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Comments
Installed my VentaShade window deflectors and Lund interceptor visor yesterday. Going to polish it up as soon as my Zaino order comes in. Figured I'd even do hubby's car since he went along with my trading in our van.
I am thrilled so far. Still haven't made it through the owners manual though. Pleased with the MPG's so far. Got 1 MPG less than my minivan on the freeway on the way home, figure it will get close to my previous highway/around town average once the engine gets broken in.
Thinking of a backup system, but undecided. Kids keep asking when the video system will be installed, they are spoiled from the van. Was a bit worried about parking it in my garage. Was going to move some storage cabinets we have in there but decided to wait till I got it home. It's tight, can't open the cabinet doors with it in there and there's only about 3 inches of room on the front end, but it fits! I may still move them if I get around to it. Awesome vehicle!
Sandy
My questions: Is dual exhaust available as a factory-installed option; is it an acceptable dealer modification; does it make any difference as to power or fuel consumption; would it make sense to re-pipe the exhaust so that both pipes exhaust to the right side (the proper side) of the vehicle to reduce noise of the pipe traveling the length of both sides of the vehicle (as they do now); is it damaging in any way; and should I have it removed?
I don't know who else to ask and have not gotten sufficient answers from the dealership. I figured there are experienced Suburban/GMC vehicle owners at this site--I have been exclusively a Ford owner until now. (LOVE the Suburban overall). Thanks for any help or advice!
Does the Z71 package actually affect mileage? Is this something we should talk to the dealer about? Can't imagine that they could do anything, but who knows?
For others looking at the Yukon XL, we bought the 1SD package w/o sunroof a few weeks ago, and I continue to be impressed with the drivability and road manners of such a large vehicle. Visibility is excellent, the leather quality seems high, and the overall feel is solid. My only complaint is that the carpeting is really cheap for such an expensive vehicle. We have 3 kids and the extra room will be welcome at vacation time. We paid $300 under invoice and perhaps could have done better given how close we are to the 2004s, but coupled with GM dollars and rebate we paid $6K under invoice. So overall we are pleased with an excellent upgrade from a mini van. For anyone on the fence on this vehicle, I strongly recommend a test drive.
all the local papers here on LI are running ads stating GM has initiated their early lease turn-in for those leases that end May-thru Dec '03.. anyone else heard anything on it.. I used it once before back in '01 when I turned in my '99 Chevy Subn for my '01 Z71... still have 1 year left Apr '04 lease ends..
not sure if we'll be Subn owners once again.. we both drive '01 burbans .. wife has an LT 4wd.. excessive inside front tire wear a major headache on both trucks... Chevy-GM won't do anything about it... we've noticed many, many Subn-Tahoe-Yukons-XL's in parking lots with same wear patterns.. so it must be a problem GM-wide.. both have been checked, rechecked front end alignments and balancing.. bad news...
might be going back to Ford because of it.. have had pretty decent luck with them in the past.. never anything like this.. have had new Expedition and two Explorers.. all 4x4's..without any front end problems.. or any major problems at all
As to the OnStar and XM Satellite packages, I don't believe that you can delete them on the '04's and possibly the '03's too, though I could be wrong, since they are now standard features. There is no longer a "base" model any more. You can simply elect not to subscribe to any monthly package deal after your free service (with new car purchase) ends, as the hardware is virtually invisible anyway.
