Is The 2015 Chevy Colorado In Danger Of Becoming A Failed Experiment?

What I don't understand is why Toyota hasn't been more forthcoming with information on the new truck. They HAVE to see the market share that GM is scooping up. Wouldn't you want to give the masses some info as an incentive to WAIT till fall when the new truck comes out? Otherwise I think lots of people will buy GM before fall gets here. That's just an observation.

 

I hear what you're saying.

Its pretty normal for any manufacturer to wait until closer to release. Still tweaking and not letting any info out to the competition. The gm truck info was released right before the trucks went on sale.

 

With modern EFI and all the other innovations on the new Tacoma motor Toyota could also still be deciding how they want to tune the new motor. They could leave a little breathing room for a high output version for the TRD series, which I think would be a smart move marketing wise.

 

I do trucky things with my truck, but I'm no construction worker. Outside of anything else, after having one, I just don't understand how people can live without a truck. If I lived in an apartment, didn't get into projects, and didn't really buy many things, I guess I'd be fine in a car. Even without owning a trailer, camper, a construction business, or hauling things on a daily basis, I still don't know how more people don't appreciate the convenience of being able to move a muddy mountain bike, pick up a 6ft long, 4ft tall piece of furniture, bring home a pile of 2x4s and some plywood, take a motorcycle somewhere. I know there are trailers but that requires somewhere to park it long term, and having to always plan ahead any time you *might* buy something big. Not saying "guys have to have a truck", and I know you can cram things into the back of an SUV, a car trunk with folding rear seats, or tie things to a roof rack, but a truck is meant to move people and things from one place to another, there's no reason to say someone has to be constantly hauling things to want a truck. It just makes life easier, and that's all I need to buy one. As someone else mentioned, if towing is your main reason for buying a truck, you might as well buy an SUV. Even then you're gonna find yourself driving to the mall with a trailer just to go bookshelf shopping. Sounds like a hassle to NOT own a truck.

The only thing they've got on us is easier parking and gas mileage, but I ride the motorcycle to work in spring/summer/fall anyway, so I still average better MPG over the year than half the people in cars anyway.

 

Agreed. I really liked my 05 Tundra DC but had to sell it because that was my only vehicle at the time and that just didn't work. I'm going to get another truck later this year but i'm still deciding on what that will be. Newer or older, what make, 4,6,8 cyl? I could make an argument for any truck. I'm mainly going to drive my Civic to work and to pick up small crap from Home Depot and Lowes anyway. No sense in driving ANY truck if you're only getting small electrical supplies, caulks, tile, plumbing stuff. Ive modified my civic for hauling and it can haul 8 foot long lumber so im good there anyway.

There is stuff that only a truck can haul though like a big riding mower with a bagging system, load of dirty/wet wood rounds, Honda EB12D (try that in your SUV). That's why I need one.


Strongly considering a Colorado actually, cant wait for the diesel.

 

I'm this guy..Joe Homeowner. Much crap as I catch for it, my single cab 5 lugger is all I need for that.

 

Same boat here. 99% of the time I'm using the bed as a "super trunk." Then there's the issue I have with living at the top of a hill and occasional drought-related erosion, so I see myself using the truck to occasionally haul a quarter-yard of dirt every few months. I'd been doing it with my neighbor's Frontier, but she's not always available when I need to get some dirt.

 

I don't think the Diesel will be much of a factor. Between the fact it'll probably only be available on the higher end trims, add 3-4 K to the V6 price tag, and use a fuel that tends to be >20% more expensive than gas there's not much cost savings. Mid-sized trucks aren't big enough to take advantage of the torque when towing with a diesel either, so....

 

Give em time, they'll sell. I'm starting to see a few of them floating around town. GM ( Get a Mechanic ) has a ways to go to woo me back. I need to see a few years reliability reports here. Tacoma could use some good old competition. They may even get the age old rust and spring issues fixed if they had any real challengers.

 

4wd Tercel.

 

Why are putting the Colorado into 3/4 ton diesel truck category in regards to towing? The 2.8L will have nearly 400 lb ft torque and that is at low engine rpms and very usable, unlike the V6 Colorado and upcoming 3rd gen Tacoma with the useless torque.

I see no reason that the diesel wouldn't be available across all trims, but if they pull that crap where it's only in the highest trim level I would consider the 2.5L gas after its been out a while.

I think they are tinkering with it right now and trying to get maximum mpg. A diesel will easily outgain the I4 and V6 gassers in city and highway mpgs, small diesels are especially good in city and traffic. If it comes out with high 20s city and mid 30s EPA mpg ratings, it will be a game changer. Even with higher diesel prices.

For the moronic off the line useless horsepower I have my Supra anyway, so im good there, 3.5L Tacoma and 3.6L Colorado arent needed.

 

I just saw a commercial last night for it.. room full of bearded hipsters think its cool over a bland sedan photoshop!!!!!.. OMG I'm Sold!

