"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
09/11/2014 at 20:21 • Filed to: None
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"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
09/11/2014 at 20:21 • Filed to: None | 3
| 8 |
As you know, I want a little truck. The thing is I've never even been in one, let alone driven one.
Well, I drove two today.
Went to a little used lot in Derby after work. A quick moment to thank them, Pride Autoplaza. Very helpful, extremely nice, fantastic selection of cars for a small place. Even though I was only there for a short while it was one of my best dealership experiences.
Anyways the cars. First was a 98 S10 with the 2.2L 4 pot, 5 speed. Car was in fantastic condition with only 50k miles. Too expensive for what I want, but that's not important.
I loved the little thing! The clutch was a bit odd, extremely high and somewhat vague engagement. Throws were long and 3rd gear was odd: you kinda had to push it over to the right a bit instead of just straight back.
The engine didn't feel underpowered, but it was a bit anemic and made more noise than go. Handling was surprisingly good: the steering was a bit soft for my taste and not exactly accurate, but not bad. I didn't drive it like a sports car but it handled like a tallish car. Felt fantastic. And it was so freaking comfy! Spacious cabin with comfortable seats and a supple ride.
At one point I took a wrong turn and ended up at a dead end. This was good because it really showed how great the size is on these. It was no more difficult to do a 3 point turn in than in a small car. Overall it never felt big: bigger than my Sonic obviously but it didn't feel big at all.
Anyways, the Sonoma. A 97 automatic with the 4.3L V6. The transmission sucked, but the engine was great! Plenty of power, nice sound, very smooth. The transmission was terrible: clunky, slow, indecisive.
Overall I loved it. It's certainly not as fun as a Miata or anything but it's a pleasant car to drive. If I can find a V6 manual for a cheap price I'm totally buying one. Preferably a first gen, I'm still not a fan of the second gen styling.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Jayhawk Jake
09/11/2014 at 20:30 |
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The only thing worse than a 90's/early 00's Chrysler autotragic is a GM automatic from the late 70's to we'll see how these newer 6 speeds play out.
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> Jayhawk Jake
09/11/2014 at 20:34 |
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I pulled a 4.3 out of a 96 4x4 Sonoma a couple years ago, those trucks are tiny as heck, paired with such a colossal engine that only made less than 150 HP, but loads of torque.
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Jayhawk Jake
> Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
09/11/2014 at 20:41 |
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I hope it was just this particular car because that transmission was sad...
FriskyDingo
> Jayhawk Jake
09/11/2014 at 20:45 |
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Sounds like the 4 banger had a bent 3rd gear shift fork, which is easy to do banging through the gears with a truck because of the long shifters.
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Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Jayhawk Jake
09/11/2014 at 20:50 |
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My family has had 4 vehicles from that transmission family(700R4/4L60/5), all with under 100k miles. They all have failed.
Logansteno: Bought a VW?
> Jayhawk Jake
09/11/2014 at 21:02 |
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Those 4L60E transmissions are total shit, but mines taken a serious beating from me and not failed me yet.
I bet the 4.3 feels a lot quicker in those tiny trucks that it does in my Safari. And it feels decently quick in it.
John Norris (AngryDrifter)
> Jayhawk Jake
09/11/2014 at 21:26 |
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Bought it new in 2002. 134,000 miles 2.2L, 5 speed. Nice cheap truck. No major maintenance other than A/C compressor. The GETRAG transmission makes quite a bit of extra noise. Of course that may be collateral damage from the 6 or 8 individuals that have learned how to drive a manual in it, and cough, some abuse from me, cough. Still has original clutch though. I'd buy it again. It's a shame the market segment for new small trucks has dried up.
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Jayhawk Jake
> John Norris (AngryDrifter)
09/11/2014 at 22:08 |
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Nice! Manual is more important to me than V6, and I'd really like a first gen for the classic boxy body