Yesterday we traded in our beloved 1997 Blazer LS 4WD for a slightly used 2005 Trailblazer LS 2WD. And we love it.

Obviously we haven't gone very far yet - we drove into downtown LA to go to the King Tut Exhibition, and then back home. But we are very, very happy. Compared to the old Blazer it is slightly wider, 10 inches longer, but is so much more maneuverable. The turning circle is much tighter than the Blazer's, which is a very good thing.

We went for the 2005 model because of the new and improved safety features. I love watching the displays that show whether the passenger airbag is on - there is a sensor that determines whether a passenger is in the front, and even if they are large enough for full airbag deploy, and sets the airbag status accordingly. The more efficient engine has plenty of power, and the comfort level is greater than in the Blazer, even though we sacrificed the power driver's seat for a manual one.

There is one thing the Blazer had that our Trailblazer does not, and that is a compass and outside temperature display. The temp is a "nice to know" thing, but being a foreigner who in eight years has not adjusted to knowing where north is over here, I rely on my compass to avoid getting lost. I guess I'll just have to buy a dash-mounted one.

Did I mention I love this truck?
Amount Paid (US$): 20,500
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2005
Model and Options: LS Automatic 2WD