I described the same difference in the ride between the base '08 they gave me as a loaner for two days and my '08 Adventure/Lux/Alpha in a comparison thread I wrote a few weeks ago. The ride and NVH differencesare remarkable along with the feeling of refinement and the extra height you mentioned.

After having driven ~2500 miles in my Alpha, including some quality time on the highway, I can say that the increase in hp and torque is very noticeable and useful. Passing never requires more than a small squeeze of the throttle and merging is undramatic. I logged 17.5 mpg on my trip back from Atlanta last month with some spirited high-speed passes thrown in for good measure. Near-triple-digit speeds are quiet and stable.

GM built me one heck of a vehicle.

 

Patches, you will put a big smile on my face when you post pics of your ride after a little wheeling = DIRTY.

 

I remember that thread. I meant to go back and read it and forgot about it.

I wonder if you can replicate the ride difference by finding or installing the shocks on the Lux/Adv package on the base model. If I don't trade, I'm going to upgrade the shocks before our trip in May. I've wanted to do it since the beginning. They look fairly easy to do yourself.

 

Wheelin', Schmeelin'!

Actually, it was ugly/dirty with road grime and salt from our recent snow here lastweek until I cleaned it for a few hours on Sunday, only to have it re-filthed with the rain Monday.

No rest for the weary . . .

 

Patches,
Does your Alpha have the 5 cylinder engine??? If so, do you mind telling me what the Alpha runs for $$$ .......I've only seen one Alpha and it had the V8 and the price was up there.......I might consider doing something with my 08' Lux if they don't hurry up and fix the issue with it...

 

Good luck HG!

As you know, I rented an '08 3.7 for a week and although I found it lacking compared to the Alpha, I still thought it was awesome! When I came to these boards I was reading posts where people complained about acceleration, which I always thought was odd since I drove that 08 for a week, I felt it had fantastic pickup and range considering how heavy and stout the vehicle is. After I read your post I now understand it was the refinements made to the 08's that is the difference and that the 06 and 07 drivers are not loony after all!

I will be rooting for you man! Make SURE to post some pics! What color you going with??

 

I have to tell you, I have an 08 and an 07. Can't tell a difference in either one of them except for hers has 18" rims with the Bridgestone Duelers and I have 16" rims with the crap stock Goodyear's. She and I mess around leaving the light side by side once and a while, neither one of us really pulls away from the other. NOW, I could tell the difference between both and the 06 when we test drove. Not drastic, but there is a slight difference.

 

The Alpha is the V8 model. It only comes with the 5.3 L V8 and Lux pkg. I added the offroad pkg. along with lots of other goodies. The Alphastarts at ~$39K sticker but I negotiated a few thou off when I ordered mine in Sept. I took a gamble and took the discount over any possible incentives/rebates which I told the dealer he could keep if anything materialized by the time I took delivery. Well, incentives didn't come out until later so my deal ended up being the sweet one.