Trail Blazer vs. 4Runner ???

[hcrissman]

I am looking for an objective opinion. I need help with a car buying decision. I want a SUV that I can drive into the ground. I am talking about 150k+ miles w/ normal maintenance (oil change, check ups etc.) Mainly highway w/ some moderate off roading. My price range is 18-22k. It must also have a nice and comfy interior. I am currently considering 3rd gen 4runner 01 or 02 or possibly Chevy Trail Blazer (02). I admit I have done no research on the Chevy. Can it meet the above demands? In 02 it has almost 100 more horses than the 4runner. On the other hand I have scoured this site reading about the 4Runner and I think it might fit the bill. Do you guys have any suggestions? In summary, my priorities are (1) reliability (long term)/on road performance, (2) comfort on and off road, (3) 4 wheel drive ability. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance. You all seem to know tons about SUVs and I really respect your opinions.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

4runner on 2 points

The 4runner wins two of your points. Reliability and 4wheel ability, but it will cost more to purchase, because Toyota blows away GM for holding their value. Toyota's have far greater reliability.

As far as on/off road comfort, you should at least drive both vehicles in your typical daily driving enviroment and see which is more comfortable for you.

 

[Cliff s]

The only thing positive I can say about the TrailBlazer is the price.

The one I looked at had the ugliest mustard color upholstery and the
hardest most uncomfortable seats. I started the motor and the valves
were rattleing. The finish was rather poor, the seats had seams hanging out.
No chrome or any trim, it looked like a refrigerator on wheels.

My wife and I just walked away.

The dealers have lots of them still on the lot, and good luck selling them.

Cliff s

 

[Noloc]

My friend has a Trail Blazer and although he loves it he has one major complaint. It goes through gas like you wouldn't believe. With a full tank he can barely make it through 3-4 days. So although you'll have that wonderful In-line 6.. you'll definitely regret it.

 

[Kanab]

Couple of suggestions, if you can afford the $22K then finance for another 12-24 months and get the new 4th generation 4runner. A well equiped SR-5 V8 AWD will list for $33K and you can buy them for $28-29K. You could get the V6 with 4X4 for a little less. Then you have a new vehicle that you know how it is maintained and a new vehicle warranty. If you want to go used and need something that will last forever look at 1997 Toyota Landcruisers, they are good for 300K++ miles with ordinary maintance. Best looking SUV ever made and it is built like a brick shit house. Don't even go near a GM product, they are made to blow-up when the warranty is up.

 

[blu4runner97122]

I really don't know much about either vehicle myself, but I do know one thing - I would pick the 4Runner hands-down because of one big point that someone has already presented above - gas mileage...

Also I tend to do vehicle shopping with one thing in mind - The history behind the product - The TBlazer has less than 5 years of history and is still being debugged. The 4Runner has close to (if not over) 20 years of history and is a fine tuned machine....

I have to also agree with Pitbull - go for a LandCruiser... those things last forever...

Myself - in 4 years I am buying an '01 Pathfinder SE from my mom - it currently has less than 30K on it. She plans on getting a TBlazer and every time she brings it up I just sit back and laugh at her..

 

[Hitman]

The 4Runner will beat the TrailBlazer in reliability by a wide margin.

I know two people with TrailBlazers (an '02 and '03) and I think they are really nice vehicles. They have decent power and a comfortable ride. And neither one of them has had any sort of problem with their vehicles to date. But I think they are more lucky than the average TrailBlazer owner. Plus, they are new vehicles without any high mileage.

Toyotas are known for durability well into high-mileage driving. I have no doubt that my 4Runner will outlast either of their TrailBlazers by a wide margin.

 

[Lunchbox]

My girlfriend has a 2002 TrailBlazer and it's the biggest piece of crap I've ever ridden in. The only good thing I can say about the Chevy is that it's got reasonable power, but I'd gladly sacrifice power for Toyota quality and reliability. Get the Toyota!

 

[Biff]

I agree if you want to go used and you can't afford a new 4th gen buy a used Landcruiser. I purchased a 94 LC w/150k on it this past May and have already put 20k on it, due to my offroading habits. Anyways this rig hauls, commutes with me, offroads and anything else I can throw at it. Will easily last me 100k miles. Not bad for $8,000 thousand investment, gas mileage is 12-15mpg.

 

[Kanab]

I agree if you want to go used and you can't afford a new 4th gen buy a used Landcruiser. I purchased a 94 LC w/150k on it this past May and have already put 20k on it, due to my offroading habits. Anyways this rig hauls, commutes with me, offroads and anything else I can throw at it. Will easily last me 100k miles. Not bad for $8,000 thousand investment, gas mileage is 12-15mpg.

If I had a 3 car garage I would still have my 95 Landcruiser. I put 130K+ miles on it and never had to do anything other than routine maintanance (oil/filter, grease, shocks, brake pads). I looked at the 4runner and thought modern day FZJ80 Landcruiser, about the same size which I love and you can set them up the way you want, unlike the new LC/LX's that cost as much as a house and only come loaded. hcrissman, it makes me wonder when you even mention that you would consider the GM product. That means you haven't done much research and don't really know what you are looking for. I hope you will consider these posts and do additional research. Good luck.

