New to Envoy's/Trailblazers, few questions

[Ian]

Hi everyone,
So, as the title says, i'm new to envoy's and trailblazers. I haven't decided which model to go with, but I am wondering what I should be looking for when I'm out on test drives. Any tips or help are appreciated.

[Dave]

If you are looking for used models then the earliest models seemed to have the most problems. Electronic tranfer case issues was one of the biggest along with the early I6 engine. Reliability all depends on how the previous owner treated the vehicle. I would have any vehicle looked at by a mechanic that you trust before you buy it.

Trailblazer or Envoy mostly depends on the style you like. Envoys are usually a few $$$ more.

[scjzman]

Most models are very similar except for the top models. There is the Envoy SL, SLE, SLT and Denali. Then the Trailblazer LS, LT and SS packages. You get a very smoother and quiet ride with the Envoy Denali,:cool: but if you want speed like you've never felt in an SUV, go for the Trailblazer SS. :eek:

The bottom line is, it depends upon what YOU want. You definitely came to the right place for answers, opinions and information.:yes:

Welcome to the neighborhood.

[blktbon20s]

i see it like
envoy= luxury
trailblazer= looks
IMO trailblazer look better. I love the aggresive look they have.
In the other hand envoy tend to have more luxury options

[Aerostud1026]

i see it like
envoy= luxury
trailblazer= looks
IMO trailblazer look better. I love the aggresive look they have.
In the other hand envoy tend to have more luxury options

:iagree: I think TB's look alot better, while Envoy's are more tuned towards luxury.....IMO both are great SUV's but I personally went with the TB....Since im a young guy, only 21 the TB has a more sporty look than the Envoy does...plus I got a great deal! :D

[blktbon20s]

:iagree: I think TB's look alot better, while Envoy's are more tuned towards luxury.....IMO both are great SUV's but I personally went with the TB....Since im a young guy, only 21 the TB has a more sporty look than the Envoy does...plus I got a great deal! :D
:iagree: i'm 18 so the TB attracted me more than the envoy

[merenjay]

:iagree: i'm 18 so the TB attracted me more than the envoy

I'm 31 and I liked both of them, just got a better deal on the TB.

[blktbon20s]

I'm 31 and I liked both of them, just got a better deal on the TB.
but still young at heart. LMAO!:crazy:
I was actually went in lookin to buy a envoy,before that i didn't know about the tv, and when i got to the dealer i saw a tb and fell in love w/ it.

[Sims Envy]

I was 17 when I got my Envoy, TB's are nice they do look more aggressive and sporty but I like the Envoy because of its luxury looks, like the others said. They both have a lot of the similar options but I like the woodgrain interior and the sleeker exterior rather than having the busy look. It kind of depends on what you prefer but both are great looking SUVs.

[merenjay]

but still young at heart. LMAO!:crazy:

Hell, if that's the case, I'm only 16 :D.......

[Ian]

wow, thanks for all the replies! I guess something else i've been wondering is how noticeable is the power difference between the I6 and 5.3 V8? One thing thats pretty important to me is the performance aftermarket. Is the V8 easier to mod because its a more common engine?

[Envoy Fan]

Is the V8 easier to mod because its a more common engine?

Bingo :D

[blktbon20s]

Hell, if that's the case, I'm only 16 :D.......
LMAO!!!

wow, thanks for all the replies! I guess something else i've been wondering is how noticeable is the power difference between the I6 and 5.3 V8? One thing thats pretty important to me is the performance aftermarket. Is the V8 easier to mod because its a more common engine?
Not really. Both engine don't have much aftermarket parts. But with an intake and a tune(PCM are reprogrammed for better shifts,gas,ect..) is good enough.
But again it depends on what you want to do w/ this truck.
Is it going to be a:
daily driver
Weekender
for racing

Theres alot to consider, if you are just looking to improve from stock to get an extra hit outta of it, an i6 would be good enough.Now if you more power and want to have that nice V8 exhaust sound....well then the V8 is for you. Keep in mind the difference in mpg

[Ian]

Ya, this will definitely be a bit more of a racer than a d/d (65/35 racing/dd). The last truck i had was spinning 430hp and about 800ft lbs at the rear wheels...i know that i won't see those numbers off of a 5.3L, but if i could hit 320-325hp i think would keep me satisfied until i could do a swap. Mind you, I'm coming from the diesel world, so I have to re-learn all the gas engine mods and what kind of power is realistic. Anyway, I'm going to look at a 2004 LS on saturday. we'll see how that goes. Is there anything I should be keeping an eye out for?
Ian
ps. thanks for the suggestions and help!

