2002 Pathfinder or 2004 Trailblazer?

I am in quite a dilemma in deciding which SUV to purchase. I have read allot of posts on the Trailblazer which the majority were negative and asked a few TB owners which were positive. I would like an SUV with 7 passenger seating instead of a mini van (death before mini van) and I like the Trailblazer looks, however I would loose the 7 passenger requirement if the TB is not worth looking at. I already excluded the Ford Explorer since my cousin who works closely with them calls them the Ford Exploder. My 93 Nissan Maxima has 227,000km on it and it runs better than some two year old cars I have been in, but it can't tow 5,000lbs and its getting old. The service from the Nissan dealer I go to is great, but expensive so the Pathfinder also has some negatives. I was told by a local general mechanic to pick the trailblazer since it is very inexpensive to work with, especially the 4 wheel drive system. The TB extended warranty is $5000 compared to the $1600 Pathfinder. I can not pick one. My wife drives a 2002 Mazda and does not care what I buy as long as I do not take her car when mine dies. Any feedback welcomed.

My 04 TB is great. 4X4 LS with a sun roof, cloth, and a power seat was $24K. You can buy a third party extended warranty(which I have had good responce from on other cars) for the TB for $1300.00 that goes to 100K miles with no deductable.

I have a 2002 Trailblazer LS that I bought used. It had 21,000 miles on it at the time of purchase-9/2004 and I LOVE IT!!! I also have seen allot of negatives about this vehicle and was scared to death b/c it was too late for me to take it back. But, knock wood, mine has been wonderful. My friend has a 2002 Pathfinder and the difference is unbelievable. After driving my Trailblazer, I can honestly say the Pathfinder is nothing to write home about. My friend also complains about constantly putting gas in her truck. I guess it the difference between a V8 and a V6. But, I feel I have enough power with the V6. Best of luck!

I have a 2004 (20,000km) Extended Trailblazer in my driveway that the dealer let me take home over night. My kids like it and I am still not sold. Man its big, this thing will never see a Wall-Mart parking lot. I drive a Maxima and I am facing the fact I need a bigger vehicle to tow a trailler I intend to buy next year and for family vactaions. A mini van is not an alternative. I will try this TB and maybe a Ford Exploder. I think that reliability on any vehicle is a crap shoot so I hope I roll a lucky 7 when it is time. The Pathfinder is ruled out, no third row seat and since I buy cars that are usually a year or two old the 05 Pathfinder is not an option. Thanks for your posts