Chevy Trailbalzer feedback

[Indiana]

I am looking at a Trailblazer for the winter. Does anyone have good/bad information on them? It is a 2003 LT with the 4.2 straight 6.



Edit: The retail for it is 20,765, the private party price is 17,250, and they are asking 15,00 for it.

[spacecadet]

Price seems allright assuming the mileage is within normal usage. I\'ve driven a few, they ride like a tall car. Even smoother than the 2nd gen.

The only thing I didn\'t like was that it had independent rear suspension. I thought it was going to be kinda weak. And wouldn\'t fend too well for towing of off road usage.

Note however, I only drove it a few miles on the road. It seemed to have good power. It seemed like it would \"get out of its own way\". Probubly just as quick as the newest 2nd gen 4.3\'s. For a 6\' guy with a bad back ... roomy and comfortable.

Thats only my 2 cents.

Space.

[Indiana]

Thanks Space. I have been looking on the web and it seems they have problems with the trans. It looks like the motor runs hot (230 - 240) and the sunny gear goes out, I have no idea what a sunny gear is.

[85350DROPTOP]

It is a sun gear, part of the planetary gearset in the trans.

[Indiana]

Okay, that makes sense. The dealer said it was a problem with the Astro, Trailblazer and another one, which I don\'t recall. He said there was no way to tell which ones will go bad. He said some will tow with the car and not have issues, but others will baby the car and have it go out. Well, I ended up buying it with a 36k/36 mo extended warrenty. If I do have problems with it, it will be covered. The GM dealership said it would cost around $1200 USD to fix it. The warrenty was $1600, but is a bumper to bumper. I am thinking that if it goes out, it will by then. And, perhaps, GM will wake up and admit it is an issue and fix it free.

[rayL]

ok first of all i work at a chevy and cadillac stealership and can count on 3 fingers how many trailblazers ive seen with a trans problem. secondly it runs the same 4l60 that every other half ton chevy truck and suv uses. the 4l60 is a great trans but when it does fail it is usually the sun gear or convertor causing slippage. I would make them check it for recalls, the trailblazer has more recalls than i count. The tail light boards are bad about shorting out, fuel gauge problems, fan clutches go out, water pumps are common also, had a few that has dropped a valve for some reason and had to have a cylinder replaced along w/ piston and rod and a new head. dont be worried though they have there lil snags just like everything else, but definatley a reliable vehicle. my best friend has an envoy, which is the same thing, that he hauls his race car with. they are rated to tow 6k pounds. lemme know if i can help ya out any,

[Indiana]

I think hers is rated at 4500. My wife is happy with it. It sits higher than her car and she feels safer in it. It runs quiet and solid.

[elv408]

Try automotiveforums.com for feedback from Trailblazer owners. Just Go to your year, make & model. This is where I got good information about common problems on my 2000 blazer.

Bad front Hubs, fuel sending unit going bad, faulty transmission module and 4x4 motor, broken recline handle and many other things common to this model. Good luck!

[jimmya]

like rayl said its the same trans as every fullsize truck/suv that gm makes. i just bought my wife an 03 ext model, 16inches longer for 3rd row seating. We actually went to buy a tahoe that day but the trailblazer made the tahoe look like a work truck. Besides a noisy fan clutch(i hear they all have this problem) and loose tierod, i think its the best vehicle we\'ve ever owned. its got power open/close rear wing windows, rear air, on star, 6 disc changer, 4 wheel disc brakes, 17 inch factory wheels, etc. I just wish they made a 2 door version for future hot rodding.

[wild85]

My neighbour has a trail blazer, and all i know is that the first regular wheel based one got flatbedded. Then the long wheel base one got flat bedded, so i am guessing they have problems.

[Indiana]

Thanks for the information. I bought the warrenty so I will plan on selling it in two - three years.

[jimmya]

Rebel.

[daddy0103]

I have one there ok no major problems drivetrain is ok. Wiper problems brake lite problems. Overall good truck. Pull trailer ok 17ft enclosed not as good as my chevy pickup