Might have to turn to Chevy

[joecool85]

As much as I’m a Ford guy, Chevy is the last to offer a small truck with a 5spd transmission. The Colorado can be had with a 2.9 I4, 4×4 Extended Cab and 5spd stick with a 24mpg highway rating. That’s even better than my 3.0 V6 Ranger gets (22mpg)! The current 4×4 Ranger only comes in a 4.0 V6 (20mpg) and automatic trim and all of the F150s are automatics now. Dodge is in the same boat as Ford. If I look back to a 2007 or older Ranger I can still get the type of truck I want, but by the time I’m done with my current one (I’m expecting another 8 years) that would be a 12 year old truck. So, I’ll probably be seen in a Colorado at that point.

The Colorado has similar specs to my current Ranger in it’s other attributes. Payload is 1,422lbs whereas my Ranger is 1,640lbs. Towing is the same 5,500lbs max. Gas mileage is better at 24mpg highway compared to 22mpg highway. With the engine rated at 185hp @ 5,600rpm / 190tq at 2,600rpm it does better than my Ranger at 150hp @ 4,750rpm / 190tq @ 3,650rpm. So the same peak torque but it comes in 1,000 rpm lower – a HUGE deal. The horsepower is 35 better but comes in 1000rpm more. I’d say 0-60 should be about the same but driving with a load will be better with the Colorado.

 

[gribly]

The Colorado looks good on paper, but the low-end torque is terrible with either motor offering on a graph or real world. Plus, they overheat at low speed (aka, 4-wheeling or moving large loads around your yard.) They really do struggle a bit off the line, especially when you get near to it's max tow rating. The 4.0 Ford tears up the 3.5 Chevy in the low-end department - in the real world. The 4.3 was a much better truck engine than the 3.5. That, and the exhaust note sounds like it's not running right.

Plus, aren't you jumping the gun a bit? 8 years out and you're already speculating on what truck you are going to buy?

 

[wr250rdr]

actually you can get a 4x4 v8 5speed f150 if your hear so desires you just have to wait for weeks for it to be built. my buddy has one on order and delivery is gunna be 18 weeks

 

[Surrey]

I havn't personally looked, but I couldn't imagine the Colorado having much of an aftermarket for the 4x4 department...

Also, they are ending production in 2012, and have only existed for a few years (what, 2004?) I dont know how much that says about their reliability.

My brother just bought a brand new 2011 Colorado, and I dont like it one bit. My B2 feels more powerful.

As far as I am concerned, nothing *new* makes a worthwhile 4x4 because they all have torsion bar front ends and that sorta crap.

 

[Jason]

Toyota still offers the Tacoma with a 4cyl, 4wd, and stick.

 

[Surrey]

Toyota still offers the Tacoma with a 4cyl, 4wd, and stick.

I would drive a Toy over a Chubby any day.

And Yeah, you can get basically anything you want in a Ford if you go into the dealership and special order it. You gotta wait for it to be assembled, shipped, ect, but its possible.

Unless you want a new Ranger, in two years. lol

 

[kcm1582]

I would drive a Toy over a Chubby any day.

Only if it was to aim it off a cliff.

 

[CHKNFKR]

Like a rock it'll only roll down hill, there its american revolution will come to a halt.

 

[88SXT]

the colorado is overrated and underpowered imho.

and you can get just about any make or model truck w a 5spd if you custom order it.

but i do understand you frustration with the shift away from manual transmissions, i learned to drive in a 5spd I4 squarebody dime when i was 12. ive never owned an automatic in my life and i pray i will never have to. sadly i have the feeling i will have to break down and buy one in the next few years as more americans get lazy and dont dont care to ever learn the glorys of a stick shift

 

[gribly]

I was almost thinking of swapping in an automatic to my Navajo, since my ankle pops when I clutch and I can't hold it down at stoplights so well anymore. Luckily my truck spends most of it's time parked in the school parking lot, I move it twice a week to get to the other side of campus (I don't walk so well anymore) and drive home sometimes.

 

[Louisville86]

The Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon with the 5.3 V-8 is cool, though. Very expensive (I think $3,500 extra just for the V-8), but it is something Ford never did for the Ranger. I'm not impressed with the rest of the vehicle, though.

I like to visit a large Chevy/Cadillac/Suzuki dealer near where I work and walk around the back lot when it's a nice day (on my lunch break). The new Chevy Cruze is pretty darned nice for the money (huge improvements on the interior quality), though 138 horsepower from both the standard 1.8 and 1.4 turbo engines is kind of weak. The Cruze Eco is kind of tempting: 28 city and 42 highway with a 6-speed manual, for less than $20K sticker.

But the new Focus looks way ahead of the Cruze. Can't wait for that to arrive.

 

[country0001]

The colorado has paper thin sheetmetal on it. I drive one every day for work. Its ok for a free vehicle,but I'd never buy one.The fuel pump just got replaced at 80000and for the pump alone it was 400 bucks.The battery is truck specific and was almost 200.They are a very costly lil truck.

 

[joecool85]

I would drive a Toy over a Chubby any day.

And Yeah, you can get basically anything you want in a Ford if you go into the dealership and special order it. You gotta wait for it to be assembled, shipped, ect, but its possible.

Unless you want a new Ranger, in two years. lol

So I could get a 4x4 2.5 I4 5spd Ranger if I order it? I doubt it. But if it's possible I'd be all over it.

Also, for the "speculating a bit" about 8 years out, yeah, I am. I just like thinking about that stuff, it's fun for me. Don't ask, I don't know why I am the way I am lol.

**edit**
Also, thanks for all the stuff about the Colorados guys. Looks like they are better on paper than in real life. I also didn't realize they were getting canned in '12. Not much better than the Ranger getting canned in '11 huh?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I've never really liked the Colorado, until I saw one at work the other day... It was base model, lowest you can get, steel wheels, standard cab shortbed... It actually looked nice... I'd be interested if you could get that in 4x4...

Edit: Actually... I like the Colorado now that I built my own... Standard cab, short bed, 4x4, 4 cylinder, 5-speed, locking rear diff, vinyl floors... If it had a small 4 cylinder turbo diesel I'd be walking to the stealership to order me one right now...