2002 Trailblazer

[thatK30guy]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this so moderators please move to the correct forum.

Looking at a 2002 Trailblazer for my son and wanted to ask everyone's opinions on these vehicles. Want to know if they're good and reliable cars. Pro's and con's with them. What to look and watch out for. Here's the specs:

131,000 miles
Looks completely rust and dent free
Interior is spotlessly clean
Tires are good with plenty of life left

I'm checking it out later today and will inspect it more thoroughly then. Meanwhile I'd like to hear your input about these so I know what to expect when I check it out today.

Asking price is $3750

 

[bigjimmy82]

I have seen several that get routine maintenance go 200k + with no major issues. The throttle body has to be cleaned every 50k or so or they don’t idle well. I don’t know of any major issues across that platform. Was 2002 the first year? Might avoid if so.

edit: the cluster will go wonky too(stepper motors) but that affected GM trucks of that era also. Full replacement cluster on rockauto or summit is/was $200? And comes programmed to match bcm with mileage.
Might confirm that no mileage rollback has occurred with this, if 1 owner carfax wouldn’t be much help

 

[imiceman44]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this so moderators please move to the correct forum.

Looking at a 2002 Trailblazer for my son and wanted to ask everyone's opinions on these vehicles. Want to know if they're good and reliable cars. Pro's and con's with them. What to look and watch out for. Here's the specs:

131,000 miles
Looks completely rust and dent free
Interior is spotlessly clean
Tires are good with plenty of life left

I'm checking it out later today and will inspect it more thoroughly then. Meanwhile I'd like to hear your input about these so I know what to expect when I check it out today.

Asking price is $3750

Isn't that the one with the straight 5 or 6 cylinder?
That's the only thing that makes me steer clear, unique engine and transmission so finding parts used is harder

 

[sweetk30]

when i was turning wrenches the most i recall was they liked ball joints a but but not near as bad as the old 4x4 s-10 stuff did .

 

[max 02]

Ck5 won’t let me search right now?

I have a thread on her about a 03 Trailblazer we got for free that needed a trans.

It had the vortex 4.2 straight 6 4l60e trans and auto track t/c

Somethings I fixed...

I got the trans rebuilt, was a pain to re and re, watch for hidden bell housing bolts, not much room to get around under it to work on.

Cluster went out got new steppers done.
Electrical draw that took weeks to find.
Trans lines rusted out and leaked.
Ignition switch failed.
Seal on front diff leaking.
Rebuilt transfercase.

Some things I never solved or bothered with...

Random stalls at intersections.
ABS started acting funny.
Rear end axles had play in and out.
Took forever to fill the tank with gas. Tried every trick on the internet never solved.

Thoughts...
Lots of power, nice to drive, Heat and air worked great. Good visabuility. Hard on fuel.

To be fair the one we had lots of miles on it.
We sold it for what we had into it for parts. My labor was not included.

In my opinion I would look at a 1/2 ton Chev 4x4 truck of the same era. It will get the same fuel mileage and be easyer to work on and find parts for.

 

[imiceman44]

Not sure if this is the correct place for this so moderators please move to the correct forum.

Looking at a 2002 Trailblazer for my son and wanted to ask everyone's opinions on these vehicles. Want to know if they're good and reliable cars. Pro's and con's with them. What to look and watch out for. Here's the specs:

131,000 miles
Looks completely rust and dent free
Interior is spotlessly clean
Tires are good with plenty of life left

I'm checking it out later today and will inspect it more thoroughly then. Meanwhile I'd like to hear your input about these so I know what to expect when I check it out today.

Asking price is $3750

I would stick with the last blazer or Jimmy of the size if the size is what you want.
Can't go wrong with a 3/4 sbc

 

[thatK30guy]

I've owned a '98 Jimmy for 11 years now and it just turned 200K. It's just flat out worn. Had numerous stuff done and replaced on it. I'm stupid because I'm in it for a lot of money and now need something else to replace it, quickly.

While I'm driving the TB my son will continue to drive the Jimmy to school. I'm still looking for that rare '01-'07 classic 2500 or 3500 regular cab with the 8.1 and Allison. Once I find my truck then my son gets the TB for school as he's only a sophomore. The Jimmy will get parked and retired for good.