Looking into buying a 05 or 06 Trailblazer

[POWERFREAK]

Hello all. I just totalled my '04 Colorado and I'm considering buying a 05 or 06 Trailblazer. I have a few questions for any owners out there....

the obvious one...how do you like it? Any problems/issues?
Any options you wish you got or didn't get?
Anyone have the DOD-V8...how is it really on gas?


Any other thoughts feel free...THANKS!

[ScarabEpic22]

I have an 02 with the 4.2L I6, I get about sticker on mileage. From what Ive heard, the 5.3L V8 with DOD gets right about the same mileage, but isnt as smooth as the inline 6, but has ~60ft lbs tq and 39 more hp than the I6. The SS 6.0L V8 gets about 2-3 mpg less than the other two engines. If I were to get another TB (besides an SS) I would have to think long and hard about which engine I got, as I tow a fair amount, but it is a difficult decision.

BTW, the TQ and HP differences Ive guoted are for 06 TBs only, as GM upped the HP for 06 by 16hp.

[Schurkey]

I've been reading about electrical problems on Trailblazers, and it has me scared. When I calm down, I have to admit that MINE seems to be fine. 'Course, it's only got 17K on it ('03 LTZ)

I despise the mandatory OnStar, and the headlights that won't stay off. So my next vehicle will maybe be a Dodge.

The horsepower difference MIGHT be nothing more than playing games with the rating method. The industry recently updated the horsepower rating method, several GM engines "gained" power, while several Japanese engines "lost" power.

[cliffurbanasjr]

I just bought a new Trailblazer (6 cylinder) and have absolutely no problems with it.
I have about 3500 miles on it and my wife and I really like it


Cliff

[POWERFREAK]

Originally Posted by cliffurbanasjr

I just bought a new Trailblazer (6 cylinder) and have absolutely no problems with it.
I have about 3500 miles on it and my wife and I really like it


Cliff

Thanks, that's good to here...
How's the gas mileage on it?

[plinder]

Originally Posted by POWERFREAK

Hello all. I just totalled my '04 Colorado and I'm considering buying a 05 or 06 Trailblazer. I have a few questions for any owners out there....

the obvious one...how do you like it? Any problems/issues?
Any options you wish you got or didn't get?
Anyone have the DOD-V8...how is it really on gas?


Any other thoughts feel free...THANKS!

I just bought ours, have 900 miles on it. No problems at all yet (good thing!). I have the 2005 with the 6 cylinder and the LT package. Radio is Bose with the 6 cd changer and MX satalite system. Realy like the satalite radio so far. My wife says that she could not get in if we didn't have the running boards (she's 5'0"). I think that if I would have been able to custom order I would have included the navigation system, it just sounds like it would be a neet option.
Gas milage so far has been 14.5 to 15.5 doing rural driving (3 to 5 miles between stop signs & 55 mph) in some fairly cold weather. Hope this improves as I put a few miles on it and when the weather improves.
I went for the 2005 because of the $4500 cash back plus I had a direct mail coupon for an additional $1000. Prior to this car I had a 1999 s10 Blazer. I realy liked it but must admit that the Trailblazer is a big step up in ride and performance.

[POWERFREAK]

1 more question...what kind of tires do the TB's come with? My colorado had General's on it and they were junk.

[phewop118]

I have an 05 tb ext v8 w/dod. it gets around 20 mpg average with about 65% highway driving. The power is great-GET THE V8! The six really doesn't feel as smooth at low rpms and never can produce the neck-snapping downshifts of the v8. The tires (continentals) suck. They're great while they last, but they were bald at 23000 miles and no, I don't burn out everyday. I try not to squeal tires, but have oversteered through turns a few times. FUNNNNN!

[balboasdelight]

Originally Posted by POWERFREAK

the obvious one...how do you like it?

I love it (04 I6 EXT). Lotsa room; plenty of power. At 19/14 the mileage sucks, but it's an SUV -- I expected that.

I added a DVD player, upgraded the speakers, added some cosmetics, and did the turn signal mirror thing. Great truck.

.

[MajorOz]

Originally Posted by plinder

I went for the 2005 because of the $4500 cash back plus I had a direct mail coupon for an additional $1000.

What is the "direct mail coupon"?

cheers

oz

[ScarabEpic22]

Originally Posted by phewop118

I have an 05 tb ext v8 w/dod. it gets around 20 mpg average with about 65% highway driving. The power is great-GET THE V8! The six really doesn't feel as smooth at low rpms and never can produce the neck-snapping downshifts of the v8. The tires (continentals) suck. They're great while they last, but they were bald at 23000 miles and no, I don't burn out everyday. I try not to squeal tires, but have oversteered through turns a few times. FUNNNNN!

I dont know what you are saying about the I6 because unless youve owned one and driven it since it have 120mi on the odo (now 56,120), the power keeps growing. These engine are biult to such tight specs, that they need some mileage (at least 30k) before they run to their full potential. If I really throw the pedal to the floor, it will downshift and throw me back in the seat. I am getting a B&M Shift kit to help with the speed of the downshift, but since the 5.3L V8 and the 4.2L I6 use the same tranny, the downshifts should take about the same time. The small V8 is better over the I6 if you have the EXT, otherwise the I6 wont move them very well. But, in the SWB models, the I6 works fine and has a fair amount of power. I was going 80 today and spinning about 3k in D, and it kept pulling until I caught up to traffic. I really cant wait to open it up all the way and see if it does pull up to the limiter.

[balboasdelight]

Originally Posted by ScarabEpic22

The small V8 is better over the I6 if you have the EXT, otherwise the I6 wont move them very well.

I suppose "enough" power is a subjective thing, but the I6 pushes my EXT around just dandy. Fully loaded. In the mountains.

.

[plinder]

Originally Posted by MajorOz

What is the "direct mail coupon"?

cheers

oz

It was just a coupon which I received in the mail a few days before I decided to start looking for a new vehical. It came from GM and was just one of those glossy folded over post card things that I usually throw out as junk mail. On it was a coupon made out to me and depending on which vehical I bought it was worth between 500 and 1500 dollars. When I showed it to the salesman he called it a direct mail coupon. I'm guessing I received it because of the 1999 blazer I had and it must be some sort of owner loyalty incentive. Probably if you asked a dealer they may be able to give you more information.

[TuBlaz]

I have an 2003 TB EXT w/I6. I love it. She handles very will and I guess mileage is abt average. I'm not too concerned on mileage, as I traded my 1995 Maxima (which took premium gas) for the TB (which takes 87 octane), so I figure I'm ahead. Anyway, the TB has all the features I wanted and more. It's been two months of me owner her with no problems. Thank GOD

I also own a 96 Blazer S10 and I agree it's a nice step up. I'm very happy with her. LT, Leather 6 disc (non-Bose) Rack, Sunroof, Running boards, Onstar, etc. I think everything except Bose and Navigation system.

I really don't think the V8 is necessary now-a-days. 6's perform so well now. Unless you're hauling things, boats, trailers, etc. It's an SUV not a sports car, and imo it should be driven and handled like an SUV.

I feel myself starting to preach, so I'll stop here.

Peace,

-TuType

[POWERFREAK]

Thanks for all your replies. I ended up getting an '05. I Like it. Came with pretty much every option except leather. The Bose system sounds pretty good. It rides real nice. AND, with all the incentives and my GM points, it came out almost $10K less than sticker, so that's nice too...it just sucks that it's taxed on the full price before all the rebates so that jacks the price back up.