chev trailblazer - experience?

don911 · don911's Garage

I'm looking for a second vehicle. I'm considering trailblazers. Anyone have experience with them? I'm seeing some 2002s for the $13-14K range with 50-60K mileage. Wondering about things to watch out for and reliability.

Thanks,

89911 · 08-05-2006, 02:08 PM

I had an Envoy, basically the same vehicle, for 3 years. I can't say I was fond of it. The radio would completely cut out for no reason. Replaced it twice, (even though I told them that it was not actually the radio unit itself). Still no good. I have a friend who has high miles on his trailblazer and the speedo is out. Do some searches on reliability, but I would think there are better options out there for you.

Brian 162 · 08-06-2006, 11:16 AM

I had an Envoy for a rental when my Tahoe was in for accident damage. The Envoy had a straight 6 I think and got the worst gas mileage. There is only one key lock on the vehicle and it broke leaving me stranded. (Rental Co. didn't give me keyless key pad) I would avoid an Envoy/Trailblazer.

asphaltgambler · 08-07-2006, 08:54 AM

I would look at other options, I'm a tech (BMW) by trade and one of my coworkers bought one new. Has had a lot of little problems, constantly back at the dealer (he purchased ext warranty)

Mileage is worse than expected and power is less than expected. He's not very happy.

kslizzy · 08-07-2006, 10:57 AM

I've got an 02 Trailblazer LTZ. Yeah milage is nothing to write home about but all in all a nice vehicle. I tow my ski boat with it and have no problems, I've towed my Corrado a few times too. Admitadly, I bought it 3 years old when most of the new break in items had already be fixed. I've only had one problem, they had to re-program the computer to make the rain sensing wipers work properly again. I really like mine and my wife (who drives it the most) does too.

don911 · don911's Garage

Thanks for the feedback. I'm also considering 4runners but their resale value is much higher. 98/99 4funners with over 100K are asking about the same money as 02 trailblazers with 60K.

charleskieffner · 08-07-2006, 11:13 AM

MY EX BOUGHT ONE! that should say it all in a nutshell!

take a look at competitors in its class like mitsubishi. look who has WON races in the stock class. be it baja or paris to dakar. thats where i would start looking. no envoys being run in baja or paris to dakar the last i checked!

Oracle · 08-07-2006, 07:44 PM

I have a 2002 Trailblazer and I agree the gas mileage sucks but mainly if you are hard on the gas. My wife is the main driver and she's getting about ~20MPG. Reliability?? Probably average for a domestic vehicle I'd say... The upside is the price..

You can find some amazing deals on lease returns.
We love that truck, we had a Ford Explorer which was Ok but the trailblazer is just amazing. We're very happy with our truck.

don911 · don911's Garage

Where do I find these amazing lease return deals?

I've been looking at private party only cause I can't stand the thought of going to a dealer lot.
There's an 03 LTZ for sale locally that sounds nice. It sounds over priced at 17K though. There's also a 02 LTZ for 13K that sounds as nice.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-08-2006, 05:50 AM

There's a reason the 4Runners are priced higher. Another point, look at how far Trailblazers have dropped since new, how long do you plan on keeping it? Most domestics are depreciation nightmares, so don't plan on it being worth much when you're looking for something else. My wife's '03 4Runner stickered at $34k new, three years and 50k later book on it is around $24k. Absolutely flawless, not one problem. Others worth shopping would be the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder, also the RAV4 is nearly as large, but with better MPG and a bit cheaper.

lendaddy · 08-08-2006, 06:05 AM

I have an '02 (Envoy, but the same really) and it's OK I guess, I would much rather have had the Toyota but the price was too high.

The truck is comfortable, useful and has a great drive-train, but it drives like lumpy ass. OK maybe not that bad, but close.

I got mine loaded to the gills with 50,xxx miles for 12,900 last year. I would get another strictly for the utility and low price.

kaisen · 08-08-2006, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
There's a reason the 4Runners are priced higher.

