Are you happy with your Envoy/TB?

GMCSLE · August 31, 2004

We just bought a 2004 Envoy last weekend. Black SLE with the enhanced SLE package, 3.73's and a locking differential. Sticker was $34,270 and we got the following discounts:

Sticker reduction: $3,023

Rebate: $4,500

Bonus cash: $1,000

GM certificates: $1,000 ($500x2)

GM card earnings + bonus: $1,268

------------------------------------------

Total reductions/rebates: $10,791

At that point I just couldn't pass up the deal. I got a decent trade allowance on my previous vehicle ('03 Grand Prix) and I had to put down nothing out of pocket. We took it home that afternoon.

Now that the whole new truck feeling is wearing away a little I wonder if I did the right thing. We bought the truck because we were sick of not being able to haul things home after we bought them. Also, winters here in PA can be rough at times and the 4WD would be a benefit. That aside, the thoughts of gas mileage and maintenance are just wearing on me. In my Grand Prix I could get around 24MPG on average. Obviously a larger heavier SUV like our Envoy won't get that and I knew that going in. I just wonder if I'll get past staring at the gas gauge and watching it go down... One thing I wasn't aware of was how much friggin oil the I6 takes. SEVEN quarts????

Are you happy with your Envoy/TB and are there any things to watch out for as far as common problems? I've owned GM vehicles since I started driving so I know window motors are probably an issue.

sgiangregorio · August 31, 2004

Well, sounds like you got a good deal for sure, so don't question that. As to the truck itself and whether you made the right decision, only you can determine that. I just bought my wife a 2003 Envoy XL SLT. We went used to not take the hit, and paid about $25K. Sticker on this truck we bought was like $42500. Crazy. We wanted the third row, which I think is the most usable in the Envoy XL, and she wanted Leather and all the goodies.

As for gas mileage, it's your typical midsize SUV, so if you were worried about gas, maybe it wasn't the best vehicle. She averages about 16-17. But if you have to haul, whether a trailer, or kids, and need a 4x4 for snow and stuff, you have to compromise. As for maintenance, it's really no different than any other vehicle, except for the 4x4 system which can be a little more to take care of in terms of axle/transfer case services and stuff. As for oil, hopefully if you spent $24K on a truck, an extra $3 per oil change won't set you back too far.

So far, she loves it though. The only thing I've noticed is that it's a big "squishy" in it's ride quality, not as stiff as my 02 tahoe Z71. But I kind of expected it for a GMC like this. It's more like a Caddy feel than a Chevy.

So anyway, hard to say if you made the right call for you, but for us, it's perfect, and she's loving it. We were thinking of putting a custom plate on it, " MY BUS ".

Good luck, and congrats.

jauto98 · August 31, 2004

So far, I am pleased with my 04 TrailBlazer in terms of comfort, features and performance, lot better than my 97 sonoma. I currently get 15mpg in 70-80% city driving (2 tanks so far), but hope it improves. Currently have 700 miles on it right now.

GMCSLE · August 31, 2004

Thanks for the replies. The extra oil wasn't really a cost shock, it was more of a HOLY CRAP IT TAKES SEVEN QUARTS!!! Anything I've ever changed the oil on was below 5 so that was surprising to me when I found it in the manual. With the deal we got on it I guess I can't worry too much. If it ends up being more than we expected to handle it can always be traded in. I haven't bought a car yet that I traded in upside down.

Here is a pic I snapped this afternoon:

Envoy Fan · August 31, 2004

Congrats on the purchase. The I6 does need lots of oil for lubrication.

03TRAILEXT · September 1, 2004

This is my first SUV and love it. Rides nice and heavy and feels like a car. I also have all the bells and whistles. Everything except DVD, I got the sun roof. The third row seat is nice and I like that it still has room behind it.

Sticker was 42400 got over 10k off sticker with rebates and cash back and 10k more with a trade of my 99 camaro Z28 1LE ( which had over 10k in accident damage just fixed) So I paid 22k for a 42k truck. I was happy.

Enjoy your toys!!!!!

GMCSLE · September 1, 2004

This is my first SUV and love it. Rides nice and heavy and feels like a car. I also have all the bells and whistles. Everything except DVD, I got the sun roof. The third row seat is nice and I like that it still has room behind it.

