Just purchased my tow vehicle.

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

With the purchase of my new boat, I sure as heck couldn't use my current car (2004 Pontiac sunfire SE 5 speed) which I will miss the 37mpg I use to get on the highway with her. However, I am not a little kid anymore and tricking out tuner cars is a thing of the past as I am turning 24 this summer. So I did some research, set my price range on what type of car payment I wanted and ended up with this little beauty.

2006 Chevy Trailblazer LS Stonesilver Metallic w/47K miles $14,900.

She's a little dirty, but will be picking her up Monday from the dealer.

There were several other I had my choice from, but my main true option I wanted was a moonroof and all the others with lower mileage TB's had too many scuffs and scrapes down into the paint they just didn't sit well with me. Also had a very nice Jeep commander which I truly thought about getting it but its GVTC was only 3500 and my boat would be right about that or slightly over. I felt a little better knowing the TB has 5000lb rating.

Pretty excited.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

Congratulations, looks like a nice ride and safe tow'er!

 

[jkust]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

Congrats, I have the Buick Version with every option and the V8. I bought it this past summer. It tows awesome. Did you get the 5.3 liter v8, 4wd and G80 locker? The secret I discovered when shopping for either an Envoy or Trailblazer was the Buick Rainier version. The 60+ crowd bought them new so not only are they completely loaded but no kids so no scuffs or wear & tear. Most of the Envoys and Trailblazers were sold to a much younger crowd and used as the family truckster so were well worn even with lower miles. My wife loves it so much I am thinking of getting one for my daily driver.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

Nice. Hoping to get one ourselves as soon as we have finished paying for the daughters upcoming wedding. Meanwhile the old Jimmy keeps rolling along.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

I looked at both Envoys and Trailblazers within 100 miles and I couldn't find the G80 package on a single one, nor a decent priced V8 that wasn't an EXT model. So this is just the 4.2L I6. I know what you mean about being beat up tho..

This one is in the nicest condition in my price range, plus I got a 3yr/36k mile bumper to bumper warranty all for 250/month for 5 yrs. I know these guys have a few issues that are known throughout their platform.

 

[jkust]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

I looked at both Envoys and Trailblazers within 100 miles and I couldn't find the G80 package on a single one, nor a decent priced V8 that wasn't an EXT model. So this is just the 4.2L I6. I know what you mean about being beat up tho..

This one is in the nicest condition in my price range, plus I got a 3yr/36k mile bumper to bumper warranty all for 250/month for 5 yrs. I know these guys have a few issues that are known throughout their platform.

Yep totally agree, since the whole reason for our purchase was to tow our boat and snowmobiles, the G80 was a must have for us plus we are in snow country here in MN and that locker comes in very handy as does the AWD. I figured since I pay cash why drop that much and still have to compromise. Every time I would call on a TB or Envoy (before I discovered Buick made a version), I would ask which gear ratio it had and if it had the G80 locker since every other option they could visually verify. They all acted like I was crazy for caring about those things. For towing you want the 3.73 or the 4.10. The 5.3l v8 comes with the 3.73 only and the I6 you can get either the standard 3.42 or the other two mentioned above. No one had a clue which rear end they had or if they had a G80 and I had to have the dealers pull build sheets and never found a single rig that had everything I needed except the Rainiers (also the SAAB 9-7x version had everything as well but I didn't want a SAAB for a few reasons). The reason you couldn't find a v8 in the short wheel base model is because only the Rainier offered it every model year up until the last couple years of the Trailblazer when they finally offered a V8 option (technically you can still find some new Envoys and they only have the v8). It was a way to cater to the more refined Buick customer that was willing to shell out $45,000. I can't believe the old lady who owned my Buick before me actually paid that much but she did. Like I mentioned the average age of the Rainier buyer was decades older than the others. Therefore most TB's and Envoys except the newest ones (which could have included 2006) only came with the I6 with no option for the V8. A V8 Trailblazer in the short wheel base with all the major options being heated leather, moon roof, G80 locker, 4wd, Bose 6 disc, xm, and a v8 (I ignore the nav system since it is already dated) in perfect condition with low miles was nearly impossible but every Rainier these things are standard equipment and/or commonly found. I ignored the SS version in the above since it comes with a 6.0L v8 and a differenct option set.
Good Luck and take a look at the website dedicated to this platform called trailvoy.com.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

Yup, I started my research on that site along with help from 2 buddies with a TB LS and another with a TB SS. I set my max price at $16k and unfortunately those Rainiers were a little more than I wanted to spend. I'm pretty sure mine has the 3.42 ration, but since my boat only weights 3500 fully loaded she won't have a problem towing her. I'm probably going to install a tranny cooler as well as only be towing in 3 with it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

Ayuh,... Nice lookin' rig...
I don't see a tow hitch, so it probably don't have the Tow Package either...

Good Luck with it...

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Just purchased my tow vehicle.

Ayuh,... Nice lookin' rig...
I don't see a tow hitch, so it probably don't have the Tow Package either...

Good Luck with it...

Its just a bad picture, I am pretty sure all trailvoys came factory equipped with trailer hitches. This one has it, but it is just hard to see it in the picture. Here is a better picture of the rear..