So what would be the fix for the low power? They could boost the output of the I-5 but I don't think they can go too much up with that for some reason. Is there a V6 that can be used? Also, I doubt we will see a V8 in that truck but I hope I am wrong.

 

The 2005 Colorado I bought had an MSRP of $29,610, I paid about $23,600+tax. I had $2250 off just from my GM card.

Titan was too big for what I wanted, it would have cost a lot more, and I don't really like its looks, plus they are selling terrible so resale will probably be bad, and it burns more gas.

I really considered a 2004 Silverado extended cab, I could have got one for only $2000 more, but I got the '05 Colorado because.
1) 4 mpg better milage
2) 18" shorter (I need to Parallel park this in city spots and the Colorado is long enough)
3) 2005 vs. 2004
4) won't ever need to tow more than 4,000lbs. I'll never tow more than a small boat/jet ski
5) Colorado Crew has more rear leg room then Silverado Ext cab.
6) Colorado Z71 looks badass (Especially in black with white letter tires)

The truck I would have really liked to get is a Silverado Ext. cab with the crew cabs 5.5' bed. This was rumored to be coming out in 2005 but I can't find any info on it, and I'm not going to wait around for a truck that might never come out.

 

I defenetly prefer the look of the colorado, however, I wont even consider it with the under powered engine.

That is, unless I can convince the GF to also get a sports car, in that case, the I5 would be great for daily comuting hehe.

 

Is it really that much slower than the 4.3 or are we talking about an LT1vsLS1 accel. comparison where the LT1 feels better down low but the LS1 owns up high?

Whats the 0-60 time for the 3.5L Colorado?

 

My 3.5L Z71 Crew cab Colorado feels faster than my uncles 4.3L Blazer. Basically if you were satisfied with the 4.3L V6 the 3.5L I5 will be enough power for you.

 

It is FASTER than the 4.3. It just feels different because it doesn't lunge off idle quite as hard as the 4.3 did (though the 3.5 is no slouch off idle either). The 4.3 is a lot like the L98. Lots of grunt down low; runs out of breath in the mid to upper rpm ranges. Think of the 3.5L as more of an LT1 or LS1. I'm not saying the 4.3 was horribly slow, or that the 3.5 is a stormer. But it is just a different feel to get used to. As a plus, the engine is much smoother than the 4.3 was, and the fuel economy is a night and day difference.

EDIT: For 0-60, Car and Driver got an 8.9 out of a crew cab, 4x4, automatic Z71 (the heaviest version of the GMT355s you can get). With a manual, I'm sure it would have been even quicker. I remember a test of an extended cab, ZR2, 4.3 automatic several years ago (a comparison test of five trucks, won by said ZR2), and it did 0-60 in 9.1 or 9.3, IIRC. The crew cab version of the Colorado is heavier than the extended cab version, too.

I wouldn't be surprised to see 3.5L regular cab manuals (especially with the grippier ZQ8 wheels/tires and suspension) pull off 0-60s in the sevens.

 

That issue most likely will not be addressed. When GM sent out their product trainers, one of the things addressed was the fact that the tow rating was lower than the S-10. GM intentionally designed it that way so that the truck would ride better (remember how many people actually USE their trucks).

Their view is that if you want to tow more than 4,000lbs, step up to a Silverado.

 

Or over to the competition.

 

Im sure it could go past 4k, but GM just stopped it there. I would have at least tried to match the S10's tow raiting, and then stop.

 

A few people on the Colorado boards have been towing over 4,000lbs. with no problems. The Colorado with the tow package should be at least 4,500 since it adds a tranny cooler and frame mounted hitch.

 

Here in Manitoba the fines are pretty hefty for exceding Manufacturers load ratings.

 

I totally forgot but remember now. The Colorado was capable of towing much more, and it is body strength/powertrain wise. GM had to lower the tow rating to meet emmission standards by leaning out the fuel, in turn raising the operating temp. Which means you could probably get a lot more power from computer reprogram if thats possible.

 

I own an '04 Colorado. 2wd, regular cab, I5, M5, ZQ8.

The truck felt really lame. That is until the engine broke in. After about 900 or 1,000 miles, the engine really came to life.
It still doesn't have the torque of the 4.3 or feel very torque-y off the line, but as soon as the engine hits around 3K, it really starts to pull.

As for mileage, I've gotten 25-26 MPG on the highway and 20-22 MPG in mixed driving.

I'm very pleased with my decision and would recommend a GMT-355 to anybody who is looking for a smaller than full-size truck.