2000 LT Blazer is the worst car

[jcattau]

I can't even begin to describe at how big of a piece of crap chevy made their blazers. I bought a 2000 blazer 2 years ago with 89k on it. Since then, the following has been done:

-Right Front Ball Joints and Wheel Bearings replaced ($900)
-Windshield acquired a crack across entire windshield while driving down highway ($200)
-Radiator cracked, replaced ($300)
-Rear wiper control fell out of dashboard (let it go, still hanging)
-Power steering hose and pump went out ($200)
-Intake gaskets needed replaced (done privately, $250)
-Fuel pump went out (have yet to get fixed, probably around $600)

All of this obviously happened out of warranty. The amount I have put into this car is ridiculous for only being 9 years old. I'm not sure if I will ever buy a Chevy/GM product again.

So what should I do? Should I get rid of it? Or should I hope nothing else goes wrong? I did that when I got the intake gasket's replaced, that didn't work.

[duke350]

I guess you could be glad you didn't get a Camry. I have seen quite a few Toyotas with bad engines, due to oil gelling. Last one I saw had just under 80k on it. When I gave her a quote for an engine replacement she told me to just keep it, it wasn't worth the price of the engine alone, much less the total charge including installation. Or you could have gotten stuck with an Xterra. I had one referred to me when the dealer had it in for a recall and they "found" over $3000 worth of problems with it. They refused to do the recall without her paying for the rest of the work, so I went to the dealer lot on a Sunday, fixed it, and she drove it home. Any way you look at it, all cars out there have flaws. Know what you are getting before you buy. Proper maintenance and quality repair parts make all the difference in the world.

[Chris Stewart]

Looks like it's due for brakes, alternator, transmission filter & fluid change and air conditioner compressor.
The fuel pump will be less than $200 if you do it yourself.
Compare your costs to new car payments and pick the least expensive.
My problem was after I did all those repairs, the car was hit and totalled

[Leeann94astro]

Sounds like you bought one that hadn't been maintained.

The windshield, by the way, does not just crack. I would be willing to bet that it had been struck by a stone and cracked from there - the smallest little strike will start a crack.

And 9 years old is pretty old in our current throw-away society. Do you really think another brand will do better?

[jcattau]

Originally Posted by Chris Stewart

Looks like it's due for brakes, alternator, transmission filter & fluid change and air conditioner compressor.
The fuel pump will be less than $200 if you do it yourself.
Compare your costs to new car payments and pick the least expensive.
My problem was after I did all those repairs, the car was hit and totalled

Why is this?

[dr_lee29]

According to Consumer Reports GM makes automobiles that require more repairs than other companies. I have to agree. The upside is that the repairs cost less than the repairs on the brands that require fewer repairs.

I grew up a GM fan, my Grandfathers 1972 Cheyenne was my first truck and I loved it. I'm still trying to like GM but having a harder time these days.

My wife bought a Saturn new off the lot, we've got 160K miles on it and only had a manifold gasket and water pump quit on us. But what does GM do with Saturn? They threaten to shut it down?!?!

Good luck on the fuel pump, it looks like mine will cost $400 doing it myself.

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by jcattau

So what should I do? Should I get rid of it? Or should I hope nothing else goes wrong? I did that when I got the intake gasket's replaced, that didn't work.

[dr_lee29]

Well then there was the Jeep Wrangler I had. Drove it for 5 years without any problems, then the transmission died. Turns out the transmission was made by Toyota.

[jcattau]

The thing is, I am a college student so I can't really afford to spend a lot of money on a new car. If it did, it would have to be less than 8k. I'm eyeing a 2004 Ford Escape (I know, it's a Ford) but I sort of like them. Anyone know anything about Escapes?

[Airjer_]

I have nothing bad to say about the escape. Make sure it is the 6 cylinder not the 4 cylinder. Besides an occasional wheel bearing and fuel pump (which can be changed by flipping up the drivers rear seat, NICE!) and some other nit picky stuff they are good small suv's! I talked the sister in law into one and she loves it. Aside from the normal maintenance (tires, brakes, oil changes) she has had only the drivers front wheel bearing as a major expense. If I remember right she is over 100k. That's not to bad for a "Domestic" Vehicle!!!

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by dr_lee29

Well then there was the Jeep Wrangler I had. Drove it for 5 years without any problems, then the transmission died. Turns out the transmission was made by Toyota.

BTW that was the best transmission jeep ever had!!

[duke350]

If I remember right I think the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute are the same car. They seemed to be decent until they hit around 80k on the clock. Then they started having problems. A friends wife bought one a couple years ago and she wanted me to research it before she bought it. I seem to remember 80k was the start of trouble, but I am sure this may be year specific. Like I said, know what you are getting and research before you buy. Once you get it, maintain it properly and just about anything should be a decent car. Also, check for maintenance records.

[ericn1300]

Originally Posted by jcattau

I can't even begin to describe at how big of a piece of crap chevy made their blazers. I bought a 2000 blazer 2 years ago with 89k on it. Since then, the following has been done:

-Right Front Ball Joints and Wheel Bearings replaced ($900)
-Windshield acquired a crack across entire windshield while driving down highway ($200)
-Radiator cracked, replaced ($300)
-Rear wiper control fell out of dashboard (let it go, still hanging)
-Power steering hose and pump went out ($200)
-Intake gaskets needed replaced (done privately, $250)
-Fuel pump went out (have yet to get fixed, probably around $600)

All of this obviously happened out of warranty. The amount I have put into this car is ridiculous for only being 9 years old. I'm not sure if I will ever buy a Chevy/GM product again.

So what should I do? Should I get rid of it? Or should I hope nothing else goes wrong? I did that when I got the intake gasket's replaced, that didn't work.

I added up all your repairs (minus the windshield, you can't blame that on GM) and divided the total by the 24 months. It comes out to $85 a month. It would have been less than half that if you did it yourself or shopped around. Add that $85 to your current payments so you have a basis for comparison when shopping for a replacement.

GM's have a rash of problems from about 90k to 120k and people get frustrated and sell out. Thats why I buy mine with 140k or more and drive them another ten years, relativly problem free.

[jcattau]

I wish I was car savy as I just like to act like I know what I'm talking about.

But honestly, I can talk about cars and understand most of the lingo, but when it comes to the hands-on/doing the repair, the most I can do is change a headlight. The blazer is getting towed to a dealership tomarrow to get fixed which looks like my estimate of $600 was right on. I really wish I could do these repairs myself. I was lucky in finding someone to do the intake gaskets for so cheap (dealership wanted over a grand).

This car has given me nonstop problems. I am just so tired and frustrated. As far as I'm concerned, all cars are pieces of crap.

[Blazin1]

Yeah, Blazers could be money pits but when properly maintained they're a Blast!!! Jenna just cost me 200 for 3 fuel lines replaced. I finally found a complete Blazer @ the Junkyard, but I know I can't do it, 1 I'm not patient and 2 I don't have time, so a local shop that I trust is charging me 200 including the removal of the lines @ the junkyard, removing mine, then replacing mine with the used ones.