2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LS 4.2

Summary:

Feels like a rental car

Faults:

The plastic moldings around the rear inside door handles both fell off.

The seal on the driver's side front window is defective, and sometimes the window won't go all the way up.

Wheel sensors giving false readings.

General Comments:

This is a company car that I drive both for work and on my personal time - so I didn't have a choice in what make of car I got.

I drive a lot, and after being in the truck for more than a few hours, I get extremely uncomfortable.

While the exterior was designed fairly well, the inside is cheap looking with tons of plastic everywhere.

The radio in my particular truck is not nearly as good as the radio in my base 2005 Impala. Also, the air conditioner is not too effective.

I am a Chevy fan and I love my personal car (Impala), but I think that Chevy didn't spend much time in making this truck nice on the inside. It looks more like it was geared towards the rental vehicle market.

I am also not impressed with how the truck handles. I've rented several Ford Explorers while traveling and I think that they are more responsive in regards to precise turning and evasive maneuvers.

If I had my choice in vehicles, I would have went with either a Tahoe or Explorer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 2008

23rd Oct 2008, 18:38

I have dual A/C; much cooler than single A/C, upgraded sound system, and more amenities in my new Trailblazer.

I also prefer the large sedans as company cars for distance driving as well with large trunks. SUVs tend to be noisier with equipment sliding about in the rear, and prying eyes that can look in whenever you are parked. Dark factory tint helps.

I still much prefer the SUV whenever I am out with my family however.

24th Oct 2008, 19:22

"tons of plastic everywhere."

Name me one car that does not use plastic. Have you ridden in a Toyota lately?

Would you prefer if the interior were made of gold?

I drive a compact entry level Chevy. The interior has plastic in it just like every Toyota you see rolling down the road. But unlike a Toyota, look under the hood and you will find a stainless sheel exhaust system (which I will never have to replace), heavy duty drive axles that are not going to wear out in 100,000 miles, shift rods as opposed to shift cables, a multi-synchronized transmission and structural oil pan for increased engine rigidity, among many other quality materials and key components.

Likewise, the sheet metal of my vehicle is quality two-side galvanized with some actual thickness to it, unlike the paper thin low grade sheet metal found on most Japanese imports that will quickly rust out in just a few years.

How about all the catastrophic frame failures that have occurred on Toyota Tacoma's and Nissan Pathfinders on vehicles that are not even ten years old, or is that insignificant compared to the (likely) possibility of those vehicles having plastic dashes?

Manufacturers can only charge so much on vehicles before they become prohibitively expensive to consumers. I'd rather a vehicle's developmental money the money be spent on making the vehicle reliable, not needlessly expensive accouterments that contribute nothing to the vehicle getting from point 'A' to point 'B'. We're talking about a Chevy here, not a Maybach.

I bet you would not be making these statements if this vehicle were an import.

2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT w/2LT Package 4.2L I6

Summary:

Excellent, so far!

Faults:

Chevrolet (Gold Chevy Symbol) decoration on the front grill has bubbled - seems like water got underneath. Dealership will replace it under warranty.

General Comments:

I realize this is a rather short time between purchase and review, but I have seen a lot of negative comments about the Trailblazer in general -- but I have not experienced any of the posted negativity yet.

Bought it for my wife -- Chevy was having an awesome sale -- ended up paying just over 16K (taxes, dealer fee, tags, the whole shot) for a vehicle stickered at just over 33K with no money out of pocket!!! Combination of employee pricing, 6K discount to boost 2008 SUV sales, 6K from my Vue trade-in, and 2.5K worth of GM points from my GM MasterCard. Dealership even got their financing to match the 5.24% my credit union was offering!

My wife absolutely loves it. More room than her Saturn Vue, although not as much get-up-and-go. gas mileage about equivalent to the V6 AWD Vue.

A/C cools off very quickly. Ride and handling are very good -- although not as good as the car-like crossover SUVs -- but very good none the less. Seats are extremely comfortable. I have a bad back and the Trailblazer is much more comfortable than the Vue.

I'll post updates as time goes on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th September, 2008

5th Sep 2008, 08:11

Did you lose a bundle on the trade-in value of the Vue?

2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT 4.2 Liter Inline 6

Summary:

Old style design, and you feel it!

Faults:

The door was not stamped properly at the factory so the window popped out on a daily basis. This was not good when it was 20 degrees outside as it would not roll up! Three trips to dealer finally solved it as they had to take to a body shop to fix it.

Driver Lumbar Support works when it wants to.

Tire pressure monitoring system chooses to show flat at random times despite the fact that all tires are at the PSI they should be at.

General Comments:

Horrible in town gas mileage. Yes I know it's an SUV but I am only getting about 15 mpg in the city. This isn't that far off from the mpg of a much bigger Suburban, etc. Decent Highway mileage at 20 mpg.

The engine and transmission don't communicate very well together. The transmission seems to get confused on where it is. This thing only had a 4 speed... very old fashioned!

The ergonomics of the car aren't good at all for taller people. The interior fit and finish is very mediocre for a car that costs 30 grand.

The car does have decent acceleration. It also has an AWESOME A/C system. Furthermore, the traction control system and AWD system have proven very good in the ice and snow I get in my area.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th May, 2008