Chevy S-10 a decent truck???

Golfgar4 · Sep 9, 2003

( How about the fuel economy on that puppy, and its probably made in the USA to boot ! )

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Made in the U.S.A.? YOU BETCHA!

Fuel Economy?

I figured it as 27.5 holes per gallon! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Of course, that's based on regular fairway driving. I'm more accustomed to "off-road" rough driving. Then the economy drops to about 1.5 holes per gallon! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

B7500 · Sep 9, 2003

Sorry Boodox,
Been following this thread and kept my mouth shut. You asked about the S-10 however you drove a Silverado.
Big mistake!!!
You just can't compare apples to oranges. You are hooked and you can’t go back.
I own a '03 Silverado loaded. It is with out a doubt the finest, best riding, hard working truck out there (in my absolutely very humble opinion). Ooops, do I sound partial?
Yup, I sure am.
Good luck with your choice.
-Terry

Docsknotinn · Sep 9, 2003

How many sodas per gallon at the 19 th hole /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Do you have turfs on that thing ??? If you hit em like me you better get a set of Mickey Thompsons /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Dave

Gary_in_Indiana · Sep 10, 2003

The 4.3l V-6 is a great motor though. I don't think you could go wrong with it. 

That's pretty much been my experience, too. I've even found that in most instances with the fuel injection I don't notice any real shortcomings with it in the full size trucks. Now, if you're in hilly country, haul or tow a lot, you may not feel the same. I'm talking about chasing groceries on flat ground. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Boondox · Sep 10, 2003

Hills we've got! Hauling will usually be light but bulky items like bales of hay for the sheepers, but a few times each year we have a chance to get free firewood for the taking. It would be nice to bring home a real load instead of making multiple light loads in the Subaru or old Dodge.

In comparing the S-10 with the Silverado (I know, apples and oranges), the small truck is much easier to manuever but did have to rev a lot more to get up the hills. Also felt the bumps a lot more. The big truck never got over 2500rpm and made the worst of the holes in the pavement feel like ripples in a heavy cruiser. I really like the way it handled!

Now if they only made a manual tranny for that beast!

Pete

Egon · Sep 10, 2003

Pete:
will this new truck be a daily driver? If not have you considered a trailer for hauling things?

Egon

MikePA · Sep 10, 2003

Now if they only made a manual tranny for that beast!
Based on the Chevy web site, you can get the 5 speed with the 4.8 litre V8, but not with either of the 5.3 litre V8s.

kokopelli2 · Sep 10, 2003

my '99 mazda compact pick-up gets 35mpg on the highway, thats why i bought it. mind you i had to do alittle work to it to increase the stock 27mpg rating.

for real work i use my 74 f-100 with all underpinnings from a 77 f-250!
never a problem with either one.

Boondox · Sep 10, 2003

( Pete:
will this new truck be a daily driver? If not have you considered a trailer for hauling things?

Egon )

It'll be used a few times each week, but with milage like that it won't be my first choice when heading out. A trailer doesn't work for us because my wife backs till things sound expensive...and with a trailer she backs until it jackknifes, then keeps going!

Besides, the trailer disappears under the snow from October to April or May. It would be just one more thing to shovel out.

And lastly, darnit, a man deserves a truck!

Pete

Boondox · Sep 10, 2003

Test driving impressions

2003 Chevy S-10 4x4 with 4.3L V6: Very nice, nimble truck with good road feel and ability to tame bumpy roads. Auto tranny shifted smoothly as did the push button 4WD selector. Braking and backing were a breeze. Extended cab offers enough space for groceries, or for a dog if it's dead. $21k

2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 with V8: Extremely nice ride over the worst of the bumps and washboard. No fishtailing at all. Engine barely audible except under heavy acceleration. 11k miles on it; barely broken in. Smooth auto tranny and push button 4WD shift on the fly. Huge bed. Much usable space in the extended cab. Brakes well, but feels a little heavy. No surprise there. $22k

2000 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with V8: Feels just like the Silverado, but the shortbed regular cab feels bumps a bit more. But this one has a five-speed manual tranny! I really love the feel of that so-forgiving clutch! 24k miles on the truck, going for $15k. Five on the floor, as was the 4WD selector; I think I prefer the old style mechanical linkage to the electronic buttons for the sake of reliability.

2003 Dodge Dakota SXT 4x4 with 3.9L V6: Not really a compact, but not full-sized either. Five speed manual is every bit as smooth as the Chevy. Rear a little light and tended to fishtail on washboard. Shifted into 4WD with a knob on the dash. This was a regular cab, but the visibility was great. Plenty of power for my needs -- only noticed the small displacement trying to accelerate up a steep hill. $16k with tax, title and destination!!!

2002 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 SR5 extended cab with 2.7L 4 cyl: Peppy at the low end, but engine worked hard to accelerate. Loved the five speed manual tranny -- this was the smoothest shifter yet. After driving the Dakota, this truck felt TINY! Only 12k miles on the truck, and it's going for $20k. Not sure if the Toyota name is worth that much extra cash for the least power of any truck driven.

Each truck had something to like about it, but the common thread was my joy at doing my own shifting. Really like that manual transmission! The extended cab is nice, but not vital in a work truck. The Dodge seems like a great deal for a brand new 2003. The GMC is nice, with a manual and low miles, but it's three years old.

Ah, decisions! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Pete