Considering buying a '98 LS w/65 K

[Gebo]

I am considering buying a '98 LS with 65,000 miles. It looks good and runs good. The only problem is this terrible clunking I get when I am turning it sharply. It sounds awful! Are there other inherent problems with this model year?

[coryhawkins]

Well... I love my 4-door 98 Blazer LS 4x4. However, here's what all I've had to fix (or at least all I can remember):

Fuel pump got really noisy (whining) - replaced at 100K miles (parts = ~$300).

Transmission P1870 code + hard shift at 100K - replaced valve body and gaskets at 128K miles (got tired of the hard shift and Service Engine Soon light every summer) (parts = ~$650).

Sticking brake caliper on right front wheel - brake line to caliper on right front wheel had to be replaced at 80K miles (parts = ~$20).

Constant, annoying, very loud ticking inside Blazer at all times starting about 90K miles - replaced multi-function switch (wipers, turn signal, etc.) very soon thereafter to make hazard/signal clicker stop acting up (parts = ~$160).

Tilt/recline control handles broke off both front seats as soon as I got it at ~60K miles - replaced handles (with kit from wittydeals.com that uses old post and a retaining hex screw) at 110K miles (parts = ~$50).

Rear hatch got wimpy and wouldn't lift itself at about 80K miles - replaced hatch shocks/lift supports (parts = ~$40).

Wipers were doing crazy things starting at about 100K miles - replaced wiper pulse board at 120K (parts = ~$30).

Radiator cap starting leaking and letting air bubbles in (could hear them in the heater core when accelerating) - replaced cap (parts = ~$5).

Battery died at about 80K miles (happens to every car at some point).

Heater core apparently leaked at about 60K miles (right before I got the Blazer), because the carpet is dyed all Dexcool orange/red on the passenger side under the floor mat.

So, all in all, it has had only minor problems, and nothing that has been very expensive. I gripe about the design flaws all the time (transmission valve body mostly) to my family, but I really like my 98 Blazer. It hasn't stranded me yet (as my 85 Blazer Tahoe 4x4 did when I replaced it with this one). All of the problems I listed above are very common ones with Blazers, by the way, but they are certainly no reason not to buy/keep it, IMO. My airbag light is on, however, and I still haven't gotten that one fixed. I'm thinking of taking it to an actual shop for that one, as I don't want to blow my head off with an airbag deployment. The rest I did myself with lots of help from my ASE Master Technician dad.

[BlazayBlazerious]

I'm a fan of the LTs myself...a little more bang for your buck, but there's nothing wrong with a clean LS...Its 4x4, 4-door right?

Anyway, that clunk might not be as awful as it sounds. Check out this post: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=394951
Before I came across this post I thought my whole front end was about to fly off at any moment.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Gebo

I am considering buying a '98 LS with 65,000 miles. It looks good and runs good. The only problem is this terrible clunking I get when I am turning it sharply. It sounds awful! Are there other inherent problems with this model year?

Find out what that clunking is before you buy it and have it repaired before the payment goes out of your hand.

This could be major and if you buy a vehicle with something wrong off the bat, you are looking for trouble.

[blazer_guy86]

I have recently bought a 98 blazer LS. When i bought it, i had 156k miles on it, it may seem like a lot but i couldn't turn down the deal i got on it. I thought i might regret it but i was wrong, i know for a fact that it had a new alternator at 145k miles and the a/c compressor just went out a couple weeks ago. that ran me 100$ at a local salvage yard. Other than that my blazer has treated me well after every day of punishment i put it through. It now has 162k miles and is still running strong. One problem you might can expect is a multifunctional switch in the steering colum going out. you will hear the blinker sound all the time and never goes off. But if you are looking at a well treated Blazer, you should go for it.