caddycruiser

Sounds very accurate, especially given recent things that have been said in a few of my college engineering courses. Now one would think that, these being relatively skilled engineering faculty, they'd recognize that there's very little difference in "quality" and reliability between domestics and some foreign cars anymore, and that's mostly true. Yet, when a professor was talking about a similar issue the other day, he posed the question: "Do any of you drive import cars? Why?" About 1/2 the class raised their hands, and one responded "Well, my mechanic told me to get an import car."... ...really, really bright future Mech. Egr's we have here... As to this quote specifically, it too seems all too true. That one car is still one of the few that almost everybody would at least consider, just because it's so bold, refined, and priced so well. Still seems to be a winning formula too, almost 2 years after the fact, so that says something...and should be finally answering a few of GM's "What should we do?" questions.

Sounds good to me...I think a 354hp 2wd Suburban 1/2 ton would be terrific Mom's new "smoke'em" ride...

And you get that impression from what? Each still does completely their own thing, but they started to figure out over the years, why go and spend all the money and time developing things like a completely new rear suspension for the 300/Charger/Magnum, when MB had a fully tested and proven design already that would work perfectly? Same goes for other bits like seat frames and steering columns...you don't see them, but the fact that they are "shared", per say, is part of the reason why the pricing on the cars is so great. That IS the point of a merger...combining minds and resources to make as productive of an operation as possible. Even with this article...it's not like they want to pull a GM, and just make the same vehicle across 3 divisions, differentiated by only a new fascia and some stickers. No MB will ever be even remotely close to a Chrysler, and visa vera...

Actually, it sorta is...and if you have CD's, it takes all of a couple minutes to put all or some of the songs from one onto an MP3 player. Just a cleaner, easier, less bulky option for me, and quite a few other people anymore. I don't think a changer not going with a Nav will be much of a problem at all--you can still get it without Nav, though.

What the heck is the 6.0L? The current older one? I thought they replaced that with the new 6.2L with VVT?

Interesting. Owning a Suburban now, I don't think I'd ever try to put 3 in the 3rd row of that in the first place, let alone in a Tahoe. Now that it's going to be split 50/50 in the Subs too, I think the little tray/cupholder things on the center of the 2 passenger 3rd row would be nicer than one big flat piece. But that's just me. I still can't believe people actually buy a "shortie" with a 3rd row. Up, there's no cargo room behind it and it's not exactly fit for comfortable human sitting, so it's always seemed worthless to me. I really like the 5 seater ones, as the shorter length and then big open space in the back is a pretty cool setup. But with a 3rd row, you may as well just get a Suburban where it's actually usable and has a lot of space behind it--plus the fact that it really isn't any harder to manuever, just rides smoother because of the extended wheelbase. REALLY want to see a new Suburban in person...mom was describing all the stuff in the Tahoe brochure they sent her to me on the phone, and she seemed to like it. Didn't care for it when I first showed it, but would probably give an arm and a leg right now if she could have a power liftgate and easier to wrangle out back seat on hers Then again, by the time the '04 is replaced, she might change and go into a Tahoe (not likely, but maybe) or another Avalanche, which she still raves about today, after owning the '02 Z66.

Newbiewar... Are you stocking more with the 2 passenger 3rd seat or the 3 passenger one? I didn't even know this was an option until I saw both on some of the ones being sold on Ebay. I guess it was just GM's way of offering something different back there, since they never really fixed the having to unlatch and lug out the seats issue.

I think it does it right as soon as you start to maintain a steady speed--like, I would assume, right after you merge onto the highway and start cruising. So far, I think one or two of the mags have said you feel a very slight vibe in the gas pedal (this one could have been a one-time anomaly) and that you do notice a change in the exhaust note--it'll be interesting to see how the aftermarket units handle that one, since when in 4-cyl mode, they'll have to work to make sure it doesn't sound overly raspy or buzzy. The Impala SS with DOD has a light when it kicks on, so maybe this does too--it just never got a chance to with your driving. I like the fact that you said "nice, tight and stable in the curves"...our '04 is pretty much like that, but better steering stability on the highway and general crispness improvement would be terrific. Actually, I'd really like a more "tanklike" feel over bad roads--neither our Avalanche or Suburban feel flimsy over lumpy, bumpy stuff, but they definately don't feel as "rock of gibralter" as they should be for such new trucks.

Probably so--refine any vehicle and make it smoother and quieter, and it naturally feels slower and less rauscous. The new trucks are heavier and a lot better put together, so you'd expect the same to be true here. I can't also help but think the old 4-speed isn't helping matters at all either--that's one thing C&D (whether you like them or not) said seemed to sap down any extra power that the engine did get. The 6-speed can't come soon enough. Another culprit might be the accelerator pedal itself...it's always been very soft and "floppy" on the GMT-800's, which kind of makes them feel quicker than they are because less pressure, and you're be roaring along...something that did get deadened down a bit when they switched to the electro-throttle in '03, but was still there a bit.

