Oppopinions: Chevy Trailblazer

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 12/07/2014 at 22:36 • Filed to: None

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Yup, I've moved for Blazer to Trailblazers. It's just natural progression.

4.2 Atlas I6, (preferably) 4WD, and standard wheelbase.

I have no idea how reliable the Atlas is. I know there's always the risk of the 4-speed failing, which is a roulette game my family is accustomed to playing.

The interior is like anything else from GM in the early 2000s. Not anything I'm not accustomed to. Though at least there's some sort of design to it.

I'm pretty sure there's an active recall on them right now for something. Though that's a trip to the dealer away from being fixed.

I found a 2002 LS 4x4 with 177,000 miles on it. Other than the exterior plastics needing some Meguiars Back to Black and a front Chevy logo, it looks pretty damn good. Though the dealer says it has a V6 and is one of those sketchy buy here pay here places.

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sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 22:41

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Another kid on my block has one. It sounds like a giant turbine engine/vacuum cleaner. It just wooshes everywhere.

blacktruck18 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 22:42

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If you want/need a 4 door feel free to stop reading now. But, imo get a Blazer ZR2. to me they look cool and they are great off road.

The 4.3 is a little low on power but there is some aftermarket support for them. You can build it up a little pretty easily.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 22:46

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We had a 2006(?) Envoy for nearly 90k miles. Never once had a major issue with the 4.2. Had a belt start going and a transfer case issue but other than that never had a major issue with it. Now 3k into an Equinox, that's not too bad either.

Jcarr > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 22:47

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We've got a 2004 Envoy. The Atlas and 4L60 have been flawless through 100k. Really the only trouble I've had is with the typical crappy GM interior build quality. Mileage isn't great (15-18), but plenty of smooth, sweet sounding power.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 22:51

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The interior is crap, the transmission was worse, but the engine was perfect. It was a great highway cruiser, and was pretty good in the ice/snow.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 12/07/2014 at 22:55

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This statement shouldn't make sense to me but does. There's an Envoy on my street and it makes the same noises.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 22:56

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2004, 2006 envoy and 2005 tb owner here. The only serious issue I had was the tb chewed through three water pumps but there was likely an issue me/mechanic couldn't find. I'll echo the interior being shit though, the panels flex and pop way too much. My first one I tore apart for stereo installs and it probably looked better when I was done reseating the panels =p Good "basic" SUV though

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > blacktruck18 12/07/2014 at 22:57

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The Blazer ZR2s actually have their own special little sets of problems that come with it being a ZR2. Stuff the like special steering lines and the shocks and stuff wearing more easily. They look great and off-road well, but were never sorted quite right underneath.

I am well accustomed to the virtues of the 4.3. My current one WILL NOT DIE.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jcarr 12/07/2014 at 22:59

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That mileage is actually better than what I was expecting. My Safari gets 11 highway so that definitely an improvement.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 22:59

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This what I wanted to hear.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:00

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I am going to go with the same opinion as with the Blazer.

The GMC is just cooler.

If you decide on a Trailblazer, I think I would recommend to go for a two tone. Its rarer and somehow looks right. (I know you feel me)

This Gen. Bravada. Just NO.

HammerheadFistpunch > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:00

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The atlas is pretty stout, the rest of the car is kinda...uh...crap. For $6000 you can get a clean non locked (axle locks) FZJ80 with this kind of mileage though. I got a locked one with 225k that was really clean for less.

Milky > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:00

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IMO for me to like a car it has to do something well. There needs to be at least one area where the engineers/designers were like "Yea team, we'll make it do this really good!"

To me, the trailblazer isn't one of those cars, its just …. there .

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:02

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This one is PERFECT

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4751973360…

This one is pretty cool as well

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4770833622…

Jcarr > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:03

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My second vehicle was a '94 Blazer with the W (Vortec) 4.3. I loved that engine, but the Atlas is worlds better.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Vicente Esteve 12/07/2014 at 23:03

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I actually dislike how the GMC looks. The Trailblazer looks more rugged to me. The Envoy says "dropping the kids off at soccer practice" Though the interior is a little nicer.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > HammerheadFistpunch 12/07/2014 at 23:06

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There's only two Landcruisers for sale on my local CL (I refuse to travel for a car) and one's $9500 and the other doesn't have a picture/ is probably a scam.

Jcarr > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:06

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That's the secondary air injection pump. Ours literally sounds like a jet for about the first 8 seconds after a cold start.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:07

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The transmission is a pretty cheap fix, if/when it goes, especially if you do it yourself. It is the only Chevy, with the exception of the LMM/LML/LBZ Duramax trucks, that I would recommend. I would get another as a daily, though I would prefer the Saab version. They are insanely comfortable on long trips. And they can be pretty fun in straight line, or beating around in a field(transmission blew before I ever drove it, so unrelated). The Atlas also makes a pretty good noise as well.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:09

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It also would haul ass. 0-60 only takes 6-7 seconds and the quarter comes in at the low 15's.

Round headlight enthusiast > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:10

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Don't do it. I knew I guy who owned one and drove it to 180k. It had nothing but problems. Transmission blew up, U joints went, the V6 would gush oil all over the engine bay, the liftgate rusted out, etc... Just poorly engineered trucks. and he was always complaining it was too heavy for the V6 to boot.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 23:11

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I'd kill to find a 9-7x, but there is literally ONE for sale on Craigslist in St. Louis.

