would you buy one ?

[General _Motors]

i would buy one i like the looks of it and power it has would you ?

[Euro19]

I wouldn´t because General Motors is recalling 78,004 GMC Envoy and Chevrolet Trailblazer models built between January and August, 2001 to recalibrate the transfer case control module. On models equipped with 4-wheel drive, the calibration of the transfer case control module could cause insufficient high-speed gear engagement. If the gear is not engaged, the vehicle can roll when the transmission is in "Park. So as you can see problems are starting to appear. Looks are good though.

[Thunda Downunda]

.. But that's the case with almost every new design, from every manufacturer.
Not so long ago here Toyota had to recall diesel Landcruisers due to broken crankshafts - hardly a minor problem ..

TrailBlazer is certainly a competitive design in both looks and performance - there's talk of them being offered locally - but it's a pity, in a market segment that depends so much on image, or should I say perceived image that they haven't beefed that image up with some true off-road capability.
Can you get it with diff-locks?
Why isn't it offered with a factory twin-battery option?
Where is the long-range tank(s)?
Here, the lack of the above automatically dooms most 4WD's to being an illusion, and once the reality sets in, so eventually does public perception, and interest ..
Here, only Landcruiser, the tough Nissan Patrol (over 40 US gallon capacity) and Land Rover Defender offer these features. Even Jeep doesn't bother, so like verything else, is virtually relegated to soccer mom duty.

Imagine for a minute one local road tester's horror when he took a new Mercedes-Benz 'ML' 4WD up the tough and very remote Canning Stock Route ... only to get the inevitable flat tyre and belatedly discover that this whiz-bang unit comes equipped with a SPACESAVER spare! What a joke!

anyway, that's my rave on this subject

[pdqgp]

Originally posted by Thunda Downunda
....should I say perceived image that they haven't beefed that image up with some true off-road capability.
Can you get it with diff-locks?
Why isn't it offered with a factory twin-battery option?
Where is the long-range tank(s)?
........Here, only Landcruiser, the tough Nissan Patrol (over 40 US gallon capacity) and Land Rover Defender offer these features. Even Jeep doesn't bother, so like verything else, is virtually relegated to soccer mom duty.....Imagine for a minute one local road tester's horror when he took a new Mercedes-Benz 'ML' 4WD up the tough and very remote Canning Stock Route ... only to get the inevitable flat tyre and belatedly discover that this whiz-bang unit comes equipped with a SPACESAVER spare! What a joke!

The TB is very capable of off road use. Only downside is lift kits aren't possible.

Yes, they do have Diff Locks. I have it on mine. Many you see probably don't as they aren't of any benefit in the 98% of the populations daily travels on-road or in worst case....snow. In fact, Lockers can be dangerous if driven by an inexperience driver who is not skilled at 4wd...especially in winter. That's why so many end up upside down in roll overs.

The twin battery....very, very minimal demand. Not good business sense if the demand is low. Not needed for most folks. I'll agree with you on the tanks though. 18.7gals is a bit small.

Don't crack on the MB ML's though. They, like Jeeps do very, very well offroad. Those that do go off road will never use the dummy spare anyway, so that's not an issue. Doubt the ML's ability....then come run the rubicon with me. My TB did Awesome and my buddy's ML did great too. Check out http://4x4abc.com/ML320/ for his site.



The other comments on

[mjdart]

Picked one up this week for my wife, she liked the looks and color. I liked the mechanical stuff underneath.

Let me tell you this vehicle rides and handles most excellently! Every time we drive it we rave about this area. The Vortec engine is also worth raving about, 270 horses riding on hydraulic engine mounts. Smooth, linear power, this engine pulls like a large electric motor. You don’t feel the torque associated with a V design. Its all constructed using lost foam casing and it’s a mechanical beauty. It holds seven quarts of oil and the filter is straight up so you won’t make a mess if you change it yourself. The transmission is the same automatic used in the Corvette and other large GM trucks so it should be bulletproof in the Trailblazer. The brakes are excellent four-wheel discs with dual piston calipers up front. To me they look like Harley Davidson pistons would fit in their bores. They work to haul this fairly large heavy truck from 60 to 0 in 131 feet, that sports car territory. GM uses an new hydro forming process to make the chassis. This means they use water under very high pressure to make the intricate bends and shapes. It’s very precise and allows strength and rigidity to be built in. The tires are very meaty BF Goodrich models with a 400 treadwear rating. I found replacements at Tirerack.com for $67, this will help reduce overall maintenance costs considerably. The spare is full sized with an aluminum wheel which matches the other four.

The interior is very luxurious and spacious. It will seat five adults with plenty of room. The seats are comfortable and feature plenty of adjustments even though they are manual ones. My only complaint with the seat is that since the Trailblazer likes to be thrown in to corners it almost needs sports car seats.
I spent five dollars last night for a can of Scotch Guard which was used to treat the seats and carpeting. The carpeted areas are several shades darker which should help hide spills and messes quite nicely.
The AC/Heating system features dual zone controls with a controllable system for back seat passengers. The stereo is plenty powerful AM/FM & CD player with lots of easy adjustments. A cassette player adds more audio versatility for $124 for those want it. The optional tinting on the rear windows is very nice and helps keep the interior cool in the hot sun. Both the front windows feature express power down and the rears also retract fully into the doors. The rear seats are kind of a split design, which fold forward with minimal effort.

[expopo]

I got a 2002 Trailblazer LTZ, Yes it has it all from DVD to heated leather seats. The one bad thing is I only get about 16-17 MPG. Im looking for ways to get better MPG.

[mjdart]

I've heard the milage improves quite abit after 5,000 miles. I've got 4500 and I see the numbers coming up.

[expopo]

Thanks but I got over 12,000 Now. so I order a tornado in hopes that my MPG will get better.

[mjdart]

about the Tornado device. The engine is really quite powerful and it doesn't seem to be really worked during normal driving so I wonder what drives the milage down.

[bowtiebandit]

Yes I will buy one soon. I am waiting for the v8 version to see how this new engine will hold up before I decide on the one I want.

[mjdart]

Available with extended versions. The new Buick version will have V8 standard.

[bowtiebandit]

Yes, I know that but not to keen on design of engine. They didnt get the inline 6 right, Lord knows I've replaced plenty, so I will wait awhile on the 8.

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Buick's version of the TrailBlazer?

[bowtiebandit]

Yes it's called a Rainier.http://buick.com/rainier/

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Oh yea, I've seen that. Not really a fan of it, though. Buick is failing to drop their Old-person car image. And anyway, that just looks like a Rendezvous with some minor changes...