New Chevy Colorado mega-thread

I'll admit it - I've been a GM guy, so is my family, and I guess that's just how things are sometimes. Usually when I buy a vehicle, I keep it 6-10 years, But I'm coming off owning a 4x4 Blazer since 2002. For the first couple of years, all was fine, then it ate a transmission. (I don't pull more than a light utility trailer, and rarely did anything in 4x4.). Then 18 months later, Trans #2 died, so in goes #3. Then 22 months later, #3 blows up - all 3 were sunshell failures in the 4L60E. # 4 lasted about 20 months which brought us up to last week when Overdrive quit locking up randomly. Also I've replace balljoints on both sides, multiple CV's, and had to replace all the bushings in the a arms. Rear diff completely disintegrated somewhere along the way and I had to swap a new axle assembly in. Believe it or not, I'm a good wrench, and I maintain my stuff really well. The dashboard all of a sudden discolored, and all the plastic speaker grilles and vents became brittle and had to be replaced. And last week I noticed both of the door seals had started leaking - at the same time? WTF? Again - I don't mind working on my stuff, but sometimes you just have to wonder if things are lining up against you. When I was shopping for the Blazer, I was looking at first gen Tacos, and made the poor choice to go with the SUV instead.

So last Thursday Dad told me a buddy of his had just traded his 07 Taco in on something else. Friday I drove the truck 80 miles in 3rd (cause OD was crapping out) to that dealership and traded it in.

All that said - I'm excited about the new GM trucks - especially the diesel option. But I don't know that I would buy one with the intention of keeping it more than a handful of years.

 

Different strokes for different folks. I live out in the country where there are few stop lights, so you won't see me at one . For single lane hiways my truck and heavy foot keep me sane. I own a supercharged truck and I've never expected great mileage. To be honest my mileage went up with the charger. I get acceptable mileage, 18-20 mpg, with my driving habits. From the numerous mileage threads on here I am getting above average mileage so I'm happy. For me to get 26 mpg is unrealistic and not a priority. If you can get 26 mpg and be happy with your driving habits than more power to you, I didn't mean any offence. I simply was stating that 26 mpg is about 3 mpg more than I've ever heard of for a true average on this forum. Getting there not only requires a cautious foot but a lucky truck IMHO.

 

Traded in my 2011 six speed tacoma 2 months ago for a 2014 f150 ecoboost after I bought my 20 foot travel trailer. I'm impressed with the fuel economy of the ford all highway got 10.6 liters per 100 kilometers and with the taco got a best of 12.18 Ford is a lot quiter on Highway 1500 rpms as compared to the taco I would be at 2400 rpms with the manual

 

Toyota has dialed back Tacoma builds in favor of the new Tundra to maximize profit while the refreshed Tundra demand is high. It'll likely swing back to Tacoma production once the 2016MY starts.

 

My frame is mint, I live near Toronto Ontario, they pour the salt on here.

Every year I take my truck to Oil Guard, a local rust proofing franchise.

 

Okay then, I must have misread you. I thought you were implying I was trading happiness for MPGs and being ridiculous about it. My bad

You sound like where I'll be in a few years. Once I have a good paying job I would like to charge a Taco and stop caring about MPGs but for now I am in college and the savings are worth it to me on limited income. Although by the time I get a new truck I'm expecting the R&D to kick in and get 30 MPG... Granted, I am waiting about 3-5 years for that so I don't think it's an unfair request.

 

Getting back to this thread I have two friends with Ram 1500 Ecodiesels. Both are averaging about 25 mpg with about equal hiway and city diving. If the Colorado is going to wow us with mpg numbers it better get +30 mpg with it's mini duratec or else more people are going to go over to Ram.

BTW I dislike Ram trucks, I find them cheap and easy to break. However numbers wise until this new 2014 chevy half ton GM has been losing market share to Dodge and Ford in my area (farm country). I find that trend is likely to continue if GM doesn't innovate there powertranes further on the Silverado. Having the most fuel efficient V8 is not that impressive when you're pulling drastically less torque with a terrible curve out of the 5.3 L compared to an Ecoboost or Ecodiesel engine. It's not good when you're comparing your mid class engine to the compititions top end engines to try to make your truck sound efficient .

 

I love my Tacoma but I am ready for more power and/or gas mileage. I look forward to seeing how they are reviewed. I may be in the market.

 

Funny you mention that dramatic change in elevation, right after I bought my truck, we took a trip to Az. & coming up thru Flagstaff from the other side (phoenix/Peoria) & by the time we got up to Flagstaff (elev. 6900-7000ft) my truck immediately threw a lean code, turned out to be the gas cap...

 

Make a Diesel engine option.

 

With two problems my dealer can't seem to diagnose - intermittent 4x4 operation, and screeching sound on start up occasionally - I'll certainly be looking at other brands/options when in the market for a new truck. It is gradually occurring to me that the Tacoma is a small balls passenger vehicle, not a rough and ready work vehicle.

 

Screech is most likely a tensioner, but mine did it for a while and i cleaned my belt with soapy water and a rag, and it hasnt done it in close to 2 years now. Start with cheap and easy then go from there.

 

Unfortunately the Ecodiesel is only available in higher trim level Ram's. I priced out a extended cab 4wd and the lowest I could come up with was just a tick over $40K. That kind of premium over a gas engine fuel economy would take years just to equal out, and then the truck would be severly aging (Chrysler quality).

 

Good info, thanks. So I'm guessing they cut the Tacoma production numbers at the Texas plant to increase Tundra production? What about the Baja plant? I thought they increased production there. In any case, it still seems the Tacoma is in demand even though the GM twins are on the horizon.

 

I don't think any of the American brands will compete and the Nissan is UGLY

 

Has anyone wondered if they won't give the Tacoma a bigger better engine because it would hinder the Tunra sales? That also goes for giving the Tacoma more legroom.

 

I like not having to worry about AIP issues.

 

I'm not sure what you're implying?

 

I think the tundra is more focused on a full sizr work truck with that big 5.7. Its like a f250 but gas. And I doubt the Tacoma engine will get any bigger, most likely smaller and fuel effiecent with still more power than the 4.0.

 

I would love that. I could care less for it to be bigger, I just want the efficiency and power that I'm seeing elsewhere. So I guess I should rather say, Toyota won't make the Tacoma a towing/hauling beast for Tundra sales?