2.2 V 4.3 S-10 Reg Cab

[Greg]

My son has decided on an S-10, probably a regular cab to save $2K.  Most of the regular cabs have the 2.2 4 cyl engine and he says it drives OK - better than a 2.2 in an extended cab, but not quite as nice as the 4.3 in an ext.  For a basic daily driver, is there any reason he should spend the extra $1K for the 4.3?

[Blue Bowtie]

Hey Greg, I think the 2.2 might be adequate, but in the long run, I'd go with the 4.3.  I own a 2000 S10 Ext Cab with the 4.3, and I am very pleased with it, the 2.2 just doesn't have enough guts to it at all.  I don't think that you're compromising all that much on gas mileage, and with the 4 banger, if you ever want to drive in a mountainous area with the air conditioner on, you can forget it.  In the long run, I think your son would regret purchasing the 2.2...go with the 4.3, it'll leave him happiest a year from now   The 4.3 is a strong, well built engine, and so far hasn't given me any troubles    I hope that whatever he chooses, he is happy with it, let us know what happens!  And if you have any other questions about the S10, feel free to ask, I'd be happy to share my little knowledge with you  ;)

[RyanbabZ71]

as for a daily driver (no towing or lots of hauling) the 2.2 would be good.  I drove a 97 2.2 reg cab gmc sonoma for about 6 months and it was a good truck.  Not lots of power and i wouldnt haul with it but just basic driving its not bad.  

 

Good luck on deciding

 

my suggestion drive them both

[Stepside Z]

When you consider the cost verses how happy he will be in a year from now the 1K is a pretty cheap price. I know you are talking about a daily driver but the 4.3 will give him some towing and hauling ability the the 2.2 just cannot deliver.

[Greg]

He drove ext cab models with a 4.3 and a 2.2, plus a std cab with the 2.2.  I rode along.  We liked the ride of the std cab with the HD suspension best, then the ext cab with the 4.3.  We ruled out the ext. cab w/ 2.2 as being too gutless.  Our salesperson said that Chevy no longer makes the std. cab and 4.3 combination in 2002.  (However the brochure, website, and other dealer inventory on GMbuypower say differently.)

 

He was surprised that he fit in the std. cab because he's 6'3"+.  The only problem with the std. cab was the lack of inside storage, but reasons he'll put a tonneau on anyway.  So his choices are std. cab 2.2, std. cab 4.3 (assuming we find one), and ext. cab 4.3, with about a $55 a month price spread among the three (GMS purchase).  He's going to check on what difference the 4.3 makes on his insurance this week.

[Shaners]

Greg,

 

If he is younger, then the 2.2L is a good choice.  It will keep you from having to replace the rear tires all the time.  Plus it will get better mpg's which is always a good thing for a kid on a budget.

 

The 2.2L motor has been around a long time (so has the 4.3L) and either engine would be a fine choice.  Insurance wise though, chances are the 2.2L would be a cheaper way to go...

 

Shane

[Frank S]

Trust me on this.

 

Whatever configuration you get on the truck,get the 4.3L V6.

 

It doesn't matter what purpose you originally intend for the truck to have you will always find more use for it than first intended and the 2.2 is very limited even in a regular cab.

 

Who knows?Something could happen and he may end up keeping the truck longer than intended and he will be happy that he has the versatility of the V^ over the 4 cylinder.

 

Besides,if they only want $1,000 more for the V6 option it isn't going to make much of a difference on the monthly payment plus it will have better resale/trade value when he decides to upgrade.

[Greg]

Trust me on this.

 

Whatever configuration you get on the truck,get the 4.3L V6.

 

It doesn't matter what purpose you originally intend for the truck to have you will always find more use for it than first intended and the 2.2 is very limited even in a regular cab.

 

Who knows?Something could happen and he may end up keeping the truck longer than intended and he will be happy that he has the versatility of the V^ over the 4 cylinder.

 

Besides,if they only want $1,000 more for the V6 option it isn't going to make much of a difference on the monthly payment plus it will have better resale/trade value when he decides to upgrade.

This was my initial reaction, too.  However, I'd like to find one with positraction.  The ultimate decision will be my son's, as it will be his money he's spending.

 

BTW, my youngest son and I walked the dealer's whole lot today, checking every S-10 regular cab.  We found 2 2002s with the 4.3 (after the sales guy said they didn't make them this year.)  I don't know what to think about this dealer.  I'd like to take our business elsewhere, but searching other area dealers on GMbuypower has not netted any other suitable units.

[Greg]

Things continue to get more interesting in my son's truck decision.  Configured the way he wants it, the relative costs are:

 

S-10 reg cab w/ 4 cyl:  X

S-10 reg cab w/ 6 cyl:  X + $1000

Silverado WT reg cab 6 cyl:  X + $2000

S-10 ext cab w/ 6 cyl:  X + $3000

 

If it was my truck, I'd go for the Silverado.  We'll see what he decides.

[RyanbabZ71]

Greg is the silverado long bed or short bed?

 

Looks like the silverado is the best bang for the buck.  

 

Silverado style is newer, larger size, same size engine for the same price.  

 

Id say the silverado would be on the top of my list

 

Also will you get the $2002 off?  That will offset the $2000 difference

[Greg]

Greg is the silverado long bed or short bed?

 

Looks like the silverado is the best bang for the buck.  

 

Silverado style is newer, larger size, same size engine for the same price.  

 

Id say the silverado would be on the top of my list

 

Also will you get the $2002 off?  That will offset the $2000 difference

Thats a standard cab, long bed Silverado WT.  (Short bed work truck Silverados are hard to find around here.)  The Silverado and S-10 are both eligible for the $2002 off.  I believe the Silverado his a somewhat higher GMS discount percentage than the S-10 and that helps get the prices closer together.

[Greg]

The dealer located a Indigo Blue S-10 4.3 L regular cab LS with posi - just what we wanted.  We hope to get delivery about midweek.

[Blue Bowtie]

Greg, your son made a good choice, and nice color!   Let us know how he likes it, but I know he'll be happy with it.  I'm glad he decided on the 4.3, he won't regret the extra money spent!

 

Brandon

[lone wolf]

I have a 97 reg cab 2.2 5 speed and a 02 x cab 4.3 sonoma. I love them both. but the 2.2 gets better mpg. If he gets the 2.2 and then if he dont like the power there is a ton of performance stuff out there for the 2.2. I have just about everything out there on my 2.2 and it will run [email protected] in the 1/4 and yes you can do the samething with a 4.3 but I still get 20+ mpg with my mods where the 4.3 gets around 16mpg

[Greg]

Heh, heh.  I pick up the S-10 on Monday and don't deliver it to him until Friday.  (After Line-X and Truxedo.)  If he ever shows up here on this board, everyone remember to tell him that it's normal for a new truck to delivered with about 500 miles on it. ;)