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Comments
Maybe the new 2006 (on sale in Feb??) Tahoe will overlap too much with it?
The TB is definitely smaller feeling than a Tahoe. We have a 03 Tahoe LS (with third row) and my sister-in-law has a TB. Neighbor has a TB EXT. My wife drives our Tahoe most of the time.
We prefered the Tahoe ove a TB EXT because:
#1 3 child seats fit in second row, but don't in a TB
#2 Tighter turning radius. My wife felt she could park a Tahoe easier. A short TB would be easier yet.
#3 MPG. We get 19 highway and 17 highway with camper and full load. Sis-in-law gets 20 highway but 14 towing a camper with TB.
#4 Overall room. Our family of 5 just fits better.
#5 Tahoe fit/finish just seemed better inside and out.
#1 The price. The Tahoe is $6,000 to $7,000 more than the TB. Standard features are almost identical.
#2 I actually like the fit/finish of the TB better than the Tahoe. The Tahoe looks to boxy for my tastes.
#3 MPG. I have the 5.3L V-8 in my TB. I get the same mileage 19 on the highway, but have more horsepower and torque.
#4 Length. The TB is longer and has more cubic feet than the Tahoe.
#5 Tires. I got 17" instead of 16" tires on my TB. I also have, IMO, a better braking system.
#6 3rd row. I prefer my third row over the Tahoes. It has more leg room and the seats are better. The Tahoe seats 9, but the third row is for kids.
I love my TB extended and am sad to see it go. The Tahoe sells, but looks to much like the Suburban. The TB is different and feels more car like than the Tahoe. I look forward to the redesign, but am saddened that they are not continuing the 7 seater. I was actually thinking of buying another after paying this one off.
The other shoe is the birth of GM's new crossovers. The Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave will likely be shown at the North American International Auto Show. These vehicles are car-based but about the size of the current Triplets. It's expected that many SUV shoppers will look to migrate to the crossovers. To that end, GM has delayed the 2007 revamp to the current midsize SUVs.
Given the death of the Envoy XUV, the impending death of Isuzu (or at least their sales in NA), and the slow sales of the EXT/XL, it doesn't make sense to keep the OKC plant open any longer...
--Robert
She was looking at an Equinox or a VUE, but the deal on the Envoy was much better, and it's much more vehicle. Of course, reliability has not been great - it's been in twice for CEL (once towed due to flashing CEL - cracked spark plug from the factory - I had complained to the delivering dealer about a shudder at idle, and he told me, without seeing the car, that "they all do that") and once for Service 4WD. It had a problem with a shudder going uphill at 70+ mph - upgrading the software on the PCM and TCM seemed to fix the problem.
I had the fan clutch replaced at a different dealer after the first dealer refused to do it (I should also note, this first dealer is where I bought my GTO from, and it had to be buyback/exchanged due to a number of problems, some caused by the dealer's service department). There's still an intermittent ticking from the HVAC, the tranny shifts really hard in temps less than 20 degrees, and the car can refuse to move if in A4WD on a dry stretch of pavement (yep, delivering dealer says this is normal - no, my wife doesn't drive in A4WD when it's dry out, just if you're driving over a dry patch, i.e. back out of a parking spot onto a clear spot, then put it in drive = no go).
Needless to say, sometime in the next month I'm springing for a 4 year, 60k GM Major Guard warranty from http://www.gmoutlet.com - about $1300. I don't have much confidence that the vehicle will be solid, but, even though we're not upside down on the vehicle, I'd prefer to drive it for at least another couple of years before getting rid of it. The GTO buyback/exchange experience, and the problems with the Envoy, means I most likely have purchased my last GM vehicles... sad, too, since my mother-in-law is a GM retiree and her continued benefits are dependent on how GM is doing...
--Robert
P.S. My sister bought an '03 TrailBlazer... so far she's had the power steering pump replaced (noisy in cold weather), the taillamp recall, the back tailgate glass refusing to open, and recently her entire driver's side rear door came completely apart - her dealer accused her of the vehicle being in an accident - and the plastic cut the rubber door seal). Not too impressive in only 20k miles (she doesn't drive it in the summer)...
