Thinking of adding another vehicle

[solo1]

to my stable.

First to get things out of the way.  I don't really need it.  Of course I don't really need the Vstrom either.  Adding this SUV would make it damn inconvenient in some ways for me as I can only store one car in the garage.

My 2013 Mazda Six is great, but has problems in snow. As we all know we had a lot of snow last winter.
OK, that's my excuse.

I have run across a 2001 Chevy Blazer with , I think, the ZR2 package. part time 4WD with low range transfer case., big 31.10.5 50  15" tires. 4.3 l V6 auto tranny.
Mark, my GM tech son, checked it out.  It is in remarkable shape for an older 2001.  The weak  spots, ball joints, intake and head gaskets, oil filter lines, door hinges, etc  are ok, it runs fine and has 5000 pounds towing with hitch.  No rust, everything works, except for rattles.  I can get it for a fair price, i think, but it has 147k miles on it. The original owner apparently performed regular maintenance on it.

Again, i can't justify it, don't really need it but it'll give me much more independence and confidence in winter. Another plus is that it can tow my trailer, the Mazda six can't (under warranty)

The Blazer seems to be labeled and rated as anything from junk to wow!   So Whaddya think.

I'm a big boy so I can make up my own mind but ready to listen.

[Patrick]

You don't want to sell the Mazda and get one vehicle that'll do everything you want ?

[solo1]

No, I would lose my arse if I did that.  MUCH more than I would pay for this Blazer AND extra insurance and plates. My 2013 only has 8k on it and Mazda 6's are not that popular.

[Paxton]

ROAD TO HAPPINESS

1. Look at that thing!
2. Oh, it has a F/S sign!
3. Naaa, I don't really need it.
4. Hummm it looks pretty good.
5. I wonder if it's runnin good.
6. Hey son, I don't need this thin' but check it out for me.
7. Hummm... In good shape and reasonably priced, dad
8. I don't really want it but I guess it'd tow my trailer... and it be fun in the snow!
9. Honey, we definitely need this. Are you sure my dear solo1?
10. Well let me run it by the VRCC guys.  What if they say no, dear? ???
The Heck with them!

Solo1; If you can afford it , you worked for it. You deserve it. Buy it!

[R J]

Paxton, Wayne only has to answer to himself.

Besides, he is also stubborn.

Wayne, I wouldn't buy it.

LOL

[Michvalk]

Paxton, Wayne only has to answer to himself.

Besides, he is also stubborn.

Wayne, I wouldn't buy it.

LOL

And I think just like you do Wayne. I'd have it in the yard already. Parts are cheap, and I'd only drive it in the winter.

[Dave Ritsema]

I'm with RJ.

Upkeep, plates, insurance, extra fuel, in your way spring summer and fall, nope that is bad math.

Get yourself an additional set of wheels and put Blizzak SNOW tires on your Mazda. You will be astounded how much of a difference they make in both ice and snow, and in the spring they just stack nicely in the corner of the garage. Those worn out Blazers will suck you dry in repairs. For the 30 days a year the roads are actually bad when you want to drive on them, the tires are a much better investment.

For roughly $1000 you can get a tire/wheel combo WITH TPMS mounted and force balanced at the Tire Rack.  They are in my back yard and do a great job.

Thats way cheaper than the Blazer.

http://www.tirerack.com/cart/HoldingArea.jsp?confirmMounted=&referralCode=null&tiresMounted=yes&shopTires=true

[six2go #152]

Or ya could do what I do when our area is Arse deep to an elephant with snow. Just stay home!

[six2go #152]

Wayne, I know you and you know that I know you. Now that is out of the way, I'll say this; There is no freakin' way that you would tolerate an old squeaky, rattling, money pit like that. You would have Mark working on it every weekend to bring it up to your standards, and I don't think that would make him a happy camper. Please look into the Winter tires that Dave R mentioned. If ya can't go with those tires, ya don't need to go.  

Now, I know you pretty much have your mind made up so give me a call when ya get it home. I'd like to see it.  ???

[bassman]

Ditto what RJ and Dave said.....

[solo1]

Thanks all.

