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Consumer Test Drive - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 22:54:03 |
| Rating |
 66 ( -10 -15.15% ) | | Author | K. Lewis |
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Description:
Overall Rating:
Comfort Rating:
Performance Rating:
Quality Rating:
Appearance Rating:
Favorite Feature:
Excellent touring suspension; great power and mileage, quiet interior.
Least Favorite Feature:
Questionable antilock brakes, poor turning radius, nonlinear gas gauge.
Advice to Buyer:
Compare available suspension packages for this vehicle. Several are available, and they differ considerably with respect to ride and handling.
Detailed Review:
This 1996 LS 4 door is the third 4 wheel drive S10 Blazer I have owned, and it is unquestionably the best. My first S10 Blazer was an '87 2 door, and the second was a '92 4 door. The '95 GM redesign yielded a refined vehicle that is vastly quieter and more comfortable, and is much more structurally solid. The rear hatches in the older cars squeaked constantly after 30k miles; at 62K my '96 is quite rattle and squeak free. Great suspension feel on the highway and off road. Nice engine with good power and fuel enconomy for an SUV; much smoother than the same engine in my '92 which did not have the '96 balance shaft. Only a few demerits -- when the gas level reads 1/2 a tank, I start looking for filling stations. The second 1/2 won't last nearly as long as the first! And, GM has unfortunately 'engineered OUT' the fabulously tight turning radius I enjoyed with my '87 and '92 models. My '96 can handle most U-turns without drama, but the earlier models prove that the turning circle could be much better. Also, in rare instances it seems that the anti-skid brake computer, when activated, momentarily diminishes braking power more than necessary. Hopefully this has been corrected with the brake design changes found on the '98 and '99 models. As noted by other owners, idler pulleys and windshield wiper electrics were originally not reliable designs, but GM recognized those weaknesses, and improved replacement parts seem to solve the problems. The only other component problem I have experienced was the premature failure of an exhaust oxygen sensor. Overall, though, I am very satisfied with this rig and intend to keep it for a long time.
Also Considered:
1996 Ford Explorer
1996 GMC Yukon
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Vehicle Purchased:
1996 Chevrolet Blazer
Reviewer Information:
Name - K. Lewis
E-Mail - KIILew@aol.com
Location - Dallas, Texas
Other Vehicles in Household -
1992 Ford Mustang |
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