caddycruiser

Hmm...a few Ford Edges all of a sudden, and then the typical Bentley Continental GT's, Flying Spurs, and random new Porsches--all usually daily drivers and in moderate degrees of filth, which fascinates me. Really indicative of the area I'm in, no doubt.

Sorry, haha...already have 2 Fleetwoods and a Roadmaster sedan, and though they're great cars, that'll never happen. Once you go SUV, it's hard to ever be trully comfortable "down low" in a car again, let alone a classic.

Hmm...never heard of that. I thought the Chevy was just going to be the same 7/9-seater size, and really no different aside from styling and trim than the others.

Yeah, that's the main thing. Particularly just figuring out if the overall gas mileage increase is enough to notice. I'm pretty sure it would be, even if not Suburban->Prius huge. Since she bought it, the 'Burb has pretty much been locked on the 14-16mpg average in short daily stop and go trips, and pulls 20-22'ish at times cruising on the highway. Not bad at all, really, for the size and weight of the vehicle, but not terrific either. As for the colors, realistically, dark blue and red are out for sure, and though I too like the Ocean Mist, the blue shade would probably kill it too. One color I know would, by far, be a winner is the White Diamond, I just doubt the number of low optioned models out there in that shade.

Yeah, me either. I had the Outlook at the top of the list purely from a features and price standpoint, but just on looks alone, I'd choose the Enclave...the fact that it's price is right at the same level is beyond great.

Here's another thing guys. Not that you'll have any real bearing on this, but if you were going with an Outlook, what would be your pick or picks of colors? Like I said, we've been on a white thing for a while, and I actually really like the white once again on an Outlook, but also think it'd be nice for something new and different. The only rules are blue and red are out, but curious of what you think... http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/outlook/colors.jsp

Haha. Yes, all the time, trust me. The way it goes is I get the idea for a new car, do the research and any more do test drives, and play Mr. Salesman to convince her. It's a fun game, and I have a pretty good success rate. Seriously...I can usually tell when she's getting the idea too, but is just so not hot on the idea of car shopping or even test driving (dislikes that, too), she likes other people to do it for her. And, being that I'm wrapping up this year in a day, and about to move home, what better time. If I only had constant income myself, trust me, I'd be on car #10 by now, alone--so I just fulfill the need through someone else's checkbook for the time being;) Just like last year, when gas was up, and I heard "That's it, I need a Volkswagon" about 5 times. Took me a few minutes, but in came the Lucerne suggestion, and it was 75% the way of happening.

Yes, you can tell when it's an ADD day, because I'll completely miss things like that...oy...fixed now.

Yeah, good point. I really don't see them adding anything larger, car wise, but I guess with future expansion it's possible. The Aura is really well regarded by just about everyone, for sure, and out of all GM's cars, it actually does fit on a list of my top few if I were in the market for one. All the new stuff seems to be doing great, but when I think about it, at least at home, I still rarely see any of the "new". That's partly why the one couple from church who has a brown Outlook sticks in my mind so much. I think the key here is just that the closest dealer is half an hour away, but not totally sure.

Yeah, good point. You know, that was another thing. Albeit minor, the Outlook right now has a $1000 rebate or low financing that the others don't--I presume because of the slightly lower sales. I didn't know about the former until I was on their site, and it was another attractive thing, on top of the Supplier pricing we can get. The Acadia, in comparison, is just doing insanely well from a sales point, and most dealers are going crazy either trying to keep them or are constantly searching around to find them for people--in the one big Acadia forum that started, they also just saw a huge roar in new members, which is consistent. But, we'll see. The Suburban is at 3 years of a 5 year loan, and has 46k on it, but really hasn't had any maintenance aside from oil and some warranty repairs. Still, a pretty good time, value wise I think, to at least check on something new, even if just for the heck of it. Someone at church has a Med. Brown Outlook, a color that I'm back and fourth on, but overall it's a great looker. We've been on a white tangent for a while--my pewter silver being the first to break it--and I think she's sick of it, but have no idea what else she'd like color wise. White Diamond actually would be perfect, and that alone would sell her on it, but I doubt being able to find one that's very lightly optioned. I just hope the dealer has one that's pretty close, color regardless, to get the best idea. Going on a mission tomorrow to the Saturn dealer down the road in West Chester, before I move back to Delaware in a few days, to check some out while they're closed.

Oh, wow! I was planning on going on a mission tomorrow to see some Outlooks, and now I REALLY have to look around for some Enclaves too. Just so stunning...

Anyone else here who was a recent Saturn "convert" or is considering it now because of all the new products? Anymore it's kind of like the "different" brand that isn't all that different anymore, but that's a very good thing mostly.