[big d]

Wayne, tire rack is the way to go in my opinion. Mazda's like vw's are very good in snow. 4 tires mounted on steel wheels should be less than 1000.00 bucks. Snow tires should do wonders. Good luck on your decision.

[Jess from VA]

Do what you want.

Me, I only want to own (repair, insure, gas, maintain, license, pay tax on, wash) one four wheeled vehicle.  I only drive mine a few times a month anyway.  I stock in what I need, year round.  ('03 Dodge, just passed 25K)

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

If you want it .... Go get it 

You can't take it with you and it ain't gonna do you no good dead.

[Rams]

If you want it .... Go get it  

You can't take it with you and it ain't gonna do you no good dead.

This is correct!    Doesn't matter what we think, if you want it, go for it.

Personally, I wouldn't do it but, what I think should mean squat in your decision process.  

You've earned the right to do what ever the hell you want to do.   Go for it!!

[solo1]

For roughly $1000 you can get a tire/wheel combo WITH TPMS mounted and force balanced at the Tire Rack.  They are in my back yard and do a great job.

Quote by Dave Ritsema.

And there is where the hangup is. I cannot find steel wheels for the Mazda Six Touring. Nothing comes up online except VERY expensive alloy wheels, Dave.  The Touring uses 17 inch wide wheels, unlike the Sport.

There is no way that i'll pay those prices.  $1000 bucks? So far not even close.

[Dave Ritsema]

That $1000 price I got off the tire rack site was for 17 inch winter wheels with TPMS and the tires.
I took a swag at the rim size, apparently they aren't the same as yours.

You might want to contact the tire rack via phone if you haven't already. I find their site a bit confusing at times and they have customer service people on the phone that are really helpful. Sometimes they have specials / closeouts that aren't advertised on the website.

The other consideration is to simply just have your tires changed out once a year. My friend does that at about $85 a time. Of course in about 4 seasons you would have paid for a set of rims. 

For roughly $1000 you can get a tire/wheel combo WITH TPMS mounted and force balanced at the Tire Rack.  They are in my back yard and do a great job.

Quote by Dave Ritsema.

And there is where the hangup is. I cannot find steel wheels for the Mazda Six Touring. Nothing comes up online except VERY expensive alloy wheels, Dave.  The Touring uses 17 inch wide wheels, unlike the Sport.

There is no way that i'll pay those prices.  $1000 bucks? So far not even close.

[solo1]

Thanks Dave. I intend to call tomorrow. You're right, their site doesn't give me the answers.
I really don't want to demount and remount my tires Continental HP all seasons DWS.

[Dave Ritsema]

Thanks Dave. I intend to call tomorrow. You're right, their site doesn't give me the answers.
I really don't want to demount and remount my tires Continental HP all seasons DWS.

If you find something you want and the shipping is really high I could pick them up for you and arrange a time to get them down to you. They are only about 10 miles from me.

[solo1]

So far, Dave their site is not a help. It's easy to get info about Blizzaks,  Impossible to get info about wheels (cheap wheels)

I'll do some calling tomorrow.

Tnx for the offer.

[Moonshot_1]

You need this

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2013-Dodge-Charger-R-T-AWD-t45020#listing=88535279

All wheel drive for winter.
V8 so it can tow whatever you would need.
Pretty classy looking.

Pretty comfy. We got one (2 wheel drive) and like it.

[big d]

Wayne, they won't stock steel rims for winter driving till the fall. You will have to Waite till then to purchase them. They will mount balance with the t.p.m.s. Installed. By purchasing in the fall it will allow you to get a narrower tire for better traction. The site will give you prompts to pick between multiple tire sizes, rims and tire brands. Patience grasshopper.

[BradValk48237]

Wayne,

One thing you can look into is that some Tire places will actually store your summer tires and change out to the winter...

Why buy the extra wheels?  Just get the tires and take them in when your ready, have them changed and at worst take the summer tires home...... then just have them switched back in spring.. thats what Dad used to do in the old days before all season radials...... W always had a stack of snow tires in the garage.... For what you would spend on wheels, even used, you can change a lot of tires.. plus it will reduce the milage on both sets and they will last you twice as long...


