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View Full Version : Mama gets some new wheels



WA 2 FST
07-23-2006, 12:38 AM
First of all, this was not my fault. It was our 16th anniversary and Melissa wanted to go look at vehicles. The caveat was she had seen a few of the sedans I had shown her, and just _has_ to have something that sits up higher. The second thing is that we both have gotten so frustrated with the 10mpg gas hog called an Expedition, that whatever we got had to do better than that.

My input is that there is no way we _need_ a 3rd row. It is a waste of space, we're just towing an extra 1000lbs of air 95% of the time. My kids' friends can get their own ride, for crying out loud. My kids have good friends, but they obviously have parents that couldn't care less about the inside of their vehicles. I clean it up, someone else leaves gum wrappers, etc in there, and at 10mpg we don't need to be the neighborhood shuttle bus for 4 kids who don't carry my last name.

The coolest SUV on the planet is the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 which is very popular among many of us L-fanatics here. Nothing short of bad-ass, with full-time AWD it will smoke just about anything 0-40 and runs low, mid-13s in the 1/4. The problem is its advertised at 11/15mpg, and most of the forums are saying expect 8-9 city/12hwy if you're doing more than 65. No thanks. So, we didn't even go look at that one.

We did go look at the Trailblazer SS. Huffines in Plano had one in a color we liked, so we headed over there to check it out. The guy brings it up from the rear lot and Melissa likes the way it looks (who wouldn't... the aggressive stance looks great to even those who care very little about cars...read: my wife). We get the front seats adjusted for us short people, and then I hop in the backseat to see how much legroom there is. Plenty for someone 5'10"+. We're all midgets in my family, so it doesn't matter. I'm wondering how she thinks it "feels" from the driver's seat. She says the view (just sitting there) is great. It's definitely "high enough". The room behind the 2nd row is plenty for any grocery/store shopping we'll ever do. It's too small to transport the kids' bikes, but for crying out loud, I have two trucks that can do that already.

The sticker says 15/19 EPA estimated gas mileage. Even using 30c/gal higher gas will still net a nice savings vs. the Expy.
So we go for a ride. The salesman warns that the throttle may be significantly more than what we're used to. Melissa is driving, but he quickly learns my vehicle history...both past and present. I offer to race his brand new Z06 on the showroom floor, if he'll give me the title if I beat it. LOL. But my wife, being very cautious must not be giving it any gas b/c we're just barely moving as we turn onto the street in front of the dealership. She immediately comments on how much better the brakes are, how tight the steering is, and how the vehicle seems to corner very well. Uh, hello? Is this my wife? Has she privately been taking lessons out at MS Ranch? So we drive a couple of miles, and I have her make a few U-turns out on Coit road. "Will it make that u-turn?" Yes, this is not the Expedition. She is pleased that it has a tight turning radius and we head back to the lot. Not to let the opportunity slip by, I ask if I can drive it. This had to be one of the best salesmen I've encountered (no BS lines that I heard), but I think he was a bit nervous that I'd hammer on it. I jump in, powerbraked it in the parking lot.... no, not really. ;) I took it out and blipped the throttle about 1/4 way and the revs immediately climb to 3k and the acceleration is effortless and brisk. The trans does not shift too early. The 4.10 rear gears pull the engine into the rev band nicely...they need to given it's heft compared to the Vette. Turn in and braking are very good. I like it.
$3500 factory rebate on the '06 + they were ready to deal. We got Kelly Blue Book for the Expy in the trade and got the SS for $6.5k off sticker (including the rebate... they told me the "invoice" was only $2400 below the sticker... I called BS, and we came to an agreement that worked for everyone). The nice savings is allowing us to have them install a twin DVD setup w/ game ports in headrests for the backseat entertainment. That will get done next week.
We weren't out of the dealership coming back on Plano Pkwy 5 miles before a guy in a Nissan Titan pickup wanted to race. Melissa wasn't real thrilled, but I promptly whipped his ass from a 0-55 stoplight run, and I just rolled into the throttle. I haven't jumped on it from a standing start yet. I guess it will spin the tires. It doesn't on the upshifts, but it shifts nicely. There's a slight pause in there, and that's fine for her. She doesn't need to go any faster.
On the highway the thing tracks great and its smooth. I was surprised. I didn't even look to see if this thing has IRS, but it must b/c its substantially smoother than the Expy, even with low-profile 20" tires. The seats are supportive and comfortable, a lot like the Lightning's. When I first went and looked at one of these a couple of months ago, I felt like the fit/finish might not be as good as the Expy, but I was wrong. This thing feels very tight, albeit its a vehicle that now has ~75 miles on it.
Even with a little romping, the gas mileage indicator says 15mpg, so that's a nice improvement. Mama's happy, and she was out in it today and when she got home exclaimed, "that thing is a lot of fun to drive." Welcome to 395hp, sweetie. :)

