caddycruiser

Same here, now that I think of it. Our Suburban came on a dealer swap, and when we went to pick it up, we noticed it had a pinstripe on it that even the salesmen didn't notice. Looked good, actually, and there was no add-on of any kind pricewise, so we just left it as is and went about or merry way. Always good to know, though, just in case the other dealer has done extra things...even though they're usually small and you don't pay for them in the end. The only other thing was our dealer taking off the other place's logo/plaque on the back and replacing it with theirs, the typical necessary evil...left that on there too.

And a black Avalanche Z71: WHEW! That should answer questions for a lot of people... :AH-HA_wink:

A white Avalanche Z71:

A black Tahoe Z71:

And official GM illustration/pic: Some shots of Avalanches & Tahoes at a dealer:

There's a Tahoe, Suburban, and Avalanche--all with the same trim. The Z71 package is a $1795 add-on to any LT2 or LT3 level model, 2wd or 4wd. Here's a lot of other pics, of each of the 3 models: White Suburban Z71: Red Tahoe Z71:

It has a carbon fiber background and says Z71, versus just the plain black on the other models: Small difference, but noticeable.

Sounds awesome, and now that someone here just bought a new XE with the standard 5 thick spoke wheels, I think they compliment the car the best--and I've only ever seen one car with the chrome version, which really looked nice. Sounds terrific, and your wife should be VERY happy :AH-HA_wink: A swap can be really cool, because it's essentially like ordering your perfect car but then not having to wait more than a few days when they find the right one!

Oh yes, they DEFINATELY do. Both the SRX and STS started off with similarly horrific resale values, and though the SRX's eventually got better with the lowered MSRP's and constant improvements, the STS has just continued to go down the toilet. It's simply a regular occurrence to see even barely a few months old fully loaded V8 AWD ones originally over $65k going for the high $30k's in no time at all...and V6's are even cheaper, being lower priced in the first place. Credit it to poor sales, a still not that great interior for the class/price, and also various bugs (rattles, electronic issues, drivetrain issues, etc.) for the first model year and some others, and MSRP's seemingly a bit high, and the STS just has not done well so far. Still, a great car, but the soon to be out updated model hopefully will do a lot better, and not end up the product of these kind of fire sales so soon...

Even if domestics still offer more complete "pick and choose" packages, I still REALLY like the size and looks of this thing over the others.

Sounds interesting, and I definately know how it works with the trading. When Suburban shopping, there was a "just right" Yukon XL our dealer found at another, but they seemed a little odd when they saw the dealer it was at and then later the story went from "it's sold" to "we just don't want to trade it". We ended up going for a different truck, but it can sometimes be tricky...especially with a car that's still hot like the Aura. I could drive out there--it doesn't seem too far--but this will now be Saturday morning, probably too late (didn't realize that until I started typing this post). I'll wait and see if and what changes here...

Well yeah, and some dumb ratings aside, go compare even the overall feel and look of a Lucerne vs. an Avalon, an Aura vs. a Camry, etc., and some of the difference is already crystal clear. A lot of GM's still aren't at the level they could be, but anymore a lot of vaunted Toyotas just come off as more cheap than anything.

I do--I presume that's the dealer where the car is coming from? You should be very happy with it, Hankooks and all (definately not downgrades like a lot of OEM supplied Bridgestones are), and even the wheels on the XE's arguably look the best with the car. And the tan cloth interior is gorgeous. All in all, a great upgrade from the Malibu, even with the same old 3.5L (most reviews seem to really enjoy it in the Aura, moreso than any other vehicle it's in).

True. As for these changes, I've heard about most of them before, but one thing stinks for sure...if you jumped earlier and bought one before any upgrades or with just some of them. Guess it's the same as not owning the latest model year with little revisions, but still a little disappointing. But also great to hear GM is listening, recording, and jumping right on just about every little thing they hear of substance. A big part of it also has been simply calling new buyers a bit after their purchase to ask questions and inquire about things they think should change or are the best...they for sure have done this with cars like the CTS, and lately (according to some owners boards) have been calling quite a few Solstice/Sky owners to ask about their experiences.

The 3.6L definately runs on regular--they wouldn't dare let it be in a Saturn or Pontiac otherwise--and the Hankook tires are made by Hankook, no one else. Hankook is Korean, I believe, just like Kumho, and they're all a very high rated and well regarded tires. Matter of fact, over the years, we've had Goodyears, Michelins, etc. and the set of Kumhos we put on our one Fleetwood are by far the best of the bunch. Hankook makes several high performance treads, as well as regular passenger all seasons, and they're all generally highly rated and high quality--just not as expensive as a lot of regular domestic brands. I was very glad to see they started these and others on a lot of newer GM's and other vehicles, as they're just better than most of the GY's and Michelins, etc., that used to be a given on most domestics. Of course, the XR has GY Eagles and those aren't bad, but they aren't the best either. Their 18" size is just more limited, and GM seems to like using them on a lot of applications like that car still.

