Thinking of Joining Team Blazer
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Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 2:16:11 PM
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Chunk
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/20/2008
Status: offline
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Hello everyone.
So I'm thinking of buying a 2000 Blazer LZ 4X4 from my mother.
76,000 miles, well maintained.
I suspect it needs balljoints, idler arm, and definitely some new tires.
I'll be doing a lot of reading to see what I need to be aware of before I decide to keep the Blazer for myself.
Basically, I've pretty much been looking for a used GM 4WD vehicle to replace my gen 1 Ford Ranger, and this opportunity sort of just came up when my father passed away earlier this month.
Anything I should be aware of before I commit myself emotionally to this thing?
I already hate the color (Burgundy), and I prefer leather to the cloth seats in the LS (I'm a Cadillac guy at heart.)
Basically I'm looking for a good daily driver that won't need much work, is reliable, and I can take on road trips without worry, and will do well in the winter. Am I crazy for thinking a 2000 Blazer will fit these set of needs?
I've never owned an SUV either, and am not quite sure I'm going to like the cornering/handling characteristics too much.
I'm going to "borrow" it for a bit and see if I want to buy it for myself, or help sell it to someone else. Heck, while I'm at it, anyone care to offer a fair value for this - factoring in that it will likely need front suspension work?
Thanks for having me here. I look forward to checking this forum out.
Chunk
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 2:37:06 PM
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cliro
Posts: 1209
Joined: 10/11/2007
From: Calgary, AB
Status: offline
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welcome to the forum.
blazers and jimmys are fairly reliable vehicles, they have thier quirks but what vehicle doesnt
_____________________________
2004 GMC Jimmy
4x4, 2dr.
metallic cherry red.
.net instead of .com (better)
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 3:49:41 PM
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MaSmith
Posts: 34
Joined: 3/30/2008
Status: offline
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At least you know the history on the Blazer, with it being your parents and all. They are very good handling in the snow. I drove a 87 jimmy for 16 years, and loved it.
Now I have a 99 zr2 blazer.
I think you will enjoy it.
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 4:33:06 PM
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Chunk
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/20/2008
Status: offline
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Yeah, knowing the complete history is key to this.
I KNOW the oil was changed every 3k miles. I KNOW it wasn't abused at all.
I know it does well in the snow. I guess my biggest concern is at its present age, 8 years and 80,00 miles, is this the time in its life when I'm going to have to start replacing things that can lead to big money.
My currently daily driver is an 87 Cadillac Eldorado that I got cheap cheap from a friend who inherited it from his grandfather (65,000 miles). More than $4000 later invested in it, I had to start using it as the daily driver, just to get SOMETHING out of it since the book value is crap...I can't come close to getting out of it what I've put into it if I tried to sell it. Sweet car though...still need to fix the A/C (Just got new wheels for it too, now I have to buy new tires and put even more money at it.
As for mpg, I'm only getting about 14 mpg in the Cadillac, so I can't imagine the Blazer would be any worse, although I was getting about 17-21mpg in the Ranger depending on how much fun I was having while driving.
Anyway, I'll drive it some this week and see how I like it. I love the size, it's pretty small compared to most of the monstrous SUV's that seem to be around (like the newer Trailblazer), it's big on passenger space. I'll see how it works as a truck. I don't want a station wagon. I kinda think of it as an S-10 with a cap on the back, so I'll see what I can fit in the back.
I just noticed the seat recliner lever in the back door pocket (broke off). Need to look into fixing that.
Mostly, though, going to evaluate the suspension and drivetrain to see how good of shape they are in.
< Message edited by Chunk -- 4/20/2008 4:41:40 PM >
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 5:54:16 PM
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nj4x4blaze
Posts: 1806
Joined: 8/5/2005
From: North Jersey
Status: offline
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Welcome
_____________________________
Dave- 01 blazer 4x4, 6" Superlift Kit,15x8 on 32''s and 20"x9" on 33''s,New Jersey Chapter
www.subsonickustomz.com
NJ,MI,IN,WI,IL,CO,MN,AZ,NC,
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 11:25:42 PM
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Paddle_grl
Posts: 2953
Joined: 9/10/2005
Status: offline
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I've put on about 80,000 miles on mine....(on top of the 50,000) Still going strong....Welcome!!
