2005 Blazers are Cheap, should I buy one?

[MagicRat]

Hello,
I am considering replacing my Cherokee with a new Blazer. Around here, the dealers are selling them at about $18K (Canadian), which is about half the asking price of a year ago. I assume this deal is because its an older design that is now almost out of production.
The dealer stock has Blazers that are pretty basic: 2 doors, aluminum wheels, 4.3 V6, auto, AC, CD player, limited slip rear, part time 4wd.
Everything else is basic, no power locks, windows, seats, etc.

So, do you think the Blazer design is much less advanced than other more modern compact SUV's? (Equinox, Ford Escaape, etc)? Are these new vehicles that much better for ride and handling or are they glorified mini-vans?
I will occasionally tow a 2800 lb trailer and do some mild off-roading so the seperate chassis may be a useful feature.

Are there any other options that are really worthwhile, such as trailer towing package, off road suspension etc?

The dealer's prices for such things seems a bit high, I would have thought I could add my own trailer hitch, bigger tires, mild lift kit etc as the need arises.
Or do these packages include lots of extra stuff, which would actually be more expensive for me to duplicate?

Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

[[RIT]IVIr_Evil]

2004 Blazers run about 24,900 in my area.. but they are loaded with everything and are zr2's..

[ovp0]

I have an 05 Blazer and it's not really that bad for the money. I expect the usual GM problems but mine has PW/PL/PMirrors/Keyless Entry. So if you look around you may find one with a few options. FYI they are already out of production.

[MagicRat]

Thanks for the input so far.

GM says the off road package includes this:

Suspension Package, 4x4 Wide Stance Sport Performance, includes revised wide-tread frame, strengthened front differential gears and drive axles, large bearings and longer, large rear axle shafts, revised multi-leaf springs and added rear axle track bar, front stabilizer bar, Bilstein gas-pressurized shock absorbers, (ZM5) Skid Plate Package, outside Tailgate mounted spare tire carrier (ZR2)

Is it worth the money to find one so equipped and pay more for it?

[blazee]

You're describing the zr2 package, they have a much more aggressive appearence. Check out the side by side view:
http://zr2.com/

[BlazerLT]

I would not buy a 2 door blazer myself.

Has the worst driver death rating of all vehicles on the road plus it is hard to sell seeing most families want 4 doors.

Are there any other options other than Chev?

[chris15706]

24k seems a bit much for a 2004. I got mine for 17k a couple months ago.

[AlmostStock]

I bought a 2005 ZR2 in January this year. It has the LSc option group which means pretty much everything. The list was over $28,XXX (US) but I got it for under 21. The ZR2 is over 400 pounds heavier than the standard Blazer so it will be a little slower and use more gas. But it is much stronger (and higher) for offroading. The ZR2 (wide stance suspension) package itself is $2000 more on the sticker. It's worth it if you plan to offroad or even if you just like the way it looks.

No one ever got a better deal on a new Blazer than what is available now.