Actually the only offense was the replacement of the AC compressor. It just about seized before I replaced it at a "discounted" cost of $700 at my favorite shop. As I suspected the bearings were shot (revealed by accumulating piles of metal dust around the clutch and a rather toasty feel). The good news is I got 6 years and 100,000 miles out of it while the bad news is it should have lasted forever. Why? Apparently the system was never filled with oil at the factory and it had never needed a charge.
It has had more than its share of recalls, but really who cares if they cover it and they did, gladly.
Other than that, strictly routine maintenance. And here is a note to everyone who complains about this car chewing up brake pads. Buy GOOD ones! Bendix Fleet Metallic will give you a normal 30K to 40k of service.
The problem with this SUV is that it is very uncomfortable for anyone above average size.
Road noise on the highway is horrendous, along with sloppy handling.
GM is still an idiot with certain things, in the interest of "value engineering". In order to save a few pennies they paint the white vinyl rub strips to match the finish instead of molding them in a solid color, so any little nicks show through in white. Maddening.
Slams aside, I have beaten this vehicle like a rented mule and it has never flinched an inch. Many major road trips hauling gobs of cargo and a 3000 pound trailer, and once on a 9000 mile cross country trip. Off road, I had to intentionally try to get it stuck on the beach on the Outer Banks in NC, and only did so with eight people inside going up a steep sand bank at an angle.
You too, I have been very lucky with my 1996 Chevy Blazer LS. I only replaced the water pump after a year of ownership. Otherwise it was cheap replacement parts I replaced like wipers and so on.
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