looking at a 2002 Trailblazer

I'm looking for a car and seen a dealer selling a 2002 Trailblazer. Has 57,700 miles and they are asking $14,995. I'm sure I can get them lower than that so my issue is not asking price.

Is the car a reliable one? Will it spend lots of time getting worked on in the shop or is upkeep reasonable?

Unless you can get it real cheap, I'd steer clear of '02 TB/Envoy. Worst problem: engines had defective cylinder liners = piston slap = permanent damage. Fan clutches were defective, many have been replaced. It was updated mid-85. Low switch on the A/C was bad but it's a DIY fix. Wiper motors leaked & crapped out. Tail-lights had bad circuit boards but GM will fix that free at a dealer's. '03's & '04's had the same problems except GM had fixed the engines & tail-lights. Good luck.

I have an 02 that I have had since new and it has 92k now. I expect to get many more years of use. All problems listed above were covered under my extended warranty which I trully encourage you to buy with it.

For the $15k you are looking at, you can get a 2005 with lower miles.

I concur. '05-'06 GM finally got the bugs out. Trailvoys really are nice veh's if you like a mid-sized SUV. They COULD have been a GREAT line for GM if they hadn't been rushed to market.

I've had pretty good luck with my '02 LTZ. 79k miles and still runs good.

Side view mirrors (twice), water pump, wiper motors and the ambient air temp display have been the only issues... so far. All covered by extended warranty.

I would, and have, recommend this vehicle as long as you can get the extra warranty.

Right on! ANY used vehicle, does it have an extended warranty, and is the warranty transferable (and how many times)? You also wanna see the maintenance/repair records of prior owner(s). I guess it's possible to buy an extended warranty/service contract on a veh 5 or 6 yrs old with more than 50K miles on it, but you know the thing is gonna run high $ if it covers very much. No knock here on used trucks or SUVs. If anything, they've been GM's best products for the last 10 years, warts and all. Just don't get took on a veh with known model year mfr defects that haven't been fixed, wreck damage, or neglected maintenance.