- Mar 27, 2012
- 21
OK so I finally ventured here from another Trailblazer / Envoy site. 
Some quick background, I had a 2004 Trailblazer EXT 4.2 4WD since new. It has logged over 140,000 miles and outside of some rust making its way through the doors she still looked great. I was planning to replace the shocks/struts, trans oil change (again) and some other routine maintenance when I found what I thought to be a great deal on a replacement vehicle. I can honestly say my Trailblazer was one of the most reliable cars I have owned so parting with it was not easy. The only issues I had were a couple of failed tie rods, cracked exhaust manifold, rear lift gate cover, failed servo motors on the tach, speedo and oil pressure gauges. Everything else I would consider routine. The Trailblazer was stock except for a K&N CAI and it had a Gibson Cat-Back Exhaust.
However as fate would have it (the verdict is out on if I made a smart decision or not) I just purchased a 2009 Saab 97x with the 4.2. I think with Saab out of business the resale market on these is far less than the TB/Envoy. Since the running gear is basically the same, the only real difference I could see is in the exterior panels and the interior trim. The interior is a major step up from my old Trailblazer but probably more on par with the Envoy.
My Trailblazer was used to tow a 26 foot trailer (4,500lbs) and had no issues. Therefore I figure the Saab will equal or improve on towing. My Trailblazer had the 3.42 gears and the Saab has 3.73. Since the Saab is the smaller than my EXT it is also lighter. Given the difference in gearing and less weight the Saab actually feels a little quicker, but that is not what I bought this for,
I know there are pros and cons to the 4.2 6 vs. the 5.3 8. Given the success I had with the 4.2 I felt confident the Saab would prove to be equally reliable. I truly believe the 4.2 will last 200K without issue (other than the rust I was concerned about).
I did the majority of the repairs myself on the TB so I am comfortable working on this car. The Saab specific items are the only thing I am a little worried about as it pertains to parts availability. However the vast majority of the running gear is GM.
The 97x I found has 20,000 miles and all the options I could ask for. Best of all I felt the price could not be beat. So to me the Saab 97x represents a bargain; it is equal or better to the Trailblazer but the cost is a lot less due to the fear of it being a Saab. While the label is Saab, much of the parts are tried and true GM. If this car is as reliable as my 2004 I will be VERY happy.
I have posted a couple of HowTo's in the past, changing spark plugs on the 4.2 and replacing the outer tie rods. If anyone is interested in seeing them let me know.
So I guess I will be around the form for quite a few more years as I am sure I will be researching different things now and then.
So here are a few pics of the new ride.
Keith
Some quick background, I had a 2004 Trailblazer EXT 4.2 4WD since new. It has logged over 140,000 miles and outside of some rust making its way through the doors she still looked great. I was planning to replace the shocks/struts, trans oil change (again) and some other routine maintenance when I found what I thought to be a great deal on a replacement vehicle. I can honestly say my Trailblazer was one of the most reliable cars I have owned so parting with it was not easy. The only issues I had were a couple of failed tie rods, cracked exhaust manifold, rear lift gate cover, failed servo motors on the tach, speedo and oil pressure gauges. Everything else I would consider routine. The Trailblazer was stock except for a K&N CAI and it had a Gibson Cat-Back Exhaust. However as fate would have it (the verdict is out on if I made a smart decision or not) I just purchased a 2009 Saab 97x with the 4.2. I think with Saab out of business the resale market on these is far less than the TB/Envoy. Since the running gear is basically the same, the only real difference I could see is in the exterior panels and the interior trim. The interior is a major step up from my old Trailblazer but probably more on par with the Envoy.
My Trailblazer was used to tow a 26 foot trailer (4,500lbs) and had no issues. Therefore I figure the Saab will equal or improve on towing. My Trailblazer had the 3.42 gears and the Saab has 3.73. Since the Saab is the smaller than my EXT it is also lighter. Given the difference in gearing and less weight the Saab actually feels a little quicker, but that is not what I bought this for,
I know there are pros and cons to the 4.2 6 vs. the 5.3 8. Given the success I had with the 4.2 I felt confident the Saab would prove to be equally reliable. I truly believe the 4.2 will last 200K without issue (other than the rust I was concerned about).
I did the majority of the repairs myself on the TB so I am comfortable working on this car. The Saab specific items are the only thing I am a little worried about as it pertains to parts availability. However the vast majority of the running gear is GM.
The 97x I found has 20,000 miles and all the options I could ask for. Best of all I felt the price could not be beat. So to me the Saab 97x represents a bargain; it is equal or better to the Trailblazer but the cost is a lot less due to the fear of it being a Saab. While the label is Saab, much of the parts are tried and true GM. If this car is as reliable as my 2004 I will be VERY happy.
I have posted a couple of HowTo's in the past, changing spark plugs on the 4.2 and replacing the outer tie rods. If anyone is interested in seeing them let me know.
So I guess I will be around the form for quite a few more years as I am sure I will be researching different things now and then.
So here are a few pics of the new ride.
Keith
, looks really nice!
