Scotty,
I have found your videos to be very informative and helpful. I have been wanting to buy a new SUV as my daily driver for work and family reasons, and the new 2023 Chevy Blazer RS with the Camaro styling, AWD, V6 engine, and sharp handling due to its unique torque-vectoring rear axle really has my eye. What is your opinion of this vehicle from a reliability standpoint? I have done some checking online and it generally gets high marks from car websites and owners. I previously owned a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer EXT with the V8 engine option for 14 years and it was a fantastic vehicle. I take good care of my vehicles and keep them for more than 10 years, which is why I also prefer to purchase them new from the dealer/factory.
Thanks!
GM products were built a lot better in 2004. Post-bankruptcy GM quality is in the toilet.
It’s been discussed already on our forum if you do a search, but in short pass on it. If you want it bad, then lease it and return before the warranty expires (never own a GM product out of warranty). Not even their flagship Corvette is reliable.
Other than saying all GM products are unreliable, do you have any specific areas of concern for this relatively new vehicle (4 years since redesign)? The looks of it are great and it is fun to drive, the V6 engine is the same one as in a lot of their other products, and not all of us can afford to buy a Lexus SUV.
I did check on configuring a similarly equipped NX350 but was about $6K - $10K more with no V6 option (Scotty says to avoid turbos if possible) and I am sure it will be a lot more costly to repair in the future due to the luxury name plate.
I'm sure that spiffy new "torque vectoring" rear axle will be the first thing to take a big dump. But hey, as long as you like the styling, who cares about reliability?
You know what they say about looks, Doc.
If looks could kill?
or
Looks fade?
Both
In general if you want reliability and longevity and quality avoid GM products. Get a Highlander or Pilot or 4Runner or if something bigger the Sequoia. But don't get a GM product if you want it to last trouble free for 10 plus years.
car websites
Which car websites?! If JD Power or websites like that then their reviews are worthless.
unique torque-vectoring rear axle
sounds like another expensive thing to break.
What good is it?
Other than saying all GM products are unreliable, do you have any specific areas of concern for this relatively new vehicle (4 years since redesign)?
Exactly like @daywalker said search the forum and you will find a lot of information regarding why GM products are unreliable. You can also search some of their recent recalls; they can't get simple things right.
The looks of it are great and it is fun to drive,
If you want the looks then yeah buy it but remember the look will become normal in a while and that's when you'll be left with the troubles and issues of the car.
I am sure it will be a lot more costly to repair in the future due to the luxury name plate.
But at the same time you won't have the troubles you'll face with the Chevy. The Lexus will last trouble free with basic maintenance so you won't be having to spend as much on repairs as a GM product. Also remember a trusted independent mechanic is not going to charge you more for labor because it's a Lexus. As for parts it's not like it's going to be insane expensive.
(Scotty says to avoid turbos if possible)
Yes the long term reliability of turbos is unknown but Scotty also says if you want turbo then first Honda (they've also figured out their oil dilution issue). After Honda then Toyota turbo; even though the new Sequoia is turbo I will still be much more comfortable buying that instead of any new GM product.
Once again what everyone said; if you want reliability and quality avoid GM products. Buy a Honda or Toyota suv; you don't have to buy a Lexus.