Vicente Esteve > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:11

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Ah! I get it. Haha I actually like the "secret service" look of the Envoy. Even if they were never actually used for that.

And I recommend 2-Tone Trail Blazer.

Or even an Avalanche

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/4791772147… Its not in pristine condition. But the price, and the testosterone is awesome.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/ctd/4791745165… This one is just right.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 23:11

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Holy shit. I would've never expected that.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:12

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With a light foot, my Dad actually got low 22-24(all highway of course) in ours. I would average 14-17, but it wasn't mine, so I gave it hell all of the time.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Round headlight enthusiast 12/07/2014 at 23:13

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The Trailblazer did have a shit transmission, but it wasn't exactly a slouch. It only takes 6-7 seconds to get to 60, and would do the quarter in just over 15.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 23:16

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Which me liking to thrash the shit out of my cars sometimes would probably put my right in the middle at 20.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:17

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I didn't either. I had a friend that had a '67 GTO that drove his sister in laws Envoy, and was amazed by it. The Atlas is no joke, I don't understand why they felt the need to put in the 5.3. It made like 15-20 more HP and weighed about the same.

bob and john > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:18

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we had one as a rental once. dont recall anything particulary bad about it. its big and slow and sucks gas. great for hauling constrution materals for some home renovations your doing though!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:18

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I would be banking towards the 16-17, that is what I would usually get as long as I stayed on the road. That's mixed driving as well, mostly 45-55 backroad.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 23:19

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I don't understand why they put it in these SUVs and these SUVs only. It could've gone into a lot of things.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 23:20

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Still better than my Safari so I can't complain.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:25

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Plus comfort, safety, felt security, and POWER!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:27

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Dimensions, and of course the LSx family. I still think it would have made a great base engine in the Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon, even the Escalade wouldn't have been bad with it.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 12/07/2014 at 23:27

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And it's not a van!

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:31

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My parents have an '02 Envoy XL. It feels big and heavy and lumbersome, and there's not much feedback from any of the controls, but I guess that's only to be expected in what is pretty much a soccer-dad-mobile. They've got the towing package, and it had no issues dollying 4000lbs of my Jeep 70 miles this summer, although brakes on the dolly would have been appreciated. My parents love it. I don't think I'd buy one but it's not a bad vehicle. The only thing they've complained about is that the lid to the center console doesn't latch because cheap plastic broke... I went to a junk yard to get a new lid, and in the two dozen Envoy variants at the yard it was either broken the same way or missing.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:35

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But it wouldn't look as good with a dragon and stripper mural on the side.

shop-teacher > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/07/2014 at 23:47

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My mom had an '04 TB 4x4. I never liked it, because the interior was no better than the S-series SUV's (it replaced an '01 Brazada), but it was a hell of a lot more expensive. She didn't keep it long enough for me to form an opinion on the durability.

I imagine working on the front end of a 4x4 TB is a bitch, because the front axle goes through the oil pan.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > shop-teacher 12/08/2014 at 00:13

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Since I'm finding Trailblazers and Blazers for around the same price the quality to dollar ratio of the interior isn't exactly a factor.

What the hell... Through it? That's uh interesting.

DoYouEvenShift > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 00:15

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I have that same exact vehicle. 02 LS 4x4. Mine has 115k on it. I love it! Only issue Ive had is the sway bar end links that I replaced for noise, and an hvac actuator. It gets 15 in town, and 20 on the HW. They have a huge mechanical, electro viscous fan clutch. So when it engages, it moves some air. Interior is fine with me, it's quite, no rattles in mine. I6 is smooth and super reliable. 4l60e is fine too, those are a hit or miss, you either get a good one that lasts for 250k or it gives up before 100k. All in all they are awesome, full framed 4wd mid size SUV with a smooth dohc I6.

I work in a full service shop that sees every vehicle under the sun. I saw an 04 a couple weeks ago with 500k miles on it. They are on the list of vehicles with the least number of issues, and most over all reliability, IMO.

Most common things that go out are water pumps, which are cheap and easy to replace. Sway bar end links, easy. And HVAC actuators, no biggie. Everything else is routine maintenance really.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > DoYouEvenShift 12/08/2014 at 00:21

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This sounds just about like every other GM SUV at the time then. Reliable for the most part except for few issues here ir there.

DoYouEvenShift > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 00:25

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Oh, the factory Tstat will stick open and run a little cool. It will set a p0128 code, at that mileage, it may have been replaced already though.

blacktruck18 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 00:41

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My cousin had a lifted Zr2 years ago and the only issue I remember it having was the u-joints wearing out extremely quickly but, that was just because of the lift. I remember it being pretty reliable. Either way get one.

shop-teacher > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 07:43

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Yeah, through it. It seems the atlas is a tall motor, so in order to nake everything fit under the hood, that happened.

jkm7680 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 07:54

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If you get a Trailblazer SS, I will approve.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 16:04

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The Atlas motor is pretty great

anon-sxmcyecofnu1eocpqsk9iq > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 12/08/2014 at 20:48

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Hah, look at the steering wheel! That Saab logo looks so out of place... but I love it. Would totally own this if I had any need for an SUV, and could find one in the first place :P