mrlopez@trwrba.UUCP (Michael R. Lopez) (09/28/85)
I am currently considering the S-10 Blazer for my first "NEW" car. I would appreciate any suggestions. I was thinking of the 4X4 model but I have not yet decided if I wanted to get the automatic or the 5 speed. I would especially like to know of any problems with either the car, the dealers, service, etc... Thanks Mike Lopez
tmorris@convex.UUCP (10/02/85)
I worked for a Chevy dealer as an auto electric/electronic tech at the time when the S-10 Blazer came out. There were some major bugs during the first year: 1.The transfer case was supposed to be able to shift into 4 WD at speeds up to 50mph. Several of them would turn them- selves into gear souffle' if this was attempted. 2.The 700r4 lockup transmission was a disaster it's first years out. 3. The clutches in the manual transmissions tended to grab , due to poor machining of the input shaft , which caused the throw-out bearing to hang up as it slid along the shaft. 4. Intake manifold coolant leaks on the V-6. As far as service goes , dealerships are as different as day and night. I've seen a few that were terrible ,a lot that were barely tolerable , and two that were great. The factory stood behind complete repairs of all of the defects mentioned above, and they have since disappeared from the vehicles under production , or at least dropped in occurance so as not to be noticeable. I did see one incident that put me off of S-10 blazers forever. As a transport truck was unloading one from the lower level , the ramps pulled away from the truck . The S-10 was being backed out ,the rear wheels were on the ground , and the front wheels were about two feet off the ground. The front of the S-10 fell all of six inches before the front bumper encountered the back of the trailer. The frame bent , the side glass fell out ,the roof got a large wrinkle about midway down the vehicle. The vehicle (with 3 miles on the odometer) was declared a total loss , as the cost to repair it exceeded it's retail value. I'D NOT GO 4-WHEELIN' IN ONE OF THOSE! ___________ / / --------------/ /---------------- / Terry Morris@convex General disclaimer / /ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!tmorris/ /_____________ ________________/ / / /__________/