I was looking at the colorado recently, both me and the GF really like how it looks, and the marketing behind it seems to sway us in its derection. 5 cylinder with the pwoer of a 6 but with better fuel economy, itt looks nice. However I have found that most manufacturers are comming out with new mid size pick ups that are basically all eclipsing the colorado in power. Here is what I am talking about:

2005 Nissan Frontier
new 4.0-liter DOHC, 24-valve V6 engine, rated at 265 horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque (best in class hp and torque).

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...3/028929-E.jpg

2005 toyota tacoma
4.0-liter, 240-horsepower V6 engine that produces 275 lb.-ft. of torque. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) will offer a dealer-installed supercharger for the X-Runner that puts power into the 300-horse range.

http://www.autosite.com/images/edpho...unner-rear.jpg

2005 dodge dakota
The standard motor is a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 that produces 235 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. The volume engine is a 230-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 making 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. A new high-output version of the 4.7-liter V8 develops more than 250 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of twist.

http://www.autosite.com/images/edpho...kota-front.jpg

2004-05 Chevy colorado
220hp 225tq
http://www.nctd.com/05/05-colorado-hero-ext.jpg


About the fuel efficiency..well here is what car and driver had to say and I quote:
"The Tacoma averaged 18 mpg over 3964 miles, much of it with the trans lazy-shifted from fourth to sixth, where the engine pulls an easy 2600 rpm at 75 mph. With one less cylinder, the GMC Canyon returned 14 mpg, albeit with a four-speed automatic and more city driving."

So any word on what GM is going to do to pump up power and perhaps fuel efficiency to not be dead last?

 

They will be behind on power, at least wrt Nissan and, somewhat, to Toyota. The Dakota is going to be even bigger than the current one (to the point that you might as well get a Ram, it seems). Quite a bit heavier than the Canyon/Colorado.

You mentioned and quoted that Car and Driver article, where they make a useless, invalid comparison for fuel economy. They were comparing an auto to a manual, and they even admitted that this was a long highway trip (for the Toyota) vs. much more city driving with the Canyon. So why did they even mention it? I'm guessing the performance and fuel economy will be comparable for the Toyota and the GM trucks, though the Toyota is rated to tow more.

Haven't seen any weights/specs on the Nissan, but supposedly it is going to be based on the Titan frame ( ), so it probably won't be light. Even the Toyotas got quite a bit heavier than their predecessors.

I think they will need to up the power (and they will) in the uplevel engine; the 2.8L 175hp/185lb ft still betters the Toyota 2.7, and I think the Nissan will come V6 only (??)... Anyway, you ought to go to coloradofans.com (or canyonfans.com). Those guys are reporting some pretty impressive fuel economy numbers.

I've driven a few Colorados, including a very early Z71 4x4 ext. cab in auto and manual, as well as an auto-equipped extended cab ZQ8. They do not feel underpowered to me at all. But from a marketing standpoint, yeah, they'll have to beef up the line five (or grow some ***** and put a small block in as an option).

 

I've driven lots of colorado's and they "feel" very underpowered to me. That new Nissan looks like a good truck to me. Who has the best price??

TONY

 

The salesman who went with me on the Colorado test drive (I guess not even professional people with the GM discount can do a solo test drive at this particular dealership ), who didn't know jack squat about the engine/vehicle he was letting me drive, said that he had some customers say if feels underpowered. It is just different than the 4.3L; it is not underpowered.

The 4.3 mad 190 hp/250 lb-ft, at something like 4600 rpm and 2400 rpm. The 3.5L is not far behind, but it is behind, in torque down low. It makes 220 hp at 5xxx rpm, and 225 lb-ft at around 2800 rpm, with a very flat curve. The 4.3 falls flat much above the power peak, and redlined around 5600 I think. The 3.5 spins to 6300 or something, and makes torque everywhere. But it doesn't have that just off-idle snap that the 4.3 had. Stay in the throttle beyond 1800 rpm, and the 3.5 will pull away from the 4.3. Heck, the ZQ8 ext. cab I drove had the automatic and the 3.42s (IIRC), and it moved away from stoplights with ease, even with a light touch of the throttle. Excellent power for merging and the freeway. And that was in an auto. *shrug*

 

I don't know i've only driven the automatic 3.5's. They felt very strong from off idle but say you were going 20mph and kicked it down to 1st or 50 mph and kicked it down to 2nd it felt like the engine was screaming to 6grand but i wasn't barely moving.

TONY

 

4,000 lb tow rating = I haven't much more than glanced at them.

 

you're forgetting the most important thing...
all the competitors trucks look absolutely ****** compared to the colorado

 

Very true. The Colorado is a beautiful truck, much more than any other truck out there IMO. I got a chance to drive my friend's Colorado crew Z71 auto. It is missing that off idle lunge that the 4.3 has in my 95 Blazer. Both vehicles are pretty slow lol but I can see the Colorado tearing apart an S-10/Blazer/Jimmy/Sonoma from a roll or running them down. That 4000lb towing capacity needs to be fixed immediately and has needed to be since the ratings came out. I love the GMT-355 twins but that is a huge hit to the overall appeal to the truck to me and many. If I got one, I'd want to tow my Z28 to the track and not struggle badly like the twins would in their current form.

 

I just bought a 2005 Colorado Z71 Crew Cab this past weekend. I think the 3.5L I5 has plenty of power for the truck. Mine cruises along at 80mph @ 2300rpm with no problem. Since it is brand new I havn't got on it hard yet, I don't think I've even had it over 3100rpm. But it feels very strong, even better than the 3 2004 Colorados I test drove, maybe the '05 is a little better or maybe it is all in my head. When I has looking for '04 trucks the Colorado not only put out more HP than all the other V6 trucks, it also got 2-3mpg better milage. Toyota Tundra with its weaker V6 only did 19mpg hwy, pretty weak compared to the 22mpg Colorado Crew and 19mpg 5.3L V8 Silverado.

I think a 3.8L I5 250HP/250tq would be good enough in future models, or maybe a Diesel with 295tq like Jeep has. The Turbo I5 SS can't be too far down the road. I just hope they offer the turbo I5 is a Z71

I plan on writing up my thoughts on the truck along with some photos for you CZ28.com guys soon.

 

My best guess is that you could have been driving a similarly equipped Nissan Titan Extended Cab for about the same money as you Colorado Crew Cab.

1. Could you explain what the buying motivation is for a little tiny truck that costs a whole lotta money?

2. You do realize that an I-5 Colorado/Canyon will only get 1-2MPG more than a Nissan Titan, despite the massively smaller engine with massively less power and torque?

I still fail to understand the buying motivation for compact trucks, especially since the initial purchase price and fuel economy advantages just aren't there anymore for GM's "little tiddlers."

 

I purchased my 04 Crew Cab Colorado because I needed to haul kids and light loads. I added a "Fold-a-cover" for the bed and now have a huge trunk! The truck has plenty of power and averages around 20mpg. I didn't want a large truck and my SUV just wasn't as useful with the smaller/covered cargo area. Add to that, the Colorado Z71 is a terrific looking truck. The Nissan is just plain weird, the Toyota boring, Ford Sport-tracs bed and wheelbase is too small. Dakota was, well a Dodge... nuff said.

 

A full-book Colorado MSRP's at:

Your Vehicle and Style:
2004 Colorado Crew Cab Short Box
4WD Z71 LS 1SF
Exterior: Victory Red
Interior: Medium Dark Pewter Deluxe Cloth

MSRP: $28,770.00
Color & Options: $2,455.00
Dealer Installed: $100.00
Total MSRP:* $31,225.00

With the following for incentives in my area:
Colorado (Crew Cab)
$2,000 Cash Allowances (*)

or 0.0% APR for 36 Months plus $500 GMAC Bonus (2)
or 0.0% APR for 48 Months plus $500 GMAC Bonus (2)
or 1.9% APR for 60 Months plus $500 GMAC Bonus (2)
or 2.9% APR for 72 Months plus $500 GMAC Bonus (2)




A Nissan Titan with a crew cab comes in at $31,200 BASE PRICE, here's what it is with options (full book):

Base MSRP $34,300.00
Total Packages, Options, & Accessories $7,760.00
Destination & Handling $650.00
Total Designed MSRP† $42,710.00


Soooo... erm.... Methinks he saved just over $12,000 (minus destination but with rebate on the Chevy) by not picking the Nissan.

