chev trailblazer - experience?

[wcc]

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
Ask an average guy on the street what he thinks of Toyota vs GM, that will probably be your answer.

Not in Michigan! The average guy here would probably put the smack down on ya for even bringing up a Toyota. Since the big 3 have been having problems I've heard more and more crap about driving my 4Runner. I usually just walk away.

[Craig 930 RS]

Don -

Back to your question; bottom line is the Trailblazers are about the last choice in that range of SUVs. They were the last of the old school desgined GM vehicles - before GM turned it around and made much better quality interiors, panel fits, design, and desirability.

Which would I buy? Let me think about it....

[onewhippedpuppy]

Eventually they will come around, unless they work there. My wife's family is from central KS, another domestic stronghold. You have to drive an hour to the nearest Toyota, Mazda, Nissan or Honda dealership. Every time I come back there's more people with imports, they're all fed up with domestic problems. In-laws have always bought domestics, and every one they own right now (6 between them and the kids) has had recalls. 7 on their Expedition alone. That's not to mention all of the problems they've had. Recently bought a new Mazda 3 and couldn't be happier, they didn't even go onto a domestic dealer's lot.

Another example is my father. Grew up in Richard Petty's hometown, where it was Mopar or nothing. His father had a gas station that specialized in tuning Hemis. Mopar man his entire life, including a service manager at a dealership for a few years. After a string of horrible cars though, he finally threw in the towel. Now he's on his second Hyundai, and my mom has a Celica. No problems with either.

[don911]

Thanks for all the input.
I do like the 4runners but the leg room is a little short for me. There's a 01 Pathfinder LE for sale that I'm considering along with the Trailblazer. If the pathfinder has enough leg room, I'll probably go with that since it sounds like it's second in line to the 4runner.

I like the looks of the trailblazer over the pathfinder though. I'd have to get it at a really good price since I think it's value will plummet quickly.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Shoot for the Pathfinder with the 3.5 V6, they were really gutless before the engine change. I think it happened around '01/'02. Otherwise very nice trucks.

[don911]

In my all over the place search, I'm also considering a 99 Range Rover Discovery II. There's a one owner under 100K mileage car for sale. Except for dismall gas mileage, it looks pretty nice.

[Vipergrün]

Got on this one late. Trailblazer = POS from what I have seen with the neighbors cars, from trannys to motors to cosmetic stuff.

I'd really do your homework on the 'Rover as well.

Reality is that there is a reason the Big 3 are going down the toilet and Toyota is growing off the charts. What's funny is that these "buy 'merican" folks do not realize how much $$ these "furun" automakers are pumping into America.

[don911]

just read pages of horror stories on the trailblazer and discovery.

Hopefully I can fit in the pathfinder.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally posted by don911
In my all over the place search, I'm also considering a 99 Range Rover Discovery II. There's a one owner under 100K mileage car for sale. Except for dismall gas mileage, it looks pretty nice.

RUN FOREST ......RUN!!!!!!!!

Don......the LAST thing anybody should look into is a Range Rover. I'm a Euro tech by trade and could probably write a $3500 minimum estimate W/O even looking at it and bet the farm that it would be spot-on.

These things are horribly designed

[don911]

Yeah, all the reviews on carreviews.com said the discovery said to sell as soon as the warranty was done.

[asphaltgambler]

ANYTHING LandRover related stay away from. They depreciate faster in the first 3 years than any brand currently

[carnutzzz]

Originally posted by bb80sc


Reality is that there is a reason the Big 3 are going down the toilet and Toyota is growing off the charts.

Um, yeah. And that reason is crappy union deals and unreal healthcare costs. Has nothing to do with quality.

For car guys, some of you folks need to do a better job keeping up with current events. Domestic quality is just fine.

Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. scored well on J.D. Powers and Associates long-term quality survey, with some brands outperforming Toyota Motor Co. and other Japanese brands.


http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/UPDATE/608090446

[Oracle]

Don911,
Check this site: http://forums.trailvoy.com/
It has a very active Trailblazer/Envoy community and you can find pretty much everything you want to know from Trailblazer owners and not just people bashing the car/brand on perception alone. Nothing wrong with giving your opinion but I firmly believe in hearing both sides before making any decision.

[dheinz]

Oracle,
Thanks for the Trailblazer/Envoy link. I just killed 2 hours there but it answered a lot of my questions.