What do you all think?

Hey everyone.... Recently, I've really been looking into buying a full size Blazer. With it, I plan to take it with offroading as well as daily use. I'm planning to buy a 00-02 (I have an 8 grand budget) Blazer. With it, I plan to get like some 31-32 inch wheels, a 3-6 inch lift, and whatever else I would need to go offroading.... As well as those things I was also wanting to buy some Altezza Tail Lights because the stock seem a tad bit bland and also for the front headlights, the bottom one, I would like to know about the average cost to get some clear lenses instead of the stock orange ones..... So I was wanting everyone's opinion on the pro's and con's of buying this vehicle and if you think I should buy this one or maybe consider buying a different SUV for the things I'm looking for..... Thanks everyone!

I would not buy any Blazer if I were you. I regret buying mine. You'll find plenty of postings all over the places that basically bad-mouth Blazers because of numerous problems, some are very very difficult to figure out.

I don't recommend you buying a Blazer and neither Bronco II too cuz I had both and they gave me nothing but problems.

That's my opinion but I sure am madder than hell for buying those two trucks myself, both times where I thought they were reliable until it was too late. Lost too much money in those two models.

I've had my S10 Blazer for a year now with no problems out of the ordinary, mine is a 98 with 83,000 miles, I guess it all boil's down to how much you know about these trucks when your looking one over that's for sale. The more you know what to look for the better chance you have of getting something reliable. I would NEVER buy anything used from a DEALER...

PS. BLAZERS DON'T HAVE ANY MORE PROBLEMS THEN ANYTHING ELSE ON THE ROAD.

I have owned 4 different S10 Blazer's/Jimmy, an 89 Blazer, 93 Blazer, 2000 Jimmy and a 2001 4wd Blazer. My 89 had 196,000 miles when I sold it. The 93 is still running strong with 160,000 miles, the 2000 Jimmy has 76,000 miles and the 2001 has 70,000 miles. the only problem I have had with ANY of these was a tranny that went south on the 93, and the Intake Manifold Gaskets on the Jimmy. Other than that, it has been normal routine maintenance.


I'd tell you to go for it. as previously stated these trucks take a pretty good beating before they're dead.

Yeah, I know some cars out there do have there problems (for example, my past Mercury Cougar, I had to replace the Flywheel, buy a new transmission, but now, in my autotech class, we ran a few tests and its problem free :smile: ).... But yeah, I've talked to my mom about it all and she said that if any problems come along with it she'd pay for them to be fixed, so as long as the problems that come along with it aren't like irreversable, then its all good.... But just a question, in your all's opinion, If I werent to get the Blazer, what kind of SUV do you recommend that I get (I'd rather not get a truck because I also plan to put a 'sound system' (2 JL Audio W3V2's, new headunit, etc) into it and into a truck while stile holding 4 people meaning I'll have to put it in the bed, I'll probably have to pass on that..... But yeah, thanks everyone for your responses and it has been really helpful so far

In the world of 4wheeling, its nice to see something different in the mud than the typical jeep. S-blazers have a great stock 4x4 system, just not the ground clearance, which the same can be said for a stock jeep. I cant imagine the bigger blazer being any different.

Hey everyone.... Recently, I've really been looking into buying a full size Blazer.

Full size? As in K-5? (What year did Chevy stop making those?)

If you are considering the smaller Blazer, and want to off road, then go for the ZR-2 Blazer. They come stock with higher/wider suspension, heavier axles, skid plates, 31 inch tires, etc. etc. Get the newest, lowest mileage vehicle you can afford and save on repairs & headaches.

Full size? As in K-5? (What year did Chevy stop making those?)

Oh, sorry if that caused any bit of confusion, by fullsize I meant the 4-door Blazer instead of the 2-door (I like the look of the 4 door better....) Thanks everyone for the replies :biggrin:

Same as with all the 4WD SUVs of this class, stay away from one that may have seen hard off-road use. There are alot of cream-puffs for sale. Find one from a private owner who has detailed maintenance records and says he is selling because he doesn't want to pay for the gas it uses. Nowadays, that's the best reason someone can give for wanting to get rid of a perfectly good 4x4.

Same as with all the 4WD SUVs of this class, stay away from one that may have seen hard off-road use. There are alot of cream-puffs for sale. Find one from a private owner who has detailed maintenance records and says he is selling because he doesn't want to pay for the gas it uses. Nowadays, that's the best reason someone can give for wanting to get rid of a perfectly good 4x4.