1. Front end rattle turned out to be coming from hood. Dealership adjusted mounts, and no problems since
2. Steering shaft replaced under warranty. Not sure what this would have cost.
3. Bad Oxygen Sensor at 40,000 miles. Replaced for $140, not covered under warranty
4. Battery Acid Leak from Delco battery. Replaced for free by dealership since it is a known problem with these problems. No big deal besides having to jump the battery and drive cautiously to dealerhship since faulty battery was causing havoc on the electronic transmission
5. Most recently at 80,000 miles, had a rear pinion seal leak, it was very small and it was leaking, but blow back could be seen on the differential. Rear end was not whinning, but I went ahead and had it fixed since a new rear-end can cost a couple thousand if allowed to go. Dealership replaced seal, and installed BG synthetic for around $225.
At 85,000 mi I still have original brakes. Tranmission fluid has been serviced once at 60,000 miles. (I did the drain rather than the flush)
So, 3 years and and 85,000 miles, I am out $365 excluding transmission maintenance ($60).
So far, still very pleased with this vehicle. I feel like this engine could go on forever since it feels hardly broken in. At 100,000 miles, I will change the plugs, service the radiater and coolant, and do another trans service.
power steering pumps , transmisson problems seem to be big ..rear ends , computers , is GM not the same anymore ..
guess i need the extended service plan ? i am already having a problem with wind noise in a back window the
On- star will not work . and the plastic is bowing on the front bumper .. back to the dealer and have only owned this a week .. only time will tell !
Good or bad .. I am interested in learning how it drives/ feels and gas mileage ?
Thanks in advance!!!
Is there an easy way to tell if I have an 8.0" or 8.6" rear diff?
Also, has anyone removed rear diff cover? Will it come completely off without removing the suspension piece directly behind it? It looks pretty tight to me, but I haven't tried it yet. Time for new fluid.
2003, 4WD, EXT, 3.42, locker
Wxman
Wxman
Hotchkis rear anti sway bar. I put on on my 2002 TB and the vehicle is very stabile in crosswinds. Cost about $220.
Worth every penny.
Out of interest are you going to use the high dollar fluid recommended by GM? My Envoy still has warranty so I did but tblazed did a lot a calling/emailing and used Royal Purple at less than 1/2 the price. I couldn't get anyone to say their product met the GM spec listed in the owner's manual. If you are going to change the transfer case too... and have the shield option... it can get a little tricky. I was lazy and didn't want to completely remove the shield so I just removed enough bolts to pull it down about 8" in the front. I fashioned a trough from cardboard and used it as a drain. Actually worked fine.
I used/am using Redline 75W90 in the diffs and Redline MTL in the transfer case. (Also have Redline D4 in the tranny.)
These were the 'equivalents' they recommended.
I have used Redline in everything except engine (Mobil 1) for years, including Water Wetter and SI1 fuel system cleaner. I used to live near Benicia where they are headquartered. Haven't had a reason to change.
Wxman
market for a '05 or '06 TB .. However the comments where
not flattering ... They listed the '05 and '06 TB as vehicles to avoid ..also say RELIABILTY with a X meaning
to avoid .. it says lots of windnoise and rattles .. also
seats not very comfortable and cheapo interior and horrible ride ..
Is this true ? I can't believe they would sell so many
TB's if they where reliable.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/used-cars-best-and-worst-1205.- htm
The only con I have with the vehicle is lack of lateral support in the seats, which they may have fixed on the 05 and 06 models. Can anyone comment on this? I won't be in the market for another vehicle until at least 2008, but if we were not expecting a child, I would go out and by an 06, grey exterior (they did not offer it in 2002).
I think you will find that reliability has as much to do with the individual vehicle as the make or model. People have problems with Toyotas and Hondas just like GM and Ford. You can get a lemon or a peach from any mfg. I have had very good luck with GM for 15+ years now. My '05 Rainier is the best vehicle I've owned in 35 years - a real pleasure to drive.
Steve, Host
JDH
That being said, in addition to my Lexus RX330, I just sold my Honda CRV and instead of a Pilot or Acura MDX I bought a Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS.
Why? Three little characters:
LS2.
I'll be in the shop more than if I bought the MDX or Pilot, but I'll get there in a hurry.
Cheers,
Bruce
P.S.
Hemi? What's a Hemi?
As for 10" of snow - I'm surprised you could go ANY direction in that much. I think 6-8" is about the limit for most "off-the-shelf" SUV's unless you change tires etc. If you plan to do a lot of snow driving you should consider a spare set of wheels with studded snows premounted.
Lot of TB SS owners over at trailvoy
A Hemi is what you see in your rear view mirror
gmc dealers will be glad to fix it free