Sticker was 42400 got over 10k off sticker with rebates and cash back and 10k more with a trade of my 99 camaro Z28 1LE ( which had over 10k in accident damage just fixed) So I paid 22k for a 42k truck. I was happy.

Enjoy your toys!!!!!

Were you over on LS1 or LS2.com? Your username (991LE or was it screw991LE) stands out and I think I remember a member over there looking for the new owner of that car to tell them about the damage to it. The more I drive the Envoy the more I get used to it. I'm sure once winter comes and I don't have to worry about getting up our hill I'll never even wonder why I bought this truck.

Did you drive a Trailblazer with the I6 before you bought yours with the V8? I'm curious how they are comparison wise. I don't know the specs on the V8 but I'm guessing it's a LS1 variant of some type? I frequent LS2.com and drove a GTO after the sale of our Envoy was complete. I'd love to have a V8 powered GM but PA winters don't agree with it being my only car.

I took a ride in a modded LT1 that scared me when the LT1 was THE motor to have. I can only imagine a modded LS1/LS2. The GTO was nice but being considerate to the possible next owner I didn't really get on it. I would have like to though.

General GM · September 2, 2004

Congrats on the purchase. The I6 does need lots of oil for lubrication.

The oil pan has a 7 quart capacity for two reasons (note all the new generation GM engines are moving this way):

1. People don't change their oil often enough...so...7 quarts doing the work of 5 will last longer before breaking down into sludge.

2. Remember those elaborate oil cooler setups on the old S10? Yes, I'm talking about the ones with hoses that perpetually leaked and in some cases exploded causing premature engine failure. Notice the full size trucks don't have these, and the TrailBlazers don't either. My theory is that the oil will stay cooler if there is more of it in a deep pan therefore eliminating the need for a complex oil cooler.

As far as our 2002 TB EXT...well...it's spent the entire week in the shop again. Wife says next time it goes back for good. Mysterious steering problems, taillamp modules that burn out without warning that cause taillight bulbs to burn out every 500 miles, and the best...our Windshield wipers that COMPLETELY FAILED monday morning. The whole module now is to be replaced under recalll, otherwise it would be on my dime.

I expect the newest models are more reliable as the bugs have been worked out. It's a nice vehicle but reliability has been abysmal. I don't consider defective taillights or wipers to be a nusiance problem anymore. These are serious safety issues.

03TRAILEXT · September 4, 2004

Damm man your good, that was me

And yes I drove 3 TBs 2 reg 5 seater I6s and this V8 EXT. Did not like the other sizes and engines.

01silverado2500 · September 6, 2004

I love my 03 Bravada, bought it mainly because we wanted another 4x4 and I wanted one last Olds. Its the 4.2 I6 and it mainly does city driving and the mpg is only 13 or so. It has aton of room for people and cargo, and the I6 seems more powerful than my old 4.3V6. So far only problems have been recall issues for me, and one problem with the AWD module. I have recomended the similar models from GM to my friends, and they have purchased them and enjoy them also.

And GMCSLE, its nice to see another PA owner here, Where in pa are you? 30 miles south of Pittsburgh here.

GMCSLE · September 7, 2004

We live just outside Harrisburg. Our first tank of gas went 18.7 MPG with mixed highway/local driving. Not too shabby.

L454S · September 9, 2004

I got my new 2004 TB a couple months ago, and love it. Took the first road trip this past weekend and got 22.5 mpg. Thats with A/C averaging 75 mph. Has a great heavy car feel on the highway.

03TRAILEXT · September 9, 2004

I got my new 2004 TB a couple months ago, and love it. Took the first road trip this past weekend and got 22.5 mpg. Thats with A/C averaging 75 mph. Has a great heavy car feel on the highway.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is that the I6? My V8 gets no where near that at 75mph.

L454S · September 11, 2004

Yeah, the I6 on regular gas.

Envoy Fan · September 11, 2004

Well, I have been satisfied with my Envoy up till now. I have been looking for performance enhancements for about 6 months, and other than a Borla Exhaust and Volant cool air intake, I have found nothing that will enhance the 4.2 I-6 engine.

The engine is so computer controlled that any performance seems to be non existant. The computer has so much torque management built in that the vehicle is no longer fun to drive. If you want a vehicle that goes from point A to point B, the TB/ Envoy does an excellent job. If you want something more, well it seems you aren't gonna get it from the 4.2 I-6.