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Review 4 of 4
Price Paid:
$28000.00
from Quebeduex Pontiac Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 chevy trailblazer LS Summary:
Pros and Cons:
Traded 2005 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton W/T for 2006 LS TB 4x4 w/18k miles. Needed extra room for family and 2 dogs. I was not "in love" with TB but needed something with 4drs. I liked the feel, solidness, and stability. Also, felt that a 4x4 would hold value. Not true. When I give it the gas TB will intermittantly "CLANK" in and around the transmission area. Dealer says "Cant help due to it not hindering its drive-ability" TB shifts way hard intermittantly from 1st to 2nd. Feels like going over big pot hole. The plastic covering on the both the passenger and drivers side seat where seat(s) adjust are broken and hanging.I have tried to trade TB in everywhere. No dealer alive will give more that $18.5k So I am way upside down. So the TB is mine for the next 5.8 years. Since my purchase back in March 2006 I can fill up to 22.17 gallons and get 445 miles (with tires filled to 40psi all around) in town with only one mountain range to work. Currently at 24k miles. I live in southern arizona so there isnt too many snow storms. However, the heat is worldclass. Dual A/C front and back gets COLD, big time. Front leg room is more than I can use 5'11". Rear leg room great for kids and cramp for adults. Took father and brother 4x4'ing out by North Tucsons' Redington Pass around Catalina Mountains heading toward Mammoth Arizona. Kept up with more sophisticated and more expensive vehicles with aftermarket add-ons and 35in tired Jeeps, rails, and modifieds. 50 mile trek thru all types of driving conditions varied both dry and muddy, covered TB completely (which made me proud) with mud with help of deep mud hole, stab trac lite lit in said mud hole, TB handled like a champ, steep incline up rockie trail without hesitation or loss of control, rolling back from steep incline TB turned off unexpectedly, turned back on 3rd try, TB maintained on dirt road at 40 and 50 mph on flats with me trying to slid sideways. (completed scared the bee-jee-bees out of said parental unit and sybling). TB is my daily driver and grociery getter. I perform maintenance. The oil filter location is whacked. I have to reach thru the passenger side swing arm and coil and there is little to no room for a filter wrench. This review website really has helped me better understand the TB. You are either loving it or hating it. Thanks to these owner reviews I will be on the look out for wiring issues. I will see if I have a loose tranny bolt. Not sure if I will keep for 5.8 years. I put close to 500 miles of intown driving a week on this sucker. I like the 6k towing capacity. I like that its american. I like the 4x4 and havent seen any issues with it. I heard that if you switch out your fan and clutch and opt for a dual electric fan you can save on gas. Also, there are lubricants that are more expensive but with greater viscosity. You can switch out your differential juice and tranny juice with the extra slippery stuff you can get potentially better performance ie. horsepower and mph. The theory being I believe is that your engine will work the same but the vehicle is easier to move and stays moving longer due to less resistance by better engineered lubicrants. I have test driven 06 jeep grand cherokee, jeep commander, jeep liberty, H3 and Hyndai Sorento. The commander is AWESOME but sucks at mpg. H3 is nice but not happy that it is built on canyon platform. The grand cherokee is perfect size and amenities but looks like Isuzu Rodeo. Jeep liberty a bit to girly for this 36 yr old banker. TB is a bit girly as well but has macho wacho potential ie. lift, super charger, lites, snorkel, and roll cage, but these things are unnecessary which is why I want to add. Oh, also, I have noticed a small paint star on the hood. It looks as though a dust particle under the superior blue paint trying to push its way to the surface. Chevys are notorious for paint issues. Im not sure if I would recommend this vehicle to an entry level driver. Its way to 'moms taxi'. I have seen lots and lots of older women drive this style car. If 4x4 is what you want you ought to consider the new 07 jeep wrangler with 4 drs.'very nice' Dodge is coming out with mid-suv the "flamer" or the "Nitro" or something. It looks decent and not built on another models platform. Looks like a adolescent durango. My advice: shop around! I am prepared to switch out my tranny for a high performance one, you may not be. I am prepared to switch out the engine in my TB to a more reliable, e85 capable, and alternative fuel burning option. you may not be. There are many many after market accesories and options to improve performance. You could do alot worse than a TB. Its been a few years now. Maybe some of the kinks have been worked out? Maybe Im paying 30 large on a lemon? Buying a car shouldn't be a gamble. Do your homework. There are some chevys out there with 350k miles and still running. And there are thousands more in the junk yard. Im keeping my fingers crossed like every other car owner Strengths:
my old 05 gmc 1/2 work truck 4.2 vortec v6 did not pull like my TB and I got worse gas mpg. Weaknesses:
clankie tranny when i give her the gas. could be loose bolt that I could fix at my brothers house listening to some van halen and drinking heavily.
Also, fit and finish interior mediocre. but what the hey its a chevy.
Also, the gold boe tie emblem on the rear looks like a little bit of water or something has compromised the goldenness just below the surface on the upper left side of the boe a little bit.
Also, some sort of sap like sticky-ness keeps oozing out of the back door just below the license plate. I have noticed on other TBs as well.
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