Yes, the reason is SUPPLY. There are tens of thousands of T-Blazers that flood the market from rental fleets and off-lease. You can rent one at any major airport. Very few 4Runners are in the rental fleet, and not as many from lease either.

Supply is huge and that is one side of the equation. Demand isn't as high, so the price dips. Simple economics.

Demand is watered down by more huge supplies of alternatives like Grand Cherokees and Explorers. Trailblazer buyers aren't as loyal as 4Runner buyers (4Runners have been around since 1984, the T-Blazer since 2002). Many Trailblazer buyers would also consider a larger Tahoe. Also, quite a few domestic-loyal SUV buyers were put off by the inline six.

E

Craig 930 RS · 08-08-2006, 07:30 AM

Just about the worst available SUV in that category.

lendaddy · 08-08-2006, 07:40 AM

The inline six is one of the few things I actually like about the truck???

onewhippedpuppy · 08-08-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaisen
Yes, the reason is SUPPLY. There are tens of thousands of T-Blazers that flood the market from rental fleets and off-lease. You can rent one at any major airport. Very few 4Runners are in the rental fleet, and not as many from lease either.

Supply is huge and that is one side of the equation. Demand isn't as high, so the price dips. Simple economics.

Demand is watered down by more huge supplies of alternatives like Grand Cherokees and Explorers. Trailblazer buyers aren't as loyal as 4Runner buyers (4Runners have been around since 1984, the T-Blazer since 2002). Many Trailblazer buyers would also consider a larger Tahoe. Also, quite a few domestic-loyal SUV buyers were put off by the inline six.

E

Have to disagree with you there. While that may have an impact, Toyota's high resale value and loyalty is thanks to their quality and reliability. Ask an average guy on the street what he thinks of Toyota vs GM, that will probably be your answer. Same thing for Honda as well. Accord or Camry has been the best selling car in the USA for years, yet they retain their value far better than comparable American cars. So they sold more, but they're still worth more. Superior product, not economics.

kaisen · 08-08-2006, 06:50 PM

Your points are for higher demand for the 4Runner. Mine were for higher supply of the Trailblazer. Both are economics. Both have their hand in the marketplace today.

There aren't many people in the market for SUVs today. The relatively small supply of 4Runners causes the also small number of people seeking them to pay higher prices.

A 4Runner might be a great vehicle, but I can fix a lot of ***** for the $4000 difference.

E

IROC · IROC's Garage

It's really not about supply and demand. It's about quality and reliability. There are plenty of 4Runners out there for sale. If the Trailblazer was just as good as the Toyota, the price would reflect it. It isn't and it doesn't.

You shouldn't *have* to fix alot of *****. That's GM's problem. That's why the Toyota holds it's value.

Mike

kslizzy · 08-09-2006, 05:34 AM

The inline six is a great motor. Strong, quiet and eager to work albeit not very effiecient. Let's put a boat on the back of my Trailblazer and one on the back of a 4runner and tow it through the mountains of Colorado and see who can keep speed. The 4runners are dogs, great quality but gutless.

hm7608 · 08-09-2006, 05:43 AM

Another 4Runner fan here. 96 with 130k miles and the interior looks new. I think Toyota makes better quality long-term cars than just about any manufacturer out there.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-09-2006, 05:49 AM

My 4Runner V6 has 240 HP and about the same torque. Trailblazer 6 has an edge, but a slight one. Somehow I don't think you'd show me your taillights. Plus, it has a damn good sport suspension (for an SUV), with hydraulic cross linked shocks like the Audi RS6. So, as funny as it sounds to say in reference to an SUV, I'd take you in the twisties! I would venture a guess and say I could out-brake you as well.

Silly anyway, if I pulled often I would have spent an extra $2k and got the V8 and 5 speed auto. As is, I've pulled two cars back from Dallas at 75 MPH with no problems, and got 17 MPG in the process.