considering getting a S-10 Blazer/Jimmy; questions

[SD44]

guys, my wife has been wanting a SUV and her Taurus has reached that "constant maintenance" phase. I want to finder her a blazer/jimmy from 2000-2004 model.

#1. Do they all have the 4.3L, if it's a V-6? Best engine made in my opinion, that would be a must.

#2. I've had a few tell me that these vehicles are prone to some transmission trouble. True or false?

#3 Any kind of common rattling/noise problems? I remember the 82-93 blazers had little noise problems everywhere, like around the rear door.

#4 Gas mileage?



Any other info you guys give would be appreciated, too.

[Yogi]

I've been told that all Blazers and Jimmys from 96+ are 4.3s.

The 4l60E tranny is one of the best that GM makes. I've had problems with mine but problems are rare. It's the same trans that they put in the full size pickups and Tahoes / Suburbans.

For squeaks and rattles you just have to drive it and see.

My '98 Blazer gets 16.5 mpg around town and freeway driving, 19.0 highway.

[gchemist]

A stock tranny is lucky to last past 80,000 miles. Few have made through a life time without problems. Expect to rebuilt any stock unit sooner or later. A rebuild will last a lot longer. 4.3 are notorious for various parts. Poppets are notorious for clogging. A new MPFI spider upgrade solves any problems. The intake gasket will need replacing sooner or later too. Same thing for the heater core. The most dreaded thing to replace in S-10's. 4X4 problems are common because of electronic sensor failure. Bad ball joints is another problem. Fix all these things and you have a vehicle that won't leave you stranded on the road. I bought my 96 4 door for only $1700. Put about $2200 in replacing the parts listed except the tranny. The tranny was rebuilt by the previous owner almost 1 year prior. Now my Jimmy is more realiable than any new vehicle. The only worry is the fuel pump. Any FI pump can go at any time any way.
16-17.5 MPG city, 21-22 HWY.

[SD44]

Quote: Originally Posted by gchemist

A stock tranny is lucky to last past 80,000 miles. Few have made through a life time without problems. Expect to rebuilt any stock unit sooner or later. A rebuild will last a lot longer. 4.3 are notorious for various parts. Poppets are notorious for clogging. A new MPFI spider upgrade solves any problems. The intake gasket will need replacing sooner or later too. Same thing for the heater core. The most dreaded thing to replace in S-10's. 4X4 problems are common because of electronic sensor failure. Bad ball joints is another problem. Fix all these things and you have a vehicle that won't leave you stranded on the road. I bought my 96 4 door for only $1700. Put about $2200 in replacing the parts listed except the tranny. The tranny was rebuilt by the previous owner almost 1 year prior. Now my Jimmy is more realiable than any new vehicle. The only worry is the fuel pump. Any FI pump can go at any time any way.
16-17.5 MPG city, 21-22 HWY.

thanks gchemist, i had heard that tranny problems were pretty common. I'm trying to weigh whether it's worth it, because it has that good 4.3 engine.

[SD44]

Quote: Originally Posted by SD44

thanks gchemist, i had heard that tranny problems were pretty common. I'm trying to weigh whether it's worth it, because it has that good 4.3 engine.

How about the Chevy Trailblazer? Did it replace the S-10 Blazer? Do they have the 4.3 also?

[Yogi]

Trailblazer has a 4.2L Inline 6.
Or an optional 5.3 V8.
Yes, the TB replaced the Blazer.

[SD44]

Any opinions on that inline 4.2 in the Trailblazers?

[redngreedy]

I've owned 2 of the 4.2 Trailblazers. They are good imo. The gas mileage sucks ass though. I've owned both 4x2 and 4x4. They ride really smooth.

Edit: I also currently own 2 blazers. An 04 4 door, and a 99 2 door. Nothing major has happened yet. Both trannys are fine. 4 door has around 85,000 miles, and the 2 door has around 119,000 miles. Guy at work had his 01 4 door trans rebuilt couple months ago. It had 190,000 miles on it.

[usmc_noma]

don't forget about the ac compressor and the water pump. both of these went out in my 99 sonoma. i also had to replace the intake gasket, ball joints, and rear main seal. as with any vehicle you're going to have your problems, some more than others. after my brother in law totalled my sonoma, i still decided to go with the s-series line. i got an 03 4dr blazer that i love. i haven't had any problems at all. i'm fully aware of everything that could happen. if i had to buy another s-series i'd still do it knowing what COULD go wrong. if we buy a house this year, i'm actually thinking of buying another s-series to use as a daily. right now i use the blazer, but i'd rather do as much as i can to keep the miles low.

fyi. my old sonoma had over 115k and currently my blazer has 46k. oh, mpg suck especially with gas prices so high.

[Yogi]

Quote: Originally Posted by redngreedy

I've owned 2 of the 4.2 Trailblazers. They are good imo. The gas mileage sucks ass though. I've owned both 4x2 and 4x4. They ride really smooth.

Edit: I also currently own 2 blazers. An 04 4 door, and a 99 2 door. Nothing major has happened yet. Both trannys are fine. 4 door has around 85,000 miles, and the 2 door has around 119,000 miles. Guy at work had his 01 4 door trans rebuilt couple months ago. It had 190,000 miles on it.

Do you run a used car lot or something?

[redngreedy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yogi

Do you run a used car lot or something?

No Sir.

[SD44]

came across a 2000 Blazer at a used lot. typical options.

130,000 miles
$6,900


Good deal?

[Yogi]

Try Kelley Blue Book, or
Edmunds.com

Prices depend on your location.

[usmc_noma]

most around here in va are about 11-13k with 50k-60k miles. i bought mine in nc for 10k with 33k miles.

[hkellogg]

my opinion is, don't buy it for your wife, I would get her an awd equinox or ford escape just due to gas mileage. the 4.3 is too big a v6 if your not into towing and such

[SD44]

Quote: Originally Posted by hkellogg

my opinion is, don't buy it for your wife, I would get her an awd equinox or ford escape just due to gas mileage. the 4.3 is too big a v6 if your not into towing and such

We actually considered an Escape. But it has the same 3.0 DOHC/24v Duratec engine that our Taurus has, and I'm just leery of aluminum engines. You know how women are, if it's heating they WILL NOT pull over and call for help, they're gonna try to make it home or to a gas station.

[redngreedy]

Quote: Originally Posted by SD44

came across a 2000 Blazer at a used lot. typical options.

130,000 miles
$6,900


Good deal?

I would say no. I have a 99 2 door auto that I'm fixing to put up for sale. KBB is 4,600 on it, but I'm going to ask around $3600 when the time comes.

[immexicansostfu]

Quote: Originally Posted by SD44

guys, my wife has been wanting a SUV and her Taurus has reached that "constant maintenance" phase. I want to finder her a blazer/jimmy from 2000-2004 model.

#1. Do they all have the 4.3L, if it's a V-6? Best engine made in my opinion, that would be a must.

#2. I've had a few tell me that these vehicles are prone to some transmission trouble. True or false?

#3 Any kind of common rattling/noise problems? I remember the 82-93 blazers had little noise problems everywhere, like around the rear door.

#4 Gas mileage?



Any other info you guys give would be appreciated, too.

i have the 95 jimmy. with the 4.3 and it has 170,000 on it stock tranny stock engine and never had any problems and runs like new almost. love it.

[GeorgesBlazah]

My stock tranny has about 130k on it and Ive got no problems....its not a street queen either. Add a tranny cooler and youll be fine.

[project2001]

my 96 jimmy 2wd has 211k miles with what i was told is a stock tranny, no problems at all