GMTruckGuy74

GM got out of the heavy-duty truck market 30 years ago now, and abandoned the medium-duty business 3-4 years ago. They have only remained in the light-duty business with 1500-3500 series trucks and their full-size vans have been left to wither on the vine (until this year with the introduction of the new Ford Transit vans, they have not had cause to revamp their Savana/Express vans). As stated, GM abandoned the minivan market and attempted to compete in this arena with the Lambda offerings. The HHR panel was a great attempt to offer a city-based commercial vehicle but failed to maintain this offering for fleet after cancelling the HHR for retail (the GMC Terrain, with its boxy styling, could have been offered in a panel-version for fleet customers to keep the HHR Panel momentum going). Right now GM is only concerned with the profit-generating full-size pickup and SUV models and hopefully will find success with re-introducing the mid-size pickup (and eventual SUV) offering soon. I'm also hoping GM doesn't abandon the full-size van market with European offerings; I can accept a European city-van for the time being until they have the capital to invest in something of their own. But I know many commercial business owners not happy with the new Ford Transit due to it's European roots, just like they were not thrilled with then offered Dodge Sprinter. If GM can find a way to update the Savana/Express vans, they might be able to target the patriotic buyers still looking for an American designed and engineered vehicle. However, in this day & age of cost effectiveness with fleet managers, maybe an update is too late?

Belly Dancer

green beans

M&Ms

I guess it's to align the GMC brand with being more luxury based (since Buick [Regal GS] and Cadillac [CTS-V] use that design). Don't forget there's a third RPO-coded version of that rim for the Sierra Denali model too (it has the word DENALI stamped on it to make it different).

I paid $3.259 for regular gas and noticed diesel was $3.499 here in southern NJ Monday morning. My neighbor gets a new car every 2 years (she drives pretty far for work) and replaced her 2011 VW CC with a 2013 VW Passat Diesel (her husband has a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 Bluetec Diesel and they love the mileage from diesel). She's getting around 42-43 MPG running the NJ Turnpike to the PA Turnpike (King of Prussia).

Thanks all for sharing your advice. I went the AAA route, 6 year warranty (3 year replacement and then 3 year pro-rated). I'm hoping to get a new Sierra pickup next year (end of year 2014 or a new 2015), unless the new Canyon (2015) captures my eye instead. Otherwise, I think I did okay ($125 with free installation outside my house )

Here are the 2014 GMC Sierra rims: My favorite are the 20" Chrome aluminum (NZM), #5 on the picture posted above.

Thanks all for your input. I got home a lot later than I expected tonight and of course Pep Boys is now closed. I like the ACDelco battery and will consider that for the wife's car (the G6 has been with us officially 5 years as of June 28). It still has its original factory battery and it was recommended last service that it's time for replacement. It needs to go back to the dealer for some additional repairs not able to be done last time, so I will add the ACDelco battery to the list. As for now, I will likely use my AAA membership to call-in for the mobile battery service. This way I'm ready for wherever I need to go in the truck. Since I'm planning to replace the Envoy this time next year with a new Sierra, I'll go the AAA route (unless someone here advises me not too).

We were at HersheyPark on Friday and returned late at night to a dead battery in my Envoy. Thankfully I had jumper cables and my wife's car there (step-son drove a friend), so I was able to drive it home with no problem (charged for 2 hours). Started up yesterday morning and got me where I needed & back home, but last night went to park it in the garage and it was dead. I know Pep Boys isn't the preferred repair shop. but they install batteries free. They recommend the Bosch Premium Performance Battery Group SIze 78: http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9151284/40/parts/batteries_accessories/automotive_batteries/?quantity=1 Anyone else have any other recommendations? I have to take my step-son to the airport (returning to Fort Leonardwood/USMC) and will deal with the battery issue later this afternoon. Thanks!!

Given the fact that the 2013 Acadia was designed with more a more chiseled look, a'la Terrain, and many comment that the 2014 Sierra received the Terrain's boxy fender bulges, I'd say it's pretty likely the next Terrain will remain with a bold, boxy style to it. Of course I could be wrong!

