Chevy trailblazer/GMC Envoy
 

In my continuing quest to replace my wife's 1998 suburban with a new tow vehicle, I am interested in the Chevy Trailblazer or GMC Envoy in the extended length model. I need the extended length because it provides seating for 7. Do any of you have a trailblazer or envoy? Does it do a good job towing your boat? Do you have the standard 4.2 inline 6 or hte 5.3 litre v8.

i work with a guy that has the inline six. dont get the six it has horrible fuel mileage when comparing it to the 8. also the 5.3 is a rock soilid engine.

Nipper the first really nice Suv I bought the CEO was the Trailblazer in LTZ full regalia format.
Had the straight six, good power, fast and handled like a top.
Thats the good news, a year and a half later we sold it at a loss, more quality control problems than any manufacturere had a right to. Electronics components one after another crapping out or intermittent screw ups. Windshield wipers would come on, go off, come on go off etc. Four wheel drive was controlled with some type of electronic engagement device that died the two times she ever tried to put it in four wheel drive due to slippery hill situation, twice a window fell down into the door, and half a dozen other things that my memory will not let me re-live.
Now I thought I had a lemeon but research on the web showed that we were not the only ones with these exact same issues. As a matter of fact I did that research cause the GM dealer was not going to stand behind the four wheel drive problem telling my wife that that electronic part was not covered under their warranty.
I showed up with the print outs from all the consumer complaints at the dealership and started telling everybody in their showroom what was happenening and raising my voice about the dealerships service and the quality of their product at which time they promptly informed me that it would be fixed. It was and it died again a few months later. Again I was told there was only a 90 day warranty on the part and it was going to cost me $750 for the repair and I came loaded for bear, walked right into there mega million dollar showroom and asked the GM if he remembered me. The vehicle was fixed.
We traded it in at a loss and was glad to be rid of it. Never by a GM again is what my wife told me.
So, if you want to know any experience with them that is all I got.

Yikes. Thanks Willy. Sorry about your problems, but I am glad to hear about them in advance. I do not think I will be looking at them any further!

Currently have an 04. The 4.2 has 275 hp w/ 290 ft lbs of torque. This is more hp than my 5.4 F250. It pulls fine with the majority of torque available in lower rpms, Gas mileage, never got over 21 on a trip. About 19-20 combined mileage. Fit and finish, good. I am however, on my third complete dash. Fortunately, my insurance company gave me repair coverage up to 100k miles. I do know I tested an Explorer w/ v6 and v8, a Dodge Dakota v6 ( did not want a hemi) all on the same day. The 4.2 had more hp than the v8 explorer and more power than both the ford and dodge. It was loaded and listed for $33k. We've got 72k on the truck and we'll keep it till it falls apart. We only drive it about 5k a year. I know Willie had problems with his, but my dealer handled everything in a timely manner. The dash issue was a problem from the Chevrolet vendor, and not an assembly issue as they do not manufacture their own dash units. Mine is a 2 wheel drive. Good luck in your search.

my dad had one it was in the shop more than on the road had tons of electronics issues and in the winter the front feet area would freeze you out poor heat on the floors but great air.

Nipper, I've owned a 2002 Envoy LT 4.2 for 5 years now. I had a 95 Tahoe LT before it. I absolutely love the ride and the power, but the mileage is awful. I only tow the V short distances, but there are no problems with the 275HP. When I look for new vehicles, I always look at the new Envoys.