Got to drive a new Colorado yesterday...

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
04/22/2016 at 09:30 • Filed to: None

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This exact one, actually. It’s nice to drive, handling was tight and inspired confidence. It felt VERY solid, and has quite a nice interior. It handled bumps well and gets out of it’s own way without difficulty. Visibility is good. Initial complaints: the gauges are too small, the rear-view mirror should be a little wider, the seat is a little narrow for my ass (but that one’s on me, not the truck) and the seating position can’t be fully adjusted to where I want it (can’t raise the front of the seat independently of the back. I think stepping up a few options would net that though, and even if it doesn’t the seating position is close enough to correct that I think I’d get used to it). So, all in all, a good solid package and I need to replace my old one immediately.

Except, no. Just, no.

I’ve said this before, when it was just speculation on my part, but now I can say I was right. THAT 3.6 HAS NO PLACE IN A TRUCK. I said it has enough power to get out of it’s own way, but you just don’t feel it. Low down, there’s no big-torque-kidney-punch like there should be in a truck. It’s a revvy motor. I don’t want that in my truck. Give me the 4.3 and I’d be happy, I’d lose 25hp, but I’d gain 50lb-ft of torque. It doesn’t even make up for it on noise the way the V6 Camaro does—it sounds like the minivan engine that it is. This engine just spoils an otherwise awesome vehicle for me. I’ll try out a diesel when that hits the lots here, but until then, I’m just going to keep this ol’ girl instead. And since the diesel will probably be lacking on the top end, I’ll most likely continue to do so afterwards.

Of course, if I was coming from one of the I-5's, I might feel differently. But as it stands, the new Colorado was a disappointment for me.

DISCUSSION (29)

shop-teacher > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 09:50

I do find it odd that they chose to put the 3.6 instead of the 4.3, but I suspect I won’t have the same problem with it that you do. I’m driving a much heavier full size crew cab with a 4.8. It’s a total dog in acceleration, I actually lost a hole-shot to a Honda Element.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 09:53

Damn.

I had a feeling that was coming, but damn.

NEW PLAN!

Wait about 5-6 years until someone destroys the engine in one, well maybe only 1 year with how stupid people can be (no oil changes for a year, blown motor on a brand new truck) and swap in a 4.3 or a V8 (if it’ll fit)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > shop-teacher
04/22/2016 at 09:55

Yeah, you should be fine. That 4.8 is not a bad engine, but it’s not suited to full-size truck duty. It would be a pretty good match for my truck actually, but of course GM being GM they skipped it and went for the 5.3 instead. Not that I’m complaining...

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/22/2016 at 10:06

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/im-a-year-late…

It might be OK for you. You could still try one. But coming from a lighter truck with 50lb-ft more torque (which incidentally is the same as the 4.3) it just doesn’t provide that kidney punch I need. I got back into my truck and went “yeah, everything in here sucks by comparison.” Then I pulled out of the lot and went “and I’d rather have this”.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 10:09

Meh. I like mine and it does the job just fine. It towed the LBC like a champ!

Kinja'd!!!

shop-teacher > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 10:16

It does the job, it’s just slow as dog***t

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
04/22/2016 at 10:18

You know, I never did find out what gears it had... the Z71 (which is what yours looks like) got 4:10's, right? This was an LT.

Anyway, like I said, it has enough power, but it doesn’t give that boot in the back off the lights the way it should. NEEDS MOAR TORQUE

Btw, LOVE that colour. If I were to get the diesel down the road sometime, It would either be that or the deep blue.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > shop-teacher
04/22/2016 at 10:22

Hey, could be worse. I know a guy (electrician) who runs a fleet of Express vans with that motor. It’s bad enough in an empty pickup, in a van with a full load of tools and wire (plus ladder and conduit rack) they really need the 6L...

cazzyodo > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 10:28

I agree 100%. I tell people all the time it didn’t feel like a truck to me.

It was a solid vehicle and I have no doubts that it is a good one to own and drive on the daily. Hell, I wrote that when I tested one . However, it isn’t for me the way it is offered.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 10:29

Yep, mine is ZL1. No idea on what gears it has...

I bought to be a nice, comfy daily, that can do double duty and tow. The fun car has the kidney-punch handled.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
04/22/2016 at 10:38

Looks like they all get 3:42 gears.