Brad

[F6TRVLR]

  Wayne,

  I have your problem solved. Move to California! We never get snow, or even rain.

  Have a great day my friend.

  Mike Hahn

[cookiedough]

If you can get that 4wd (if works since otherwise is 2wd rear wheel not good in winter) blazer for 2 grand or so then go for it.  Much more than 2 grand and to me anyways, is not worth it.  In my opinion,  the 4.3L V6 is a good motor as well as in the GM chevy impala the 3.8L V6 engine.  Most of the other GM engines are subpar from my experience except these 2 engines. 

Otherwise, like said, get some bridgestone blizzaks like I did for our SUV.  I got lucky and found an exact 18" blizzak all 4 tires near new for 300 bucks on craigslists.  Go to tirerack or discounttire website and you can also get 17" tire sizes as well as 18" that will work for your vehicle.  In your case probably 16" and maybe 15" optional tire sizes for the smaller mazda.  15" rims will be a tad cheaper than say standard 16" tire sizes as well as so go smaller if you can to save some money.  I would've gotten 17" snow tires with 17" rims vs. stock 18" tire/rim size, but got lucky on craigslist for the 18" blizzaks near new for 300 bucks total (got 4 for the price of 2).  By the way, snow tires ARE AWESOME I can stop and brake and much better traction overall than ANY 4WD PICKUP on the market on regular radial or off-road tires not specifically designed for snow only.  Race me in my 290 hp V6 SUV FWD in the winter on my snow tires in the winter in snow/ice and take any V8 pickup/SUV 4wd with stock OEM radial tires and I'll win the race 100% of the time no doubt in my mind.

I got my black cheap steel rims made in china of course locally from our tire/gas station guy right here in town he gets his tires/rims from Pioneer Rim and Wheel outfit in a larger town nearby for around 50 bucks each for 18" steel rims.  He mounted and balanced my tires for another 30 bucks or so but no need for TPMS sensors since the TPMS light will stay on all winter long and then when you reinstall the summer tires, the dash TPMS light will go out after a few miles of driving.   I am sure you can go to any local tire shop, give them your car tire size, and they should be able to find some cheap black steel rims made for your vehicle ONLY AFTER you get the snow tires picked out. 

I change each tire one at a time myself and rotate them as needed thus saving me expense to have someone rotate my summer tires (winter tires are directional meaning ONLY can go front to back is all on same side).  Just remember snow tires need to be preferably under 45 degrees in temps otherwise the soft snow tire tread compound could wear much quicker and chunk off in the heat so I put mine on end of November a few weeks before snow is expected and take off for sure by April 1st, so about 5 months of the year they are on our newer SUV which is FWD only. 

[solo1]

I've made up my mind.  No Blazer.  Too many problems with them.  The one we looked at had escaped most of the problems but still................

I finally managed to decipher Tire Rack's site and four steel wheels with Blizzak 215/55R-17 tires and sensors have been ordered (all are in stock).  They will come mounted and balanced with the sensors installed.

They had a closeout price on the Blizzaks WS70's as a new Blizzak is out.

Thanks again, everyone.

[fudgie]

Heck I'd buy it. With the ZR2 package it would be easy for you to get in and out of. Bad thing is they are only 2 door. For the miles you would put on it, it would be great for winter. I've never owned a car, always trucks and most have been 4x4 so I cant advise on the tires for the mazda.

[BF]

I've made up my mind.  No Blazer. 

Excellent choice.   

[cookiedough]

trust me, with your mazda 6 car with FWD your snow tires is all you will need except for ground clearance of course and if the snow is over say 8-10" deep,  you shouldn't be out in that stuff anyways. 

Just remember, snow tires are not that good on ice you will still slide, but in fresh snow or non-ice snow,  traction is excellent and braking is superb with snow tires.  I never had them before getting them for our SUV FWD since the stock OEM Kumho solus tires, although very long wearing tire in summer, is the worst tire in the winter EVER too hard a compound to give any traction at all in even 1 cm of snow it would just spin tires.