Sounds good. I mostly enjoy driving our '04 Burban, but it would be TERRIFIC to have that same character matched with a new braking system that actually has pedal feel (and not scary down, down, down feel...), crisper steering, and a quality interior that doesn't have the potential for so many little creaks and other annoying noises. Basically take what's good about these trucks, and just up the feeling of solidity and sharpen the responses. But yeah, like was asked above, is the extra 25 horses noticeable? From the reviews it doesn't sound like it, with the one mentioning that the old 4-spd pretty much chokes the feeling of any extra output--which seems about right. Notice the DOD working, ever?

See? Problem solved :AH-HA_wink:

Yep, exactly. I used to occasionally buy a CD or two, but when the world of downloading one by one ($0.99 is my favorite) and putting them on an MP3 player that is more compact and as easy to use as anything, came about, I stopped wasting that money. I would LOVE if my car had an Aux. jack on the face of the stereo like so many do now, but that can always be added, and in the time being, my good old cassette adapter works beautifully. Mom has the upgraded 6-CD changer unit in her Suburban, but there's never any more than 2 CD's in there at a time. Dad still is just barely getting around to cassettes (yeah...I know...), but keeps wanting me to tell him about MP3 players and how I get the songs. Basically, CD's are going nowhere but down the tubes...

Huh; I didn't realize 'too damned clunky' and 'antique' were "engineering terms"! ;) [post="79805"][/post] Haha, you like my attempt at lamens terms? :rolleyes:

Though I think these trucks will be "nice" looking, I have a feeling they're still going to lack any kind of real presence. Camo'd or not, you can't hide a very, very basic thin and boxy build. Again, nice and unoffensive, but not the least bit bold...at ALL. Just my observations and guess...

Also true. Actually, they started pushing that with the '03 models and it got so popular then, it's hard to find a new GM SUV on the lots that doesn't have it. B/w Sat. Radio and the cool new MP3 player jacks, the use for CD's is getting less and less.

Hmm...that is interesting, and completely correct according to the ordering guide. At least they finally fixed the issue of Chevy's and GMC's with the Nav only being able to play 1 CD or 1 DVD at the same time--and never both together. But I guess the reason they got rid of the CD changer on Nav-equipped models (still there on lower stereo models) is because so many people now, especially people who buy Nav-equipped cars, rarely use CD's, in favor of just plugging their MP3 player into the jack. That'd certainly be true for me.

Haha, good one. But I guess that would technically classify as "flying" :AH-HA_wink:

Here's a good one...NO WHERE! :AH-HA_wink: 19, going on 20, and still the farthest west I've been is Ohio, and the farthest south North Carolina. Born in western PA and moved to DE 7 years ago, by the way. Still, that said, don't feel like I'm missing anything...just never had a real reason to fly

Good to hear. Did you have to discount them much? Several dealers are already selling them right around invoice like they have every other car for years, but I wonder how different it is in So. Cal. right now...which sometimes can be a mecca for overpricing?

Yes, I have, actually. That's the combo we have on our white '93, and it looks great, but I just think the machined-face finish blends in a bit too much with the pewter/gray paint on this car. If you check out this pic from Sal again, you'll see what I mean: He did the same swap. Plus, for as little as I can get a used set, I'd rather have the slightly flashier chrome-plated versions--still stock, as they were an option then, just a little more flash. Plus, I've just always wanted to have a set of those wheels if I ever bought another one of those cars--they just look terrific. I think I could make out well, actually, if I sold the set of wheels and nearly new expensive Michelins that are on it now, and then bought a new set of whitey's and the chromes--wouldn't make money, but it shouldn't cost me a whole lot extra, as long as I could sell what's on it now. Yet there's still something about the SS wheel combo that looks REALLY cool...more expensive, but cool.

Never thought about that. Looks cool, but not as ritzy as 100% Caddy would. Keep the comments coming :AH-HA_wink:

WOW...the voting is 45% for whitewalls and maybe chromes, but now tied equally at 27% between keeping it as is and doing SS wheels. Hmm...interesting so far B)

Trust me, I've seen such a thing photo-shopped and it looked AWFUL. Then again, I've always loved the original cladded Av as is, since I think it was one vehicle they actually got right from day one, but still. Wrap it completely around the wheels, and it looks pretty dumb...like it's just up there for the heck of it.

Somehow I don't either. GM almost never gets a fully beautiful design out with correct proportions and details that ages well, but the first gen Aurora is certainly one they did. I could never believe how it even looked cooler than the 2nd gen, which was nice, but lacked the same level of presence.

Actually, in the last year or so, Z71's seem to have taken over as the most popular choice with Tahoes and Suburbans--especially since they started offering the package in conjunction with 2wd. I know quite a few people from VA and southward that have one of those. The main reason, I think, for the popularity is that all the little details like a monochromatic paint job, burlier roof rack, and different wheels just makes a somewhat bland truck look a LOT cooler. 95% of the people who buy them could care less about any off-road suspension bits, as that's not really what the SUV's were intended for in the first place--they can do it, but most of the engineering time and $$ went into on-road performance. All that said, I'm anxious to see how the new Z71 bits dress up the new trucks :AH-HA_wink: