Haven't driven this Colorado yet. If you're looking for a truck for some light duty work (or no work at all) I think the Colorado should be on the top of your list. Great looks, great gas mileage, decent towing capacity is what makes this truck so awesome. 40K is pretty steep I would agree, especially when you get get a well equipped Silverado right around that price range (42-43k). Granted its not a diesel.
AGreed re no work comment. Why? Because GM doesn't WANT the truck to be used in a work or heavy duty usage type environment.
Why? Not sure, exactly. Opinion?
The "weak link" re these trucks HAS to be the transmission.
Why I am not buying one now (at least until/unless an 8 speed (Like DOdge Ram and every other truck manufacturer with a new truck offers), Preferably a MANUAL 6 speed, or at least a "regular" transmissionI can replace with some options BESIDES the local Stealership
! I can't IMAGING anyone who knows mechanical things and understands what this transmission will cost to replace, would even CONSIDER buying this truck with the ONLY ooption (diesel anyway) being this one off, dealer and NEW only, replacement transmission that uses a proprietary device (antivibe dohickey)!!
Whats it gonna cost a buyer when they toast the tranny after loading a tune, or doing what many truck buyers/user/entheausiasts do, tow and haul, and the trans gets hot and dies or is mortally wounded. Warranty is denied (rightfully so, I admit) BUT no other option due to no other trans being suitable/available as designed for the truck!! OUCH!!
Not something I would do, for sure!
The tq rating "overhead" of the transmission relative to the tq output of the baby dmax is WAAAY to slim, IMHO. Even stock thats not much room to graw any power/tq without immediately being overstressed ad use in an overstressed output from its design.
Why would ANYONE reengineer an outdated 6 speed, NON HD, already weak transmission, for a one off, application, ESPECIALLY if the trucks were selling as well as they have as gasoline powered vehicles?? WHY! Thats just plain DUMB as rocks!
Actually, thats just TYPICAL GM and USA car manufacturer idiocy of the past I've watched my entire life (I'm 59 now)!! SOS, but this time, in a product I FINALLY had interest in enough to study up on it.
Why they lost me to DOdge (again) I have bought new a diesel 5 speed (manual) 2500 HD in 1996, and then again, same truck except 6 speed MANUAL, in 2004, except it was a 4 door. 1996 was the new (then) ext cab, fixed rear door model.
GREAT trucks. The 1996, I still use regularly as its got a 5th wheel gor gooseneck towing. Just replaced the original!! clutch pp and bearings this month with a HD unit, after 300,000+ miles of hd (ie hard, but as designed) use in my construction company. at least 1/2 has been towing a trailer, loaded. & which has had NO issues, EVER, PERIOD.
Business partners and associates ordered/owned same trucks,but automatic tranny's, ALL have spent MAJOR $$ rebuilding, and inmost cases, reengineering their transmissions to hold up to the trucks engine and capabilities, after the stock transmissions greneded, REPEATEDLY, every 80-100,000 miles or so.
Thats a STANDARD, HD automatic, used in many vehicles, cars and trucks, that can be found and bought at scrapyards, and rebuilt from ebay etc. expensive but doable for $4-6000.00 (plus labor, of course).
This autotransmission, has the antivibe dohickey in it. NO OTHER TRANSMISSION has EVER had this device installed in it. Sooo, how available are used ones? How about REBUILT ones?
How much does your local stealership gonna charge to r and r a new one for you? 1/2 the trucks cost new? 1/3? between the two? most likely.
That, and not being able to buy it in an ext cab, manual transmission, vinly floored (easy to clean/hose out when muddy jobs are worked).
Fix this issue(s) and I'll buy 2 to start... Otherwise waiting on Nissan Frontier manual diesel ASAP. (Or Hyundai, if a work truck optionis made)...
