hello all. i have been away from here for a while now. i had a very nice 1998 chevy blazer. it died and so i got me a 2006 pontiac grand prix. but i have really been wanting to get back in to a blazer. seeing as it was my first ever thing to own or drive. but i have a question for you guys

i am looking to get a new blazer but i have 2 to choose from and i need help deciding.

1. 1988 chevy s10 blazer. 4 door, 4.3 v6. 2wd.
body is in great shape and so is interior but both will be redone.
mechanical problems are exhaust manifold leak, steering column is loose and goes every direction. but every thing else is good. i know the owner and he has had it sense 1994

2. 1997 chevy blazer. 4 door, 4wd.
same thing inside and out are in great shape but will be redone.
mechanical problems are fuel pump keeps dieing. has been replaced 5 times. and heater core. but the bad thing is he does not know if any thing else is good. i know the owner still but he got it from a tow that did not want to pay.

so i need help to pick the write one. both prices are $500.

what should i get thanks for the advice and glad to be back.

 

Of the two, the '88 seems like a much more sound vehicle. Replacing the heater core in the '97 will be a real bastard: you'll have to pull the entire dash to get to it. The repeated fuel pump failures are bothersome, too. OTOH, you'll have a nicer truck if you can get it straightened out.

In your shoes, I'd get the '97 only if I could keep the Grand Prix until I'd gone through it and made sure it was right. Otherwise, I'd get the '88. It also depends somewhat on where you live: if you live where it snows, I'd get the 97 and fix it up before winter comes.

 

really depends on what you want to do with it. I'd say the 2wd is probably better especially since the 1st gens are hard to find in good shape. but if you want to do any 4 wheeling I'd say get the 97

 

i am keeping the pontiac but i wanted to have a fixer-up-er. 4wd does not matter.

 

i just want some thing i can play with and try my new found talent with car fixing. and i just really want a truck again . i love the car but miss the blazer.

 

I think you should get the older one then. you would have better possibilities of being unique since there aren't as many around anymore. There are tons of 2nd gen blazers driving around, and it seems like that one will give you more trouble

 

so the first gen. is the better buy? i was thinking about that one more any way. my first blazer was a second gen. i loved it but i was thinking the first gen would be a nice change. and they look stronger and more rug-ad.

do the first gens suffer from the bad in the second gens? like bad steering components such as pitman, idler arms, steering box, intermediate steering shaft rag joint? and stuff like that?

thanks

 

Yes... yes they do... lol.

 

so as far as when i get a new blazer what has the least amount of problems? the 1st or 2nd generation?

but let me ask this in stead. are the motors and transmissions out of the 1st or 2nd generations better for there long lifes? i can fix most other things.

thanks!

 

I'm pretty sure the transmisions are about the same in first and second gens. The 4.3L will run forever if you take care of it it. (oil changes ect..) The good thing on the 1st gens is you have to deal with less electrical problems than the second gens