Test drove an 06 ss AWD......a few questions.

[oklacop]

My wife and I test drove a loaded out black 06 ss AWD. It had 24.000 miles on it and appeard to be in good shape. First of all it didn't have quite the "umph" I thought it would. I know part of this is because we drove to the dealership in my 06 mustang GT w/ a Whipple twin screw supercharger on it. I know that comparing the SS to my Mustang isn't a fair comparison so I tried to mentally compare it to the my 02 Z71 Tahoe that we will probably be trading in on an SS. When I compare it to the Tahoe I can definately see a a difference. My questions are these.........The ride felt a little rougher than I expected. Would that be the AWD? Are the 2wd models a smoother ride? How many of you with the ss have had the engine plenium cover rub on the underside of the hood. This one we drove had a huge rub spot on the passenger side of the plenium cover where it made contact with the undsedide of the hood? Is that normal????? Thanks for answering my newbie questions guys and gals.

Rob

[dubzman]

I have had my 06 AWD SS for a year already and I love it. I have never had any problems and my cover doesnt rub. Buying from a dealer your SS eventhough it's an 06 should come with the 100000 mile warranty. As far as the AWD and 2WD I havent noticed a ride difference although you can do burnouts in the 2WD and cant even spin the wheels in the AWD.

[Envoy Fan]

I had a poor test drive in a TB SS. Found out that the tires had over 40psi in them. Door psi makes a big difference.

The rubbing of the engine cover could have occurred if the previous owner had an aftermarket CAI on it.

24K miles the owner must have lived in it. :laugh:

[Hawaiian SS]

I have had my 06 AWD SS for a year already and I love it. I have never had any problems and my cover doesnt rub. Buying from a dealer your SS eventhough it's an 06 should come with the 100000 mile warranty. As far as the AWD and 2WD I havent noticed a ride difference although you can do burnouts in the 2WD and cant even spin the wheels in the AWD.

You can't do burnouts in a 2WD unless you have the stabilitrack and traction control off and even then only spins a little unless you power brake. (this is on a stock one, no tune), but have heard with a tune that they will do nice ones.

As for the "UMPH", that is do to tourque management and does seem like a dog off the line, but trust me, once you hit 3000 RPM that truck will move.

I compare to my old '96 Impala SS, that car was about a mid 14 sec car and did good off the line and would get a least a car on my TBSS off the line, but once the TBSS went into second it would pull 3-4 truck lenghts easy on the Impala.

I wouldn't let that worry you about your decision because a nice tune will take care of that.

[2002SLT]

I had a poor test drive in a TB SS. Found out that the tires had over 40psi in them. Door psi makes a big difference.

I agree with that statement, mine came with 44psi. But, the SS has a much stiffer suspension than most SUV's, not counting the JGC SRT8. I went from an Envoy to the SS and the ride is night and day difference. If you're looking for something mushy, you should probably avoid the SS.

[dancemfSS]

I have a 2007 awd TBSS and i think the umph is there.I had a stage 4 subaru wrx.But i love the TBSS more.Maybe the one you drove was beat on or something.

[BowenCT]

After I test drove a TBSS for the first time I too walked away feeling that the acceleration was a little lack-luster. However every one I drove after that felt strong as hell.......as it should. In defense of that first TBSS, maybe I was just a little reserved behind the wheel.

As far as the ride is concerned, I also own a Z-71 (Silverado) and my AWD TBSS has a much firmer ride. Totally nomal. You'll be thankful of that the first time you go into a sharp left-hander a little to hot.

Now performance aside; do you really want to get rid of your '02 Tahoe Z-71 for an '06 w/ 24k on the clock? I mean unless they are offering an absolutely insanly good deal on that '06, I would suggest hunting down a new '07. Dealers all over the U.S. are taking $6-$9k right off the top before negotiations even start! Something to consider. Good luck!

-MB

[ltz03]

who says you cant do a burnout with awd, mabye a brake stand but you can get it sideways...

[smokinjoe486]

OH you can def get the AWD sideways!!!:) and OKLACOP... I have a 03 z71 tahoe before and comparing the two is unfair. I have maybe drove on the grass once in my ss where you know you can go a lot of places with a tahoe. as for the ride, its definately stiffer- that tahoe has a great feeling driving down the road...Overall if your willing to sacrafice a little cargo and leg space, offroad capabilities, and want a suv that will move... Well the SS in my opinion is the way to go. For the price I got mine for I'm EXTREMELY happy

[TBfan]

You can't do burnouts in a 2WD unless you have the stabilitrack and traction control off and even then only spins a little unless you power brake. (this is on a stock one, no tune), but have heard with a tune that they will do nice ones.

