reliable 4x4

[richards72chevy]

Its been snowing here since tuesday and i have been stuck at home and i cant make it to work.I think its time to buy a 4 wheel drive.I have a wife and two kids so i will have to have a blazer or tahoe.I would like to get a 2004 or older blazer for gas mieage.Are they reliable?What should i stay away from?Should i just get a full size suv over the blazer?

[Permafrost]

Personally, I think the full-size Tahoe is the way to go. But they'll use more fuel. I've just never been much of a fan of the S-series Blazers and Pickups. If that is what you are referring to? From my experience, (I've owned two) they are much harder to work on and I think they cost a bit more to own (maintenance) I do know several with 200k and still going strong though. The full size will hold it's resale value longer too.
Just my .02
I hate to admit it on this forum but I DD a ~cough~ Toyota pickup...

[richards72chevy]

I like toyotas but there realy expensive around hear.When you find one at a decent price they usualy have 300,000 or more miles on them!I hate working on small vehicles so i think im going to keep my eyes open for a 4wheel drive tahoe.Thanks.

[propanemudtruck]

We've got a 2002 Suburban with the 5.3 for a family vehicle, we're averaging about 18 mpg. It's very reliable and it's got close to 200,000 miles on it. Well worth the money we paid for it and I'd recommend that platform to anyone with a family.

[jeremy zander]

Agree with the chevy name..We have a 2010 tahoe z71,3rd seat always 7 pass..I had a 2000 tahoe,2007 tahoe,,no issues always had good luck..I usally trade around 100,000 miles......

[grayw0lf]

Forget the giant newer monstrosities. I love my 85 Blazer.

[DirtyLarry]

I vote for a GMT800 Tahoe or Suburban as well. We bought our 2004 Tahoe Z71 new and it how has 105,000 miles on it. Like any vehicle they tend to nickel and dime you to death but better than a $800 month payment! While I can’t say ours has been 100% issue-free (cluster @ 25,000 miles, fuel pump @ 100,000 miles, MAF @ 95,000 miles, brake light switch @ 85,000 miles, oil pressure switch last week and 4x4 switch when new) it has been a reliable vehicle and much better than anything you can buy from the competition. None of the issues left the Tahoe stranded on the side of the road although the fuel pump was a close one (barely limped home).

We bought new 2002 Tahoe Z71 before this one that was a total piece of junk from 5,000 miles on (4x4 issues, never –ending 1-2 transmission shift shudder, fuel pump failure that did leave the wife stranded @ 15,000 miles, repeat CES lights, lost compression in cylinder #3 at 36,000 miles and at that point we decided to get ride of it). It is not highly recommended to go lemon law when you purchase vehicles with the GM employee discount so we just traded it for the 2004. Our payments actually went down $8 moving from a 2002 to a 2004 due to a better interest rate. The 2003 and later have nicer interiors anyway.

We were so embarrassed by the 2002 always being in the dealer for repairs we got new one in pretty much the same color so nobody would notice. My wife's parents still don't know

2002 Pewter junker


2004 Silver Bearch

[propanemudtruck]

now that's just funny!


"We were so embarrassed by the 2002 always being in the dealer for repairs we got new one in pretty much the same color so nobody would notice. My wife's parents still don't know"

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by propanemudtruck

now that's just funny!


"We were so embarrassed by the 2002 always being in the dealer for repairs we got new one in pretty much the same color so nobody would notice. My wife's parents still don't know"

I know….. I am pretty much the GM ambassador of my neighborhood, friends and family. We had to sweep the 2002 Hoe mess under the rug before anybody could rub our nose in it.

[psuedopimp]

we have had an 01 tahoe for 6 years now. few issues like the relay in the back a/c heater blower keeps going out, but we love it. it has had to pull my 3/4 ton dodge pickup out of a hole before. cant say how the 4x4 is in the snow, but it is great in the sand at the lake.

[CG]

How bout an all wheel drive Astro Van? Mine went every where with no real problems until it got close to 200K and then the trans went. I sold it cheap to a buddy, he had the trans fixed, drove it for awhile and sold it for a little more than he was in it.

It is a super comfortable ride. Lots of room for the family and extras, and it doesnt come across as a typical looking "mini van".

My honey has an 07 Trailblazer and its making a funny noise up front right now. Goes away when you turn left, worse when you turn right. Im afraid to take it in ... I just know its going to be majorly expensive.

[Prerunner1982]

After dealing with my wife's 1997 S Blazer I am in no hurry to jump back into a newer GM.

I am looking at getting myself a square body Suburban though...

But for an SUV in the same category as the S Blazer I would say the Jeep Cherokee is a good choice. Granted they quite making the XJ Cherokee in 2001 but so far my 93 XJ with 220K+ miles has been great. They are cheaper and easier to work on than my wife's old 97 Blazer. I am also able to get about 20mpg city driving in my XJ.

It has been great in the recent snow storms we have had last year and this year (2 storms last year and 1 so far this year dropping 12-14" of snow each).

I have a 2 door, but with kids a 4 door would have been more ideal. With our 3rd kid on the way this is the reason I am looking for something larger.

[richards72chevy]

It seems like alot of vehicles made in 02 are crappy.I have been pricing fullsize chevy and gmc 4wd and they are kind of high in price considering most have 250,000 plus miles on them.Im going to start looking at the all wheel drive mini vans and jeeps now.Thanks for all the advice guys.

[DirtyLarry]

All wheel drive Astro and Safari vans are definitely worth looking at. They are great vehicles and often overlooked. Usually priced pretty decent too. 2003 and later Astro/Safari's are best years of the that model. Look for an AWD LT...they are just as nice as the top of the line Tahoes and Suburbans for less than half the cost.

[Zoomad75]

While I might be in the minority here, it might be worth it to look at a Trailblazer or other GMT360 siblings. I say that with the statement it's not a heavy duty off road machine, but a solid alternative for light duty work and snow duty. Comparing to a 94-01 S10 blazer, they are much more roomy and actually get better fuel mileage. The 4.2L straight 6 is a smoother, torquey engine that moves the TB well. They can get around 20 mpg with a 4x4 model. I really think they are put together much better than the older s-blazers while taking the strengths and building on them. 4 wheel disc brakes, strut type front suspension and coils out back with a 5 link setup. They do ride a lot better than the older ones. Plus if you look at some of the later models like 07-09 you could have them with a 5.3 in the short wheelbase. You could get an extended length version in 03 to 05 or so with the 5.3 v8 that still gets as good or better mileage as a 4.3. Range in equipment varies to loaded out Envoys, Denali, Rainer's or Saab's or even a pavement shredder SS Trailblazer version in 2wd or AWD flavors.

It's an alternative for sure to look at.