Now, let's see how the Japanese turd stacks up to a real truck:

Your Vehicle and Style:
2005 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab Standard Box
4x4 LT
Exterior: Black
Interior: Dark Charcoal Custom Leather Seat Inserts

MSRP: $41,110.00
Color & Options: $7,605.00
Dealer Installed: $824.00
Total MSRP:* $48,715.00


SUMMARY


Type:

• Crew Cab
• Standard Box
• 4x4




Style:

LT
• Dual-zone electronically controlled automatic climate controls for driver and right-front passenger
• Four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive and Tow/Haul mode
• Front leather 10-way power-adjustable full-feature bucket seats with lumbar controls, inboard armrests, heated cushion and seat backs, two-position driver-side memory and storage pockets
• Outside, rearview, power-folding, heated mirrors with turn-signal indicators, curb-tilt and driver-side auto-dimming features
• Push-button electronic-shifter transfer case
• Rear audio controls include dual headphone jacks (headphones not included), power outlet and controls for volume, station selection and media
• Steering wheel-mounted controls for audio and Driver Information Center





Color:

Exterior: Black
Interior: Dark Charcoal Custom Leather Seat Inserts





Options and Packages:

• Air cleaner, high-capacity $0.00
• Air conditioning, dual-zone, automatic, individual climate settings for driver and right front passenger $0.00
• Alternators, dual 105 amp (MSRP =$224.00), Provides 210 amps total alternator power from a dual 105 amp alternator system. $224.00
• Bumper, rear, chrome step, includes pad $0.00
• Cooling, external transmission oil cooler, auxiliary, heavy-duty air-to-oil $0.00
• Covers, radiator grille and front bumper openings, for diesel engines in winter weather $55.00
• Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed, includes telltale in instrument panel cluster $0.00
• Defogger, rear-window, electric $0.00
• Differential, locking, heavy-duty, rear $0.00
• Door locks, power $0.00
• Engine block heater $0.00
• Engine, Duramax 6600 Turbo Diesel V8, (with Manual Transmissions 300 HP [223.8 kW] @ 3000 rpm, 520 lb.-ft. [702.0 N-m] @ 1600 rpm) (with Automatic Transmissions 310 HP [231.2 kW] @ 3000 rpm, 605 lb.-ft. [816.8 N-m] @ 1600 rpm) $0.00
• Floor covering, color-keyed carpeting, and rubberized vinyl floormats $0.00
• Fog lamps, front, halogen $0.00
• Front color-keyed floor mats $0.00
• GVWR, 9200 lbs. (4173 kg) $0.00
• Glass, Solar-Ray deep tinted, (all windows except light tinted glass on windshield) $0.00
• Grille, color-keyed surround, with chrome accent bar $0.00
• Heavy duty power pkg. discount $-1,000.00
• Heavy-Duty Power Package, includes (LLY) Engine, Duramax 6600 Turbo Diesel V8, (M74) Transmission, Allison 1000 5-speed automatic and (G80) Differential, locking, heavy-duty, rear $6,805.00
• Keyless entry, remote, includes 2 transmitters, panic button and content theft alarm $0.00
• Lamps, amber roof marker $55.00
• Mirror, inside rearview, electrochromic (light-sensitive auto dimming), 8-point compass and outside temperature indicator $0.00
• Mirrors, outside rearview, power, heated, camper-style, includes power extending arms and turn signal indicators $55.00
• OnStar, 1-year Safe and Sound Service, includes automatic notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency services, roadside assistance, remote door unlock, remote horn and lights, GM Goodwrench remote diagnostics, AccidentAssist and online concierge. Drivers can also obtain the available voice-activated, hands-free Personal Calling service and Virtual Advisor that provides location-based traffic and weather reports and other personalized information $0.00
• Rear color keyed floor mats $0.00
