Car Question....

Frankly I find some of the comments here offensive. I am not some rube who has just walked in from the hills. I have worked on car and marine engines all my life. And I am an engineer who specializes in recreational boats. I too thought what a scam. But then, I have been having this same shop work on my cars for over 10 years, and I know the manager. So I checked it out with other people I know who are familiar with newer cars and their engines and as Espos said, it is a common problem with Trailblazers of that generation. I was amazed that Chevy would design a car that way. Yeah, I could have taken it for a couple of hundred miles drive and it would have eventually remapped itself. But then maybe not. I drive less than 50 miles a week and I just didn't want to deal with it. So I ponied up the bucks and got it fixed. And I might add it now drives like a new engine. I have gotten to a point in my life where I simply don't want to be working on my car. Simple stuff is ok. But I have managed to hurt myself seriously working on my boat and cars, and I have the cash so what the heck, let some young person do the work. Besides I don't currently have any place to do the work and where I now live, working on your car is verbotten.

Yeah I have heard the old flux capacitor gag before, used to use it myself when I was working in electronics back in the late 60s and 70's. And I have told a few mechanics to go pound sand over the years when they tried to BS me with their wit and wisdom.

As for the suspension problems: I noted the uneven wear on the tires at least a year ago. And my wife has been complaining about the shocks for at least that long. But I hate these tires and the sooner they wear out the better. I thought I got a good deal when I bought them, and they are a well known brand and on sale so I bought them. They are harsh riding, noisy and just plain uncomfortable. The sooner they have to be replaced the better. But before I buy new tires I will get new shocks and ball joints before I put on some michelins or pirellis instead of this brand. I don't want a new set wearing out before their time.
 
Frankly I find some of the comments here offensive. I am not some rube who has just walked in from the hills. I have worked on car and marine engines all my life. And I am an engineer who specializes in recreational boats. I too thought what a scam. But then, I have been having this same shop work on my cars for over 10 years, and I know the manager. So I checked it out with other people I know who are familiar with newer cars and their engines and as Espos said, it is a common problem with Trailblazers of that generation. I was amazed that Chevy would design a car that way. Yeah, I could have taken it for a couple of hundred miles drive and it would have eventually remapped itself. But then maybe not. I drive less than 50 miles a week and I just didn't want to deal with it. So I ponied up the bucks and got it fixed. And I might add it now drives like a new engine. I have gotten to a point in my life where I simply don't want to be working on my car. Simple stuff is ok. But I have managed to hurt myself seriously working on my boat and cars, and I have the cash so what the heck, let some young person do the work. Besides I don't currently have any place to do the work and where I now live, working on your car is verbotten.

Yeah I have heard the old flux capacitor gag before, used to use it myself when I was working in electronics back in the late 60s and 70's. And I have told a few mechanics to go pound sand over the years when they tried to BS me with their wit and wisdom.

As for the suspension problems: I noted the uneven wear on the tires at least a year ago. And my wife has been complaining about the shocks for at least that long. But I hate these tires and the sooner they wear out the better. I thought I got a good deal when I bought them, and they are a well known brand and on sale so I bought them. They are harsh riding, noisy and just plain uncomfortable. The sooner they have to be replaced the better. But before I buy new tires I will get new shocks and ball joints before I put on some michelins or pirellis instead of this brand. I don't want a new set wearing out before their time.

Ike. Take no offense with my post. It was not directed at you at all. I have no knowledge of the Trailblazer issue. But I have been fed BS by dealers all the time. Some worse than others. Some are actually great. Most service advisors assume if you are wearing a suit you have no clue about how the car works and often try to upsell you. Our current Acura dealer has never done that. Our BMW dealer was condescending and assumed I knew nothing. A Ford dealer we used for many years was not so bad. Ironically one of the worst was a Toyota dealer. Very reliable car, so every time it was in for an oil change the upsell attempt was insane.
 
Frankly I find some of the comments here offensive. I am not some rube who has just walked in from the hills. I have worked on car and marine engines all my life. And I am an engineer who specializes in recreational boats. I too thought what a scam. But then, I have been having this same shop work on my cars for over 10 years, and I know the manager. So I checked it out with other people I know who are familiar with newer cars and their engines and as Espos said, it is a common problem with Trailblazers of that generation. I was amazed that Chevy would design a car that way. Yeah, I could have taken it for a couple of hundred miles drive and it would have eventually remapped itself. But then maybe not. I drive less than 50 miles a week and I just didn't want to deal with it. So I ponied up the bucks and got it fixed. And I might add it now drives like a new engine. I have gotten to a point in my life where I simply don't want to be working on my car. Simple stuff is ok. But I have managed to hurt myself seriously working on my boat and cars, and I have the cash so what the heck, let some young person do the work. Besides I don't currently have any place to do the work and where I now live, working on your car is verbotten.

