue. The negatives are typical GM fit and finish issues. Both passenger side doors are tight and some of the gaps are a little big.
Also, in the Spring of '04 my dealer applied a PCM update that vastly improved the shifting of the auto trans, especially when towing.
Indeed, I'm thinking of trading for a V8 Envoy or Rainer to get a little more towing capacity. I tow a boat that weighs together, full of gas, about 4500 lbs. My truck handles it ok on flat ground, but I wouldn't want to go long distances or up mountains with it.
I'm considering also moving up to a Yukon or maybe an Escalade. If anyone owns one, I'd be interested in how it compares in terms of handlings (and turning radious) to the Bravadas, TBs, etc.
JR
Two months ago, I finally went to Sears and bought the biggest CCA battery they had for it. I haven't had a problem since.
Maybe Delco had a bad run on batteries in '03. I also had to replace the one in my '03 s-10 last year. My brother's '03 s-10 battery crapped out in less than a year too.