My sister can't decide between the Ford Explorer and the Chevy Trailblazer. Any suggestions or comments?

I would go with the Trailblaser JUST because of the chain driven, variable timing, overhead cam arrangement inline six. Sounds kinda like a early 300E engine doesn't it.

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Jim

NETHEIR!

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Trailblazer

I believe the trailblazer is based on the acclaimed GMC envoy. Get the Trailblazer!

I might as well chime in on this, sice I'm the truck forum moderator.
Well, my wife and I had a Trailblazer for about a year; from last July until this June, when we replaced it with an S10 ZR2 pickup, which I'm really liking.
We "liked" the Trailblazer OK, but it was supposed to be for my wife to drive, who is 5'2" tall. I had to put GM running boards on it right away, as it was a little too tall for her to get in and out of easily. THEN we found that it was rather hoggish on gas, the best we ever got was just slightly over 20mpg (and was usually more like 18mpg), so I ended up driving it most of the time, because I put on less miles on my trips than her. I thought it was OK to drive, but I'm not into SUV's that much. Ultimately we came to the desision that she should keep driving my Buick and I'd get what I have always wanted to own, a pickup.
But we can't really "fault" the T-Blazer in any way, the fuel mileage was pretty close to what GM said it would get, we normally find ourselves getting a little more than what GM estimates, but not in this case.
We were both VERY impressed with the performance of the inline 6 in the T Blazer.
The S10 btw isn't doing all that great on mpg either, but it's not broken in yet, only have had it a month. Even if it gets the same or even worse than the T-Blazer, at least it's something I like to drive. The ZR2 option is the bad boy version, sits quite high. And, of course, I've already installed side steps so Gina can get in and out easier. She'll drive it when the winter weather is threatening.

Gilly

have her get the explorer, if it is an '02 or '03 model.

the v8 would be nice as well as nothing less than xlt trim level.

i am on my 3rd explorer ['98,'00,'02.5], by far the new generation is the nicest one yet.

the ride is more comfortable and solid, also quieter.

i have the xlt-sport package [4 door], it is very nice for a 'detroit' auto.

have her drive both vehicles and even arrange to drive one to the other brand's lot.
go over them side by side, pick out what you like and don't like.

weigh the results and get the one you want.

peter

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*92 400e 124.034, SOLD

*92 300e 124.030, SOLD

I drove a Trailblazer (actually a ENVOY) while in nebraska and hated it it was to lite steering wise you can't see out of the mirriors and the truck floated at highway speeds.
I have driven my friends 03 Expoler Sport 5speed and was more comfortable in it but it did not take coners as well and lacked the kick that the ENVOY had.
I would go with whatever makes you happy I saw no huge diffrences

I would go with a Jeep Grand Cherokee no questions asked! I have had excellent expeirence with them regardless of any of those poor reviews written and I have yet to read a poor review on the current generation and they are the "true" SUV's.......its a Jeep!

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this is what happens when Benz takes over.........

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SUV's are the worst things that ever came around. If you don't mind me suggesting, talk her in to an old MB diesel wagon. She'll be able to haul just about the same amount, but she'll get much better fuel economy, and a big plus NO car payments. An old wagon will probably be just as reliable as a new SUV. Besides, since this SUV craze, everywhere you look there's an SUV. Don't see too many of these old MB wagons much anymore.

We needed a little pickup and really wanted an isuzu diesel pickup but could never find a nice one. So in January 2002 we bought a 92 GMC Sonoma (regular cab, short bed, 2wd, automatic) with 55k miles and a 4.3L V6 (oversized, but very powerful engine for that size of pickup) The best we've gotten in that truck was about 18MPG and generally we get about 15-16. We were so dissappointed. We still have it, and today it turned over to 64k, but we wished it had a diesel engine in it. There's been a little discussion of putting an MB diesel engine into it.

These days it's all about fuel economy, but SUV's can't satisfy the cravings of people who want it. Diesel is the only way to go. It's crazy seeing people driving around town in new Hummer H2's and Ford Excursions (most I see are V10's) and using them mostly as grocery getters. You'll end up spending more $$ in a single week filling the tank up than what an average family consumes in groceries. What is this world coming to?

Just my $.02

Get a Jeep Grand Cherokee, preferably with the ultra-durable, easy-to-service, 190 hp 4.0 liter OHV Six, and Selec-Trac 4wd. Avoid models with Quadra-Trac and Quadra-Drive...their viscous couplings in the 4wd transfer case tend to fail at well under 100K. The 4.0 liter Laredo with Selec-Trac is one of the most bulletproof modern Jeeps on the market. Live front and rear axles give real-world off-road toughness, if you ever want to go off-pavement. Plus, they'll get 21 mpg on the highway with cruise control on.

In Europe, you can get a Grand Cherokee with a 2.7 liter MB Turbodiesel. I think that returns high 20's in freeway driving. Lucky SOBs.

-Sam

If you need the third seat, then you're going to have to get the Explorer.

The Trailblazer comes with a third seat, but only in the XL extended wheelbase version, which costs more money.

Then inline 6 engine has been greeted with wildly good reviews since its release.

It puts out more power than Fords V8.

It also beat it in towing tests in a Magazine test a while back.

I'd personally get the GMC version, and deck it out with the air suspension, which the automotive reviewers generally liked.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

In Europe, you can get a Grand Cherokee with a 2.7 liter MB Turbodiesel. I think that returns high 20's in freeway driving. Lucky SOBs.

-Sam [/B][/QUOTE]


Sam, yeah I know. Europe is so awesome when it comes to Diesel. Anyone can get just about anything in a diesel version in Europe. Fuel economy is vastly improved also.

Just get a V-8 with whatever one you get, I would suggest the Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer with the V-8. I have driven a V-6 and a V-8 explorer. The V-6 is extremely underpowered and just sounds like a girly engine. The V-6 is also very loud.
Get a V-8!
Tim