Faults:

Well the vehicle was in bad shape to start with. Got the ball joints replaced.

New battery (Last guy had problem with battery. Glove box light was always on).

Windshield looked like a spiderweb. (Darn Arachnidphobia movie) Lucky for me there was no spider or I'd freak.

Replaced gas shocks holding up rear glass plate. Got a K&N air filter put in.

New Oil change.

Got new rotors and brake pads all around.

I am going to replace the carpets. They're hard as heck to clean. It's the fluffy stuff.

I am currently having a problem with the push button 4x4. It comes on random whenever I start the vehicle it will decide to come on and stay on till you turn the thing off. Just put in a new 4x4 switch when I noticed this happen. Anyone know how to fix that or have something similar happen?

General Comments:

It's a big difference going from car to SUV. I don't feel as nimble and have a harder time zipping in between traffic.

The cabin it cozy enough for me. I am almost 6 feet and my brothers are almost a head taller. This is a nice vehicle for myself and them.

It's gonna rock for the winters here. 4x4 will come in handy. City workers don't get to the roads until a week after a major snow fall.

Once I get rid of the rust I'm gonna put performance exhaust on this. The old one looks rusted out.

Oh ya. The turning radius surprised me for something of this size compared to the cavalier I used to drive.

Faults:

I just replaced the battery at 155,000 km.

The head gasket was done before I owned the truck at @ 120000 km.

The ABS system does not function, but that's not a big deal with me I never quite liked that pulsing on the brake pedal.

There are a few rattles and squeaks on rough roads, but that is understandable on a 11 year old vehicle, and it sounds like a little duct tape can get rid of most of them.

The four wheel drive is a floor mounted manual style shift. When I put it in four wheel drive. It wants to shift right up to overdrive even if I am only doing 25 mph. This causes the engine to knock and acceleration is very slow, so I manually pull it down to 2nd or third until I get up in speed.

General Comments:

I like the vehicle it is great for getting me to work or to the golf course. but I would like to know if I may be looking at an expensive drive train repair.

Faults:

New Radiator at 187000.

EGR valve was clogged and we cleaned it, but now it has to be cleaned everyday or it will shut off when idling.

Faults:

When I purchased this truck in December of 2003, I was told it had a new fan clutch installed.

I needed a new power window motor for the passenger side door, but that was my fault, I locked my keys in and attempted to use a "Slim Jim," damaging the window motor in the process, it cost $96 to replace it. From that day forward I carry an extra "idiot pair" of keys.

The EGR valve gets choked up with carbon periodically, but is relatively easy to clean, it's a common problem with the Vortec engines that's easy to correct.

The old O2 sensor gave me some problems (Service Engine Soon light came on, computer diagnostic picked up O2 sensor), I replaced the O2 sensor, and no light ever since.

It needed a minor alignment, as the tires up front were wearing unevenly.

The front disc brake pads were replaced about 2,000 miles ago.

The factory radio didn't work, so I replaced it with an aftermarket CD deck.

I recently got new tires to replace the old ones.

The body style of the first generation models (1983-1994) has one major flaw: rust. Being that this is an 11 year old vehicle, it does have some rust, but no rot, and fortunately very little of it is visible (confined mainly to under the hood and along the bottom lip of the doors), I plan to address that problem once I have the time and money.

The door hinge bushings could also use replacement soon so the doors don't sag.

Aside from a few small glitches that have been/need to be worked out, this has been a great vehicle that has for the most part required only routine maintenance (oil change, tire rotations, etc).

General Comments:

I have been a lover of the first generation S-10 trucks (Pickups 1982-1993, Blazers 1983-1994) since my last vehicle, a 1990 S-10 pickup, it was a bit beat-up looking on the outside, but it ran with little to no problems, aside from burning a little oil at startup. My only reason for replacing it was that it was bad in the snow (only 2wd), and I wanted something for periodic off-road use (again, the pickup was NOT 4wd).

I have read a great deal of negative reviews regarding the current generation, which began with the 1995 model year, they just don't build them like they used to.

If you are considering an S-10 Blazer, go with a pre-1995 model, they are more reliable mechanically, just watch out for rust. The newer ones are more resistant to rust, but have more mechanical problems. Therefore, if I were you, I'd rather live with a little rust vs. repair headaches (in other words, first generation).

All in all, despite a few small flaws, this is a great vehicle.