Rented a Trailblazer for a week once

One of the rear brake lights wasn't working on it, and the guy at the rental place said they have problems with the rear lights on all Trailblazers.

Look at Trailblazers' brake lights and I think you'll notice a huge percentage with burned out bulbs. I notice this all the time....

Otherwise it ran ok, but I think you will have quality issues. Lot of truck for the money, maybe, but you will have other pains with it.

 

I have an 03 Trailblazer with 52k miles and can't wait to turn it in next February. The worst vehical we have ever had. It has lived at the dealer for Tailight recalls twice and the rear light bulbs still need to be replaced every other month! The gas tank has been replaced. Every loose interior piece has been replaced because of breakage, the DVD player doesn't always work in hot weather. The headlights suck and the fogs are useless! The Transmission has had 3 reflashes to try and fix a 1st to 2nd gear part throttle shudder, but each try only lasts for few thousand miles. Gets 12mpg average with the 6cyl. The suspansion has also gotten very loose and the rear shocks need to be replaced and are Bilstiens! Front sway bar end links replaced twice, front diff leak, transfer case leaks twice. Rear rotors resufaced, but I am still on the original pads so thats a plus! Various check engine light warnings, but this has always been no problem found are fuel vapor leak(loose gas cap) OnStar is fun to play with for remote diagnostics etc. Lots of rattles from the rear hatch and window. The dealer has been very good to the point that I have always had a free loaner car and free service including all oil changes. All I have paid for is tires and an air filter.

 

damn see my dad has one and we have never had a problem with anything

 

while I'm starting to think the best option is a used XTerra, I'd still get the Trailblazer over the Element. just pay it off before the 5yr/100k warranty is through

 

Exactly!!! That right there is the key!

You can take a cross section of people and ask them how their GM has been and you will get the really good and the really bad stories. Both of the stories are true and the owners are being honest. However, when you go in to buy a GM you can ask for the one that will turn out to be a good vehicle, but you never know what you are going to get. The whole purchasing thing becomes a very costly game of Russian Roulette; there is one bullet in the chamber, give it a spin, put it up to your head, are you getting a vehicle that will be dependable, or one that will live at the GM dealer's garage. With the price of vehicles nowadays, I tend to go towards the more predicatable degree of reliability; Honda, not GM.

 

The Trailblazer offers a truely joyless driving experience. Dull numb steering, sloppy suspension. Whatever qualities it has a negated by this.

I'd suggest an 02-04 Pathfinder.

 

I know of two friends that had to turn theirs in for lemons. Stay away from the Trailbrazer.

 

I say Element. I drive an FJ cruiser, and although completely different, I actually considered the Element due to its versatility..I like the looks of the new SC version too.

 

the Element is great. if you don't mind the lack in power, or the crap mileage it gets, i'd say go for it. outside of that, i've owned the car for over a year now, and haven't had ANY problems with it.
I haven't checked the specs on the blazer, so i can't offer +/- on it.

 

Yes, I happen to have a GM vehicle that is over 10 years old. 1996 base model Pontiac Sunfire.. 235k miles on it..
It has the original clutch, original trans, and original engine. Oh, a light did burn out in the original radio..

I also have an s2000 that has already had a new clutch, new tranny, two diffs, new cv joints, new bearings, new hubs, and the list goes on..it has spent more time in the shop than ANY car I own. (I have 5, including a 70s Triumph...... and if you know anything about 70s british cars, that statement should really hit home.)