blazer as next vehicle?

Alright, after some misfortune with my last car (98 chevy cavalier z24) it's time for something new, well used :p

im buying either a truck or suv this time around, my last two cars show that im just way to hard on cars right now in my young age

im mechanically inclined so fixing stuff will almost always be me doing the work

but yea just woundering a couple things

Jimmy vs blazer?? any differences if so what?

think either vehicle isa good choice for me, it will be doing a few hours on the highway each week but for the majority rippin around my small town for odds an ends

will also be playing in the mud, no serious offroading, but playin in the mud

if i can find one in good condition and it lasts ill DEFINITLY be lifting and puttin on somemudders

but problem is i dont have alot of money, max is 5 grand canadian...so alot have higher km's whats high whats not for these vehicles..heres a couple i found near me in my price range

Blazers (see first couple realitvly low then last one high km all same money?)
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=26013168&pgno=1&srt=1
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=27080382&pgno=1&srt=1
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=26822552&pgno=1&srt=1


Jimmys (notice jimmys higher km same money, coincidence? last one is lifted should i stay away from already lifted...cause they prolly have samemind set as me hhaha)
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=27175637&pgno=1&srt=1
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=26951053&pgno=1&srt=1
http://www.canadatrader.com/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=24932095&pgno=1&srt=1


thanks for all and any advice

remember this will be my daily driver!

I think the trim package is the only difference between the blazer/jimmy. I'd say it's good that you're mechanically inclined. People here say the engines are good for 300,000 miles, so I'd say your biggest thing would be finding one that's not rusted out. If you're looking for a fuel efficient vehicle look elsewhere. Try searching for a post a while back by netkitten, lots of good info there for newbies.

Really a shame BlazerLT just sold his.

i think you should save ur self the trouble and skip any s-series vehicle. but still rock a chevy all the way

Run fast and run far from GM! Blazers are well known money pits.

lol every vehicle is a money pit

if i do get a blazer this will be my third chev lol

soo yea if u say run away, then what should i run too in the same price range?

as far as net_kittens thread, i actully read that yesterday...indeed lotsof info!

These trucks have their problems, thats not to say they are bad. In fact, in my opinion, they are pretty good trucks, all in all. Maintenance is very important with these trucks, it has to be done right, and on time all the time- but that can be said for anything with wheels. Finding one that has been looked after good is the key. A good indication of someone looking after thier vehicle in general, is when it has been rustproofed. If someone has gone so far as to get it rustproofed, chances are they are looking after the truck, as they want to last.

I 've had 6 of these trucks ranging from a '87 to a '98. The '87 being the worst(still never left me stranded) to the best being a '93- the best blazer I've owned.

If you have owned a cavalier, chances are your use to doing work on your car, so patience and shop wisely.

lol every vehicle is a money pit

if i do get a blazer this will be my third chev lol

soo yea if u say run away, then what should i run too in the same price range?

as far as net_kittens thread, i actully read that yesterday...indeed lotsof info!

:lol: Yup - I love my truck - even with all of the crap it's needed. And yes, you asked the right question - What real truck can you get for 5k? A Blazer. Not sure about Canada but around here you can get a 98-2000 LT for that.

well what kinda work usually needs? like lots of pumps and shit?

i dont care too too much like this will be my daily driver for a year max then its a winter beater it is a 5000 dollar vehicle after all haha


all i care about is too make sure it wont leave me stranded

I got my jimmy i had for 5k and it lasted me 3 years and well over 150,000miles i didnt have to many serious problems with it besides routine maintence. The only high priced part i had to replace was the hubs and bearings which are nortorious on blazers/jimmys but mine were also original parts and I think I replaced them at 130,000. They are really nice vehicles and I almost bought another one when I sold my jimmy but got a deal I couldnt refuse on a sierra.

alright thanks guys, i like the blazers i think i may pick one up

but first a stop over too see the boys in the jeep section haha :icon16:

Some people say Blazer parts are expensive... if you want to talk overpriced and expensive, let's talk Jeep.

My experience:
I got mine last august, loaded 98 LT. I drive this in a small town, commute many times a day to school, work, errands. I've driven from Colorado to Mississippi (2000 mi round) and Colorado to phoenix (1600), Steamboat to Grand Junction and Steamboat to Denver from time to time (each 3 1/2 one way) and took it for a little off road on some colorado trails in fall and winter. Fair to say i drive this a lot. Very very solid ride that hasn't let me down ever, started in the coldest mornings over the winter, good space with seats down (have a big bandpass box), decent passing power, great 4wd traction plows thru snow, mud, and crap on roads with ease never been stuck, spacious in the front, back seats are so-so. This is the most "convenient" vehicle i've owned also: rear wiper, keyless, informs me of my mpg temp direction used & remaining fuel, heated leather, came with aftermarket visors, automatic headlamps, power everything, auto tranny with auto overdrive, comes with oil pressure and coolant temp gauges, center console has holders for loose change, and manuvers a lot better than i expected for an SUV.




Despite all this, i still hate it just because i get a lousy 13 mpg, my only complaint that just so happens to affect the wallet.:banghead: Wish they had a diesel one or something. Anyway, I don't think you should bother with a Jeep unless you want to lift it. While Cherokees and Wranglers are practically just as solid IMO, a taken care of LT will be a nicer alternative.

I have a 1997 Blazer LT 4x4 and my friend has a 1997 Grand Cherokee Laredo.
So far the only problem I have had to fix is wheel alignment (previous owner never had it done - pulls to the right a little - annoying)
While my friend's cherokee:
- hood latch stuck (cant push the hood all the way down he has to only use the safety latch)
- interior lights stay on (had to pull the fuse for them so now they never come on)
- his transfer case went bad
- bad alternator

The work that the previous owner had done on my blazer:
-transmission flushed and rebuilt
-ignition switch replaced

Also the interior of the blazer is nicer IMO. in the back seats there is much more space than his cherokee. and the interior and gauges have a nicer look in the blazer aswell.

just my opinion thought I'd tell you my 2 cents. On the Jeep side they are usually very solid, and I almost bought a 99 grand cherokee instead of my blazer, but on the high school budget you know how that goes.