Well, as I've said many times, after I test drove an Acadia back in January, I've been infatuated with the Lambdas ever since. As I always do, I attempted to peak some interest in the queen mum--her Suburban is right at 3 years, which is actually the LONGEST she's owned any of the past 4 vehicles--and she what she thought. Still SUV comfort and space, but much more refined, better gas mileage, and much lower pricing than another new GMT-900. Didn't immediately get such a strong response--well, aside from a while ago when she saw the Enclave concept on Motorweek and said "Wow, what's that?!"--until just recently. Out of the blue I was asked "Those Acadias, what kind of gas mileage do they get?" and etc., etc. Point blank, the Suburban is nice, but as I've also said many times, more of a waste for a 1 person commuter vehicle than the 5 times a year it gets loaded. So, I started scheming. She likes things exactly as her Suburban is, a "cloth" model that's actually pretty loaded, and that's what I started researching. I still like the Acadia look most, but on a base SLE trim, you just can't get key things like the DIC, steering wheel controls, etc. Next up, to the Saturn. Here, I can build an Outlook XR FWD that's EXACTLY right, with what we'd want. Of course, I've never been too privy on the "Saturn experience", and the MSRP only thing is a change, but even with that, the resulting price isn't too out of line with what a discounted GMC or Buick would be--and I do get Supplier pricing, which does work with Saturn as well. Other than that, seems like a mostly positive thing. Hopefully next week will be my first foray to a Saturn dealer, check out the Outlooks they have, and see if they'll let me take an extended test drive to bring one home, like the local GM dealer is always willing to do. At the same time, also hope to compare to some more Acadias, at dealers in the same area. So yeah, we'll see. Never, ever even considered a Saturn really, even with the recent complete brand change, but why not? Seems like a positive sales experience from everyone I've heard, and the Outlook would be a terrific buy if the right one can be found. If I can bring one home for an hour or two, it should be an easy sell--heck, this past summer, when she was on the gas mileage thing again, I suggested a Buick Lucerne, and after bringing one to her work, she was ready to buy it after a 1 minute test drive. Didn't, of course, but it was that easy.

Yep, I was just clued into that when I finally started surfing the Saturn site and chatting with a Saturn rep. That's a great idea, but I think my plan is going to hit a few places in person myself at least first, because in the town where the Saturn dealer is, it's essentially a highway loaded with every dealer imaginable. That way I can do a more direct comparison of an Acadia and Outlook again, and even maybe a Pilot (though it's not really a consideration) for fun. The only issue, and this is a common Saturn issue for some, that the closest dealer is about a half hour away. Really not far, but not the 10 minute zip over to the GM store down the road like we're used to. From what I've been told, they should still be more than willing to let me have an Outlook for a couple of hours or so--the GM dealer always lets me take whatever, for however long--and zip it home and back for a longer drive, and a better comparison at home. But, we'll see. I have pretty much all week off next week, so what's more fun than car shopping for someone else who didn't ask? :AH-HA_wink:

Hah! Exactly! And even the same shade, almost. The key difference being that back then you knew it was blue, and not just that you ordered a gray interior that so happens to be half blue...

Whoa...and on a stretch of highway I'm on a lot. Talk about spontaneous combustion!

Great! Yes, oddly enough, for quite some time now, Devilles have actually been in the top few all time car sellers on Ebay. You'd never think it, but they're always in the top 10, and they seem to go without much fuss if the equipment/color/model/price is close enough to right.

Then again, it does look pretty interesting in some lights: I can see my mother not liking it, just because she can spot any tint of blue in anything and HATES it, but it kind of strikes me as a bit of a unique way to liven up basic gray. Still should be listed as such in the coloring, though, as it's not just gray. And that center stack black doesn't help, but I'm not sure what you could do with that. Blue is still an ODD large accent choice, though, and I see why tan and black are more popular. I'd like to ask some Saturn people about it, especially since it's not something you see in ANY other GM car, even close.

Agreed, it is very peculiar. When you think of gray, you think of just that, and when I saw early pics of a few Outlooks with the gray interior, my first thought was that there was either a weird tint issue or a bad camera. But no, it just looks like that. Not at all really bad, but still strange because when you select gray, you really don't expect BLUE on half of it, at least if it isn't called blue/gray. Then again, maybe it really is just a shading/tint thing that wasn't intended, but stays as is. We generally like even gray interiors, and have that now in our Suburban, but now with my interest in the Outlook, I'm iffy on ones with the gray, at least until I can get a better real impression. That said, the ebony and the tan still look much richer, but that's typical.

Yes, the Enclave definitely is a stunner. Have you seen the pics some people have taken and put in the Enclave Owner's Forum Gallery? http://www.enclaveforum.net/index.php?PHPS...;action=gallery Particularly interesting to me were the "base" CX models, which are even more incredible for the price than max'd out models. They look NOTHING like a base, and even have (IMHO) some of the best wheels. ^^YES! Cloth! And it even looks great (IMHO), surrounded by the Buick's luxury trim and wood. This would obviously be my choice.