That really applies to the full-size pickups. Many GMC owners will not consider a Chevy, and vice-versa. Of course, as more non-brand loyal owners come on board, it's the styling that wins this crowd over. Many a time I've been at my Buick-GMC dealership and overheard customers comment, "Oh, I don't like the [insert shape here] look of the Equinox over the [insert shape here] look of the Terrain." Just two weeks ago while waiting for service I observed a woman and her dad shopping the Enclave; her dad took her over to the Acadia [sLE] and she said she'd look at one if it comes in a "luxury version", otherwise it's the Enclave for her. I'm sure a new mid-size Buick CUV would pull some sales from GMC (Terrain), but also from Chevy (Equinox) and Cadillac (SRX) too. This market is fickle when it comes to something new.

2013 GMC Sierra 17" rim (N88): 2014 GMC Sierra 17" rim (Q5W): The GMT-900 N88 17" polished aluminum rim does have a similar resemblence to the new K2xxx Q5W 17" Bright Machined rim. But they are different sizes too (17x7.5 ['13] and 17x8 ['14]).

Thanks for the new pics, thedriver! I was just thinking of what the Sierra would look like in Bright Red yesterday; I think it looks good (for some reason I'm considering this color now - I think it has to do with all of the Silverado Z71s being shown in magazines and online reviews in the Bright Red color). I'm glad to see those 20' rims too; they're the optional polished rim for the SLE-trimmed model. Any additional pictures of the red Sierra SLE you can post will be greatly appreciated

I know the rim you're talking about, ocnblu, but the 2014 GMC Sierra has no carry-over rims from the GMT-900 program. If thedriver could be able to post a side-shot of the white truck, you'd see they're not the same rim used since the '07 model debuted.

My couple doors down from me neighbor, the one that has a metallic blue '10 Dodge Challenger R/T, now has a bright yellow Corvette sitting in the Dodge's spot in the driveway. Prior to the Dodge he had a 2007 Cadillac CTS Sport (I can't remember what he had prior to the Caddy; he's been my neighbor since '04). His car is his weekend/evening toy, as he drives an early-2000's NJ State government issued Chevy Impala for work.

I agree with you dfelt, the SS is the only TrailBlazer I'd consider too. There was a whole bunch of them lined up in a row at last weekend's All-GM Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Carlisle, PA. It is one nice looking sporty SUV

Yes. I know it was optional in the Envoy SLT model, but I don't believe that the TrailBlazer had it at all (don't hold me to that).

A week after I leased my '05 Envoy SLT, my best friend bought a '05 Buick Rainier CXL. We went to Great Adventure in it and I seemed to recall the ride was the same as in my Envoy. He did have the rear air suspension (I didn't), so that may have added some extra comfort to the ride.

Maybe because it's a new fangled item that I find useful, but I really like the backup camera feature. I'm glad to see GMC is putting it standard on many of it's vehicles, as I'd option this feature anyway.

Attended a fire police meeting last night at Bordentown City's Station 601 (Consolidated). They still have in working order, with its original patina, their 1947 Mack pumper. It mainly sees parade and show duty nowadays: One of the younger fire fighters told me that it doesn't get driven as much since many of the members don't know how to drive stick!

Yes, that was the 9-7X Aero model with the 6.0L V8 engine and the TrailBlazer SS suspension. The regular Arc/5.3i model is more akin to the GMC Envoy Denali than the TB SS. The 9-7x Aero was offered only in 2008 and 2009 (very limited). If you want the 4.2L inline six, you need to find a Linear (later renamed 4.2i) model.

I've had my GMCPO '06 GMC Envoy SLT 4WD for 39 months now and it's been a very reliable SUV. It's not a decision I regret making.

Bahama Mama

Pasing me in the opposite direction on the way in to work this morning was a newer Nissan NV200 van, done up for commercial business as it had a ladder rack with an aluminum ladder on the roof. This is the first of these vans I've ever seen outside of a car show. Kinda funky looking; wondering how I'll feel about the Chevy version?