20th Jan 2009, 22:31

Ford Explorer? Because you have had 3 simple fixes on a rather reliable vehicle, you complain?

Have you even read the recalls on this vehicle, there are 2 only. Compared to Ford's Exploder 9 recalls.

21st Jan 2009, 11:21

My wife is a car fanatic. Everything HAS to be perfect. She has owned 3 Ford Explorers since they were put into production. All were 100% trouble-free, safe and performed flawlessly.

However, in 2003 when she was ready for another SUV, she test drove many because she is so picky.

The V-8 Durango was powerful but crude feeling.

The Explorer was slow even with the V-8.

The Ford Escape rode too harshly.

The Toyota Highlander left us both quaking in fear (it had no power, lurched violently into oncoming traffic when the brakes were applied and had interior trim literally falling off).

THEN she drove the Envoy. It was love at first drive. The Envoy was smooth, solid, VERY fast, felt extremely stable and had more horsepower with the base 6 than Ford's V-8. The interior was plush and luxurious. She loved it.

Now after 6 years and 70,000+ miles it is 100% flawless. Never a single problem. It looks, drives and feels just like new. She likes it so well she has no plans to trade it before 200,000 miles.

Her sister has had 2 Trailblazers (exact same vehicle) and the older one (which she gave to her son) now has over 200,000 miles and still is flawless.

I'd buy an Envoy in a heartbeat. They are the best SUV on the market with the possible exception of the Cadillac.

22nd Jan 2009, 04:55

I agree with the other poster statement that the Envoy and Trailblazers are solid SUVs. Except in the snow/ice. Maybe it's down to the tires, but after the last winter storm I did not feel confident like in most other SUVs I've driven in similar conditions.

Fuel mileage is 14-17 avg. It could be the regional gas because I used to get 16-20. I'm just over 100K miles now. The only problem I had is the fan clutch going out. It was a minor problem, but fairly expensive to repair.

22nd Jan 2009, 11:29

To 04:55: The tires do play a big part in traction. My wife's had Michelins until just recently and her Envoy was absolutely great on snow or ice. Far better than our front-drive car. We have not had any snow since replacing the tires (with cheaper ones due to the economic crunch) so I honestly can't say how it will perform with the new tires. On wet pavement it is very good, but snow may prove more difficult. We have very little snow here, so it is not an issue.

On the topic of mileage, our 6-cylinder Envoy averages 17-19 in mixed use, and got 24 on a vacation trip running 70mph on the interstate. A boost to both mileage and power can often be achieved by switching to a K&N high-flow air filter and full synthetic oil, as well as running a can or two of high-quality fuel system cleaner through the fuel tank every 5000-7000 miles. Even very small amounts of impurities in the fuel system can cause a drop in both mileage and performance. As a mechanic, I find preventative maintenance a huge money saver and it will also extend the life of any vehicle by tens of thousands of miles.

22nd Jan 2009, 11:34

To 04:55 (and others with the fan clutch problem). Replacing the fan clutch is a fairly simple and straight-forward issue on the Envoy/Trailblazer. Even those not mechanically inclined can do it if you purchase a repair manual for the vehicle. I highly recommend doing minor maintenance in order to save huge repair bills. A good example is the rubber timing belt on the 2.3 Ford. I replaced mine for under $20. Shop cost? $400+ if the dealer had done it.

25th Jan 2009, 11:14

I am thinking about buying a 04 Envoy XL SLT with the 5.3L that has 83000 kms, and seats 7. I have 4 kids all under 10 and we are in a Montana now, and there seems to be too much going on at once with this van (transmission, both wiper motors, blower motor, both front window regulators, control arm bushings, all tie rods inner and outer, and now they are gone again and intake manifold gaskets again.)

I am a little wary of getting a Envoy after reading some of the comments, is there anything I could look for or check before I buy it?

25th Jun 2009, 08:47

For the oil change light. If you turn your key over, not to start the car just to get the dash on. Pump the gas four times, turn off the car, then turn the car on all the way and the light should be off.

6th Jul 2009, 14:17

There is a risk with any used vehicle. We bought our Envoy brand new and in 7 years we have had not a single problem of any kind with it. It is one of the best vehicles my family has ever owned. We test drove a number of SUV's before buying it and it was by far the smoothest and most powerful (and ours has the I-6). The Toyota Highlander we test drove had parts falling off the interior, brakes that violently pulled to the left, and such poor acceleration we were terrified merging into traffic (and it had the V-6).

We have relatives who are doctors and are required by their medical groups to own very dependable 4-wheel-drive vehicles. Their choice has been Chevy Trailblazers (the exact same vehicle as the Envoy). They have put over 150,000 miles on two so far with no problems. One of them gave his son his old Trailblazer with 160,000 miles on it and bought yet another Trailblazer. I'd say that's a pretty decent recommendation.

5th Aug 2009, 00:36

I just bought a GMC Envoy 2004 model. It's been 5 years but this baby still rocks!!! I test drove it and compared it to a 2008 model SUV (other manufacturers) which I also test drove, man! I went back and decided to purchase the Envoy in a heartbeat. I'm into pre-owned cars, but this one made me feel like I bought a brand new SUV.

22nd Aug 2009, 15:53

We bought our Envoy after test driving about a dozen foreign and domestic models in 2003. Nothing came even remotely close to the power, smoothness, quality and luxurious feel of the Envoy. It now has 80,000 miles and has had the tires replaced, the battery replaced, a headlight bulb and absolutely NOTHING else. Even the original brake pads are still good. We always drive domestics and generally get 100,000+ miles out of brake pads. We ventured into imports in the '80's but were not at all impressed and found that they required repairs twice as often as Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Brake pads especially were short-lived. Our Honda went through brake pads in 30,000 miles.

My wife loves her Envoy so much she has no plans to get rid of it for another 200,000 miles or so. Since they are no longer built she can't get a new one and she doesn't like anything else on the market as well. It's definitely a keeper. Since we kept one of our Fords for over 320,000 miles (less than $500 in total repairs), one of our Buicks for 277,000 miles (NO repairs) and our Dodge for 240,000 miles (1 hose and routine maintenance) we are sold on domestics.