[Oo-v-oO]

My '96 S-10 is at ~283,000 miles and while it is still running pretty well, I'm thinking it is probably time to start looking for a replacement while it is not an emergency.

I don't really need a full-sized pickup - the S-10 with an extended cab is just about perfect for me. The space behind the seats gives enough room for some inside storage and room for smaller passengers on an occasional basis while not eating up too much of the bed or making the wheelbase too long.

I have been looking at the Colorado / Canyon twins - problem is, they are very hard to find with a standard transmission. I found one relatively close and within my price range, but when I went to look at it I found it was pretty beat and neglected. Beat and maintained, I can deal with but neglected - not so much.

I did a Craigslist search for a Colorado or Canyon with the I-5, manual transmission, 4wd, and extended cab in a 1,000 mile radius and only found a few, all of them in the $10-12K range. Autos are much easier to find but are in the same price range. Most of these had over 150K miles on them, too.

Compare that to Silverado / Sierra fullsized trucks and I can come up with at least a dozen for sale with less than 150K for $5K or less in my own state. I can even find a few diesels. Same thing, though, standards are hard to find.

I found a 2000 Sierra, loaded, for $5K but they are willing to talk price.

Options
4 Door, 4 Wheel Drive, Automatic Transmission, Alloy Wheels, Fog lamps, Air Conditioning, Leather Seats, Power Seats, Power Steering, Power Windows, Tilt Steering, Alarm, AM/FM Radio, Anti-theft, CD Player, Stereo/Tape, Antilock Brakes, Driver Air Bag, Passenger Air Bag

Comments
One of our top of the line, "as-is" specials. Z71 Sierra with 4wd, leather interior, 4 door, tow package, Rhino liner, and alloy wheels. These older GMC trucks are well known for long lives and durability. For a winter beater, or around the house truck, it's pretty tough to beat. Better still, as one of our ":as-is" specials, we will accept ANY reasonable offer on this truck. Call now!!

Higher mileage at 180K, but it looks pretty nice in the pictures. I might look at it and offer them like $4K if it seems decent. I would still rather have a smaller truck, especially with the gas prices being what they say they will be this summer. On the other hand, I can probably buy a lot of gas for the price difference between this truck and what they want for the smaller ones.

If anyone has a lead on a Colorado or Canyon that matches what I'm looking for anywhere near New England for $8K or less, please let me know!

 

[mytmouz]

My 99 Suburban gets better gas mileage than my dad's Colorado. I would be willing to bet that 4x4 will too...

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

What about a k1500 with a 5.0 v8 ?

 

[Oo-v-oO]

I think the GMC in the pictures is a 4.8 - either that, or a 5.3.

Because the bottom of the doors and rocker panels are black, I'm guessing it has had some body work done.

The salt they dump on the roads around here is murder on vehicles. They usually rust out before the drivetrain gives up.

 

[s10lowrider1994]

We have a GMC just like that one and it's a POS. Ours has leather but is identical in every other aspect. The leather sucks anyway so cloth may be the better option. The 5.3 has plenty of power but the driveline is sloppy, the brakes arent adequate for the truck and it's just been one headache after another. All of that and the fact that our Land Rover hands the GMC it's behind in every category regarding 4wd makes it a pretty sad truck IMO. Great for towing things but it's made like poop and will cost you more in stupid little maintenance things than its worth. Between fuel pumps, differential problems, brake issues and the 5.3 about to fall apart, it's hard to find anything that would make it worth owning. The ad you posted says they are known for long lives? It's a newer American truck so that's already a strike, that thing will last as long as you keep throwing parts and money at it. Ours has 150k, has been babied and it still sucks. Past 90k it's been worthless and unreliable to say the least.

Forgive the book but having owned the exact same truck I thought I might save you the headache. The Canyons and Colorados are nice but overpriced and the interiors suck. The inline 5 is a tough little motor though but isnt all that great on fuel, especially on the 4wd models. The 2wd I-5 manual trucks get decent mileage. For the price though I dunno if they are worth it. In a few years maybe but right now you can buy a much better vehicle for the same price or less.

I'm a GM guy to but there stuff is just crap anymore, have you looked at any Toyotas? The mid size Toyota trucks are nice and wont break the bank and they do last forever. Not really all that for towing but then agan neither is a Colorado.

 

[Hugh-SS/16]

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/2817992685.html check that out

 

[rscurtis]

An early third generation Dodge 2WD with the Cummins and a 6-speed will give you the same FE as a small truck- if you can find one. Have your cake and eat it too.

 

[nkaust]

i say go newer then that on the chevy. i wish i had at least a 3/4 ton diesel but i could live with a half ton dodge.

 

[johndeere]

My 99 Suburban gets better gas mileage than my dad's Colorado. I would be willing to bet that 4x4 will too...