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dirty girls rule!!!!!
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/20/2008 11:41:54 PM
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kiwiblazer
Posts: 697
Joined: 3/6/2008
Status: offline
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Welcome to the forum from New Zealand.
I bought my Blazer in November ex Japan & despite a few problems here & there it is a great truck. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as I am.
_____________________________
99 Blazer LS 4 door 4x4 Auto RHD,
Projectors, Euro bumper lights, Fog lights, Smoked euro tails, Fog lights & custom roof lights.
Cold Air Intake.
http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm7/kiwiblazer/
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 5:30:17 AM
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thegr81
Posts: 2639
Joined: 1/16/2007
From: PHOENIX,AZ
Status: offline
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Welcome to the forum, glad to have you!!!
_____________________________
2001 2wd 4.3 vortec v6
"I'm not fat, I'm a minitrucker"
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 3:53:02 PM
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972DRBLAZER
Posts: 446
Joined: 10/30/2007
From: polk, fl.
Status: offline
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welcome
_____________________________
97 BLAZER 4.3 2WD. HEADERS, CHERRY BOMB, 3.73 POSI, PORTED THROTTLE BODY, CAI, TBS, 3.5 MAF, ELECTRIC FANS, WAIT4ME TUNE, B&M STAGE 2 SHIFT KIT, HOLLEY IGNITION BOX & COIL, 160 THERMO, AND MORE.
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 5:25:55 PM
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Chunk
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/20/2008
Status: offline
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Thanks for the welcome guys.
So I took the Blazer to work today and to run some errands after work. I think I can get used to it. Seats are very comfortable, I like the size, and it rides pretty good.
There's a little something weird about take of and stopping...almost a stutter bear stop/right at start that I need to figure out. They was a lot of brake dust on the drivers front wheel...much more so than on the passenger side. I think it might have a slightly stuck caliper or something, but it didn't pull to either side at all, so I not too sure yet - haven't pulled the wheel and looked.
Threw a wooden pallet and a wooden shelf in the back along with my tool boxes ...cargo room is pretty damn good with the seats down.
I took some pics today of it - what it looks like before I might own it.
Interior:
...at least the interior isn't red. Decent shape too.
And it holds plenty of the important stuff...
The Damage:
Paint is peeling on the roof rack. I think I might take that off anyway. I'd never use it, and it will clean up the look some.
Rear bumper has seen a bit of action.
Don't know what happened to the hood, but it's got a decent sized scratch through the pain across the hood.
So that's what she looks like.
I made an appointment with my mechanic to put it up on the lift and give her the once over to see if there is anything I need to know about. Pretty trustworthy shop, so I expect they'll let me know what they find and don't find.
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 5:48:41 PM
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Chunk
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/20/2008
Status: offline
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I figured I put up some more pics of the other ones.
This might show why I'm so hesitant about getting any more problems to work on...
I've got my hands full already 
They're all pretty much project cars in varios stages of completion/condition:
My pride and joy:
... I never bothered to take pics of the Ranger :no: why bother...?
