My old Toyota is on its last leg, and I can't wait for Hyundai to market a pickup. So I have to make do with what's on the market.

I need a Tacoma-sized truck with double cab, automatic, and a 150+hp 4cyl engine. Everything else is negotiable. It will be used mostly for suburban driving, with an occasional 50 mile trip. I will not be doing any towing with it, and decent gas mileage is a muct.

Where's the bang for the buck in this category, and are there any problem trucks I should avoid?

Many thanks,,,

I got this 2004 Chevy Colorado Z71 4x4 for all of nothing. 220hp 3.5L IL5cyl....I like it....And it's not a school of fish...kinda like the Azera :grin:


This post has been edited by Brazzel: Dec 1 2007, 12:13 PM

I've heard in the rumormill that Hyundai is working on a pickup. I haven't checked in a while but just did and Google is abuzz if you search for "hyundai pickup".

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news/hyundai/page1.html

Yeah, I'd think they would want to get into the market. That's where all the money is. I've read that car companies don't make alot off of cars but make a bundle off of trucks. I think Toyota & Nissan are happy they got on board the full size truck wave.
I see that KIA has had a concept for a while now ~~> http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/2007/04/...n-pipeline.html



















This post has been edited by Brazzel: Dec 1 2007, 07:51 PM

Hey Brazzle,

So far, the Colorado has the most buyer-friendly packaging.

Most of the others don't offer an automatic with a 4cyl, and try to force feed you a V6 with a double cab.

Pickup truck warranties are awful. Hyundai need to hurry up and come to the rescue with a killer warranty. And where's the 150-175hp 4cyl or 5cyl diesel so many buyers want?


There's just too much suckage in medium pickups right now, and I'll have to choose 1 that sucks less than the rest. :grin:

I don't know what the warrenty is on the new Chevys...I saw an add that said something about them being the best. This 04 has the same ole 36,000 on it. It seems to get pretty good gas mileage...But then it's a reg. cab with a standard tranny. No frills no thrills but it seems like a pretty nice truck for the money. Good luck on your search.
Looks like KIA might take the plung before Hyundai.
Oh and one other thing...I think the Colorado is made in your state :grin:
New ones have 100,000 mile warranty
http://www.chevrolet.com/warranty/

http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado/?seo=goo_colorado

This post has been edited by Brazzel: Dec 2 2007, 08:52 AM

185hp...close to what your looking for.....support your States economy :beer:

http://www.chevrolet.com/pop/colorado/2008/i_4_en.jsp

Well, it's no diesel, but it looks like power and economy are good. Wonder if it's made by GM or Isuzu?

Edit: I see it's made by GM up in NY, and has a timing chain. Looks like a sweet engine.

Looks like Toyota, Ford, and Nissan don't want my business. :grin:


This post has been edited by bobad: Dec 2 2007, 10:22 AM

They got out of bed with Isuzu. Isuzu does still make the transfer case on the 4x4.

for most bang for the buck you cant beat the ford ranger.
its a dated proven design but a pretty good lil truck from what i've seen. :thumbsup:

True, Ford makes good trucks (I've had a F350 4x4 & a Lariat F150 4x4) ...But he is looking for a four door with a auto tranny and a four banger. The Ranger does not offer these features.

I think that Hyundai should be careful when it comes to introducing their line of pick up trucks.

The pick up truck market is very competitive and mainly dominated by Ford or Chevy.

Toyota has come up with the new Tundra but I don't think they are "heavy duty" enough to compete with Ford or Chevy.

Toyota may be able to produce good sedans but Ford and Chevy does better in pick up truck market.

Look what happened to Mitsubishi. They introduced a pick up about two years ago but it's extremely rare to see on the road.


Colorado would be a good choice.

This post has been edited by sonatalove: Dec 4 2007, 06:58 PM

Very true.....I don't think they will jump in any time soon.
From what I've read KIA is much closer than Hyundai to making any kind of jump into that market. I agree..it will be a hard market to break into.

Check out the Nissan Frontier. I bought mine in March 05 LE with every option and have been very pleased with it. Quiet and very powerful. When it's clean I don't mind taking it to the country club or splashing it through a creek sometimes to get it dirty. I now have almost 32k on the clock and have not had one issue other than the Sirius receiver having to be replaced. The V6 in the truck is simply an amazing engine that consistently gives me 20-22 MPG.

When I first started looking all I wanted was a Colorado but was very leery of the 5 cyclinder engine and my unlucky past with GM. The test drive steered me away to Nissan.

A Tacoma would get my second look vote, although if you are tall like me the Tacoma is uncomfortable.

Ray

My company has several Coloardo and its GMC twin.
I have almost 100,000 in under 3 years on mine. No unscheduled maintenenance/repairs. I have been averaging 22mpg with the 4 cyl auto, extended cab. 6'8" box.
I tried to convince my bosses that I need 4WD but they didn't even get me limited slip for the 2WD. I do a fair amount of pre-construction stake-out. I have had to be pulled out of soft sand, and wet grass on several occasions-resulting in some damage to the plastic bumper cover on the rear.
I recommend spending the extra $ to upgrade the interior. My (cheap) bosses did not, so i have aan extended cab where the seat does not recline--Stupid!
The 4 cyl is quite powerful; Ihave had no issues with not enough power. We also have a 5 cyl one in the fleet; VERY strong. No worries about 5 cyls as far as i know. Mercedes has been making them for 25 years--as I remind the young kids on the Colorado BBS. There is nothing wrong with 5 cyl. I have an '82 Mercedes 5 cyl with almost a 1/4 million miles. I have a friend with over 1/2 million, and another wither over 300,000 miles--all on 5 cylinder diesels.

I have never been a Chevy fan--but this has been a good compact truck.

I went to the salvage yard and got the upgraded seats out of a wrecked truck for $100...Look brand new. 8 bolts and the were in.