Trailblazer SS?

[BGKySS]

So I've been on the hunt for a "fun" family hauler to replace my Camaro as my DD, and make the Camaro my weekend car.
My guidelines are pretty simple. It has to have an LS of some kind and easily fit two car seats in the back and under $20k so I can pay cash for it. Those guidelines narrowed it down to a G8 GT and a Trailblazer SS.

A friend of a friend as a Trailblazer SS black, 2wd with a cammed LS3 swap and all supporting mods for what I feel is a good price.
Does anyone have any experience with the Trailblazers? Let me know your thoughts and experiences on them.

[Sales @ CAI Inc]

The TBSS is a nice platform to mod and enjoy, a couple of the guys in our "group" have owned them or currently own them. We actually sell quite a few CAI's for the TBSS, even this many years down the road it is one of our biggest sellers. There is quite a bit of aftermarket available for it, and they can throw down some really decent power with some pretty basic mods. Personally if I had a Camaro already I would go for the TBSS over the G8 GT (even though I really like the G8 GT), just to add a little variety to the mix. Good luck!

[lbls1]

I happen to own one. They will make a great family hauler, and they have decent power underfoot.

Some things you should be aware of:
1. It looks like its a lot harder to find a decent example for sale. I've seen plenty of TBSSs that have been beat to hell with loads of miles and plenty of wear.
2. The weaknesses of this truck are its transmission (its fine as long as you don't tune it or go crazy with the power), bad road rash at the rear doors (similar to the chipping at the gills for the 5th gen.), and poor gas mileage.
3. Like all GM products, the TB has its share of gremlins, but for the most part I haven't had problems with mine. Its a great truck with decent size inside and out, and if you get a good one you should get great service out of it.

[Team STILLEN]

I actually just sold mine 3 months ago.

Like mentioned by lbls1, Transmission is one of the big ones include the Oil Consumption.

My oil pump went out on me hard launching because of the dreaded OEM oil pick up tube. It sits up front where it should sit towards the back of the oil pan.

Pick up a C5 oil pan or to save some money, PCM sells a redesigned oil pick up tube that sits towards the back of the pan.

All in all it was great ride.

JT

[TPAJETSKI]

I had one. If you already have a camaro and just need a sporty family hauler I would get the G8. The 4.10 gears and weight make gas mileage horrific. Especially if you are just driving it with the family to dinner. I traded it in at about 90k miles for my Camaro back in 2012. I didn't race or abuse it and it was relatively trouble free.

[Abomb1223]

I know nothing about TBSS but I do know they are pretty awesome looking when modded correctly. Then again so do the G8s. If the TB has trans problems then go with a G8

[pyroguy]

I personally loved my G8 GT. If it hadn't been for the drunk driver hitting and destroying it, I'd still own it. For the right G8 I'd even trade my Camaro, and I love this thing!

The nice thing about the Trailblazer SS is that it has the room of a SUV with more of the fun of a sports car. Considered it myself, but the mileage is crap. The G8 will at least get 25 highway MPG.

[BGKySS]

Thanks for all the replies, it seems that everyone that has owned one enjoyed it. I have heard about the trans issues and the one I found actually has a fresh rebuild ( stronger than stock) with a huge trans cooler so I think I'm good with that. Call me crazy but I don't mind the gas milage as long as its an enjoyable drive.

took the wife to lunch today and mentioned getting an SUV for a DD, showed her pictures of a few Trailblazer SS and thats all she wrote. As soon as I can clear a day or two in my schedule I'm going to go pick this one up. Pretty excited to see how well it will hold up against my camaro

Its has an ls3 swap with a mild cam, long tubes catless y and magnaflow catback, rebuilt trans and the rearend was just gone through.

[suzook]

Why not a Chevy ss?

[AZCamaroFan]

the Trailblazer's are awesome. Great ride, comfortable.
i realize you say you want a V8 SS, but i have to say the
I-6 is a great engine and super smooth with good power too.

[JimboZL1]

I had an 06 Trailblazer SS. It was a great family vehicle. We eventually had to sell it because it developed an issue where it felt like someone bumped into you at a stoplight. We put anti-sieze on the driveshaft splines and didn't help. The service department never did figure it out.

[Jsafe17]

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

the Trailblazer's are awesome. Great ride, comfortable.
i realize you say you want a V8 SS, but i have to say the
I-6 is a great engine and super smooth with good power too.

We have the i-6 w/140k on it.. it needed a water pump and idler pulley and one wheel bearing, that's all in 140k it's a 2006 so it's 291hp but you'll get 5 - 7 more mpg

[richard200593]

A close buddy had a trailblazer SS he loved it and it seemed to run great and sounds really aggressive. It keeps up (but in the end loses) to a camaro v6. personal experience

[DrkPhx]

I bought mine brand new and it's still going strong at 153K miles. I did replace the trans late last year when it started to slip. It's AWD and gets 14-15 mpg at best. It ran 13.7 in the 1/4 mi when I first bought it.