Chevrolet Trailblazer 2005: The Weekly Driver Review
With the addition of the 5.3-liter, 325-horsepower V8 extended cab (EXT), eight Chevrolet Trailblazer models are on the road in 2005. And as the largest and most powerful Blazer available, the new EXT has plenty to offer.It's comfortable and provides a confident drive. It offers vast cargo space, has an attractive two-tone interior, a well-designed console and boasts of plenty of impressive option packages.But sometimes subtle qualities or subtle deficiencies are more impressive or problematic than a vehicle's overt characteristics.So it is with the new Blazer. While recently showing the car to several friends, one sat in the second row of seats. Surprisingly, his head easily hit the roof.
My friend is 6-foot-3, and while that's tall, he's not a giant by any stretch."I've got a Scion and there's plenty of rear seat headroom," my friend commented.The quick analysis made a good point. As the largest and most powerful Blazer available, shouldn't a 6-foot-3 person sit comfortably in the middle of the car's three rows?Conversely, an SUV hardly seems like a vehicle for a remarkable sound system. But the Bose premium sound system available in the Blazer's Sun, Sound and Entertainment Package is superior. The combination AM/FM stereo, six-disc changer, XM satellite radio and eight speakers are arguably the finest music package I've experienced in any test car in the past two years.Beyond a curious space limitation and a wondrous sound system options, the Blazer offers an odd mixture. It's a well-designed SUV with plenty of space for family and cargo.
It has adequate steering and handling, and it offers a quiet ride considering its status as a large SUV with 17-inch tires.Yet, the Blazer falls short in other key areas.The vehicle's braking system seems uneven - fine in some circumstances, soft in other scenarios with far-too-long response time. The Blazer maneuvers well in traffic and its turning radius is surprisingly tight and efficient. But again, for each of the vehicle's strengths, there's a weakness. The Blazer's fuel rating of 14 mpg (city) and 19 (hwy) is hardly impressive.Standard features are adequate: power mirrors, heated daytime running lamps, remote keyless entry, tinted rear glass, 65/35 second and third-row folding seats and a rear window defogger, among other standard items.Three options packages, the aforementioned Sun, Sound and Entertainment, as well as the Luxury and V8 Power Play packages, can add nearly $7,000 to the base sticker, pushing the total price to more than $41,000.Some options are worthwhile, including the OnStar Emergency System (with one year of free service) and leather-appointed seats. Other options ? cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheel audio controls ? are standard for other manufacturers' SUVs.A Preferred Equipment Savings reduction of $3,150 lowers the top-of-the line Blazer's price, after a $685 destination charge, to $38,515.As such, the Blazer isn't the most expensive or most economical SUV on the market.
But certainly, for nearly $40,000, good brakes and sufficient second-row headroom shouldn't be issues.2005 Chevrolet TrailblazerSafety features -- Dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags. Antilock brakes.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 14 mpg (city), 19 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Power train, 3 years/36,000 miles; Corrosion, 6 years/100,000 miles; 24-hour free roadside assistance, 3 years, 36,000 milesBase price -- $34,270.00.
James Raia is a Sacramento, Calif., journalist who writes about sports, travel and lifestyle topics as well as the automotive column, The Weekly Driver Review.To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver ReviewTo subscribe to his free electronic newsletters, visit the web site: www.ByJamesRaia.comAutomakers Of Large Pickups and SUVs Hail Gas Price Drop
Power Information Network (PIN), an affiliate of J.D. Power and Associates, earlier announced its real-time retail transaction data analysis regarding the decline in gas prices. Said company stressed that because of the decline an increase in owner loyalty rates for pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles is observed.
PIN earlier reported that in the past few months soaring fuel prices have adversely affected the loyalty rate for pickups and SUVs. PIN observed that the owner retention rates for huge pickup trucks, large utility and midsize utility vehicles significantly rose in the seven-week period from mid-August to early October this year. Said increase was attributed to the same period when gas prices steadily dropped and averaged $2.66 per gallon as compared to the seven weeks when gas prices averaged $3.04.
According to the data gathered by the company, four out of six large pickup models, four out of five large utilities and seven...
Suv > Automakers Of Large Pickups and SUVs Hail Gas Price Drop
Anti-SUV Crowd Entertained By New Hummer Parody Web Site
Sacramento, CA (ContentDesk) April 15, 2006 -- A growing number of people are against sport utility vehicles and these activists are having a good laugh at the web site, HummerH8.com.The word about a new Hummer parody web site has been spreading around the Internet lately. HummerH8.com is growing in popularity and has already amassed quite a following. The site is devoted to the fictional sport utility vehicle dubbed the Hummer H8.As many web surfers know, in Internet slang, H8 also refers to the word hate and judging by the content and merchandise on the site, it is most applicable. It instantly becomes evident that the creators of the web site have an enormous disdain for all Hummer SUV models.While General Motors, the parent company of the real Hummer SUV, does not have a Hummer H8 model on the market, it seems that there may be an interest in such a monstrous vehicle among the more ecologically challenged.HummerH8.com is not affiliated with Hummer or General Motors Corporation...
