1996 Chevrolet Blazer LT V6 from North America

Summary:

If you want a city/off road 4X4 with luxury at a good price, this is it

Faults:

The car tends to use brake pads up often, but they are easy to get to and like all front disk breaks are easy to replace.

The leather on the drivers seat tends to poke a hole by the electronic control panel and it was replaced once in warranty. The last time this happened I had a private leather interior man replace it and put in a plastic guard. cost was only $100.00.

It rides like a truck, which it is, and rattles some on bumpy roads, but not much.

The air-conditioner control panel in the dash requires complete replacement even if only a single part is out. This costs about $150.00.

General Comments:

I have found that by taking the car in, but not to the dealer, every 3,000 miles, I have gotten excellent service out of this car.

It does require that the 4X4 front and rear differentials require service, but only every 25-30,000 miles. I have never had a problem with it. I highly recommend the electronic 2WD to 4WD changer - which I have never had a problem with either.

You have to remember that it is a truck, which means no fast turns, but it handles well on the freeway and the street.

It is under powered, and needs a small V8 rather than the V6, but that is a federal problem concerning the number of V8's a company can put out re smog emission standards for a line of cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd January, 2003

1996 Chevrolet Blazer LS V6 from North America

Summary:

A piece of junk!

Faults:

This car is by far the worst vehicle I've ever owned. The repair list goes like this:

1,000-36,000 miles, intermittent problems with engine, where a cylinder would go bad and had to be replaced. Each time it was repaired under the warranty, but I had to waste 1 or 2 days at the dealer.

17,110 miles, the brakes went out and had to turn the rotors and replace the pads. Wrote to Chevrolet, no response.

19,000 miles, the ignition switch had to be replaced, not covered under warranty.

36,500 the air conditioner compressor went out, cost over $1,000.00 to replace. Contacted Chevrolet one more time, they said it was normal!

42,000 miles, the alternator gave out, cost another $600.00, called Chevrolet again, no response.

54,000 miles, the windshield wiper module went out, replaced for $245.00.

Today, the brake pedal is not working correctly, the brakes don't seem to work. I will be taking car in for repair. I wish I could buy an old car, at least I could understand why everything keeps breaking.

I will most definitely not buy another GM brand after this.

General Comments:

I wish I could make some good comments, but my experience has been so bad that I would rather not write anything.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th November, 2002

1996 Chevrolet Blazer LT 4.3 V6 from North America

Summary:

Many times it has sat LIKE A ROCK

Faults:

Transmission failed at 43,569 miles.

Air conditioning system failed at 49,273 miles.

ERG valve failed several times, starting at 57,691 miles.

Transmission failed AGAIN at 60,658 miles.

Cooling system failed due to the Extended Life Engine Coolant, Dex-Cool at 79,591 miles. Expensive repair!

Transmission failed from oil cooling lines blowing out due to work done by the GM dealership at 79,895 miles.

Heater core failed and required replacement again at 85,000 miles.

Coolant sludge reformed again at 97,146 miles, with the system filled with green coolant by the GM dealership. Quite contradictory to GM's fix for the condition.

General Comments:

If you have the time and money to waste on the Jimmy, Blazer or Bravada, then by all means buy one. Other than that, STAY AWAY!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 24th September, 2002

21st Oct 2002, 21:57

I bought a nice 1996 Chevy s10 Blazer lemon from a chevrolet dealer here in Indianapolis, In. During the first four months I had to replace the brake pads. I replaced the battery for the next couple of years, until someone mentioned it might be the alternator. The dealer replaced the alternator and the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt and brakes were inspected and replaced supposly before purchase. The air conditioner quit working right after the dealership did work on my blazer, and the blazer would stop in the middle of the road. They charged me for connecting the battery cables correctly. Blossom dealership would not take responsibility. The brakes completely went out and it cost me over $300. Today October 21, 2002 the blazer won't start. I am told its the fuel pump. As I told Blossom and the Better Business Bureau I paid a lot of money for this Lemon and Blossom will not take responsibility. So far the better business bureau has done nothing. Also the left bolt joint broke off and was replaced at my cost. The serpentine belt was again replaced. Piece by piece I feel I am rebuilding my reliable costly lemon.