Drove a new GMC Envoy with the 4.2

[AndrewC]

I know this has been discussed before but I thought I would share my thoughts now that I have driven one.
I've got GM visa card and as a result I got a promotional ATM card with $40 on it. All I needed to do was drive the Envoy and the dealer would give me the pin to get the cash. Seemed pretty easy and I've been wanting to see what the 4.2 was like anyway.
I can say there is a HUGE diff between the 4.7 V8 and the 4.2 I6. I was amazed at how slow it felt given that it has 40 more HP and only gives up 20 ft-lb of torque to the 4.7. I've got both the 4.7 (in my wife's 99 limited) and the I6 (my 95 Laredo). I punched it several times and never felt anywhere near the kick that the 4.7 has. It actually didn't fell much faster than my I6, I'm sure it is but the refinement of the GMC probably masks it. I was expecting much more from the engine. I will say it was very nice inside, I especially liked the rear air vents with their own fan speed control. Not sure why Jeep did not include this in the last redesign.

I was interesting that the sales guy made a point that if you placed one front wheel on a 1ft high block that the frame was tight enough that you could still open the doors (no twisting). He went on to say they have tested this in both the Jeep GC and Exploder and they both failed. Hard to believe in my mind.

[WeZeL]

Thanks for the review, I too was looking to test drive one just to see what's it like.

The only reason you didn't feel that kick from the 4.2 is becasue the 270hp is achieved at about 6000 rpm. I think that the 4.7 hits it's top at more like 4500 rpm.
Jeep 1 - Envoy 0

[CerOf]

I have yet to test drive one, but I do think they are pretty nice looking.

As far as the Grand Cherokee new or old, not being able to open a door when the tire is on a 1' rock or something...that is a steamy pile of you know what!

I've seen TX WJ and Offcamber with a single tire up something a LOT higher than 1' and easily open a door to get out and take a picture.

The hard part is just getting out and jumping down 4' to the ground!!

Now, there is truth in being able to open and close the rear hatch, but you have to be REALLY twisted up for that to happen. Not just 1'.

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My Corner of the World, Pictures
'94ZJ, 3" F=>R w/Rancho 3"frontsprings, RS5000's, RS5401 stabilizer, 31x10.5's BFG A/T ko's, KCDaylighters, ARB Bumper,XD9000,K&N Filter, Donavee TB Spacer, Mopar Perf. PCM, Swaybar-less(rear),ORGS Rear Adj. Trackbar, Swing-away Tire Carrier, SG 33Speedo,Tera GenII QD's,Kolak Head-light Harness,PIAA Super whites, JKS BarPin Eliminators,ZJilla TC Skid, KevinF Sliderz

Johnand is an authorized Amsoil Dealer
zj4play@oiltechonline.com

[XtremeGod]

Thats a bunch of crap about the one foot high thing. If thats all they can bring it up too before they can't open the doors anymore they have problems. I have had my XJ, which I would assume doesn't have the rigidity of the WJ or Exploder up much higher than that and have gotten out to take a pic without a problem.

[donkey boy]

Not defending the GMC, but how many miles were on it? An engine which is not run in yet always feels more sluggish.

I need to admit that I was rather disappointed with the I-6 of my WJ first. Now at 5000 miles it defenitely got a lot better. No prooves just guesses; but I would say my WJ gained about 30 hp in the first 5000 miles.

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Have fun, but treadlightly!
- Michael -

[4jeepin]

Gee where is the driver of this Jeep? He must of moved down so he wasn't in the picture because like the salesman said I wouldn't have been able to get out and take this picture. Oh yeah, how does he expect to get an Envoy on a 1 ft. rock?


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'01 Patriot Blue 4.7L WJ, QTII
with ...
*Kolak Exhaust (Flowmaster 70, Carsound Cat., Mike Leach tailpipe)
* K&N Generation II FIPK
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*NOW ON-Tera BB, UC Springs and Edelbrock IAS Shocks, OME SS!!!
Next up- TC Skid Rock rails

[This message has been edited by 4jeepin (edited 07-20-2001).]

[Tron]

matwaz, whose zj is that in that picture...i like those torque thrust rims on that...

anyone have pics of a WJ with torque thrusts rims?

[Rectangle]

Well this post shows up just in time. I was visiting my parents this weekend and my dad mentioned they drove the new Envoy. "It's really nice. Drives good." I told him I'd buy his '00 JGC in a few months after I cleared up some bills from my divorce, and they could get the Envoy. He said ok. I mentioned it to mom and she agreed also. So in 5-6 months I'll have the JGC that was originally ordered for my wife! And I ordered it right! V8, Up-Country, tow, leather, Patriot Blue. Can't wait!!! Plus, since my dad has 4 vehicles, the Jeep is 2&1/2 years old, with only 10k miles!!!

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91 Commanche
94 Grand Cherokee
93 Dodge Daytona IROC R/T
224 HP 2.2ltr 4 cyc.

Grab 'em by the balls, and their hearts and minds will follow

[TEX]

Keep in mind also that the GMC Envoy is a much heavier vehicle than the GC. The 4-cylinder in my Cavalier is only 150HP, but would run away from a 190HP I-6 powered GC, and give a 4.7 a run for its money. It's not just power, but power to weight that makes a difference in performance. So, I guess the point I'm trying to make is that it is quite possible for the Envoy to be both more powerful AND slower than the GC.

