1997 GMC Jimmy SLT 4.3L V6

Summary:

Lemon. Like All of GM!

Faults:

Everything! Lemon. Brake Light on. Took dealer 2 weeks to fix it (wiring!) Gas gauge bad. $500 module to replace in the fuel tank! Gauge still didn't work right and the darn truck won't start on first try when engine is warm! Tranny going, ball joints going, replaced front two. On and on. My wife and two small kids had to be towed 4 times the first month!

General Comments:

I traded the lemon in and took the loss for a new Chrysler grand voyager. Her last voyager was old, but I didn't have anything wrong with it! just maintenance !

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th October, 2003

1997 GMC Jimmy SLS 4.3 Vortec

Summary:

A great car for the four season areas

Faults:

I first bought the car with 65000 miles, at 67000 miles the windshield wiper control module went out. The dealer replaced at no cost to me (50.00 dollars for the part at the dealer).

At 67500 the alternator went out, dealer replaced at no cost to me (100.00 dollars at checker for life time warranty).

At 69000 I put bigger tires on it. While I had to put 2 inch shackle extenders on the rear (Purchased at checker for 15.00 dollars). Then I raised th torsion bars in front, all this to handle 31 inch tires.

At 74000 miles my intake manifold gasket went out, letting coolant into the engine. The dealer said it would destroy my engine, so far its been OK.

The cost to me was 170.00 dollars from a near by shop (shop around I did).

My driver's side door handle on out side came loose (good thing cause I locked my keys in my car and got in easy). I Fixed the problem with a bolt that was in my tool box for no repair cost.

The interior has a little noise around spare tire jack.

The back window has noise now (cause I left the spare tire mount open and it slammed shut while driving. I thought I got hit, but it was the spare tire closing.). My fault I guess.

The CV joints are leaking oil.

General Comments:

Over all the jimmy has been over all a really reliable car.

I love the push button four wheel drive it has worked perfectly.

My transmission skid plate is missing, making me think something under there has been replaced.

I drive it to work daily and love it.

My next thing to do is to put a lift on it and bigger tires.

The 190 horse power and 250lbs of torque make it hard to match. Toyota's 3.0 is no comparison.

The seats are very comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2003

1997 GMC Jimmy SLE 4.3

Summary:

Great overall SUV!

Faults:

My transfer case was bad when I purchased the Jimmy. I knew this at the time and found a used one for $350.00. My husband installed it in less than an hour.

Replaced the idler arm at 96K.

The Alternator went out at 100,000 miles. I knew it was bound to happen soon since every GM vehicle I've owned has had an alternator go out sometime.

At 101,000 had the windshield wipers fixed under GM recall.

At 104,000 the head gasket began to leak. Luckily, it was on the outside and we noticed the leak right away.

At 107,000 the ignition wiring harness went bad.

Currently, the passenger side front wheel bearing is going bad.

General Comments:

I purchased my 97 Jimmy after owning an 88 S10 Blazer for 3 years. I really did not want to give up my old Blazer, but I really needed a 4 door. Believe me I really miss my old Blazer! When I sold it it had 170K miles on it. I never replaced a major part on it the whole time I owned it.

At first I didn't really like the new Jimmy. I did like the interior better than my old Blazer. My old Blazer handled turns better and went better in 2wd. I also preferred the look of my 88 Blazer over the more rounded style of the 97.

I do like the ride of my Jimmy, although now it may be due for shocks. It has a little more pep than the older 88 I had.

But quite honestly I have driven several other SUVs and I will not own anything, but a GM! I have never had tranmission trouble with any of my GM's or engine failure. Yes, I have replaced a lot of water pumps, alternators, brakes, starters, radiators, etc. but these things are common problems with any used vehicle.

I did not purchase my Jimmy expecting it to never have a problem. From my experience any vehicle I've ever had with between 66K-120K had given me more trouble than the vehicles I owned with over 150K (probably because someone else already replaced parts I am now replacing).

I really love the room and the 60/40 split seats. It goes awesome in the snow! It has great power! Mine also has a power sunroof!

I really don't like the fact that GM is doing away with the Jimmy/Blazer. I guess my next upgrade will be a Trailblazer or a Tahoe.

Ford's and Dodge's have many transmission issues. The Explorer front hubs go bad causing the 4wd not to work, the lifters tick in almost all of them, the transmissions go out, and they feel like they go all over the road. I don't like the power or ride that the foreign SUVs offer. Even though I have replaced far more parts in less time on this Jimmy I will not give it up for anything unless it is an upgrade to another GM!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2003