Yeah I have heard the old flux capacitor gag before, used to use it myself when I was working in electronics back in the late 60s and 70's. And I have told a few mechanics to go pound sand over the years when they tried to BS me with their wit and wisdom.

As for the suspension problems: I noted the uneven wear on the tires at least a year ago. And my wife has been complaining about the shocks for at least that long. But I hate these tires and the sooner they wear out the better. I thought I got a good deal when I bought them, and they are a well known brand and on sale so I bought them. They are harsh riding, noisy and just plain uncomfortable. The sooner they have to be replaced the better. But before I buy new tires I will get new shocks and ball joints before I put on some michelins or pirellis instead of this brand. I don't want a new set wearing out before their time.

My comments were in no way meant offend anyone, they are the facts and the facts are indisputable.
But I will add, the part about needing to be hooked to a computer to diagnose the low beam relay is total BS also, and, is not a "dumb design".

Manufacturer trained and certified Senior Master Technician, electronics specialist with over 50 yrs. experience to date.
 
Boy, glad you guys jumped in with diplomatic responses. I was all set to let loose with a “Lighten up Francis”.

BTW, anyone seen the photo of the bunny with a pancake on its head lately?

I don't see a pancake?
images.jpg
 
Wasn't expecting this much debate but, then again....it is winter.

Update….I ruled out the Mercedes due mainly to cost of ownership. I know some of you will push back. Last Monday I drove the Merc and the Acadia. The Merc is by far the better car but I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't quieter. The Acadia is a really nice car but again....noisy, and as Consumer Reports stated, not the best fit and finish inside.

As I was driving home I passed a small Lincoln-Suburu dealer and they had a 2017 Toyota Highlander Limited with 18,800 miles. I took it for a ride and was amazed at how quiet it was and very well appointed. Their price is a bit high but worth another look.

My wife is on business travel and when she returns I will have her drive the GMC and the Toyota and see if we can't narrow this down some.

Thanks again for the lively opinions.
Shawn
 
Wasn't expecting this much debate but, then again....it is winter.

Update….I ruled out the Mercedes due mainly to cost of ownership. I know some of you will push back. Last Monday I drove the Merc and the Acadia. The Merc is by far the better car but I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't quieter. The Acadia is a really nice car but again....noisy, and as Consumer Reports stated, not the best fit and finish inside.

As I was driving home I passed a small Lincoln-Suburu dealer and they had a 2017 Toyota Highlander Limited with 18,800 miles. I took it for a ride and was amazed at how quiet it was and very well appointed. Their price is a bit high but worth another look.

My wife is on business travel and when she returns I will have her drive the GMC and the Toyota and see if we can't narrow this down some.

Thanks again for the lively opinions.
Shawn

Sounds like the a Toyota might be a good choice. If you decide you want one then see if you can find it on a Toyota dealer’s lot so you can get it “certified/pre-owned”.
 
Sounds like the a Toyota might be a good choice. If you decide you want one then see if you can find it on a Toyota dealer’s lot so you can get it “certified/pre-owned”.

100%. Local dealer offers all their used with a lifetime powertrain warranty. I said get it GM certified and I'll buy. 12/12 bumper to bumper and 6/100 powertrain.... on the Acadia's at least.
 
Final update....

Yesterday we completed a deal on the Toyota Highlander. It was not at a Toyota dealer so we were not able to buy it as certified. They did however, offer us an extended warranty at a reduced price that we felt was fair. We don't live in a large community and have only a few dealerships in relative proximity. However, I did search on-line within about a 60 mile radius and while there were a couple available none were the color or equipped the way we wanted.

It's a really nice car and as Consumer Reports stated, "its roomy, quiet and dependable but it does not provide a sporty driving experience." Well, I guess if I wanted a sporty driving experience I shouldn't be driving an SUV.

