I was in the same boat your in. I also had a 1998 before my 2003 EXT & I can tell you that I am much happier with my 2003 over the 98.
You say you have kids huh?
2nd row seats in the EXT recline back enough to make the babies seat somewhat reclined as well.
2nd row seats flip & fold forward making entry/exit into 3rd row rather easy. No hopping up over the seats like what they have in a Tahoe.
2nd & 3rd row seating is rather spacious, though the 2nd row IMO could use a few more inches of legroom. It is fine for everyone that I have had back there, but I like alot of room to stretch....
Back to the baby thing......my sister in law has the smaller version of the TrailBlazer (TB) & the reason why I didn't go for that size was this;
stroller, diaper bag, purse & whatever else had taken up the entire amount of room that she had in her smaller version.
My wife didn't like that & so I had to get the EXT which I am very happy for. I rarely use the 3rd row of seats & therefore I keep them folded & use that space for the stroller & whatever else. I use the cargo divider in the upright position to keep the diaperbag & whatever else I need to grab quickly towards the back back cargo area. The bag hooks on it help hold the plastic bags you get from Babies R Us without fear of falling over...as long as you have them hooked right.
2nd row baby seat again.......I have my baby seat on the passenger side & that way I can turn around & watch him if needed or hand things to him when he drops things & do whatever. He has plenty of room to kick his feet & I have the passenger front seat almost fully back which give your wife tons of leg room & the little on has alot as well. Even if you have to move your wifes seat forward so the little one isn't kicking the back of it, she will still have tons of leg room.
I never have run out of room with all of my wifes things or the babies which says alot....I can't believe all the crap she brings along even on a short trip!
If ever the little one needs a diaper change...that's where the mini-van would be a welcome addition! I have to fold & flip the drivers side rear seat & have the 3rd row drivers side seat folded flat & that's where I do it. No it isn't the most comfortable for you, but hey....it works!
I didn't want the DVD player...only because I use the moonroof & I wanted to buy a removeable DVD unit anyway. But the rear /heat/air/radio controls will be nice for when he gets older.
Funny thing about that rear heat/air unit......you have a knob you can adjust the fan speed up next to the driver. Having it set to 1, 2 or 3 & whatever heat or air setting you have it set at up front, it never really produces much heat or cool air back there for some reason. BUT, what I have found is that when you have the knob up next to the driver set to the rear for the rear occupants to adjust there own settings on the center council unit, it then puts out decent heat & pretty cool air. Weird why it does that, but it works better for the rear people to just dial in what they want for themselves.
See what the current rebates are. If you have a GM Card, great! Do ALOT of searching to find out what the invoice prices are....especially the unit you want with the options you want. That way, you'll have some good firepower to start with.
I was able to get over $9000 off of mine because of a really nice Rebate at the time & for bonus GM Card points they offered me, plus what I was able to get off of the window & finally Memorial Day Sale savings!
Do your searching & do your homework. If your planning to buy one outright, check the competition. They may have something else that you would like as well.......
I opted for the V8. I always wanted one & now that I have it, I love it. No, it isn't all that quick & that's why I did a few things to make her go alittle quicker, but I have heard that the inline 6 somewhat struggles to get the EXT up to speed. Now whether that is true or not, I don't know...it's just what I have read in magazines. Mileage isn't too different between the 2....only like 1 mile to the gallon differnt around town & the highway shouldn't be more than 1 again...maybe 2 at the most less in the V8. Plus I pull a big heavy motorcycle trailer at times & I need the extra grunt of the V8's torque to get her moving. $1500 for the V8 is alot IMO, but I have been happy with it & you get more $$$ back on trade ins with the V8.
Envoys as far as I know are only around $1500 more the the TB's....but again, you get some of tha back come trade in time.........
That's all I can think of right now....if you have any specific questions or anything else you need, just ask....that's what I am here for
