Chevy Tahoe vs Chevy TrailBlazer
I am in the market for a new SUV. I really like the Tahoe but I don't know much about the new Trailblazer. I personally think the TB is too new to jump on the bandwagon whereas the Tahoe is a time tested machine. Any info, input or experiences will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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I plan on driving a Tahoe this weekend to compare.
They both drove very nice & quiet.
What else would you have liked them to do?
I love the way my JGC handles, is there going to be a huge difference in the turn radius' like most other Chevy products?
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
any coolant consumption, noise (rap or tick) cold start skip, tick or excessive white smoke in an indication of problems, GM is aware and is replacing engines without question - but in my opinion - great truck - as for the 96 - anyone who has a later model GM vehicle my notice cooling system problems such as bad heat - or sludging up - I will tell everyone - as soon as your warranty is up - flush out the dexcool (red coolant) the stuff sucks - do a full cooling flush (this is more than a 49.95 jiffy lube flush) and refill with standard green coolant
No kidding, same here.
"I don't tow much or drive off-road at all."
Then why bother with an SUV?
" What I want is a fairly luxurious car where I can lay down the seats and carry all the stuff I seem to need a big wagon to carry. Minivans don't really work. The ability to fold the seats and have a flat cargo area (without removing the seats) ain't there on a minivan."
How about a station wagon? Or a full size van? Too bad you can't get the Country Squire wagon.
I am in the process of finding a replacement for my 02 Tahoe. I am having a real hard time justifying not buying an Odysee. The price is considerably less than a Tahoe, the Odysee is much more practical and spacious than my Tahoe, it gets better gas mileage, it has better access to the middle seats (to get at the new baby) and it has much better fit and finish than my Tahoe etc. etc. Of course, it won't pull as big a load (but I only have a 2000 lb tent trailer) and there is no 4x4.
I did go drive a Trail Blazer (extended version) and an Envoy XL. I was very impressed with ride quality and thought the engine power was adequate - but not stellar. But, I think they have a lot more work to do in the back end. The third row seats do not fold nicely into the floor and do not make a reasonably flat storage area. Also, I noticed significant fit and finish problems with the interior head liner and the exterior panel tolerances. Plus, the price wasn't much different than a Tahoe or Yukon. The Envoy would cost me 32.5k and a Yukon would cost me 34K. I think I will stick with the Yukon/Tahoe (even if the ride quality is not as good).
A Wrangler will pull 2000# (I do it), have 4x4, and give easy access to a baby. PLUS, it is a convertible! PLUS, it is inexpensive! PLUS the power IS stellar!
:-)
Sorry for addressing the wrong person! Also, sorry for not reviewing the last 400 threads in the Trailblazer/Envoy forum. I assume they must give grim accounts of all the shortcomings of those vehicles?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Early this week the alternator shorted and completely destroyed the battery. GM only paid for alternator --- even though it is the alternator that killed a brand new battery.
Also, I am taking this 3 and 1/2 and 47,000 miles old Blazer to mechanic almost every month now. Transmission leaks, shorted alternator, fuel line contamination problems, broken sit recliner lever, weather stripes falling off, rattling interior, and the list goes on and on.
GM Protection Plan, my no deductible complete plan, that I bought for $1700 does not cover most of the expenses. On top of this GM roadside service advised me to call AAA for roadside assistance --- what a joke! My Protection Plan is supposed to include roadside assistance up to 5 yr/ 75000 miles.
Anyway, I am not too upset. I have paid off fully for this vehicle and I wish to hang on to it. But, GM and the uncooperative Chevy dealers are making my life difficult. Chevy dealers I know love to take the side of GM whenever I request them to check if the protection plan could cover a little more.
Reliability also is an issue now. If the vehicle starts breaking down too often, I will trade it in for an import. GM will lose a loyal customer, who has driven 3 GM cars, for good. I can't help. I'm really in no mood to allow GM to force extremely poor reliability and customer service on me any more.
My advice will be to stay away for GM vehicles.
Steve, perhaps, as a host, you could lend us some expertise. Would you say this particular vehicle has more, less, or the same amount of complaints as compared to other boards. I see lots of complaints about Jettas also, but not too many on the Wranglers. Durangos get more than the none of the Wranglers, but less than here or Jettas.