What kind of gas milage does your dad get on his Colorado?I have a Canyon 2wheel drive 4Cylinder regular cab.I get 26mpg highway and 21 or 22 around town short trips.My son has a 06 Tahoe and gets around 17 highway and 14 around town.

 

[Kbeitz]

I really like small trucks..
I still got my Datsun.

 

[davidg]

it will be easier to find a smaller truck if you look at foreign made trucks. the big 3 just don't sell that many "small" trucks anymore.

We used to run nothing but nissan trucks at work, and they held up for 2-300,000 miles minimum. and that was with folks not exactly taking good care of them!

 

[Oo-v-oO]

I looked at Toyota Tacomas tonight. None are anything close to what I can afford, except the ones from the '90s. Early 2000s are around $10K and up. The 2nd gen body style (starting in 2006) are mostly $20K and up. I did find a 2006 with a V-6, auto, and 100K miles for $15K.

This '02 V-6 5-speed is nice and about what I'm looking for, but too much at $11.5K. http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/2826317901.html
Edmunds says dealer retail for that truck in good condition is only $9.5K, too, but the market commands more. Thank you, Cash for Clunkers....

Also, most are 4 cylinders. I'm looking for towing capability and I question whether a 2.7 is going to be happy. Also, 16 mpg city/20 highway for the 4 cylinder? And the Colorado with a 5 is so bad?

Anyway - I was looking for a Toyota when I got my first S-10 and I couldn't afford one then. It's the same or worse now.

 

[mytmouz]

What kind of gas milage does your dad get on his Colorado?I have a Canyon 2wheel drive 4Cylinder regular cab.I get 26mpg highway and 21 or 22 around town short trips.My son has a 06 Tahoe and gets around 17 highway and 14 around town.

The Colorao is a 2wd and gets right @ twenty on a mostly interstate drive of 300 miles round trip recently, when I drove it. My 99 2wd Suburban averaged 22mpg last year on a trip of a little over 700 miles...

Both of these were checked via the fill up/mileage/fill up method, not a trip meter. My 92 2wd Suburban gets right at 19, so something must be up with that 06...

 

[[email protected]]

Been looking myself for a small service truck, needless to say small pickens unless you want to spent 16-20K, which I don't. Lucky for me I don't need one or have to have one, just looking to get out of the van or box truck both diesel's sometimes, and drive something with a "car" feel running small service calls.

 

[johndeere]

The Colorao is a 2wd and gets right @ twenty on a mostly interstate drive of 300 miles round trip recently, when I drove it. My 99 2wd Suburban averaged 22mpg last year on a trip of a little over 700 miles...

Both of these were checked via the fill up/mileage/fill up method, not a trip meter. My 92 2wd Suburban gets right at 19, so something must be up with that 06...

Maybe somethings up with your dads Colorado?

 

[redneckfordf250crew]

My dad's Colorado Crew Cab inline 5 automatic 4x4 is getting around 22 or 23 and my (now daughter's) Ranger with a extended cab with the V6 standard tranny and 4x4 was getting around 23 or 24. Using the old fashioned method that is I never use a trip odometer they try to lie to you so that you keep buying those types of vehicles. I would personally look for an older F150 or F250, K1500 or K2500, or even a Ram 1500 or 2500. My 1988 F150 gets around 19 to 21 depending on how I am driving and the prices on them things are really cheap plus you can get a super cab one with a standard tranny really easily at least here in Arizona I can with 4x4. Got one in my back yard needing some work right now but I already got it sold just need to get it fixed my parts are coming in soon on that oh ya and it has the inline 6 with 245000 miles.
Trav

 

[RED-85-Z51]

We have a GMC just like that one and it's a POS. Ours has leather but is identical in every other aspect. The leather sucks anyway so cloth may be the better option. The 5.3 has plenty of power but the driveline is sloppy, the brakes arent adequate for the truck and it's just been one headache after another. All of that and the fact that our Land Rover hands the GMC it's behind in every category regarding 4wd makes it a pretty sad truck IMO. Great for towing things but it's made like poop and will cost you more in stupid little maintenance things than its worth. Between fuel pumps, differential problems, brake issues and the 5.3 about to fall apart, it's hard to find anything that would make it worth owning. The ad you posted says they are known for long lives? It's a newer American truck so that's already a strike, that thing will last as long as you keep throwing parts and money at it. Ours has 150k, has been babied and it still sucks. Past 90k it's been worthless and unreliable to say the least.

Forgive the book but having owned the exact same truck I thought I might save you the headache. The Canyons and Colorados are nice but overpriced and the interiors suck. The inline 5 is a tough little motor though but isnt all that great on fuel, especially on the 4wd models. The 2wd I-5 manual trucks get decent mileage. For the price though I dunno if they are worth it. In a few years maybe but right now you can buy a much better vehicle for the same price or less.

I'm a GM guy to but there stuff is just crap anymore, have you looked at any Toyotas? The mid size Toyota trucks are nice and wont break the bank and they do last forever. Not really all that for towing but then agan neither is a Colorado.