Alright, so I hshouldn't buy from a dealer? Even if it has a CARFAX report?

Oh, sorry if that caused any bit of confusion, by fullsize I meant the 4-door Blazer instead of the 2-door (I like the look of the 4 door better....) Thanks everyone for the replies :biggrin:




Ok that threw me off too, Since i think the k-5 Blazer was renamed in '95 to a tahoe, i just asumed you meant a tahoe. But yeah 4x4x4door blazers are just as fun to play in the mudd in as 2 doors.

Ok that threw me off too, Since i think the k-5 Blazer was renamed in '95 to a tahoe, i just asumed you meant a tahoe. But yeah 4x4x4door blazers are just as fun to play in the mudd in as 2 doors.

Yeah, I don't doubt on the fun amount, I'd just prefer over all to have the 4 door because it'd be easier for people to get in and out of the car (SUV I know, but whatever haha) and I also like the look of the 4 door better than the 2. Just another question that kinda makes me wonder.... For the headlights on the Blazer, the bottom amber ones, if I were to get a clear lense instead, would it be like 2 different lights and still be able to use it as a blinker or whatever? Also, I'm wondering, for buying the 'altezza' lights for it, does it replace the rear taillight and backup light? Thanks a bunch

Yeah, I don't doubt on the fun amount, I'd just prefer over all to have the 4 door because it'd be easier for people to get in and out of the car (SUV I know, but whatever haha) and I also like the look of the 4 door better than the 2.

I like the 4 door. the passenger space is convienient, but Like an earlier person posted, if your into the sporty off road look the ZR2 is a mighty nice truck, just wish at the time i was looking for a blazer that i was abled to get one myself, oh well, in due time i suppose

Just another question that kinda makes me wonder.... For the headlights on the Blazer, the bottom amber ones, if I were to get a clear lense instead, would it be like 2 different lights and still be able to use it as a blinker or whatever? Also, I'm wondering, for buying the 'altezza' lights for it, does it replace the rear taillight and backup light? Thanks a bunch

Hmm you could get it cleared out but it would only light up, not really provide light for the road or nothing, i hope that answers your question and A side note, With my 97, the drl is actually provided by the high beams, at a lower voltage of course, so i plugged in cool blue light bulbs for when i dont need the headlights, gives it a nice blue haze instead of the brownish amber tint. And The altezza styles come with ports to plug your stock bulbs in so yeah youd get both.

Hmm you could get it cleared out but it would only light up, not really provide light for the road or nothing, i hope that answers your question and A side note, With my 97, the drl is actually provided by the high beams, at a lower voltage of course, so i plugged in cool blue light bulbs for when i dont need the headlights, gives it a nice blue haze instead of the brownish amber tint. And The altezza styles come with ports to plug your stock bulbs in so yeah youd get both.

ahh, well I just like the look of the two likes, and I dont like hte look of the amber like if it were black, Id prefer the scheme to be white, black, and possibly red (I'd just get some red LEDs and put them in place of the blinkers(I have that on my Cougar, and so far no cops have pulled me over for it even though its not allowed...)) And I'm wondering, for the 97 type model with the headlights like that, I like that, but how hard is it to find it so the amber isnt there and its clear? And just curious but what does 'drl' mean(I'm guessing driving road light?)? Yeah, thanks alot for the help man, I really appreciate it, later

ahh, well I just like the look of the two likes, and I dont like hte look of the amber like if it were black, Id prefer the scheme to be white, black, and possibly red (I'd just get some red LEDs and put them in place of the blinkers(I have that on my Cougar, and so far no cops have pulled me over for it even though its not allowed...)) And I'm wondering, for the 97 type model with the headlights like that, I like that, but how hard is it to find it so the amber isnt there and its clear? And just curious but what does 'drl' mean(I'm guessing driving road light?)? Yeah, thanks alot for the help man, I really appreciate it, later

Ok lets both get something straight cause im still rather confused, when you when you say the amber light, you mean the turn signal housing? Cause newer blazers have a turn signal housing right below the headlight. on my '97 the amber turn signal is in my bumper. Also if your on a budget and wanna get some altezzas look on ebay, i mean putting in 'Blazer altezza' lights in the search will get you hundreds of hits.

