Driving New Blue now

[GreenRado]

Well, finally got Blue yesterday.  Dropped Old Green off at around 1:30, and was on the road by 2:30.    Sort of hated to see Green go, even with the problems (most all fixed anyway), it was a good ride and she never let me down.

 

Here are a few first impressions, having driven about 150 miles so far:  

 

1)  Quieter:  Much less road, air, etc noise into the cabin.

2)  Tighter:  This is the most striking - compared to '99, this vehicle is so much more solid, and the jolt and shock damping, despite Z71 this time around, is incredibly better.  The doors fit better, and are much tighter; absolutely no rattles or squeaks, including dash, console, back seat.   :thumb:

3)  Gadgets:  Many ways to program personal touches to the electroincs, including multiple ways to auto lock/unlock doors, etc w/ the driver information center (DIC    ).  BTW nice integration of the radio controls and DIC into the steerig wheel - I'd highly recommend this option!

4)  Same Firestone tires we have all grown to know and hate!  Oh well, Duelers will be back on soon.

5)  4.10 rearend makes the vehicle feel more powerful - remains to be seen as I'm babying her till ~500 miles.

6)  Drive train, particularly the drive shaft and components MUCH quieter when shifting into any gear, especially reverse.

7)  BOSE sound system beter than what I had before (yes, I know it's crap compared to aftermarket, but OK for me now).

8)  Although I haven't scrutinized the paint job yet, looks clean so far.

9)  Fit and finish, both inside and out, are much improved from the '99.  Actually, I think the hood line will be harder to get used to than the new snout!

10)  No driveline growl when shifting to OD and lockup, even at 40 mph (maybe has to do somewhat w/ the 4.10).  Personally, I liked my '99 shifting into OD and lockup @ 53 mph, but this one is smooth anyways, and seems more powerful, despite it's newness.

 

All-in-all, I am very satisfied.  It's obvious to me that GM has made a lot of strides in the right direction w/ the build quality and refinement (which they needed in a bad way, IMHO), and hopefully the engineering also!  Remains to be seen.

 

Now for the mods!     Right now, having my ARE topper painted to match, and will get catch-alls and maybe a bugflector, and of course put my Duelers back on.  Later a Rhino lining, probably also an Extang cover (maybe the hinged one).  Future mods I see are bigger tires, AR wheels, cranking the torsion bars, and maybe nerf bars.  Eventually catback and K&N.  Man, this is fun!!    

 

Finally, I think I came out of this pretty well.  In addition to the GMO pricing discount, I ended up getting $5,003 off, combining the incentives, customer loyality coupon from Olds, lease return, and it was actually less expensive (by $4/month) to go w/ the 5.99% "best rate" financing GMAC offers, and take the $1,500 rebate!  Sticker was $33,695, and I ended up financing ~ $25,600 w/ not cent out of my pocket!   :thumb:  

 

Forgot to mention that it was built in Ft. Wayne Assembly on 9/25, and order accept to delivery was 23 days.

[Zane]

completely awesome!!!      :thumb:

[CMNTMXR81]

Awesome!  

 

Keep in mind though, back in 99 when you bought that one new, it felt the same compared to what you were previously driving as does your 03 to the 99.  Simple evolution and newness.

[RyanbabZ71]

PICS  

[rrsob]

Congrats on the new truck.  

Now get that name changed to BlueRado. :thumb:

[01z71]

Congrats on the new truck.

[Dihappy]

Congrats bro!!!!

[BlueRado]

Thanks guys!  I'm now BlueRado.  Guess Mervz's working on the registration date issue.  Sure seems weird to go by BlueRado, but it matches this here blue emoticon pretty well!

 

CMNT brings up a good point I meant to mention in the original post, namely, I didn't expect the 4 year old truck to measure up completely to the new one, especially w/respect to squeaks, rattles, etc, but this new one is tighter and better fit and finish than old Green was when new.

 

Pics on the way when I can borrow the dig camera, and get my Duelers on!

[CMNTMXR81]

Blue RULES!!!    

[BlueRado]

Blue RULES!!!    

You got it!!      :thumb:

[MarkD]

Congrats!

 

I noticed the same thing when I traded my '99 for the '02.  The trucks have truly evolved. :thumb:

[Shaners]

Sounds great man!!!    :thumb:

[antig24]

congrats, pics?

[99silveradoz71]

Sounds great.  Nothing like a nice new ride, especially with a few more bells and whistles.

[BlueRado]

Thanks again everybody!

 

Pics to come when I can get things together.

 

If anyone has specific questions about new features, functionality, etc, feel free to PM me and I'll do my best to answer.