Hi all,

Visiting California later in the year (coming over from the UK) and have rented a Trailblazer for a week to drive from San Francisco to LAX (via Yosemite and Vegas). The Trailblazer isn't available over here so I don't know much about it, I just wondered if I could find out some more. I'm guessing the rental model will be the 4.2 - is this the entry level model? What sort of mpg will I get and what's the power like from it?

Any extra info would be great - really looking forward to picking it up (just hope I actually get a Trailblazer rather than the 'equivalent' - anyone know what the 'equivalent' would be from Hertz rentals?).

Thanks in advance.

 

4.2L L6 Vortec. All Trailblazers except the SS model (a 5.3L V8) have the 4.2L.
Theres two models, a standard body (seats 5) and an XL (extra length, seats 7).

On the highway it can get as good as 20-21 MPG if not a little more.

The power will surprise you. Its fairly quick for an SUV. The independant rear suspension makes for a good drive/ride as well. I can't say for sure if it will shock you if you are used to driving small cars like that which is commonplace in the UK.

There should be no equivalent at Hertz, unless they have a Suzuki Ascender, GMC Envoy, or Buick Rainer. All of which are the same vehicle with different cosmetic features.

 

Thanks for the reply. It's a shame they don't rent the SS - watched a few reviews on youtube and looks quick to say the least - bit unnecessary for my needs though...

Glad to hear the engine will have a bit of kick - I drive a Focus (different to the Focus you have over there I think) with a straigh-5 turbocharged 2.5, so I'm used to a bit of power.

20 mpg doesn't sound too bad - similar to what I get from mine. What are gas prices like over there at the moment? I'm always hearing they're on the up in the States.

 

The inline 6 Trailblazers are nice.
Will it be a boy racer vehicle- no.
It has plenty of torque. Will it feel as fast as your Focus. no.
The Trailblazers have Torque management built in.
Since youll be driving on highways in southern California- youll usually be traveling with plenty of traffic. You may even hit rush hour traffic depending on when you drive.
But the torque management keeps the HP/torque down.
Meaning you will not be able to burn rubber.
(A tune can disable this) but being a rental.... you cant do that.
When you get on the freeway- and you begin to accelerate--
you can step on the gas and the vehicle moves (weighs about 2 tons).... but you feel like the vehicle is being held back...
the management software- impedes full power..
once you reach a certain speed/rpm- the torque management allows the power to flow- and you can literally feel the power... many people describe it as suddenly losing an imaginary trailer you were 'towing'... because you suddenly hear and feel the vehicle pull hard as the RPM's and speed increase.
for its size and weight- you wont be dissapointed with the engine and its capabilities in the traffic conditions. want a little more PEP- leave it in 3 instead of Drive... it will of course revv a little more and use up more gas since youre bypassing overdrive.

Also- currenly gas prices are about $2.49 a gallon (the tanks are 22 gallon tanks I belive).
they are expected to go up to $3 by the time september comes along.
Gas is usually cheaper in vegas. and gets a little pricier in the desert between Vegas and LA.

Being conservative- I get up to 23 mpg on all highway trips.
mixed use gives me 18 mpg,
depending on how the engines been treated by previous rentals (the computer/ tranny learn driving styles).

 

I doubt you'll see gas much over $2.60.
Right now its $2.19 in my neck of the woods.

 

but hes visiting California. From his post he said, LAX (LA international Airport), Vegas, and San Francisco.

Gas here in Southern California is prone to extreme fluctuations. California- with its many smog rules- is/has gone thru the usual change to Summer blend fuel- which raises prices.
Also- Memorial day is around the corner-- this always raises prices around here.
Just 5 days agoI gassed up at $2.35 for regular... This morning it was up to $2.51-
Gas is expected to hit the $3 mark in So.Cal pretty soon.

right now (5/19/09)
Just down the street from me.. $2.69 (Pasadena,CA).
San Francisco is ranging from $2.4X- $2.79

for up to date gas prices- as reported by drivers.. enter the zip code or city state in the box to get up to date gas prices...
I have not seen $2.2X gas in Southern California in a while.

heres the website
http://www.californiagasprices.com/

 

I didn't realize that there were different fuel blends in Cali.
Thanks for the info.

 

Thanks for the responses again. Looking forward to picking it up and having a go now...

As long as gas is anywhere between $2-$3 that'll do me fine - at the moment here in the UK we're paying (the equivalent of) $5.60 a gallon and a couple of years ago it went up to over $7.

When the prices rocketed one gas station was featured on the news as they were selling it for £1.99 a litre ($12 a gallon!!!!)

 

yeah, california is one of the states that changes formulation for summer/winter.
When winter fuel comes around- you may see post on auto forums about people getting lower fuel mileage- they think its their engine- but in fact its the fuel.
In a few states- the idling to warm up the car in severe cold also adds to this.
Once summer comes around- we always see that little spike in the fuel price...
this is because of the additives--- the refineries have to shut down and do their thing to change formulation-- while theyre down- fuel sometimes runs low-- and that always drives fuel prices up...

As for the visitor... sounds like youll enjoy seeingthe cheap gas... enjoy!