< Message edited by Chunk -- 4/21/2008 5:58:24 PM >
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 6:22:54 PM
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nj4x4blaze
Posts: 1806
Joined: 8/5/2005
From: North Jersey
Status: offline
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I like the color of the blazer
_____________________________
Dave- 01 blazer 4x4, 6" Superlift Kit,15x8 on 32''s and 20"x9" on 33''s,New Jersey Chapter
www.subsonickustomz.com
NJ,MI,IN,WI,IL,CO,MN,AZ,NC,
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 7:59:04 PM
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lennyblazer
Posts: 1988
Joined: 5/6/2007
From: Appleton, WI / Houghton, MI
Status: offline
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I like the color of the blazer. Welcome to the forum. With the body damage, needing some work up front and maybe in the brakes; I would offer like 4,500-5,500. That is fairly low mileage. I have a 98 with 140,000 miles on it and its running strong, should easily last to 200,000. I would just check into the basic maintence items such as brakes, general tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter), trans fluid flush, differential fluid flushes, radiator and transfer case flush. Basically check what has been done and make sure to keep on top of that kind of maintence and you will have a quality long lasting truck. The blazer does real well in the winter snow (where I live averages 250" of snow a year). It also does fairly decent off road considering its a people moving SUV and not and offroading rig. Also if you do a tune up that should free up some mpg. My mileage is pretty similar to that of the ranger you are talking about. If you do a lot of short city trips (especially in snow and hills, don't be too worried if you see 12mpg everyonce in a while).
_____________________________
-Lenny
4.3L Auto. 3.73Gears
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2358267
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 8:03:55 PM
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blzrls
Posts: 101
Joined: 8/20/2007
Status: offline
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Welcome, sorry about the passing of your dad.
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"if you can read this thank a teacher,if it's in english
thank a marine"
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/21/2008 10:30:20 PM
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kiwiblazer
Posts: 697
Joined: 3/6/2008
Status: offline
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Nice Blazer. As for your priode & joy, over here we call that a Yank Tank. It's huge!
_____________________________
99 Blazer LS 4 door 4x4 Auto RHD,
Projectors, Euro bumper lights, Fog lights, Smoked euro tails, Fog lights & custom roof lights.
Cold Air Intake.
http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm7/kiwiblazer/
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/23/2008 8:34:00 AM
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Psychropod
Posts: 363
Joined: 5/23/2007
From: Baltimore, MD
Status: offline
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Chunk, welcome to the Forum!
I like the color too. I don't think I've seen a Blazer before that was burgundy on the outside and cream on the inside. Kinda unique.
As for the mileage, that's low for these trucks. Mine is 12 years old, with 166,000 miles on it and going strong. Fluid changes are key -- especially the oil and coolant. In fact, I love this truck so much that even when the engine dies, I plan to just swap in a new one.
It grew on me too. I went from a Maxima to a Blazer. First it was my wife's, and I kept it when she got the Jimmy. At first I didn't like the handling, but now I'm used to it. You'd also be surprised at how much the handling improves when you put Corvette wheels on it! The tires are wider, and they lowered it an inch and a half, so it sticks to the road on hairpin curves. In the winter, I swap back to the stock sized wheels.
Keep the Blazer. They're nice to have.
_____________________________
Raphael
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RE: Thinking of Joining Team Blazer - 4/23/2008 2:32:33 PM
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Chunk
Posts: 18
Joined: 4/20/2008
Status: offline
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I guess I'm just had enough of red cars for a time. It seems every time I turn around, I'm ending up with a good deal on a red vehicle. My ranger that this Blazer will be replacing (yeah, I think I'm getting hooked on it already) is red, the 71 is red, the Silverado before that was red, the interior of the Brougham (Yank Tank) is red, etc.... Good thing the interior of the Blazer is light gray (not cream) so that makes it much more bearable for me.
Corvette wheels, huh? They fit on a 4WD Blazer? That's something I just might have to pursue down the road. Definitely needs new tires on this Blazer, and I'm cool with the stock rims that are on there now,so I'll get some on/off road for winter, but I do like a good set of summer rims and tires.
I did put some 16" Centerlines on my Ranger with 50 series BFGs and it does indeed handle like a new truck. I'll have to see about that. :)
So I brought it into the mechanic today....the bad news is:
Ball joint shot - upper and lower. Idler arm is not bad, but has got some play in it.
Manifold gasket is losing a bit of coolant... (Did not want to hear that)
So I guess I'm looking at about a $1500 bill straightaway, but at that point, I should be good to go.
Why does it seems all the cars ask for money at the same time???
PS: I wish it had a sunroof.
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