There are some terrific and MUCH cheaper alternatives to factory or dealer installed entertainment systems. For example, for a mere $400 I purchased an Audiovox mobile entertainment system--VBP3000---with video cassette player, tv tuner, and two 5" color flat screens with attached speakers. The screens fit nicely on the back of the front seat headrests with the included headrest attachments. The VCP/tuner fit PERFECTLY under a 2nd row captain's chair in my 'Burb, completely out of the way and out of sight. A plus with two screens is that one person can watch a video while another watches tv or can play a video game. Each screen has the standard 3-radio plug audio/video connections! One thing--to get any stations at all on the tv tuner, no matter where you live, you must purchase an ampliphied tv antenna. I bought and installed an in-cabin antenna for less than $30 and it works great. I get 4 channels even in rural Virginia. I imagine more would be available in population centers. The whole shebang is also easily removeable and has an adapter for home use, so you can bring it into the hotel/motel/campground, etc. I recommend it over the installed overhead versions, which are pricey no matter how you slice it, are a BIG problem if they break (which I understand is not uncommon), and they interfere with rear-views while driving when they are in the down position.
Hope all that helps! I don't suppose that you have ever had dual exhaust in your 'Burbs...see my post above. Thanks!
XM Radio: We found Z71 exactly as we wanted, except it had XM. I didn't want it (I think it was $350 and $10/month if you activate it. You get one month free, I think.) I'm so glad we got the XM. I love it. I even got an after market XM for my Audi. Much better factory-installed, however. Works better with the stereo. Highly recommend.
DVD: Yes, the screen blocks your center rear view mirror when down -- test drive to see how much it bothers you. I'm used to it, but it is a minus. Another negative is its cost. But, I would do it again. It's awesome for the kids with the wireless headphones (we bought two more) and you can even plug two wired headphones into the rear center console and choose 'RSE'. Also, sometimes we even put the DVD on the stereo so the entire cab can listen without headphones, kind of a riot listening to Shrek while you're driving.
Onstar: Pretty sure it's standard. I won't renew after the free 12-month period. Haven't used it once, except to set up. Personal preference, wish I could delete it.
Price: We paid $500 over invoice, but there was $500 in dealer give back plus 0%/36 months, so it was invoice plus zero percent. We were happy with it, especially getting it early in the model year (October 1, 2003).
Steve, Host
what one is trying to buy. The dealer just faxed the detail of the vehicle and said it is ordered.
I can't believe he ordered it I only called for a price? I do not have dual exhaust although I would think it would increase the power at the sacrifice of quiet. I'll look into the audiovox, thanks.
For my wife, she now wants the look of the Z71 it appears to us that it sits higher than a LT
or normal sub. I asked the dealer, he blew me off with " nahh..." My wife is excited about a new sub. Sounds like our mileage is going to drop 10-12mpg may hurt. thanks again.
I agree on waveho's assessment of the ride quality. I prefer a bit more feel of the road so the Z71 is right up my alley.
As for the fuel mileage, so far for the in town/hwy mix driving I have done (200 miles) I am averaging 14.3. I did one city freeway trip of about 50 miles and averaged 16.2. I am going to put on about 750 miles over the next 6 days, I will report back how the hwy mileage is.
When fuel mileage is lower than expected keep these things in mind: 285hp engines burn a lot of fuel when pushed. When accelerating from a stand still, do so very gently. Use cruise control whenever possible, including around town assuming you can do it safely, even for short stretches. 4.10 gears will decrease fuel mileage, as will Ethanol enhanced fuel, especially E85. Concerning freeway driving, after 60 mph, each 5 mph will come at a cost of about 1 MPG, so if you were getting 18mpg at a constant 60, you will get 15mpg at a constant 75- time is money, how fast do want to go?
In the end, none of us bought these machines thinking we were going to get great fuel mileage like we did when we drove Civics and Escorts. So-so fuel economy is the price we pay for all the other great attributes the Suburban brings to the table.
'Ole
I drove about 400 miles yesterday, nearly all hwy driving at 67-72 mph, for the day I averaged 16.7 mpg.
We were looking at buying another mini-van (Honda or Toyota) until we saw the great deals on Suburbans, and with the 2nd row bucket seats it is perfect for access to the 3rd row. My wife thinks the heated seats and dual lumbar (middle and side!) air inflators are wonderful. I thought the heated seats would only be used in winter but she plans to use them all year round like she would a heating pad.
