Whats Your Opinion On The Colorado...any Problems Yet?

[drumset5994]

October 2009 i'll have my Silverado payed off, and i'm looking at my next vehicle being 4-wheel drive.

 

I live the silverado, but i'm looking for midsize now, for gas savings...

 

I was looking at about and 06 and up Chevy Colorado, single cab, 4x4, but a 5-speed...i've seen 3 of them on the lots so far.

 

 

I have a few questions to ask the colorado owners...

 

1.) Any generic defects that plague Colorados? (EX: Silverado steering clunk)

 

2.) What mpg do you get if you have a 4x4? Even autos, because i will usually put the clutch in down hills if i can.

 

3.) Which do you think is better? The 2.8L that originally came with them or the 2.9L that came out a few years ago? (i'm skipping the 5 cylinders altogether for gas mileage)

 

I appreciate any comments you have.

[TexasAl]

Going with the Colorado/Canyon will not save you gas. They are really close to the Silverado numbers, so don't buy this smaller truck just for economy. After doing research, I found that the silverado's real world MPG numbers where just as good as the Colorado's/Canyon's.

 

-Al

[BuckFeverZ]

Stick with the Silverado, you'll regret going smaller IMO.

[longhorn_giant]

When I bought my first truck several years ago I too was concerned about gas mileage. I looked at a Colorado for as long as it took me to walk up to the truck at the dealership. I couldn't even sit in the thing. If it had a sunroof then my head would have been completely through it. I ended up with a 2002 Silverado 4.3L v6. I loved that truck and still miss it - it was the first vehicle I actually bought with my own money - but I get within .5 mpg with my '08 5.3L. And this truck overall is much bigger than the 2002 was.

 

Stick with the Silverado, and if you're looking for mpg and still having a powerful truck, I don't think you can go wrong with the 5.3L

[stormrider]

I traded a 04 Colorado 4x4 Z71 in for my Sierra.

It was a trouble free vehicle. I had the 5 cylinder and was getting 17.5 to 19.3 mpg consistently for the 4.5 years I owned it.

I am so close to the same MPG with the 5.3 engine that the cost is a wash for me.

personally I would not touch the "little" engines with the 4WD. When I was shopping the difference in milage between the 2.8 and the 3.5 was negligible. I thought the 3.5; 5 cylinder was a little under powered in 2WD when wanting to haul anything or get up and pass another vehicle

Don't get me wrong the Colorado was one of my favorite Chevy vehicles it was just to close when comparing a full size with that truck and gettijng so much more with the larger truck

 

I would stay with the full size if it were me

[J-man67]

I too had an 04 z71 4x4 with the 3.5L 5. I loved it. I think I averaged about 18-24ish. Great truck, never any problems. I know a few guys with the 2.8/9 4x4 5spd and they have no problems. They have just as much power, if not more, then the 4.3 6cyl they used in the s10 so it'll be fine in that combo. Good luck man!

[matt3]

When I bought my truck, I originally was looking for a small truck. I looked at the Canyon but, the interior was small and not as nice as the Sierra's. The gas milage is about the same with a lot more power in the Sierra and the Canyon's aren't really that much cheaper than the Sierra. It was a no brainer for me.

 

Sit in both and test drive both, you'll see what I mean. Sure I could have gotten a few more options for the same money but, I don't regret my decison one bit.

[ricko2]

I had one in 2005, just too small for me. Not a bad truck though. Seemed a little low on power, and got the same mileage as the 2006 Sierra I replaced it with.

[lesmore49]

My son bought a new '08 Colorado extended cab with the Z71 suspension and the 3.7 liter 242 hp engine. He really likes it, a few minor problems as with any new vehicle.

 

It looks really good with that Z71 suspension it gives the Colorado a nice off road look...the Z71 package tires really fill the wheel wells nicely.

 

I think it looks much better than the Silverado with the Z71 suspension. The Silverado looks like it overwhelms it's tires with all that sheet metal. Not much difference in stance between the Z71 and non Z71 suspension with the Silverado.

 

He's 19, I think the Colorado is geared more for the younger crowd...the Silverado marketed more for old fogeys like me.

[04silverado1500]

Well first off, i have never owned a colorado or a canyon but i did own a chevy blazer. As long as were talking about going with a small truck ill throw in my thoughts. When i had my blazer i was impressed with the ride, it had a smooth feel down the road and considering i was 16 when i got it i felt like i was on top of the world. The truck came up short in a few areas though. It got 21 at best and 13 at worst. (MPG) This is terrible considering i get 12-22 in my silverado. I realize it's a totally different truck but i think it pertains to the situation. Also I was not nearly as happy with the towing ability as i was with my silverado. Now realizing everything i just talked about is a comparison to a blazer, the s10 family is closely related to the colorado/canyon. Now although i didn't own one, i did work at a gmc, pontiac, buick dealer for awhile and drove a canyon every few days. The truck was ok and much better then the previous s10, but cant you say the same about each new generation of the silverado/sierra? i know i personally filled up the loaners we had at the dealer all the time and yes i did check the MPG on these often. The canyon will get better mileage and sometimes up to 3 mpg better in the same types of driving, but what you have to ask yourself is, is it worth it? Another thing you need to know is that if you tow anything heavy you will be frustrated. Also, if your over 6 ft tall the cab will be to small for comfort for every inch over 6ft you are. Lastly how much do you use the bed of your truck? In these trucks you dont really get much of a bed...now with this said i'm sure someone with a colorado is mad but really they are not bad trucks, the thing is everyone fits in a different truck and thats the beauty of driving a GM product. There are so many different configurations that you can easily find one that fits your needs! good luck!

[lesmore49]

I'm 6'3" and 232 lbs...broad shoulders to boot....I'm fine in the Colorado Cab.

[dorman68]

Going with the Colorado/Canyon will not save you gas. They are really close to the Silverado numbers, so don't buy this smaller truck just for economy. After doing research, I found that the silverado's real world MPG numbers where just as good as the Colorado's/Canyon's.

 

-Al

 

I agree, my inlaws purchased an 05 Canyon 5-Cyl brand new and aren't happy at all with the mpgs.

[jtown888]

My buddy baught a 08 colorado 3.7L Extended cab auto, the same day I baught my Silverado. We both got LT1 Packedges and Z71 Offroad packs. His MPG is only 0.7 MPG better then my 5.3L 08 silverado. The steering wheels are very ugly IMO on the colorado, just plain rubber is what it looks like. He paid only $2,100 less then me and I got a full size with basically same gas mileage. Something to think about, but his truck is great and has had no problems, but after he drove mine, he said he wish he spent the extra $2,100 for a fullsize even though he doesnt need it.

[sc4808]

My son has a 06 Canyon RCSB with the OffRoad Package that has the 5cyl and 3.73 gears, he averages 19 to 20 MPG during his daily driving (mixture of hwy and city) and right at 24MPG on the Interstate. My silverado will only give me 19MPG or so on the interstate, thats quite a difference.

 

It has great power and will outrun my Silverado hands down.

 

I have actually been considering selling my silverado and buying a crew cab Canyon.

[Zembonez]

Not exactly scientific but everybody I have talked to that owns a Colorado / Canyon seems to be pretty happy with everything but the fuel economy. I only know one person who has had one for a couple of years (excab 4x4) and I know he pulls his bass boat very often and far with it and hasn't had any major issues. Don't know how many miles he has racked up.