Anti-SUV Crowd Entertained By New Hummer Parody Web Site
Suv > Anti-SUV Crowd Entertained By New Hummer Parody Web Site
Range Rover Gets More Power
Rover enthusiasts are saying if you have some roving to do, you need not look far for Range Rover is obtainable. Conversely, enthusiasts are expected to be more delighted when they know that Rover adds up power to make the roving escapade more thrilling and worthwhile. Range Rover Sport is designed by the automaker to make a bumpy ride comfortable and exciting.
Range Rover Sport, also known as sports tourer, is a high-performance, 5-passenger luxury SUV that shares the same platform with the Discovery. Said SUV is powered by a supercharged 390 PS 4.2 L AJ-V8. So far, it is the second most powerful vehicle from Land Rover.
Range Rover Sport is from the lineage of Range Rover. Land Rover Range Rover parts are powered to come up with a more powerful vehicle. In fact, the parts for a Range Rover are meticulously...
Suv > Range Rover Gets More Power
Sports Cars Offer High Gas Mileage Cure for the SUV Blues
Fort Collins, CO (ContentDesk) May 27, 2006 -- Several sporty, high-performance automobiles such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche Boxster and Lotus Elise can get 28 or 29 miles per gallon on the highway according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making sports cars a viable choice for those seeking high gas mileage along with style, status, and fun.In contrast, the similarly-priced Hummer H2 gets at best 13 mpg, according to dealers.
A Cadillac Escalade sports utility vehicle achieves only 18 mpg on the highway per the EPA.
Even the 4Runner SUV by Toyota -- a company often associated in the minds of the public with good fuel economy -- is rated at just 22 mpg for a two-wheel drive, six-cylinder base model.But wait -- are we not comparing apples and oranges here?
A sports car versus an SUV?
These vehicles are purchased for entirely different purposes, right?
The comparison is not as far-fetched as it might initially seem,...
Suv > Sports Cars Offer High Gas Mileage Cure for the SUV Blues
How to Choose New Wheels for Your SUV
For SUV owners wheels can be one of the most important items on their vehicles. The wheels tell the outside world what you are all about, they can be provocative and flashy or conservative and understated. For a great many SUV owners, for them, wheels go beyond just being an apparatus that holds the tires.
1- Even before you begin to shop for SUV wheels; it is a good idea to set a budget. Its very easy to go over board when buying wheels and spend more that you planned. By setting an amount of money that you are willing to spend, you will be able to only look at wheels within your price range.
This will help you to avoid buyers' remorse, which is common when people spend more than they had originally planned or more than they could afford.
2- SUV wheels are available in many metal choices; chrome, brushed aluminum, stainless steal are all very popular choices for after market wheels. All of these examples of wheels have been made to be easy to take...
Suv > How to Choose New Wheels for Your SUV
Scott D. Szymanski Joins March Plasma Systems As Global Semiconductor Market Manager
Concord, CA (ContentDesk) December 5, 2005 -- March Plasma Systems announced today that Scott D. Szymanski has joined March as Global Semiconductor Market Manager. In this position, Mr. Szymanski will expand strategic customer alliances, strengthen partnerships with material and equipment suppliers, and develop future plasma product offerings tailored to the semiconductor market. Mr.
Szymanski will be responsible for managing our market requirements in promoting and enhancing our semiconductor...
Chevrolet Trailblazer 2005: The Weekly Driver Review Scott D. Szymanski Joins March Plasma Systems As Global Semiconductor Market Manager plasma tv Suv
Suv > Scott D. Szymanski Joins March Plasma Systems As Global Semiconductor Market Manager
Should You Buy a House or a Condo?
A big debate these days is whether or not to buy a house, or buy a condo. Most of this debate comes from a lack of understanding about condos, and what they are. Hopefully, the following information will prove to be helpful.When Buying a condo, are you a tenant?No. That simply isn't true. When you buy a condo, you are buying a part of the corporation, and are thus an equal owner.
It is true that you can be forced to move, if you are really disturbing the other owners, or causing problems....
Chevrolet Trailblazer 2005: The Weekly Driver Review Should You Buy a House or a Condo? water Suv
Suv > Should You Buy a House or a Condo?
When Renting Is Better Than Buying
If possible, it is ALWAYS better to buy than to rent. Right? Perhaps Not.No one will deny that owning your home is a big part of the American Dream. It is also a goal that most people, rightfully, strive to attain. Home ownership can provide substantial financial rewards, afford tremendous peace of mind, be the source of immense personal pride, and greatly add to a person's general well-being and quality of life.Having said all that, there are still certain times, and certain situations, where...
Chevrolet Trailblazer 2005: The Weekly Driver Review When Renting Is Better Than Buying Suv mortgage calculator
Suv > When Renting Is Better Than Buying
Chevrolet Trailblazer 2005: The Weekly Driver Review hats