This past spring I started the task of replacing my wife's aging car. I was in the market to spend around $6,000, so I figured a mid-90's GM family sedan would be what I was looking at. The more I looked, the more I realized I could get a Blazer 4x4 for around the same price as a Bonneville, Regal or Lumina. Living in MI, it's nice to have the 4x4 when you need it.

I zeroed in on the Blazer for the following reasons: I'm loyal to GM products - your opinions may vary. Strong motor: the research I did suggests the 4.3 motor is good for 200,000 miles with proper maintenance and should be trouble free. On many of the internet clubs I checked, it was not uncommon for people to report 150,000 trouble-free miles on their 4.3. Value: see above. Style: I think a truck should look like a truck.

I found that there is a big price difference in Blazers stepping from the 1994 model year to 1995. 1995 was when GM changed the body style from the boxy to rounded Blazers. It was tough to find 1995 Blazers for less than $9,000, and there were no 1994 Blazers for more than $7,000. I paid a private owner $6,500 for my 1994 4-door Tahoe Blazer with 85,000 miles on it. It needed a few things replaced, but the body was in great shape and the guy took care of it.

I like the Blazer. I was not disappointed by the 4.3 motor. It runs strong at 97,000 miles, doesn't leak on my garage floor, and get 21MPG on the highway. The ride is very good (for a truck) after replacing the worn-out original shocks. There are no airbags but it does have ABS. The transmission shifts well, my only complaints are noticable pump whine and a longer than desired delay from reverse to drive. Freeway vibrations are minimal, and the steering is OK.

The interior is grey cloth with buckets up front and a folding bench in the rear. The driver's seat is comfortable with manual adjustments, including lumbar. The driving position is good. All controls but the radio are well within reach and function intuitively. There are two cupholders as part of the center console, but they're not very good. Driver's and passenger sunvisors have lit mirrors, a nice touch. There are no airbags, and the shoulder belts are non-adjustable. In my opinion the interior, while somewhat unpolished, is well equipped.

My only complaints are the parts I'm having to replace. I knew when I bought the truck it needed an exhaust and shocks, but since then it's been a steady stream of "other stuff" like a heater core, oil line, battery, brakes, bulbs, etc. But the parts are cheap and the work fairly easy.

If your looking for one, here's what to watch for: Body rust - notably at the bottom of the front doors. Ball joints - if they're the OEM ones, they'll need replaced. A/C - 1994 was the last year for R12, the now banned refrigerant. A re-charge will cost $175 plus any work required to make a leak-free system. Make sure it's working properly, if that matters to you. Digital dash: virtually all of them will develop problems at some point, and repairs are not cheap. Analog-equipped models are definitely the way to go. That's about it.

And how does it go in the snow? Wish I could say. Still waiting for some, but It should perform as good as any other 4x4.
Amount Paid (US$): 6500
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1994
Model and Options: 4x4 Tahoe, 4dr Auto, cloth, pwr locks, windows, AC, rear def