Put these snow tires on and I can corner and do wicked stuff in snow driving crazy and NOT slide off the road, grips like glue.  You WILL be impressed am sure of it.  Just remember to put them on below 50 degree temps and take off before it reaches 50 degrees consistently to make the snow tires last longer during the 5 months you will use them.  I run about the same tire psi as is recommended if not a 1-2 psi less is all but usually in the brutal cold winter even snow tires will loose 1-2 psi every month so I usually keep them at 36 psi or so all around and add air once they hit 32 psi.   Gas mileage is only about 1/2 less per mpg not a big deal and road noise is not much worse either in our experience.  Safety factor is very high though with snow tires you will like them am sure.

[solo1]

A couple of observations.

Ive been driving a long time,  67 years with no chargeable accidents. I've driven panel trucks, stake bed trucks, 2 1/2 ton Army trucks. 2WD, 4WD, 10 WD.  Ive used so called emergency chains, full chains, studded snow tires, regular snow tires, in all kinds of Indiana and Korea weather.

I've owned seven pickup trucks, one was supercharged, all gooduns.  I miss owning another.

Fudgie, yep, the Blazer would've done just what you said but having only one vehicle made more sense because of the apartment.

Today, it is important that I get to where I'm going. If I need to get out in bad weather, I want to not get stuck.

Gosh, I do remember when all that I needed was a shovel when I got stuck.  That , along with the eternal optimism of Youth, was all that was necessary.

[R J]

You spry old fart, are you telling us ya can't sling a shovel no more?

I worked and auger and poured some cement last week to replace my mailbox a drunk took down.

He asked the cop what the hell did he have that pair of mailboxes setting on.
A piece of railroad track.

Loved the officers quick response, I couldn't tell ya Sir, I was driving in the street, so I apparently missed all the action.

[PAVALKER]

I have had a 2000 S10 ZR2 pick up since 2001,  I have replaced many parts over the years on that truck as well.... But have only been thru 2 sets of front ball joints.  Seems like once you get the good ones from Moog  they last.  At 110000 miles it stills runs damn good, and does very very well in the snow.  And i find the dirt/stone road up to the Sportsman's club/range is suited more for th truck rather than a car.  I do my own work so repair costs are not that much. It does have some body cancer on the bed and the third door, but doesn't look too bad really.

I have replaced front end parts, both upper and lower ball joints; lowers twice, brakes/rotors many times, rear calipers and parking brakes and backing plates once, fuel pump/gauge sending unit once, plugs/wires/cap/rotor and fuel filter at 100k miles, alternator once, tires and air filters a few times, and recharge the leaking AC system once or twice a year.... All in all it seems to be working out just fine, it doesn't take a monthly payment and is ready to perform truck duties and or haul the trailer when needed and I still find myself using it more than the car...in the summer even, but mainly more so in the winter... To save the car from winter salt and weather.

It used to be my primary vehicle until a few years ago when I bought a newer car, and kept the truck. I thought about a new truck or SUV but ....remembered that when it was new it wasn't used like a truck all that much since I was worried about wear, tear and damage.  The car stays in the garage with the bikes, the truck remains in the driveway and only gets a bath once or twice a year now, even tho it gets it's fair share of use.... The rain seems to do a pretty good job of keeping it clean.  The car is in the garage and usually sees the road on date night, or when taking mom to the Drs or shopping (she prefers the car a little more now at her age.... Apparently falling into and climbing out of the car beats  climbing up into and falling out of the truck.).  Everyone should have a utilitarian type vehicle of some sort, and as a home owner that does my own yard work and such..... It's almost necessary.

[solo1]

I have had a 2000 S10 ZR2 pick up since 2001,  QUOTE by Pavalker

My son, Mark, a GM master tech checked out the Blazer.  He was aware of the problems at 147,000 miles. Everything checked out good , no intake leaks, no blown head gaskets,  ball joints good (jacked it up to check) door hinges good, new Mastercraft tires, new water pump, NO DexCool. 4WD and transfer case low gear all good. NO RUST. AC working but AC clutch slightly noisy,  and good paint.  Squeaks and rattles but drives very well. Couldn't look underneath.

I hated to tell the salesman, no deal.  The price was higher than Kelly (4900) but it was open for discussion.. It will make a good truck for someone. It appears to be exceptional for years and mileage, well maintained.