I just uploaded some pics in the Gallery.

dboat
07-23-2006, 06:03 AM
Great post and good luck with the new vehicle.. tried to get my wife to consider one a while back, and then the Jeep.. well we bought a Suzuki (another one) instead.. at least it wasnt expensive and I like it ok..

Dana

Lyfisin
07-23-2006, 09:18 AM
That was a fun read. Your wife drives like mine. lol

Fun post.

WA 2 FST
07-23-2006, 09:28 AM
Thanks guys. I'm glad you enjoyed the entertainment value. :) I'd hate to be considered too boring around here.

Honest to goodness on the test-drive I'm thinking, "hello... the gas is on the right". The funny thing is that I _know_ she hot-rods her vehicle, b/c I've ridden shotgun plenty of times over the years. I think she was just being overly cautious since I had told her well before the salesman that it had a "Corvette engine" in it, and the fact we hadn't bought it yet. ;)

tliss
07-23-2006, 01:19 PM
Very Cool...my wife snubbed her nose at one when I took her to the dealer to check it out. She's into more of the "SUV look" than the sporty look. Kinda sucked because they were giving me a hell of a deal on it (fully loaded for about $28K at the end of last year during the employee pricing craze). I like that thing a lot and the gas mileage is better than my 6 cyl Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the wife wasn't going to go for it.

Congrats on the new toy. Get some headers and an exhaust on that thing and make it sound like it's got that LS2 (I think it's an LS2) engine in it...they are too damn quiet! :burnout:

Tom

WA 2 FST
07-23-2006, 03:05 PM
Congrats on the new toy. Get some headers and an exhaust on that thing and make it sound like it's got that LS2 (I think it's an LS2) engine in it...they are too damn quiet! :burnout:

Tom

It _is_ quiet. My Vette with stock exhaust is very quiet too, but this thing is whisper-like. I got under it today and noticed that it has 2 mufflers (single exhaust). One is under the belly of the vehicle, the other is right in front of the exhaust tip. Yes, it is an LS2, rated at 395hp/400tq.

Unfortunately Tom, I am going to have to leave this thing alone. She likes it the way it is sound-wise. Honestly, I kind of like it too for the family.

Maybe I can sneak a performance tune in there. I've read documentation of 20-25rwhp gains to be had. These are more conservatively tuned than the Vettes/GTOs.

PoorSvtman
07-23-2006, 03:56 PM
did they upgrade the suspension at at from the regular trail blazer.. Cause all i know is that when i used to work at chevy and drove all the vehicles with a chevy badge all day up and down the highway the trailblazer handled worse than a uhaul truck. Sucker leaned bad in corners,etc.. I hated to drive them

WA 2 FST
07-23-2006, 04:00 PM
Yep, different springs, Bilstein shocks, etc. I don't know all the details, to be honest...but I know that much. I expected it to lean, sway, etc. It doesn't.

PoorSvtman
07-23-2006, 04:04 PM
Yep, different springs, Bilstein shocks, etc. I don't know all the details, to be honest...but I know that much. I expected it to lean, sway, etc. It doesn't.

Cool deal.. Yea the old TBs were bad

02BOLT
07-23-2006, 10:10 PM
Sweet grab, Wes. Congrats on "talking" the wife into getting something you can enjoy as well. The SS's are really nice looking, and with the LS2, should offer plenty of effortless acceleration. Ain't nothin' wrong with a 395 HP gracery getter!:tu:

I believe they dyno right around mid 330's at the wheels(same as my G2 stock), so it should be good for low 14's or so, pretty easily. There are however, a few of them out there, I've seen on other forums, running mid 13's, so there you go. As far as the handling, from what I understand, they were tuned on the famous Nurburgring(sp?) in Germany; so it should handle pretty well. Enjoy...

Tex Arcana
07-24-2006, 01:52 PM
The thing's got a stick axle under it, but they use coils/trailing arms/panhard to control it, so it's not too bad on smoother streets.