What thinketh thou?
All cars, being electro-mechanical beasts, will break and/or wear out.
Most cars have specific problem areas that become well known: Quest manifold bolts, Trooper oil use, Odyssey/Caravan transmissions, Escape/Tribute stalls, MPV smells, sludge in certain Toyota models, Jeep GC rotors, etc.
Honestly, after reading the boards off and on since late '98, I wouldn't hesitate to go test drive a Tahoe or Trailblazer or other car from the Big Three.
I'm beginning to think that it's almost more important to pick the dealer than the make! A good dealer can make driving a real lemon almost tolerable.
You've been active here for a while now - agree or disagree about the number of problems?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I don't look at ALL the forums like the hosts probably do, so I don't get the bigger picture. Maybe Edmunds should allow members to rate their cars, or take a poll, or have a complaint / applause board where each member can only post once, and then people can get a better idea.
Not to mention the Top 10 Researched or the Consumers Most
Wanted, all handily linked from the main page.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
A page will open like this. The ratings are generated by visitors to our site.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I bet I am not alone.
You should post that info to each forum here, like you used to do with the "special discussions", or whatever they were called, so forum readers can rate their cars (like I said, I bet most don't know it exists!)
Thanks a bunch for that info!
That reminds me, the sitemaps are pretty handy too.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The Tahoe was nice but I noticed that the 5.3 had no passing gear. I guess the truck is a little too heavy. That very same engine in the TB was like night and day, plenty of passing power!
As for the person comparing a 96 Blazer with the new TB, there is no comparison. With all due respect to you and everyone who owns one, I would never even think of buying a Blazer that was not full size. The 6 in the smaller blazers was a dog, the interior was inferior and the over all appearance was weak. When you hand wash a vehicle you get a real feel for the craftsmanship. The new TB has very clean lines. The underneath of each wheel well is a molded single piece of plastic, very easy to clean. The alloy rims are both attractive and easy to keep clean. The rear quarter panels above the tires are also some sort of plastic, no more rusted out wheel wells. Chevy thought of everything first and then built the truck afterwards, finally it was done the right way.
Negatives of the TB: The front seats could use a little more side support. I feel as if I'm going to fall out of my seat either to the left or right. The Bose system is not worth what they are asking. I have it and it pumps but when listening to it at a normal or low level it looses it's quality.
It took a lot for me to buy an American vehicle. Chevy not only turned my head with the New TB, they got my money as well.
Has anyone experienced anything similar?
Thanks.
has occurred.
Try a Discussion Search in there too.
Steve, Host
In the case of intermittent problems, sometimes your only recourse is to shotgun the problem based on the symptoms and the most likely culprit.
1. Trailblazer is an excellent vehicle even with the Inline 6. It had plenty of power and it's turning ability is enviable.
2. We loved the size of the TB. It fit!
3. Never had any problems, only routine maint and one radio repair for a problem we were picky about.
4. Our family grew and we needed more room. Two boys (ages 6 and 8) and a infant were a little tough to fit into the back seat. Tahoe is much better than the third row TB.
5. My wife felt cramped in the front seat of the TB. Long drives make it a little uncomfortable in the TB. No room to stretch.
What it all comes down to is space. If you need the room go with the Tahoe.
V-8's. I thought both vehicles drove almost identically. The seats (interior) were the same to me, and the third row was the key. Both had ample room for a family of five, but my kids, my wife, and I preferred the third row in the TB better. It holds one less person, but I think because it is elevated a little, it won us over. The body styling of the TB is better because of it's sporty look. The Tahoe looked to boxy for my tastes. The differences were few, and we (my wife and I) had a tough time deciding between the two. Both vehicles had almost identical options, so how to decide?
The price. The Tahoe was $4,000 more. Paying $66 dollars more a month for just a little more interior room and living with a boxy design, was not worth it for me. The TB extended reminds me of a stretch limo, and I love the design. The plastic moldings look a little cheap, but the Expedition XLS is worse.
When it comes down to it, what your tastes are and what your finances are like will help you decide which is better. The Tahoe and the TB have the same suspensions, can have the same engines, and have a lot of the same equipment. I prefer the TB it costs less and looks more sporty. That is why I bought one.
As far as reliability goes, ask me three years from now.