I have a 1995 GMC Jimmy. Depending on what years you're looking at I know the CPI system I have in mine is known to have problems with the spider leaking. Other common things are the heater core and fuel pumps; both of which I've had to replace. If you're going to be doing any towing invest in the biggest tranny cooler you can. If towing significant amount of weight leave it in D instead of OD- that will leave the tranny in 3rd. I borrowed a car trailer from a buddy of mine a few months ago and pulled the trailer empty with mine. He told me the trailer weighed about 2200 lbs unloaded and it's a double axle. The Jimmy seemed fine to me towing that amount of weight. I didn't want to try to pull the trailer and the car I was picking up with it though lol. I believe it's rated for 5500 lbs and I would have been over that. Truck has 147,000 miles and runs great.

 

Keep in mind also that since these vehicles are terrible wind vehicles,All suspension components have to be top-notch,all the way down to the bushings! I feel in any case a 5500# trailer is WAY too heavy for a 4500# car,but I still see folks doing it!
There are way too many factory design flaws to list,but if you get a good unit(and they are out there!)You will find it to be an economical,reliable and reasonably capable vehicle that you can fix yourself. Once you learn them!

 

Mine has 210k miles, only replaced the tranny, radiator, heater core, front diff, ball joints and wheel bearings as far as major stuff goes. Engine has never been touched.

 

Thanks for the responses. For some reason I still want to buy one, anyone selling?

 

I might be selling mine pretty soon; not sure yet. Almost mechanically done with my 95 Trans Am project. That will be my new daily

 

I have a 99 LS 4x4 (obviously by my screen name, but anyhow...) and it has around 89,500 miles on it, which isn't a lot by any means for the age that it is. But overall I am happy with it, except that the tranny went out around 65,000-70,000 miles, driver side window motor went out, along with a few hoses that needed replaced. Can't really complain about it, and plan to keep it until it doesn't run any longer, which I can hope will be a long time. Have not towed with it yet, but plan on it soon. I will hope to do some light farm towing with it (flatbed wagons with seed, or empty gravity boxes and the like) within the next year or so. Seems like it would be able to do the job to me.

 

all I can say is I had terrible luck with my 96 blazer so my sugestion is to steer clear of the blazers and get a full size one with a v-8 preferably an older one with a carb. It won't get quite as good as gas mileage but a lot better rig. less problems and the average guy can fix it. hell i am a gas turbin tech i run a power plant and my f ing blazer kick my ***. read my saga.