 

Most likely they will keep numbers hidden as long as possible. When they head "great" numbers with 2gen Tacoma in 2004 they plastered them all over the place.
So current numbers can not be good.
Since it is 3.5 L they are probably inline of what GM has in Colorado and Canyon.

 

You can't get a Diesel on the base Toureg, Passat, Jeep, or Jetta. I'd expect GM will go with the tactic to increase there sales margin. I mentioned towing because a lot of talk about the diesel Colorado has been towards increasing the tow rating. Look at the Ram, it actually decreased the towing capacity because of the gearing. It's not going to be a game changer. Will it be cool and get good mpg, sure it will. Will it save you money after the initial investment? I have farms who run every diesel out there, including the small ones, and they all pretty much say it costs the same at the end of the day.

 

I don't think you'd have to get the most fully loaded/limited model to get the diesel. The Colorado is already nicely equipped and only comes with 2 cabs. WT model probably wont have it, but the next level up will.


Talk is just that......talk. I think the engineers are going to give it a good tow rating but focus on it being an excellent all around engine. It will probably have a lower tow rating than the V6 and I hope it does honestly. In all around use it will outperfom the V6 easily and that's what will make it attractive.



The RAM ecodiesel is a POS V6 Italian diesel and 8 speed auto, so again you're not comparing apples to apples.


MPG will be significantly better on the Colorado diesel vs the Colorado V6 and Tacoma V6. With actual useful power, it'll be even better. We'll just have to wait and see.

Once people start reporting 30+ mpg averages and being able to drive up mountain passes with a trailer in 6th gear, the Toyota fanboys will start crying and saying "why doesn't Toyota have diesel"?

 

I'm not a fanboy, just speaking the truth about diesels that are already out there and assuming black and white Government Motors will follow the trend like they usually do. I've had almost every truck made in my driveway for work and I am involved with our work fleet. This is the first Toyota I've ever owned. I guess liking my truck after all that experience makes me a fanboy .

Like you said it's all guesses until the Diesel is out there getting whatever mileage it gets. I think +30 mpg is far fetched considering the Colorado has almost the same frontal area as it's larger full sized cousins and wind resistance is what really kills trucks. It'll probably get roughly the same mileage as the Ram Ecodiesel given the amount of air it has to push, maybe 2-3 mpg better putting it right at that 30 mpg mark. An 8 speed transmission is exactly what is going in the Colorado as soon as GM can fit the one they just co-developed in there, I'm glad you are so in the know.

In order to make your money back over a 5 year period, if the engine choice costs 3K and diesel behaves like it normally does, you're looking at running the truck over 5 years for the average person. That's a long time for an untested engine system. That's how Diesels have always been since the emissions systems came in. Without the system it would be a different story.

Would a Diesel be cool in the Tacoma. Sure. I'm for sure not going to cry for one considering I plan on running my Tacoma into the ground. I get 18 mpg with +300 ponies and ft*lbs under the hood and I'm happy with that.

 

I sure hope the Colorado becomes a failed experiment, that way we can go back to it being Tacomaworld around here instead of Coloradoworld.

Just my $0.02

 

Just last week, I had a 600lb granite head stone for a few days in my 2014 Tacoma short bed. I was very surprised going over speed bumps and driveways, felt those bump stops every time. Really uneasy.
Now looking at upgrading to heavier leafs. (Also have Snugtop cap and 10 gal of fuel.)

I personalty owned 98 Suburban loved it so much I bought a new 05 Trailblazer and reliability was fine besides water pump. Now have 198,000 miles on it and just could not part with it, but needed a new vehicle for work. With no trailblazer on the market and Colorado was a year out, I was forced to buy a Tacoma. And couldn't be happier!!! Will not be going back to GM as I first expected.

Colorado just does not hit the mark when it comes to Taco. For all terrain capability must choose Taco, but for street comfort and refinement chevy all the way.

 

I've read that it will have a 6-speed. An 8-speed would not be good, too much shifting. But nothing is official yet.

Untested engine? Its being used overseas in many different applications. You know whats untested? The "all new" 3.5L atkinson cycle car engine in the new Tacoma. Is the Tacoma 3.5L engine being tested in a real world environment? No.


Also, I never called you a fanboy specifically. But there are delusional people out there who would buy a Yugo and say its the best car ever if Toyota stuck their name on it.

I'm a realist, I'm not loyal to ANY brand and its quite possible my next truck will be a Toyota if it shakes out that its the best truck choice for me. But I'm not a Toyota nutswinger, they don't pay my mortgage for me and people are on here defending them like they're their family.

Toyota doesn't care about you, just your money, as evidenced by so many delightful dealership/warranty visits. "Sorry Mr. Joe Schmoe, that 8 inch hole in your frame is from normal wear and tear"

 

The target buyer for Chevy Colorado is Crossover segment. They are trying to pull in buyers from Small SUV's and sub compacts and make it all about the cool factor. This was stated on Autoline news network by GM people. "Its has Technology and stuff".

The only people who will chose Colorado over Tacoma are city commuters who care about the look and latest electronics on the dash. Not functionality.