TEX

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Got Mud?
G.U.M.B.O. Mud Racing
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Mid-Missouri Off-Roaders

[Jim Hef]

Rectangle...a lesson learned for everyone out there. When in the throws of a divorce, sell things to your family, not hers! Nice planning, and good luck with that WJ!

[SilverWJ]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TEX:
The 4-cylinder in my Cavalier is only 150HP, but give a 4.7 a run for its money.
TEX

</font>

Bro...lay off the purple pills because there is no way that is happening.



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2000 Grand Cherokee Limited, 4.7V8, Silver/ Agate, Recall "882" Free!!!!
MTX Amp, 3 10" MTX Blue Thunder Subs, Blackout Headlamp Covers, Bosch 24" Xtreme Wipers, F&R Addco Sway Bars, Cobra 75WXST w/ 3ft Tiger Ant.
Kolak Wire Harness(Destroyed)

[TEX]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by SilverWJ:
Bro...lay off the purple pills because there is no way that is happening.


</font>

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 0-60 time for a 4.7 in the "high 7's"?


TEX

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Got Mud?
G.U.M.B.O. Mud Racing
Mudslide Mud Racing
Mid-Missouri Off-Roaders

[Jim Hef]

With the latest anti-ping flash, the numbers reported are about 8.4 seconds to 60 for the 4.7. Previously, the mags had the run between 7.2 and 7.4.

[TEX]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jim Hef:
With the latest anti-ping flash, the numbers reported are about 8.4 seconds to 60 for the 4.7. Previously, the mags had the run between 7.2 and 7.4.</font>

If it's 7.2-7.4 I stand corrected. I thought it was in the neighborhood of 7.8. If it's 8.4, I'll show you my bumper stickers every friggin' time Either way, don't let me get the jump on ya

TEX

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Got Mud?
G.U.M.B.O. Mud Racing
Mudslide Mud Racing
Mid-Missouri Off-Roaders

[CerOf]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by SilverWJ:
Bro...lay off the purple pills because there is no way that is happening.

</font>

It is quite true...not maybe a Cavalier...but I had my Nissan Altima Running 0-60 7.1 with a chip and intanke. Topped out, well, as fast as I ever was clocked was around 143mph, took quite a while to get there, but it did, and still had a bit more left. I woulda guessed about 145 was the limit.

Stock my Altima was 0-60 8flat. BTW, the Altima, '95 year, only had 150hp.

[TEX]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by CerOf:
It is quite true...not maybe a Cavalier...

Stock my Altima was 0-60 8flat. BTW, the Altima, '95 year, only had 150hp.
</font>

Ditto for the Cavalier stock. Like the Altima, 150HP for the twin-cam and ~2,600 lbs. So, if the GC is running low 7's stock, it'll be quicker. If high 7's to low 8's, it's a race.


TEX

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Got Mud?
G.U.M.B.O. Mud Racing
Mudslide Mud Racing
Mid-Missouri Off-Roaders

[BadassWJ]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by TEX:
The 4-cylinder in my Cavalier is only 150HP, but would run away from a 190HP I-6 powered GC, and give a 4.7 a run for its money.</font>

No way ANY stock Cavalier would pull away from a V8 ZJ/WJ. To be quite honest I think you would have a difficult time running head to head with an I6 WJ. The Cavalier is a POS anyway. Can't really compare a 4 banger to a 6 or an 8.


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JT

1999 WJ 4.0L, NV242 (Everglade/Agate)

[Brian Brown]

My feelings exactly on the Envoy/Trailblazer.
Smooth, but really anemic. Not to mention the lousy fit/finish and seats with no ssupport. I'd rather spend a few bucks more and get a Yukon. I spent the $40 on a nice dinner with the wife.....Thanks GM!

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Y2K WJ, V8 Select-Trac, Up Country, Tow IV, K&N.

[Krash80]

Cerof-

does a '93 altima have the same specs as a '95? just wondering cause my buddy has one that's manual, he's a pretty good shifter too, but every time we race my 5.2 '93 Zj still beats it. i just barely beat it, but i do. and i have 31's and stock gears. we usually only race though to about 60-70mph down my street, not sure how it'd do on the highway.

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'93ZJ, V8LTD, 31x10.5 BFG AT's, 4" F&gt;R w/ tera springs and OME long travels, ARB winch bumper w/ Warn HS9500, KevinF's Rock Sliderz, Kolak cat-back exhaust, OME-SD40 S/S, Stillens up front, k&n filter and "customized" intake, 2 KC 165W Daylighters, full mopar skids, deleted gold package, lots of little misc. stuff, 174,000 MILES WITH PERFECT STOCK DRIVETRAIN!

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads!"

[Rectangle]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jim Hef:
Rectangle...a lesson learned for everyone out there. When in the throws of a divorce, sell things to your family, not hers! Nice planning, and good luck with that WJ!</font>

Jim, you lost me here?!?!? The '00 was ORDERED for my wife(X). She decided we weren't going to buy it. So MY dad did. Now he is going to sell it to me!!!! Her family can't afford anything I have anyway. BUT! her older sister is, shall we say, hooking me up! when I visit in Sept for the Reno Air Races. I'll take video if anyone's interested!