I have a 2004 Chevy Colorado LS, 4x4, I-5 3.5L Extended cab @ 75k.

Looking for something similar, but newer (>=2008). I'm not sure on how much I want to spend... need to run some numbers; won't have a large down payment though and probably need to keep payments <$300/month. I figure trade-in on my truck is $8,000.

Any suggestions? I don't keep up with autos, have no clue what's shit and what's not these days. I have no brand loyalty, but I do find some more appealing than others.

Thanks

3/4/2011 7:44:16 PM

frontier or tacoma, hands down

I'm all for the frontier

3/4/2011 9:02:07 PM

frontier or tacoma, hands down

I'm all for the tacoma.

3/4/2011 9:06:15 PM

What's wrong with the Colorado? If it's a stick, I'd stick with it.

3/4/2011 9:17:18 PM

^automatic. about $1,000-$2,000 worth of work/maintenance - enough that I don't think it's worth throwing that much into it anymore. will know specifics in the next few days.

3/4/2011 10:37:33 PM

Maybe a tacoma, just try to get it in a color other than silver.

3/6/2011 1:26:50 PM

Honestly, I'd check Tundra. The Pre 2006 models are solid as a tank (mine has 140k and still running perfectly), and the post 07 models are holding up well too. V8 gas milage however, is pretty gay.

3/6/2011 2:26:28 PM

will do. what about full-size trucks?

3/6/2011 5:53:53 PM

, the Tundra is fullsize.

Single Tear...

3/6/2011 6:31:24 PM

a full-size truck seems like a bad idea right now unless you really need it, gas prices are going to be high for awhile before they come down at all again.

3/6/2011 7:26:34 PM

^^haha, I meant other full-sizes.
^if the EPA estimates are even somewhat close on the full-sizes, I won't be losing much, if at all. and I don't really subscribe to the whole, "omg gas prices changed! now I gotta change my car, lifestyle, etc." deal. all prices are always changing... might as well get used to it. and gas prices are only going to continue to increase, so you might as well live it.

[Edited on March 6, 2011 at 7:43 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2011 7:40:25 PM

but that's not true, gas prices go up and down but generally return to about the same level. with the shit going on now its going to be a long stretch of up before it comes down. also, check the internet before using epa guidelines as a guide. for my 2008 Silverado I generally got about 3mpg less than epa rating.

however, if you are really not worried about fuel costs then try to nurse your truck a little longer, as soon as gas prices are edging $4/gal full size trucks will be on fire sale.

3/6/2011 7:54:40 PM

^uh, no. when's the last time gas was <$1. what is the "same level" anyways? when gas was $1.50 and jumped to $3 people said it would fall back... did it? no. it stayed above $2.

I'm debating on holding out for a while to see if truck prices plummet... but I don't think I'll be able to hold out too long. we'll see.

hell, we'ere at what, $3.5 now? $4 should come quickly.

[Edited on March 6, 2011 at 8:05 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2011 8:04:48 PM

well nominal prices increase, but adjust for inflation and they were actually falling

our last spike was around 2008, since then they have been falling. that was a long climb to get there though, but before the economy tanked gas prices had also been falling since the 80's.



[Edited on March 6, 2011 at 8:08 PM. Reason : .]

3/6/2011 8:06:40 PM

^^I paid 1.40 for a gallon of gas in 2009.

3/6/2011 8:16:36 PM

ok, thread derailed. doesn't matter.


options/opinions/etc. on trucks

3/6/2011 8:33:53 PM

i loved my '08 extended cab silverado, but it was pricey (work stipend). great ride and the interior with leather was very comfortable. before that i had an '05 super cab F150 and did not life it. I could never get the seat right and the visibility out of the back was terrible. The ride wasn't bad for a truck, but it was not as comfortable as the silverado. I also had to take the ford back to the dealership for small repairs more than the silverado. they were all covered under warranty, but it was a hassle.

3/6/2011 9:47:53 PM

yeh, I've heavily considered the silverado 1500 if I go full-size. alway's loved them and know of several friends that have had them for years and tons of miles. the colorado just doesn't seem to have that same quality, so I'm trying to get out of it.

3/6/2011 9:52:20 PM

2011 F150 with the ECOBOOST TT v6.

3/7/2011 1:22:00 PM

Is the Colorado your only vehicle?