As for the "UMPH", that is do to tourque management and does seem like a dog off the line, but trust me, once you hit 3000 RPM that truck will move.

I compare to my old '96 Impala SS, that car was about a mid 14 sec car and did good off the line and would get a least a car on my TBSS off the line, but once the TBSS went into second it would pull 3-4 truck lenghts easy on the Impala.

I wouldn't let that worry you about your decision because a nice tune will take care of that.

wow hard to do burnouts thats too bad I can do a burnout with my 06 4.2l 2wd no power brake just put it in drive and punch it. Granted its only 1 wheel spinning but thats with all the stabilitrak/T/C control on.:p

[ltz03]

what was it raining out when you pealed out?? i could never get my 4.2 to do anything and all tm was removed in the tune, it could do a brake stand nut not off the line

[2002SLT]

what was it raining out when you pealed out?? i could never get my 4.2 to do anything and all tm was removed in the tune, it could do a brake stand nut not off the line

My Envoy would smoke the inside tire all day. I can also spin 3 on my AWD SS, but not for very long.

[TrailBlazer LS]

what was it raining out when you pealed out?? i could never get my 4.2 to do anything and all tm was removed in the tune, it could do a brake stand nut not off the line

Mine doesn't like to do burnouts either. But i really don't try to do them. The G80 locks right up and there not all that strong. And the A/T tires hop pretty bad. But when you are spinnin your movin way to slow anyway.

Mark.

[ScarabEpic22]

My Envoy would smoke the inside tire all day. I can also spin 3 on my AWD SS, but not for very long.

Gotcha, you must not have had the G80 locker back there then. I have 3.73s and the G80, only way I can chirp the tires is my WOT 1-2 shift (every time, wet or dry I get a chirp:yes: :raspberry ) or brake stall to like 2200rpm and go WOT.

[TBfan]

what was it raining out when you pealed out?? i could never get my 4.2 to do anything and all tm was removed in the tune, it could do a brake stand nut not off the line
Ha thats funny but no it wasnt raining, no sprinklers (of course that makes it easy) just dry asphalt. My 04 4.2 did better 1 tire burnouts and both vehicles were factory spec. The 04 had 3.73 and no computer trying to stop it from happening though. Its fun every now and then it reminds me of my old rear drive V8 cars. A GEO metro 3cyl can spin a tire not quite a burnout but still impressive. Dont always need a V8 or stand on the brake.

[Jizz]

:m2:

My 2006 SS AWD ran a 13.8 @ 100 with a 2.0 60' Bone stock. With full weight... I.E. Spare tire, Car seat, box of junk in the rear etc.

So I say this truck has plenty of umph.

[turboawd]

I had a poor test drive in a TB SS. Found out that the tires had over 40psi in them.
i hope you didnt beat on that truck. :mad:

[matts]

the engine cover shouldn't be rubbing. and the lack of "uumph" is torque management doing it's job. after a tune it drives like it should.

but i think i would avoid that particular TBSS unless you're getting an insanely good deal. that just seems like alot of miles to me. mine's got 15,000 and we drive it quite a bit.

[eMkcuS]

My wife and I test drove a loaded out black 06 ss AWD. It had 24.000 miles on it and appeard to be in good shape. First of all it didn't have quite the "umph" I thought it would. I know part of this is because we drove to the dealership in my 06 mustang GT w/ a Whipple twin screw supercharger on it. I know that comparing the SS to my Mustang isn't a fair comparison so I tried to mentally compare it to the my 02 Z71 Tahoe that we will probably be trading in on an SS. When I compare it to the Tahoe I can definately see a a difference. My questions are these.........The ride felt a little rougher than I expected. Would that be the AWD? Are the 2wd models a smoother ride? How many of you with the ss have had the engine plenium cover rub on the underside of the hood. This one we drove had a huge rub spot on the passenger side of the plenium cover where it made contact with the undsedide of the hood? Is that normal????? Thanks for answering my newbie questions guys and gals.

Rob

I've thought since I bought mine that I'd like for it to ride a little stiffer. But I'm used to cranked torsion bars on 4x4's, so perhaps I'm not a good barometer for what a good ride is:)

As for the umph...The tune makes a world of difference. If you're around the OKC area, I'm sure that we could arrange an "umph" test so you can see how much that tune wakes these trucks up.:woot: