Making the decision to park the Camaro

[BowtieBelle]

So I've had my car for less than a year and have 23,XXX miles on her already. My commute is 80 miles a day, and while my RS is GREAT as a daily driver, it's really running up the miles-- I also live down a two mile gravel road, and even with the splash guards, the bottom of the car looks like swiss cheese

So I finally made the decision to look into a daily driver that isn't the Camaro. I always swore I would never own a garage queen, and I do still plan on driving her on the days I stay at my parents' house in the city I work in, but I just think it's best for me to find something else to drive.

Attached is what I'm picking up today-- a 2000 Blazer. It was owned by a lady with no kids who took excellent care of it-- the interior is flawless and it has aftermarket sound, tinted windows, new brakes and tires, and is a V6 so it'll get decent gas mileage... and it has a bowtie Only paid $2,000 because the lady was desperate to sell so I feel like we got a heck of a deal!

Anyone else got one of these? Noticed anything worrisome?

Has anyone else made the decision to pick up a cheap daily driver so their Camaro doesn't get miled up too fast? I know I'm gonna miss driving my Camaro every day :(

[Scalded Dog]

That lil' Blazer is a great vehicle... had a 2001 for a few years. Got taken out of service forever--- lights out for the car--- by a drunk who scored his fourth DUI that night (I wasn't driving, and the only person injured that night WAS the drunk... ha!). I'd get another in a hot second if I found a deal.

Sad to see the C5 get parked... but at least you are keeping a bowtie at the end of your key!

[SteveRS]

My mom had the 2 door in this color same model.. I used to LOOOVVEE crusin around in this thing.. it was awesome.. i even had it as mine for a lil while in high school and to and from work..

[Iroc-z86]

My family and I have 4 of those s-series trucks. Other than the transmission going at 100k on my moms jimmy it has been the most reliable truck ever. we bought it new with 100 miles on it and it have 180k and still runs and drives like a new car. dad and I both have zr2's mine has 196k and his 110k both run and drive like champs. I was very disappointed when chevy stopped making them and replaced it with the pos colorado/canyon.

overall good trucks and they are awesome in the snow. good choice!

[SteveRS]

I notices you chose My auto repair too... good choice

[RANGERGOD]

Great price...also a good idea to slow down the wear and tear on the Camaro.

[Steve Dallas]

I sold my 2000 Impala about 2 months ago. It was supposed to be my backup car for snow or really bad conditions.

I think I drove it a total of 3 weeks over the 2 years I had the Camaro. It was useless for snow since the battery was bad, and wouldn't turn over the engine when it got below 35 degrees or so.

Worst of all, I thought I'd sell it to reduce my insurance, and found I'd lost my multi car discount and my insurance went up. DOH!

[Chiefish]

I just traded in a 05 blazer, and my only complaint was that they are governed @ 95 MPH LOL which probly is really a good thing with the center of gravity being so high.
And I averaged 17 MPG with it, so my SS actually gets better gas mileage then that did.

[meissen]

The unfortunate truth is if your drive is 80 miles round trip, it'd be more economical to drive your Camaro than the Blazer. I think I got 16mpg in my 2000 GMC Jimmy (same car, just rebadged). Plus an older vehicle with more miles is going to have more wear and tear that will need to be maintained... I understand not wanting to put the wear on the Camaro, and for $2,000 you're in a good spot, but don't be surprised if the new DD becomes a money pit.

[nyrfan]

I personally would never be able to do it, it's just too fun driving the Camaro.

[powerslave]

A parked Camaro :(

That gravel road would be a long 2 miles for me in a Camaro, I'd be going about 4 mph haha

[FenwickHockey65]

FE in the GMT-325/330 trucks and SUVs absolutely sucks with the 4.3L V6. I get 14 MPG city if I'm lucky in the Sonoma.

Pretty much indestructible trucks though. If your engine is the same as mine have fun with the oil fill.

[90503]

I guess its a good idea, but you should have gotten your boss to give you a Corvette company car...just a thought....lol

[BowtieBelle]

Originally Posted by meissen

The unfortunate truth is if your drive is 80 miles round trip, it'd be more economical to drive your Camaro than the Blazer. I think I got 16mpg in my 2000 GMC Jimmy (same car, just rebadged). Plus an older vehicle with more miles is going to have more wear and tear that will need to be maintained... I understand not wanting to put the wear on the Camaro, and for $2,000 you're in a good spot, but don't be surprised if the new DD becomes a money pit.

I should have maybe added that at this point I'm not too worried about the economical aspect as I am worried about saving the Camaro from the gravel road and all the miles. And luckily, my boyfriend is a mechanic and can fix any serious issues the Blazer may have for next to nothing! The gas mileage in the Blazer might suck, but that's the price I pay to have a Camaro, I guess! I'll be driving the Blazer about 4 days a week and the Camaro the other 3.