Future Av Owner: Some Q's

[teksavy]

Hi All:

Just a quick hello and a few questions if you don't mind.

First off, I would like to say that between the darker cladding for the 2003 model year and this forum, I will be a new Av owner in about 45 days. I just placed my order this week. The amount of information from everyone on the forum is unbelievable! I hope to contribute when I get my new rig.

Anyway, couple of nagging questions that still appear to be unanswered on the forums:

1)Is the rear parking aid retrofit from the Caddy EXT available from JPCustoms?

2)I was wavering between the Z66 and the Z71, I finally took the plunge with the Z71 for the resale value and the the one/two times per year I'd need it. Anyway, what sort of gas milage drop can I expect due to my choice? The EPA rating says 1 mpg. Is this true?

Funny enough, I actually liked the ride of the Z71 better than the Z66 because I thought the Z66 was too soft. But the Z71 is nothing like my 2500 burb. (And that is a good thing.) Then again I'm used to a BMW M3.

3)Does the 2003 Z66 actually come with Stabilitrak? The thread was inconclusive, and nothing from Chevy says it actually has ST. The icon just says TC, and >NOT< Stabilitrak like the Caddy EXT.

Thanks a lot!

-Ed

 

[Chief]

1) No - you'll have to ask Jason on why.

2) You loose 1 MPG city and 1 MPG highway going to the 4WD.

3) New Car Test Drive says that 2WD mdels in the 2003 year, have Stabilitrack as an option - I'll bet donuts for dollars that this "is" part of the Z-66 package.

Hope this helps!

 

[teksavy]

Thanks Chief:

Hmm, I wonder if the information in that article is correct. I say that because it also says that side airbags are standard for 2003, but they are not. They are only available with the Personal Security Package. (They were standard for 2002 I think.)

The Z66 package doesn't mention Stabilitrak, and as proud as GM is about it, you'd think they'd tout it more. I suspect a delayed introduction.

I did some more research and discovered on a cached (old) Edmunds web page the ordering code for Stabilitrak for a 2003 AV is "JL4". It didn't appear to be an option on my ordering form. I'm waiting for more information from my dealer. I might go back to the Z66 if ST is, indeed, an orderable option.

-Ed

 

[jdw174]

LIke you, I'm waiting delivery of my '03 AV, due in about 3 weeks. I've not seen Stabilitrak listed on any option sheet, so I'm assuming you're speaking of "traction assist"? If so, that is standard when you order the "Premium Suspension Package" option (Z66). Also includes load leveling shocks and limited slip rear, dark tinted glass on rear window, and floormats. That's what I chose.