One side note....While finishing the deal a gentleman rolls up in a wheelchair and is introduced to us as the owner of the dealership which sells Lincolns & Subarus. He recently had a stroke and that was the reason for the wheelchair. We start talking cars and racing and the subject turns to his personal car collection which numbers around 30. He shared that 2 of his cars were 2 of Paul Newman's race cars, his Datsun 510 and his 280Z. He purchased them both in rough condition and had them restored to race-ready condition. He also owns a '67 Ford AC Cobra, original, not a kit car, and a 1955 AC Bristol (AC cars are what Carroll Shelby turned into a legend) that is being readied to go to the next Amelia Island Concurs. One thing leads to another and I have been invited to come to his home and see the collection! Sometimes it pays to live in a small town

Again, thanks to you all. Over the years I've come to rely on this forum for more than just boating advice.
Shawn
 
I would love to just touch that Cobra to say I have.

But back to subject, I am a Ford guy. I would have said, "test drive an Edge or Escape". 136000 miles on my edge and only thing done to it outside of routine are the dumb things I added. Nerf bars, window visors, reusable air filter and putting factory Explorer wheels on it.
 
Final update....

Yesterday we completed a deal on the Toyota Highlander. It was not at a Toyota dealer so we were not able to buy it as certified. They did however, offer us an extended warranty at a reduced price that we felt was fair. We don't live in a large community and have only a few dealerships in relative proximity. However, I did search on-line within about a 60 mile radius and while there were a couple available none were the color or equipped the way we wanted.

It's a really nice car and as Consumer Reports stated, "its roomy, quiet and dependable but it does not provide a sporty driving experience." Well, I guess if I wanted a sporty driving experience I shouldn't be driving an SUV.

One side note....While finishing the deal a gentleman rolls up in a wheelchair and is introduced to us as the owner of the dealership which sells Lincolns & Subarus. He recently had a stroke and that was the reason for the wheelchair. We start talking cars and racing and the subject turns to his personal car collection which numbers around 30. He shared that 2 of his cars were 2 of Paul Newman's race cars, his Datsun 510 and his 280Z. He purchased them both in rough condition and had them restored to race-ready condition. He also owns a '67 Ford AC Cobra, original, not a kit car, and a 1955 AC Bristol (AC cars are what Carroll Shelby turned into a legend) that is being readied to go to the next Amelia Island Concurs. One thing leads to another and I have been invited to come to his home and see the collection! Sometimes it pays to live in a small town

Again, thanks to you all. Over the years I've come to rely on this forum for more than just boating advice.
Shawn

I think you will be happy with the Highlander, my wife has had two Lexus RX's (basically the same thing) that have been flawless. I would look at a Highlander before I replace here current RX with another one. The Toyota/Lexus's with the 3.3/3.5 V6 will literally run hundreds of 000's of miles before there are are any issues beyond normal maintenance. Like my boat, I do most of my own car maintenance (that I can), so I am pretty particular about my cars. I just changed the oil in my ES330 - 175k - I mentioned earlier the only issue we have had with any of our Lexus's is I had to replace the alternator on my ES last summer - did it myself, put an OEM Denso alternator back (that I bought from NAPA) on it and back in business. Other than I might want a new car / styling / features, there is absolutely no reason I could not drive my ES another 100k miles, with probably no work other than maintenance. It still looks and drives pretty much like new.

One thing I would note on the Highlander - really all new cars - this whole business of the transmission never needing service, I think is BS, you can't run an automatic transmission 250k miles without changing the fluid. So regardless of what Toyota/Lexus says, change the fluid in that thing (drain and file, not a flush) - every 60-80k and use Toyota fluid.

Nothing against the European cars that have been mentioned in this thread - they are all good cars, I really like the styling and performance of BMW's and Audi's (not much experience in a Mercedes), I used to own a BMW. But for me when it comes to a car, I just hate dealing with repairs and high maintenance costs. Would rather put that $$ and effort into my boat!
 
Very few threads go 4 pages in as many days. I'm sure it's cabin fever. We threw away 10 years of RX450 leases for a Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0T. 1/3 the lease rate, and double the infomatics. A little less packing room in the back, but it came with a tow package that we didn't even know was there until we got home. Happy Wife. Game over.
 
I would love to just touch that Cobra to say I have.

But back to subject, I am a Ford guy. I would have said, "test drive an Edge or Escape". 136000 miles on my edge and only thing done to it outside of routine are the dumb things I added. Nerf bars, window visors, reusable air filter and putting factory Explorer wheels on it.
I'm a Ford guy too but the Edge was a bit too small, the Escape way too small and we just didn't care for the Explorer.
 

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