• Regular production accessory, Assist steps, chrome plated tubular, stainless steel., Designed to match the chrome vehicle trim accents. These steps are dealer installed and shipped separately from vehicle to parts department with VIN identification on packaging. (SPO-supplied, dealer installed) $495.00
• Regular production accessory, Pickup bed extender, brushed aluminum., The extender is dealer installed and shipped separately from vehicle to parts department with VIN identification on packaging. (SPO-supplied, dealer installed) $210.00
• Regular production accessory, Pickup bed protectors, Top side rails, Black molded, . The protectors are dealer installed and shipped separately from vehicle to parts department with VIN identification on packaging. (SPO-supplied, dealer installed) $119.00
• Skid Plate Package, includes aluminum front underbody shield starting behind front bumper and running to 1st cross-member, protecting front underbody, oil pan, differential case and transfer case, frame-mounted shields $95.00
• Sound system feature, XM Satellite Radio, . 100% commercial-free music. Over 120 channels. In-depth local traffic and weather in major metro markets. Digital quality sound with coast to coast signal coverage. 3-month trial - no charge and no obligation. $325.00
• Sound system feature, steering wheel mounted radio controls, Radio and Driver Information Center (DIC). Provides access to enhanced Driver Information Center (DIC) features and information $0.00
• Sound system, ETR AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette player, includes seek-and-scan, digital clock, auto-tone control, speed-compensated volume, TheftLock, Radio Data System (RDS) and 4-speakers on Regular Cab Models, 6 speakers on Extended and Crew Cab Models (with bucket seats UB1 includes Bose speaker system, Bose amplifier and Bose subwoofer) $100.00
• Suspension Package, Handling/Trailering, heavy-duty $0.00
• Tire, spare LT245/75R16 (E) Blackwall 10 Ply on-off road (MSRP with RPO (E63) pickup body = $11.00 with RPO (ZW9) = $ 345.00), This spare replaces standard highway tread spare. $11.00
• Tires, LT245/75R16E, on-/off-road, blackwall $56.00
• Transfer case, electronic shift, includes push-button controls $0.00
• Transmission, Allison 1000 5-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive, tow/haul mode, (KNP) Cooling, external transmission oil cooler and electronic engine grade braking $0.00
• Wheel flares $0.00
• Wheels, 4 - 16" x 6.5" (40.6 cm x 16.5 cm) 8-lug polished forged aluminum, includes chrome center caps and steel spare $0.00

And the offers on a 2004 are:
Silverado (Duramax 6600 Turbodiesel)
$2,500 Cash Allowances (*)

or 0.0% APR for 36 Months (2)
or 0.0% APR for 48 Months (2)
or 1.9% APR for 60 Months (2)
or 2.9% APR for 72 Months (2)


Which nets a price of $46,215... which is a difference of $4,000 for a truck that the Turdtan can't even approach in capability.

And you can tear the axles off the Nissan at will.

Oh... one more thing...

Take the Big Block 8.1 liter instead of the Duramax and you save about $5000... and can still tear the axles off the Nissan at will.

 

I love the Colorado! I was thinking of getting a sport model, but I didnt want a truck, but still wanted the space. Congrats on the purchase!

How long was the S10 underpowered and behind, and it still sold well. I do wish that GM did put a turbo-5 or perhaps the mini-max diesel motor.

 

Why does the inline 6 not fit in the Colorado, and how hard would it be to make it fit?

I'm guessing they didn't add it, because they were worried about CAFE.

What about the 5.3l V8 with DOD?

 

Or maybe the I6 is too long - this is a compact truck we're talking about.

Someone has stuffed an LS1 into a Colorado already - looked like to be a b!tch to work on though.