[Uber]

I'm surprised people think the TB looks more sporty... I really think the Envoy looks sharper... the TB looks old in the same way a Jimmy does IMHO...

[Ian]

I like them both for different reasons. i think the envoy looks more...classy (cadillac style) and the TB has more of a sporty thing goin on. IMO they both have features that i like, but for different reasons.

[Threader]

Must be the painted side sills which is a classic Truck styling cue.

Blacked out side sills that blend in with tinted windows is straight out of Mini-van styling.

Each style has its fans. I chose an Envoy for many reasons but having the side sills black was one of them. My last car had the same and my taste hasn't changed.

[TrailBlazer LS]

Ya, this will definitely be a bit more of a racer than a d/d (65/35 racing/dd). The last truck i had was spinning 430hp and about 800ft lbs at the rear wheels...i know that i won't see those numbers off of a 5.3L, but if i could hit 320-325hp i think would keep me satisfied until i could do a swap. Mind you, I'm coming from the diesel world, so I have to re-learn all the gas engine mods and what kind of power is realistic. Anyway, I'm going to look at a 2004 LS on saturday. we'll see how that goes. Is there anything I should be keeping an eye out for?
Ian
ps. thanks for the suggestions and help!

Look in the glove box at the numbers. What you want to look for is the # G80 Which is a automatic locking rear differential. And for the gearing if it has GU6 it's 3.42, GT4= 3.73 and GT5= 4.10 gearing. Of course this might not matter to you but it did me. Mine has the G80 and the 3.73's which is a great all around gear. Good luck and let us know what you end up with. Mark.

[Dave]

The 5.3 is used in a lot of GM cars and trucks including the W body (Grand Prix). You will notice the difference in power down low if you are comparing the same things such as rear end gears and vehicle length. I6 is smoother at idle but IMO the V-8 is smoother when putting down power. The V-8 only idles at 550rpm in drive and it is pretty smooth.

I can't help with the aftermarket parts too much but with the new GM crossover on its way out with its 3.6L 275hp V6, the I6 might be history in a couple years. The 5.3 will probably be around for a long time.

Gearing is a real big topic on this site. The 5.3 has 3.42 or 3.73s. SS has 4.10s. I6 has all 3. The higher the number, the better the performance but it comes with around 1-2mpg difference between gears and more noise.

I agree the TB looks more rugged but I love the Envoy because its interior looks a lot less dated.

Since I own both, I can say that I would buy both again but I would probably lean towards the Envoy because it looks more modern especially the interior.

[tjxray99]

I like both the TB and the Envoy looks in the front, however the back is another story, I have a big problem with the way GM did the rear of the TB. I don't like how you can see up underneath of the TB so much. I think in the envoy they did a much better job of making it look cleaner. The TBSS however has an awesome looking rear end.

comparison
http://www.davo.com/_248-588-9600_/images/chevy/Chevy_Trailblazer_Tail.jpg

http://www.impexta.com/img_comon/auta/gmc_envoy2006_02_big.jpg

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suv/112_0507_02z+2006_chevrolet_trailblazer_ss+rear_si de_view.jpg

[Red06LS]

Well considering it's the SS, and that's the veiw the majority of other cars on the road are going to see, it might as well look good! Ok...so...a little late. But I would have to agree with TB looking more sporty or rugged and the Envoy being more classy. I've liked the look of the TB since it came out. So when my wife said she wanted a new SUV and that she was interested in the TB I was more than a little excited.:thumbsup:

[Abarth]

Look at the SAAB 97X:hijacked