:tu:

WA 2 FST
07-24-2006, 01:58 PM
The thing's got a stick axle under it, but they use coils/trailing arms/panhard to control it, so it's not too bad on smoother streets.

:tu:

Yep, I got under it yesterday and looked around. Basically built in traction bars. It does have some sort of air-ride on it too. I'm frankly shocked at how well it handles, but even better for what we're used to the ride is great. I think GM did a good job balancing all that. Usually its great handling/brutal ride, or cushy ride/roll-over style handling.

Rob, my butt meter says mid-14s...maybe low 14s on a good day once its broken in.

Tex Arcana
07-24-2006, 02:02 PM
Yep, I got under it yesterday and looked around. Basically built in traction bars. It does have some sort of air-ride on it too. I'm frankly shocked at how well it handles, but even better for what we're used to the ride is great. I think GM did a good job balancing all that. Usually its great handling/brutal ride, or cushy ride/roll-over style handling.

Rob, my butt meter says mid-14s...maybe low 14s on a good day once its broken in.

That explains the smooth ride, air ride is good stuff. :tu: I'm not surprised you dind't pass it up, this sale they have going on is killer.

wesman
07-24-2006, 03:08 PM
Congrats, I like those (except for the fact that they make my V1 go insane)

Here's the pics for those interested :)

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/medium/P1000577.jpg

http://www.svtgalleries.net/gallery/data/500/medium/P1000581.jpg

:tu:

TX SVT LIGHTNING
08-21-2006, 06:53 PM
cool purchase.
I cae across trailblazerss.com , had ours since april. got 2 common little items fixed so far
1) front valance is missing 2 brackets, so it feels loose. With fog lights on at night, you can see how much it's moving while driving.

2) the black gasket piece that outlines the rear license plate section has glue running/dripping from it. Got it swapped, no issues since (knock on wood)

There is someone coming down to dallas in a few weeks to do a group tuning for the TBSS owners. Vector motorsports I think (saw it posted).

WA 2 FST
08-21-2006, 08:03 PM
Hey Rick,

We too have both minor issues you describe. The adhesive running down the back is a bit of a pain. The front valance issue isn't a big deal to me (yes, I've seen what you're talking about, though). However, are there TSB's that the dealers will know about for these two issues?

Also, Andy Mages (ADM Performance) who used to work for 21st Century Musclecars (authorized Lingenfelter Performance dealer) has his own TBSS stuff. Knowing the quality of work Andy does, I personally will be going with his products for aftermarket.

His e-fan, tune, CAI setup will add 40rwhp. (315rwhp stock to 358rwhp) It will also add a little fuel economy from what the current customers are saying. You can find him out on www.trailvoy.com (http://www.trailvoy.com/)

Thanks for the info about the two issues you have had with yours. That makes me feel a little better (but still need to get at least the rear decklid seal fixed).

TX SVT LIGHTNING
08-22-2006, 06:17 AM
#06-08-42-005 - (03/22/2006) is for the 2 bumper brackets & 4 bolts they forgot to put on.
The 'goo runs' is a know issue for all the trailblazer, envoy, buick & saab models.

When did Andy leave 21st Century? Got to see John Page running his Black '06 ZO6 at TWS back in May, said he was hitting 170 on the front stretch. The air coming off the front of the car at that speed made it sound like he had a little hair dryer stuffed in there. Snapped this one, he was 150+ mph here pic (http://www.austinsvt.com/rick/misc/060406tws/IMG_1599a.jpg)

WA 2 FST
08-22-2006, 07:50 AM
Thanks Rick. Andy has been gone for ~6+ months I believe. He's working for a private airline over in Addison.

wesman
08-22-2006, 08:08 AM
Someone over on dfwstangs had his SS out at the track over the weekend and was running 13.4's I believe. Pretty impressive :tu:

WA 2 FST
08-22-2006, 09:02 AM
In this heat, that is very good. The stock truck is neutered from the factory with overaggressive timing retard when the IAT's get "high" + high load situations. GM does this so the truck can maintain good towing capacity in high load conditions.

Dyno'ing the truck when the IAT's are above 100^F will cut power by 20rwhp on the same dyno, same day as a truck with IAT's in the 75-80F range. Really, its just a tuning issue more than the additional air charge temp. Keep the timing more aggressive and the power comes back up, even with the higher IAT. I would think 350+rwhp would run mid, high-13s pretty easily, but that guy may have had some juice on it.