1989 Chevrolet S-10 2WD Extended Cab 4.3L V6

Summary:

Best vehicle I will ever own

Faults:

Heater core went out at 90000. Drove just fine until I replaced it.

Starter died at 90000 also. Fixed that and haven't had a problem since.

Replaced entire exhaust system at 105000. Not necessary repairs, but did it to prevent problems later down the road.

Replaced brake rotor and hub on right side at 132000. Costly, but avoidable if I had taken her into a shop sooner.

Just replaced the distributor cap a month ago. Cheap fix to make the truck run great again.

General Comments:

The 4.3L V6 definitely gives this truck a lot more zip than most small pick-ups.

Vinyl interior is still in good shape.

Paint started to peel so I put primer on instead of repainting the whole thing. Doesn't look like much, but this truck is a car owner's dream!

Starts every time, even on the coldest of winter's mornings.

In the four years I've owned this old truck I have taken her from Wisconsin to Texas and then moved to Iowa and drove her back to Wisconsin twice a month for two years. Took her up to North Dakota with no trouble at 130000.

Recently purchased a used 2000 Suzuki Esteem wagon to avoid putting so many miles on the truck. With fewer miles driving her, I am hoping to restore the S10 and have many more miles left with her.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th February, 2004

1989 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer Tahoe 4.3 liter

Summary:

For a $1000 bucks, I got a lot of little truck, that you just can't kill

Faults:

Actually few things have gone wrong with my truck since I bought it.

The driver's door handle broke, but I had it fixed at the dealer. The repair was a bit expensive (it was after all a dealer service). I was told that GM is just about finished making replacement parts for my truck, because of it's age.

I had basic preventive service done to the transmission, as well as the serpentine belt replaced.

I switched to synthetic oil, in hopes of helping the old engine seals hold up.

I took it in for an alignment, and left with quite a few dollars less (apparently, the front ends on S-10 Blazers give out over time). They had to almost build a new front end.

Not much rust on this one. This one replaced a 88 S-10, that was a rolling rust bucket.

The previous owner tried to convert the air conditioning system to the new refrigerant, but hacked it up a bit. That problem was fixed by a local shop, and it now blows nice and cold.

General Comments:

I am going to get this thing painted, because the red and black two tone paint job is just about faded out. I replaced all the chrome with blacked out versions, and I think it looks good.

The interior was spotless, and all the accessories work.

It has a factory manual moon roof, that is air tight and leak free.

The cruise control functions properly.

The electrical system works fine, and all the lamps function well.

Even with the things I have had fixed, my opinion of these trucks is high. They run like tanks. Old design, but the box look is timeless.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st May, 2003

3rd Jun 2004, 23:11

Hey,

I am 15 and was looking for a first car, then I ran into the love of my life. call me crazy, but it was a 1989 s-10 blazer. it came factory with a 4.3 V6 engine and now it has a vortec 350. I think your reveiw was great, I mean ya some things need to be fixed, but on an older truck you'll have that. I think your review was accurate, and my paint is faded too. good job.

23rd Jul 2004, 13:13

Hey I have the same truck. it's nice... I converted mine to a 350 4 bolt main.. it's nothing, but torque and power. if you make the swap I think you will be happy :>

24th May 2007, 01:00

I just bought a 1989 Chevrolet s-10 for 1200, and it is still in good shape, runs good, no noise, very solid engine, automatic, a little rust in some places, but all in all, a solid strong no nonsense truck.

Can anyone give me some advice on where to get good parts for it? Thanks.