 

[haro]

I had teh same problem but I was looking at the TRAILBLAZER until I herd the toyota was coming with a V6 4RUNNER.

I notice the trailblazer goes down alot so was looking for a 4runner '00-'02. But the price were to high for a used one so I got me a new 2003 4runner.

I choose the 4ruuner because it Reliability, I dont think you'll find another suv that you can depend on for a long term. (exept land cruiser)

 

[hcrissman]

Relax Pitbull! I know exactly what I want. I just am not sure what SUV can provide it. Thus this post.

I agree w/ everyone who suggested the LC. That is one awesome vehicle. I passed one the other day that had to be 20 years old. I just thought to myself "BULLET PROOF"! The only problem I see is gas mileage. The long term costs associated w/ 13-15 miles to the gallon is rough!

And everyone who has suggested 4th gen 4Runner, I am not so sure. It is not a money issue. It is a reliability issue. It looks like a lot of people on this forum are having issues with the 03-04 ( sun roof, sulfur smell, seat rattle). I know none of this is engine related reliability, but when I spoke to a friend who has been a toyota mechanic for 10 years he said it is "too early to tell" on the 4th gens. That is why I am looking at 3rd gen 01-02.

Yesterday I drove the 3.4L V6 and it was adequate. It clearly lacked the pep of the 4.0L V6 of the 4th gens.

Thanks everyone, for your input.

 

[TranceKrayz]

on a forum. more people post about problems that they have in order to get a fix. of course nobody will post just to say their 4runners are working fine. since you're interested, i have a 2003 4.0 v6 that is working perfectly. it was one of the first ones too (they're supposed to have lots of those "issues"). there is some sulfur smell but it doesn't bother me that much and there is already a fix for it. my sunroof works flawlessly, and my seats don't rattle (knocking on wood). i've only taken it into the dealer for a recall service....it was something fuel related i don't remember, but it only applied to 4runners that were made as early as mine was.

 

[dcampen]

It looks like a lot of people on this forum are having issues with the 03-04 ( sun roof, sulfur smell, seat rattle).

Well, some people are. I don't have any of those problems. I very deliberately did not buy a vehicle with a sun roof because they are frequently the source of problems - from any manufacturer. The sulfur smell doesn't affect me since I never drive with the rear window down. I have never experienced the seat rattle - perhaps because I am tall enough that I drive with the seat all the way down.

 

[Border411]

The only problem that I have had with my 4runner is the sulfur smell, but that only happens when the rear window is down. I have no seat rattle, and I really didnt have any use for a sunroof. That truck is flawless other than that. On a side note, I used to be a chevy car salelman when I was up in NY. I sold many of the trailblazers, and with a doubt the 4runner is superior. The 4runner holds it resale value MUCH better than any domestic car, it is guaranteed to run forever (I dont know of any Toyota that hasnt), and the build quality is second to none. Whatever you decide to do, check over both vehicles very hard.

-LOOK at the fit and finish.
-FEEL the gaps in the body work and the quality of materials used inside the cabin.
-LISTEN to the engine, how it shifts, and how it handles rough roads.

Just my 2 cents

 

[haro]

mine just routine maintanance

 

[Only4Gold]

I have a friend at work that I think is/was a life-long GM fan. Drove a Buick, then advanced to a Trailblazer. Suffered with it about a year or so, and finally ditched it due to serious mechanical issues, including a major engine malfunction on her way home from work one day...that did it for, no more TB...purchased a beautiful dark blue 03 4runner Limited, which she loves. If she was a member of this forum, she'd let you know in no uncertain terms what she thinks of the Tb...&^%$#@(*&^!!!! Junk!!!!!!

 

[gogriz91]

Most vehicles respond well to routine maintenance. The Trailblazer would be no different, but I think the build quality of the Toyota would save you money in the long run as they are simply built to last.

Toyotas are built by people who want to build a decent vehicle. When I think GM I wonder, which plant is on strike this month? Why buy from a company that has a chronic problem with disgruntled workers?

 

[Kanab]

Most vehicles respond well to routine maintenance. The Trailblazer would be no different, but I think the build quality of the Toyota would save you money in the long run as they are simply built to last.

Toyotas are built by people who want to build a decent vehicle. When I think GM I wonder, which plant is on strike this month? Why buy from a company that has a chronic problem with disgruntled workers?

Toyota starts out with better design engineering and then the 4runner is built in the highest quality rated automotive plant in the world. It is also one of the most automated plants in the world which takes that human factor out of the build quality. Then add in parts sharing with the LC/LX/GX (4.7 V8 engine and 5 speed automatic transmission, LC/LX/GX) and (everything else except for sheet metal with the Lexus GX) you end up with one of the best mid-sized SUV for the money.

 

[fishin]

I tried very much to justify buying a Trailblazer over 4Runner because of the price but I couldn't do it. I visited several forums on or about the Trailblazer and I could not find a one that gave a good rating or review to the Trailblazer. On the 4Runner, I couldn't find a bad rating or review and I was truly being objective.