Maybe you got a bad one?

My Former boss had a 2001 K1500, 5.3 Liter automatic, it currently has 325K on it, just got its 2nd tranny @ 305K, no axel issues, no body issues, engine is solid as a rock and uses about 1qt every 5K miles...

MY cousin got her 2000 C1500 when she turned 16, it had 181K on it then, she beats on it hard, goes offroad...after a long 1 wheel peel she blew the spiders out of the diff...couple hours work and new spiders fixed it right up, no body issues, the 4.8 V8 is solid reliable. She blew the tranny @ 200K..she accidentally revved it up thinking she was in reverse and it wasnt in gear, while revved she popped it into Reverse and broke the sun shell carrier...so it had to be rebuilt, but now @ 225K miles...dead reliable.

My Neighbor buys a new K1500 every 2 years, usually sells or trades his olds ones with 150-175K on them, he is almost always towing a 25-30 foot trailer or boat behind him, lots of highway miles and more than a few back roads...its also used extensively on construction sites (he owns a business)...he said he keeps buying GM because despite his best efforts he has been unable to hurt one.

My other neighbor bought a Tundra, daily driver...V8 blew in the 3rd year, lots of rust under it..paint was dull after 4 years, disappointing truck for the money, they traded it for a 2010 Lincoln Mark LT truck...

I know people who work for Nissan, Toyota, etc...their repair departments stay swamped year round, always something broke, just like Dodge, Ford, Chevy, etc..

 

[Jere39]

Good luck. I have a newer Tacoma Access Cab with the 2.7 4cyl and 5sp manual 4wd. I've only got 30k miles, but my avg MPG for those miles is 21.3. My miles are a mix of local travel in a very suburban area with a few trips to my cabin in the mountains where I often run 4wd, and low speed on fire roads. (I don't go off roading, but some of these roads are pretty miserable). I tow occassionally, a utility trailer, to move firewood, mulch, friend's furniture, lawn tractor or implements, and an occassional 3-wheeler.

I am very happy with my truck, it replaces a Toyota 4Runner that at 250k miles still looked good and ran great, but was starting to show wear on shocks, tires, electric window motors, electric antenna operation.... I wish I could have afforded to keep it as a knock around vehicle, but I don't have a place to garage it, probably couldn't afford to insure an extra, and expect it would have become even less reliable with limited use.

The Tacoma does command a premium price. My nephews each have a Colorado/Canyon manual. They like them, but they spend a lot of time under them on weekends. They enjoy that, but I find laying on a garage floor less interesting than I used to.

 

[johndeere]

My dad's Colorado Crew Cab inline 5 automatic 4x4 is getting around 22 or 23 and my (now daughter's) Ranger with a extended cab with the V6 standard tranny and 4x4 was getting around 23 or 24. Using the old fashioned method that is I never use a trip odometer they try to lie to you so that you keep buying those types of vehicles. I would personally look for an older F150 or F250, K1500 or K2500, or even a Ram 1500 or 2500. My 1988 F150 gets around 19 to 21 depending on how I am driving and the prices on them things are really cheap plus you can get a super cab one with a standard tranny really easily at least here in Arizona I can with 4x4. Got one in my back yard needing some work right now but I already got it sold just need to get it fixed my parts are coming in soon on that oh ya and it has the inline 6 with 245000 miles.
Trav

The trip odometer just keeps you from having to write the mileage down between fill ups.I think you must mean the AVG and INST fuel economy gizmo that reads all over the place.Like 30 going down a hill and 15 going up a hill at take off.My Canyon is a basic model and does not have that Gizmo on it just a trip odometer.That I trip during a fill up and read to divide the milage reading into the gallons put in when I fill up.

 

[Tractor-Holic]

I have seen a guy driving an old Dodge Caravan around my area that was cut down into a pickup truck!...I talked to him while he was getting gas at a station nearby,guy said he looked "forever" for a decent small pickup,but none less than 1500 bucks were any good,they were either rotted,or had 300K miles on them--but in his searches he saw a lot of mini-vans going for cheap money,so one day he decided to buy that Caravan and fire up the sawsall and welder....it was a bit crude looking,but he said he liked it,it gets almost 30 mpg now,but he said it's a bit "light" empty,and on windy days it tends to float around on the highway...but it's rarely "empty"--he had about 1000 lbs of ladders,tools and lumber in the back of it......its still registered as a van,he's hoping that wont cause trouble someday,if he gets pulled over in it...

There would be plenty of mini-trucks around,if they all hadn't used boxed frames,all of the Toyota's,Mazda's and Mitzubishi's here broke in half right behind the cab about 10-15 years ago--the junkyards were overflowing with them then,and most had perfectly good drivetrains...I think Ford was stupid to stop making Rangers,we will be having more demand for small trucks as gas prices keep climbing...a smart manufacturer would make a small diesel powered pickup like the old VW Rabbit,they would sell millions...