And that’s fine. But coming from my truck I couldn’t stand it :) Honestly though, apart from that engine I loved it. 10/10 would buy if it had the correct (for me) engine.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > cazzyodo
04/22/2016 at 10:42

“Throttle felt stiff.”

Yes.

shop-teacher > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 10:48

Yeah, my dad in addition to being a contractor, is partners in an electrical company. They made the mistake of buying one of those vans with the 4.8. They only made that mistake once!

Somethin' 'bout a truck > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 10:53

Your truck is growing on me quite a bit. I honestly really like these more than I used to.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Somethin' 'bout a truck
04/22/2016 at 11:00

Well, thanks. I quite like it.

...however I can’t actually recommend one in good conscience without warning whoever it is that’s considering one that they’re in for a real love-hate situation :)

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 11:04

And I’ll stick with the Sonoma, until the Diesel Canyon depreciates enough that it makes sense for me to get one!

Takuro Spirit > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 11:05

I think I saw a diesel last night. Or whatever was powering that Z71 parked illegally in the handicapped spot had very loud direct injection.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Takuro Spirit
04/22/2016 at 11:06

There’s only about 2 for every state that have been delivered so far, so you got lucky!!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2016 at 11:08

Or:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/im-a-year-late…

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 11:09

We picked up a trio for work a few months back. Can’t speak for the one V6 we picked up cause I haven’t driven it yet, but the one I drove home was the 4-banger. And it was SLOW. Absolutely gutless. And this is coming from a guy who dailies a Lada... It was also way bigger than a small truck should be. I expect a ‘91 S10 with that motor would seem pretty lively, but the Colorado is just too heavy. Visibility wasn’t great, either. I’ll be driving the V6 this summer, and I was hoping it would be better... way to ruin the dream.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 11:11

Or Duramax in the Sonoma...... Just kidding I dunno how to do that!

Takuro Spirit > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 11:12

NEAT

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
04/22/2016 at 11:16

DO IT ANYWAY

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
04/22/2016 at 11:26

Well, it’s about 500 (iirc?) lb heavier than the old one, and the 4-bangers put out roughly the same power, so yeah it should be slow.

It’s not actually THAT huge. It’s about 6 inches wider than the old one, but the old one was still pretty small (about 2" NARROWER than a Golf). The new one is about as wide as a Subaru Outback. It does look very big though.

I think the impression of size from the inside comes mostly from the driving position. They’ve taken the “low and carlike in a truck” position from the Silverado and it makes the rest of the truck feel BIG, as opposed to mine which feels like you’re high up in a small vehicle.

Was the 2.5 you drove an extended cab? I found the crew cab had good visibility in general. The fact that the rear window is bigger probably helps a lot (at least judging by the way the reg cab Silverado’s are so hard to see out of).

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 11:31

Maybe one day. There is a ‘56 chevy with a Duramax here in Lethbridge AB I’m told

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/22/2016 at 13:05

Yeah, it was the extended cab. In all honesty I’m comparing it to my MJ, which is a regular cab. My complaints about size are mostly due to the height of the truck. It’s six inches taller than my MJ with no discernible advantage to it. Ground clearance is no different and there’s much less rear visibility. Sitting parked next to the 2000ish Silverado 1500 my office uses, the Colorado is so large you’d almost think it was replacing the half-ton. I suppose it’s just the general trend with trucks any more, getting bigger and bigger. But visibility in the extended-cab 1500 is still better than the Colorado’s.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
04/22/2016 at 13:16

It IS tall. I’ll give you that.

450X_FTW > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/25/2016 at 11:06

I drove one a few weeks ago with the V6, and I think it’s a combination of no low end torque and the way they calibrate their pedal. Most trucks and SUV programs I’ve worked on, the pedal is calibrated so that at around 60-70% of the pedal travel, you’re already at wide open throttle. The Colorado felt linear, really had to dig in the pedal to get the truck moving.

Still waiting for the diesel to be available for test drives. All the ones I’ve seen on dealer lots are spoken for

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > 450X_FTW
04/25/2016 at 11:19

I’d go with that. Pedal calibration/feel WAS weird. Felt stiff and unresponsive.

Apparently there are tunes already available that really wake them up, but obviously I can’t go test one of them. Too bad.