Great review update. After I had first driven that Acadia SLE back in February, I've been trying ever since to suggest to my mother that--when time be--she should seriously look at an Acadia, Outlook, or even Enclave for replacement, because it would give her the higher up seating and space she likes, but drives more like a refined car, gets better mileage, and is priced a lot lower than the typical BOF Tahoe/Yukon she did seem to be infatuated with. Never really got much of a response beyond "hmm". Until this past weekend, that is. I was home for my birthday, and as usual, with conversation of current gas prices (always a fun topic when you're driveway is packed with a Suburban, 2 Fleetwoods, a Roadmaster, and a V8 Regal...), she out of the blue asked me "What kind of mileage do those Acadias get?" Struck me as odd with being so sudden, but I see a light now, at least as far as maybe swapping out the Suburban which is at the 3 year mark (you know, just TOO long to have any car ). Still prefer the Acadia most as far as exterior and interior styling, but just cannot build a cloth seated SLE like we'd want. So, just today I started looking more into the Outlook. Style wise, not that different, aside from the completely unique interior, but can be built to match what we'd theoretically want PERFECTLY, and the MSRP only pricing still is pretty much in line (somehow) with what we'd pay for a different model that can be discounted. That, and roaming around Saturn.com today, I had a nice random chat with a Saturn rep (love the chat feature on there now) and found out about a new low financing/rebate offer on the Saturn. It'd probably still be easier to get the queen mum in an Acadia, as it's a GMC and I think she too likes the look, but I'm not sure about the Saturn. Someone at our church has a new Med. Brown Outlook XE, which I really like, and I told her it's the same thing but got "but it's a Saturn..."--so she's from that camp, haha. SO, my plan is to hopefully get a refresher test drive of one when I'm moved back home next week, HOPEFULLY a bit of an extended one, where I can swing by home for a surprise showing and see what she thinks of the seating, features, and drive to work my magic. Again, nothing at all wrong with the Suburban, but she could easily get into one of these right now and have something with similar people space but that's nicer to drive and doesn't kill as badly on gas. On a similar note, having been in a few Acadia owners forums for a while now, it seems like those sales are just continuing to explode, and it's even a bit of a struggle to get one to meet your specs, let alone with much of a discount. The Saturn is doing well, but not as much so, and I wonder if it's just purely the styling and trim differences, the MSRP only thing (likely), or what.

Uh, I really hope this is just being sarcastic. As I said, there's NOTHING more than colors and trims: 2008 GMC Envoy Deletions Exterior color: (15U) Sand Beige Metallic Exterior color: (49U) Cranberry Red Metallic Exterior color: (54U) Graphite Metallic Light Tan Interior (PCR) Sun, Sound and Entertainment Package (US8) Audio system, AM/FM stereo with CD palyer and MP3 playback (GT5) rear axle, 4.10 ratio (QTE) Tires, P245/54R17 all-season blackwall (ZM5) Skid Plate Package (N80) Wheels, 4 - 17" x 7" (43.2 cm x 17.8 cm) SLE specific high polished forged aluminum New Features Exterior color (12U) Dark Crimson Metallic Exterior color (58U) Carbon Black Metallic Exterior color (81U) Medium Brown Metallic (P55) 20" polished aluminum wheels (U2K) XM Satellite Radio now standard on all models (ASF) Air bags, head curtain side-impact now standard on all models Changes Memory feature deleted from outside rearview mirrors (PDC) Cargo Convenience Package is now (PDM) Cargo Convenience Package --------------------------- As has been said many times, they may very well just can the whole TB/Envoy line because of the success of the Acadia/Outlook/Enclave crossovers, and at this point, it's just about simplifying the available equipment even more to carry them out to the end.

There is no Envoy "redesign", at least not any time soon. The vehicle is actually scheduled just to carry on as is for a little while longer at least, until they either stop building them in full or actually do complete a redesign. So, for 2008, there won't be anything new aside from colors and maybe an option package or too. We'll know the full list on April 30th, when it's released. Just curious, though, where or why did you think the Envoy was having a redesign for 2008? It's been pretty common knowledge that the GMT-360 line is being strung along until they decide what to do with it, and there's never been any real advancement as far as a redesign.

You know, in my frequent travels between home in southern DE and school in Philly, I've always wondered where this plant even is. Can't be too far from my path, but the only other plant I actually have seen is the Chrysler plant in Newark. It's too bad they don't seem to have a normal tour schedule, but really cool that the owner's groups can set such a thing up.

Somewhat, but for fleet duty and lots of rentals, you'd be surprised how well it does. Not a road burner by any means, and definitely suffers from the Chrysler 4-spd syndrome of not having the best gear ratio sorting, but it all does the job quite well and is pretty economical in the process. The base models are, though, for the most part clearly meant for a lot of fleet use and not as many regular buyers, with the hubcaps, softer suspension, and also as mentioned the downgraded cabin--which, without the chrome or silver details, really does go down a few notches but is still not bad. The 3.5L does very well and is a nice bump up, especially since getting the MB 5-speed which helps it work much better than in past times, and the 5.7L & 6.1L's are self explanatory. That's probably one of the best parts about the car--the huge assortment of models and options available. FWD, RWD, base with cloth, mid level V6 with leather and either a few or a lot of options, V8 trimmed with everything, etc., all retaining the same basic cool look and great driving nature.