3/7/2011 9:15:21 PM

^yes

3/8/2011 7:05:54 AM

^^^I have a 2009 F-150 supercrew and effing love it. I have the 5.4 V8 and a 36 gal. tank, so going to the gas pump is quite painful. But I knew that going into it. I get 17 city and 20.5 hwy. If you're going for a truck and weighing full size vs. mid size, don't get caught up on one or two mpg difference. Do the calculation and figure out how much savings that you'll end up reaping based on your typical yearly mileage before letting mpg sway you too far one way or another.

3/8/2011 8:49:08 AM

I'm just going to throw this out there...
The last time gas went over $4 per gallon trucks started going cheap. The rumor mill started talking about $5-$10/gallon gas as well as the possibility of not being able to get gas and I saw a lot of trucks being sold for thousands less than they would have just a few months prior. If I were looking to buy a truck I would wait for that kind of uncertainty to build again. I think there is a pretty good possibility of it happening over the next few months. I can understand why you might choose not to wait since the issues with your truck are pressing you to sell it now though.

3/8/2011 9:16:17 AM

Quote :

"2011 F150 with the ECOBOOST TT v6."

Problem is the cost because they are brand new. It is a great engine... I have been studying it extensively.

3/8/2011 9:48:54 AM

Quote :

"Problem is the cost because they are brand new. It is a great engine... I have been studying it extensively. "

i remember your previous postings regarding the engine. and yes, I did an online 'build' for a bare-bones reg cab, long bed, 4x4 with the minimum options required to get the ecoboost, and it was low-mid $30's

3/8/2011 10:02:40 AM

Quote :

"The last time gas went over $4 per gallon trucks started going cheap. The rumor mill started talking about $5-$10/gallon gas as well as the possibility of not being able to get gas and I saw a lot of trucks being sold for thousands less than they would have just a few months prior. If I were looking to buy a truck I would wait for that kind of uncertainty to build again. I think there is a pretty good possibility of it happening over the next few months. I can understand why you might choose not to wait since the issues with your truck are pressing you to sell it now though. "

after katrina my buddy bought a brand new Tundra with options that put the sticker price well into the 30's for a hair under $18k and got a $500 or $1000 gas card with it.

3/8/2011 10:12:56 AM

Yeah...there were lots of deals to be had.
No guarantee that it will happen again, but I think there is a reasonable possibility.
I'd hate to buy a truck today and see it for $10k less two months from now.

3/8/2011 10:19:01 AM

Global disruptions in the oil supply are always going to cause price fluctuations here in the US b/c for the last 30 years the federal government has bungled our energy policies. To make matters worse Obama and his cronies want oil levels to stay high so their green policies look more attractive to the public. Until that (or if that ever) changes I wouldn't buy a vehicle unless I was willing to accept $4/gal for the long term.

Heck, I've owned nothing but premium fuel only cars for 11 years now so I'm paying $3.80-3.90/gal right now It's just the reality we live in now, unfortunately.

3/8/2011 10:33:38 AM

my cost per mile is no higher with my premium fuel car, it can take advantage of the higher octane

3/8/2011 11:06:58 AM

can't decide on what to do...

it seems that small-mid size trucks meeting my criteria are almost the same price as base model full-sizes. I don't really need a full-size, but would like one - that's what consumerism is all about! I mean, if we really break it down, almost no one needs much of anything out of their vehicle. and on top of that, I'm really digging the more lavish full-sizes. I can afford any of them, really; just don't know if I want to pay more or not; go big or not. or even continue this at all... my current ride may just need these fixes now and be good for a long time.... or not. and $2k in repairs is but a few months of payments.

I know I'll love having a full-size and could possibly regret not going full-size. But financially, it would make more sense to go small-medium (though it's not like going full-size would really kill my budget)

3/8/2011 8:01:28 PM

well, for what its worth, i had a four door silverado with probably every option and felt like i was a damn king driving that thing. it was expensive though, but luckily my employer was reimbursing me for that. plenty of room in the back too, i took it on a couple road trips with a full passenger load and everyone was comfortable. as a comparison i road to maryland in the back of a co-workers f-150 supercrew and HATED the ride.

3/8/2011 10:47:51 PM

^yeh, those are a few of the reasons I want a full-size; silverado to be exact (at least for now)

3/8/2011 11:15:17 PM

^if your looking to buy new try overstock.com....i bought a new tundra from them that was $1800 cheaper than any dealer around....

3/8/2011 11:54:54 PM

^nah; i'd only go that route if new prices dropped to used prices

3/9/2011 7:09:10 AM