Hey, folks! I'm considering a new Chevy Colorado to replace my recently-trashed S-10. My current ex-cab 4x4 truck has served my needs well since new in '95. When the current inspection expires in Feb. it will no longer be road legal but it could last me for a bit longer as a "farm truck". Even as a strictly off-road vehicle I fear its time is limited with 185K already on the clock and serious rust now obvious. And I do need a second 4x4 vehicle on the road some of the time so an exchange is inevitable if not imminent.
There are several alternatives to consider (Ranger? Tacoma?), but right now I'm focused on the Colorado as I have been almost exclusively a GM man when buying new over the years, my 2 Subarus being the only exceptions. I usually can't find the high-end equipment combinations I want, so I'll probably order this one then keep it as long as possible, as I did with the '95. That spreads the substantial depreciation over many years. I'd probably go with the ex-cab vs. a crew cab to get a comparable truck and the same size (~6.5') bed. I already have a car and the kids are now grown-up, so another rear seat does not buy me much, YMMV.
Anyway - Do you have any comments to share - good or bad - about your Colorado? I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm looking for possibly different perspectives I might hear in this forum vs. the dedicated ones. My salesman (a 30+ year acquaintance) tells me the Colorado is not the same truck as an S-10 and he thinks I would be disappointed. But I think he is trying to move me up to a Silverado.
I do have a few questions:
1) What "real" mileage are you getting with your 3.5 (now 3.7) I-5 in combination driving? (I will rarely have a load, and rarely use 4x4 on the road.)
2) Do you know if Chevy is, or soon will be, offering a dual-fuel capability with the I5 engine? Any experience with E85?
3) A "locking" rear differential is now standard with the Z71 package that I will order. Any experience with a "locking" differential vs. the "limited slip" variety as I now have on the S-10?
4) I did note that the Colorado has a 200 lb GVW advantage vs. a comparable S-10, something that's important to me when I'm hauling wood, but that might all be consumed in base weight vs. capacity. Any knowledge?
5) Any options I should definitely get, or definitely NOT get?
Tks in advance and BRgds...
There are several alternatives to consider (Ranger? Tacoma?), but right now I'm focused on the Colorado as I have been almost exclusively a GM man when buying new over the years, my 2 Subarus being the only exceptions. I usually can't find the high-end equipment combinations I want, so I'll probably order this one then keep it as long as possible, as I did with the '95. That spreads the substantial depreciation over many years. I'd probably go with the ex-cab vs. a crew cab to get a comparable truck and the same size (~6.5') bed. I already have a car and the kids are now grown-up, so another rear seat does not buy me much, YMMV.
Anyway - Do you have any comments to share - good or bad - about your Colorado? I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm looking for possibly different perspectives I might hear in this forum vs. the dedicated ones. My salesman (a 30+ year acquaintance) tells me the Colorado is not the same truck as an S-10 and he thinks I would be disappointed. But I think he is trying to move me up to a Silverado.
I do have a few questions:
1) What "real" mileage are you getting with your 3.5 (now 3.7) I-5 in combination driving? (I will rarely have a load, and rarely use 4x4 on the road.)
2) Do you know if Chevy is, or soon will be, offering a dual-fuel capability with the I5 engine? Any experience with E85?
3) A "locking" rear differential is now standard with the Z71 package that I will order. Any experience with a "locking" differential vs. the "limited slip" variety as I now have on the S-10?
4) I did note that the Colorado has a 200 lb GVW advantage vs. a comparable S-10, something that's important to me when I'm hauling wood, but that might all be consumed in base weight vs. capacity. Any knowledge?
5) Any options I should definitely get, or definitely NOT get?
Tks in advance and BRgds...