Now THAT is the kind of thing that impresses me, but has been the norm for many imports for a long time--glad they're continuing the effort and making each new vehicle even more incredible than the last, in terms of refinement and detail.

Yep, that'd be my only guess, especially since all the other 1500's are out and about.

Without even reading it yet, the 2nd place finish just goes to show you how EXCELLENT even the Kia is. Even the last gen, which a relative has, is always impressive as hell to me, with a level of build quality & refinement that just go well beyond the pricetag. And now the new ones have all the features of the other vans--great buy. The Honda still has one of the best packages, the Toyota has some issues but is still very nice, and the Nissan is now a really great choice too, with its upgraded materials and revised style. The Chryslers remain one of the best looking, but driving dynamics are a bit old, and the Stow & Go is great for utility, but not very comfortable. As for the Ford and GM vans, well, they're just about as good as dead... Minivans are still a "No!" to a lot of people, but with the switch from big SUV's to crossovers getting so strong, minivans are also benefiting lately.

Well, with the Malibu finally about to get some style and also size comparable to or larger than an Impala, there really will be no more reason for a mass market FWD Impala. Move it up market just a tad--not too expensive, think Charger/300 pricing--and keep the trim and drivetrain of the best stuff they can, and it should be a winner. If done right, it'll definately give all the owners of 90's GM B & D bodies who just have not had anywhere newer to go since then...and attract a newer breed looking for more style and excitement than a typical rental Impala could ever muster.

HHR...didn't think so, but maybe Vibe...don't think so VUE...maybe, but not sure Envoy...no thanks H3...umm, cool, but no CTS...yep, that would work Weird choices, but I guess they fit the "by the book" version of what I like...

Well, as far as the lack of interior color choice in the XR, it was said on the SaturnFans board not too long ago from someone that attended a dealer meeting, that Saturn had said they would soon into a gray and a beige choice (both already on the XE) for the XR, because they did now realize just black and Morroco brown just weren't enough for that model. I believe they were just going to be later '07 intros, so I would presume anytime now. Actually, dealers should know something about it, especially considering that a lot of buyers have probably been asking.

I'm getting tired of reading the dumb comments here about the GL450 being chosen. Yeah, the new GM's are a terrific improvement over the well-liked trucks before them, but they aren't perfect. The Fords are also another nice improvement, but nothing groundbreaking. The MB, while maybe not the most exciting for some, has better build quality, refinement, space usage, and features that most large ute's out there, and the sticker really is in the same ball park as a lot of loaded up Chevys, GMCs, Fords, etc. And it isn't small either. A new GL parked next to me at the grocery store today, and not only was I actually impressed by the look in person, but it was clearly larger than the typical stunted looking Tahoe and a more comfortable "medium" like an Expedition or something. Add that in with a level of bodywork, finish, details, trim, etc. that is about the best in the business, and I understand why it was chosen. As for what may be chosen as truck of the year, I wonder about that one. The new GM trucks are terrific improvements over the past gen and generally wonderful, but the fact that the new Tundra will also be out shortly and is MUCH different and improved in every way over the old one just might make it a close call. We'll see how that one goes, but I can't predict it yet, at least not until there are more in-depth reviews out of the Toyota or the GM's.

Having seen a new Silverado in person recently, as well as being familiar with all the other trucks on the market, I really like the look of the new Tundra--at least from these pics. It looks fresh and modern, and not at all overdone, or so bland it's almost a bad thing (the GM's...shoot me for saying so). They finally look large and tough, too, with a "road style" flare to make it all smooth and sophisticated too. No, the work truck version people keep commenting on doesn't look great, but neither does a WT Silverado or F150--they look a lot worse, a lot of the time. Still, Toyota isn't going to kill or really hurt any other truckmaker, since truck buyers are often the most stubborn crowd set to one brand for like no matter what, but at least there will be a great new and fresh choice out there for those actually looking for something different and new, with power and size to spare.

Looks good, and I'm glad the front didn't change too much, because the Equinox is still one of the best looking GM's from every side and angle. Throw in a bettering interior, tighter suspension/steering, and finally the 3.6L & 6-speed, and you should get even more buyers clamoring for one. Especially put side to side with a "refreshed" new '08 Escape/Mariner...

If you have an Intrigue with the 3.8L, you have the Series II, and yes, that one has had problems in terms of the intake manifold failure--which can cause other issues. Once it's replaced (hopefully before more problems), you're usually set to go for a long time without issue, but it is one bug a bit too overly common to that 3.8L. Some are lucky and get away with no problems at all, but most run into it eventually. I have a customer with a pampered '99 LeSabre, for instance, with 65k miles on it that coolant just kept disappearing, only to eventually find out it was the infamous 3.8L plastic intake manifold issue. Once replaced, no more issues. The Series I was well before that, I think from about '95 or so and earlier, and the Series III didn't start until the '04 Grand Prix.