Ok lets both get something straight cause im still rather confused, when you when you say the amber light, you mean the turn signal housing? Cause newer blazers have a turn signal housing right below the headlight. on my '97 the amber turn signal is in my bumper. Also if your on a budget and wanna get some altezzas look on ebay, i mean putting in 'Blazer altezza' lights in the search will get you hundreds of hits.

Yes, I mean the turn signal housing, because for the light part, I know that most cars, when you turn on the lights, the blinker comes on too.... On the 97 what I was refering to is right next to the headlight on the side of it theres the little triangle of a turnsignal, I never noticed it on the bumber, and yeah, I have no problem with getting the altezza's, I just wanted to make sure that it would replace both the brake and the reverse light

Yes, I mean the turn signal housing, because for the light part, I know that most cars, when you turn on the lights, the blinker comes on too.... On the 97 what I was refering to is right next to the headlight on the side of it theres the little triangle of a turnsignal, I never noticed it on the bumber, and yeah, I have no problem with getting the altezza's, I just wanted to make sure that it would replace both the brake and the reverse light


10-4 good buddy

Alright, so I hshouldn't buy from a dealer? Even if it has a CARFAX report?
The problem with buying from a dealer is that they have to give a lot of mark up to cover their overhead. They are also less likely to come down on a price to get your business, they figure some one else will walk in right after you.
If you are looking at alot of different vehicles, you can get a subscription for one month on the CARFAX website. This will give you reports for any vehicles you put the VIN # in for. It is well worth the $10-12 it costs.
Just my :2cents:

:cool:

The problem with buying from a dealer is that they have to give a lot of mark up to cover their overhead. They are also less likely to come down on a price to get your business, they figure some one else will walk in right after you.
If you are looking at alot of different vehicles, you can get a subscription for one month on the CARFAX website. This will give you reports for any vehicles you put the VIN # in for. It is well worth the $10-12 it costs.
Just my :2cents:

:cool:

Good point billibong, the dealer i went to didnt care about the used cars and selling em, so they dont care if you buy it, someone will eventually. I test drove 5 blazers from a few different places, and it was almost like they didnt even care, they really wanted me to get a new one. The last place i went to was a reputable buy here place and they had a carfax report for my viewing pleasure and were not pressuring, yet seemed very happy to tell me as much info as possible, loved every minute of that experience.

Alright, so I hshouldn't buy from a dealer? Even if it has a CARFAX report?

You will pay more money for the same truck from a dealer than from a private party. If you prefer the security of having some warranty (30-day or whatever) then you are at the point of breaking even - if you have trouble with the truck and if you can trust the dealer. If you don't have trouble, then you have wasted some money.

JMHO

Alright, I think I'm going to do that CARFAX subscription thing to try finding one, and yeah, most the dealerships where I live at only have 1-2 blazers (theres 3 dealerships) and the ones they have have about 150,000 miles on them, but I had been wondering because I had thought it harder to find one from a private owner.... Thank you LT, Billabong, and Brian, for the help you've all provided me with :smile:

Good luck Slap, and I hope that you find what you are looking for.
I'm glad we could help...

You're welcome

Good luck and take your time

My Blazer has been a dependable vehicle for me, and if you get one im sure the same will be true for you. Post back here when you make your selection, let us know what'cha got.

Heres a quick question: What is the highest mileage that you all recommend that I'd go for? Do you think around 125k miles is too high? Thanks guys!

Heres a quick question: What is the highest mileage that you all recommend that I'd go for? Do you think around 125k miles is too high? Thanks guys!


125k? Well Base your purchase on the price. Do a good test drive, be very observant of everything while on the drive. If its too cheap watch out for the money pit. At that mileage there could be a lot of put-off maintenance needed.

I would have to agree with LT on this. It is totally dependent on what the test drive reveals.

Also, if you are not really comfortable with what happens under the hood take anything that you are seriously considering to a good mechanic and pay them to check it over mechanically for you. This will let you know if there is anything that may cause you trouble down the road. Have them check the suspension, diffs, transfer and tranny - these are all fairly common problems with higher mileage blazers.

I'm sure everyone else on the board can point to other problem areas that I may have missed,

Ahh, good plan, I'll start browsing online for some private sellers near me, thanks guy for all the info.