We were initially concerned with the skimpy leg-room in the 3rd row compared to minivans and also flirted briefly with the idea of a full-size Express conversion van (an extra foot of legroom in each row!), but we decided the Suburban is better overall.
It was interesting going back to read posts over the last 2 years, and I am sure I will be looking for advice myself in the near future!
glsable
Is there a way to find out the factory invoice prices for individual vehicles somewhere?
I have only been watching since September 2002 when it was $39006. I think it went to $39100 in November, then $39,350, then $39,650 in April and 39750 in May. Is this typical?
In Nov. 2001 I bought a 2001 Chevy Suburban LT, $40,000 plus tax. In first week the A/C motor failed, front passenger seat rails were found to be cracked (check for slight seat shift forward feeling when you are braking, clock/radio electrical short, gas guage never reads correctly, engine pings constantly regardless of what type of gas you use, window motor switch failed, parking brake assembly had to be replaced, service bulletin on the electronic ignition assembly required replacement of that item (it was causing the transmission to hang in 3rd gear for too long of a time before shifting to 4th gear).....and more! In my opinion, the car is a piece of junk and if this helps prevent anyone from going theough the same headaches then I'll feel better. Chevy didn't do anything to help us and for a $40k+ vehicle this was junk. After talking to the service department manager, he said that the car was built in Mexico and that Chevy has a factor around $2000.00 built into the price of the vehicle for warranty items expected to fail. Half the people never bring them in for replacement of service, so that is more profit for Chevy. In my opinion, who has the time to go through the problems in the first place? I don't care that they put $2000.00 worth of parts in my vehicle during the warranty time frame (actually I went over $2000.00 so far) the problems shouldn't have happened in the first place! I'm dumping this and going to a 2003 excursion diesel. Anyone need info on the service bulletins email me.
BTW, bought it at Park Cadillac GMC in New Milford, CT. and it was the best buying experience ever of 7 new car buys.
Then I could take it from one vehicle to another. Any thoughts from anyone else?
I haven't seen it demo'd yet, but I understand it has voice directions and a color display.
But yes, you are correct, you can get an LT-equivalent SLT with the cassette/CD. We went for the Chevy anyhow, but still want to solve the cassette problem!
Jack
We went with the factory DVD player, although we initially considered an aftermarket system with a larger flip-down LCD screen. We really liked the big 13-inch screens but were concerned with the blocked rearward view.
If you have a sunroof the ceiling panel is already 2-3 inches lower, so the problem is worsened. I wonder how the 2004s will deal with this since I hear they are offering both systems installed from the factory?
Also, any way to increase the towing capacity of my burb?
Thanks!
and 'funny you should also mention' about the engine cutting out... while driving my wife's '01 Suburban last week on a 3 lane limited access roadway not too far from home doing the 60 mph speed limit, for no reason the engine just shut down.. no power at all..limited steering and brakes( yikes) .. a very dangerous situation... I luckily made it to the right shoulder, where I had to call a AAA wrecker for a tow... I tried calling the Chevy -GMAC toll free Towing under the warranty... useless as 'mammary glands' on a bull.. they said after taking all my info that their computers were 'down'.. and that they couldn't help me... I went with what I should have done to begin with.. called AAA.. they were out there in less than a half hour...then dropped me off at my house and took the truck up to my local dealer up the road..
turns out it was the fuel pump.. blew the fuse.. then again.. they replaced the fuse and fuel pump.. according to the dealer service manager, he wasn't surprised.. sounded like they've had this happen a number of times before.. only 30K miles on her truck.. a fuel pump shouldn't fail at that mileage.. I have an '01 Z71 burban also.. can't wait for it to happen to it..
looks like these two trucks will be heading back to Chevy after their leases are up in less than a year.. too many problems on both of them.. mainly excessive wear on front tires which Chevy will not address..
I would be comfortable loading to 100% of the rated weights.