V6 or V8

[05GTXSC]

I just bought a new 09 Challenger SE and am looking at new trucks I have my work truck 06 Chevy 3500HD Dully dump body extended cab and was looking for more of a family oriented truck I like the new Colorado's but was not sure if the 3.7 straight 5 was enough not to overload the engine I know they are rated for much more then the boat weighs but I will be going on some long hauls with the boat and family, it will be a Crew Cab LTZ loaded with trailering package I know they come in the 5.3 but the reason I wanted the Colorado was for better fuel economy and it will be the wife's in the winter when she doesn't want to drive her front wheel drive 08 Malibu in the snow (We live in Maine). What do you all think.

 

[rookie101]

My 06 Canyon crewcab Z71 tows my Utopia no problem. I did drive a new 09 with the 5.3, and would love to have one but I'm waaaaaaay to cheap to spend 40+ thousand (Canadian) on a compact truck. Having said that, if money was no object I would definitely go with the 5.3. I also believe the V8 gets the same highway fuel economy as the I5, so I wouldn't worry about mileage.



Aaron:cheers:

 

[sporsterjoel]

How much are you wanting to spend. I personally like the 2008 ford sport trac, Way better then a colorado.... I have a 2005 jeep grand cherokee V6 and tow a 5000lb doral

http://ford.ca/app/fo/en/trucks/explorer_sport_trac.do

 

[05GTXSC]

Well know that you metion the Caynon I got to looking at the GMC's and like the look better and the options well the truck I priced out is a Crew Cab 4X4 Z71 SLT with the 3.7 I5 for 32,000 and it is loaded with every option but the 5.3 well I think I will call my local dealer Mon morning and see what he has.

 

[05GTXSC]

My price range is pretty much open to anything but I have always been a GM guy and own all GM products and always will.

 

[rookie101]

Just to be sure you get something you will be happy with, if they have both an I5 and a V8 take your boat with you and see how you think each truck handles the load.

In this market any dealer that wants to make a sale should have no problem with that. Just be sure to bring you own ball mount as they most likely wont have one.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[05GTXSC]

They better considering I have bought 5 vehicles from them in the past 5 years combined around 300,000 the most expensive being my new 09 Vet ZR1 6.2 liter 638HP a little more then 120,000 so if they don't I will be surprised.

 

[pincusa]

Looks like the 5 Cylinder has a 4000lb tow capacity. I'm guessing you got the 180 and not the 230, so at least 2700-3000 lbs for the boat on the trailer (I'm guessing it's 2000lbs dry) Add in the trailer, and other gear that you store in the boat for long trips, and you're up around 3500lbs. Add the family and other stuff into the truck, and I'd say that you'll max it out. I wouldn't want to drive nor be in front of you with all that weight. I also suspect that your trans won't hold out that long either!

So personally, I wouldn't put my family into such a vehicle for long trips. Around town going to the boat ramp, OK. But I guess it depends how much you like your family and yourself....

I have a Tahoe that I use to pull everything with and love it. I think it's a 7000lb towing capacity, and the boat on a single axle trailer will still wag the car around at times. My other tandom axle trailer with brakes I forget it's back there.

 

[05GTXSC]

I think after consideration and advice for members that I will look at a Suburban for the wife trade in the Malibu so she will have a winter vehicle and I will have a tow vehicle well that just about doubles what I was going to spend thanks guys LOL.

 

[sporsterjoel]

I think after consideration and advice for members that I will look at a Suburban for the wife trade in the Malibu so she will have a winter vehicle and I will have a tow vehicle well that just about doubles what I was going to spend thanks guys LOL.

dont foget to look at the avalanche aswell there a great truck...

 

[05GTXSC]

Quoting my wife here " If I am going to have a truck I am going to have a truck if I am going to have a SUV I am going to have an SUV not something in between all that plastic makes it look stupid". I like it but as you can tell she doesn't and it will be her truck so her choice but what I don't get is that I am the one paying for it so shouldn't I pick well I guess these are the kinds of things you keep you mouth shut about.LOL

 

[RFoster130]

I vote for the Avalanche too. Don't count out bigger trucks just because of fuel economy. I use to have an 04 Silverado 4.3 and it only got around 15 mpg. I found an awesome deal on a used Avalanche last June. I got a 2005 4x4 Z71 with 5.3 and 15,000 miles for $17,000. It gets 15mpg normal driving and 19 on the highway. Pulling the boat 900 miles home after I bought it I averaged 16mpg. If you dont mind buying used, there are some awesome deals out there. The 5.3 gets great fuel mileage. I think the 4.3 was so bad because it was actually working the engine a lot harder to pull that much weight.

 

[sporsterjoel]

LOL sometime that just the way things are ...What plastic the stupid body moldings that was an option? if your buying used you can get them with crome bumpers just like a regular truck. I think there awesome trucks lots of storage in the side of the bed and fold the divider down and a small double mattress fits right in witch is good at the drive-in :cheers: and still have the versatility of a truck.

 

[RFoster130]

They make the avalanche without the plastic body cladding. Personally I love it, it takes a lot of abuse and hits from grocery carts and things and still looks brand new, I guess it is personal preference though.

 

[05GTXSC]

I didn't think they made the Avalanche without the plastic around the bed but I like the Suburban because of the room in the third row and you can easily put the seat down or take it out to put more gear in and that will help a lot when going sledding with 4 guys hauling my 4 place enclosed trailer.

 

[05GTXSC]

I am really looking for something new not used with the deals the dealers are giving out right now it makes more sense to me to buy new plus my wife said she doesn't want something that somebody has already driven and used.

 

[sporsterjoel]

I am really looking for something new not used with the deals the dealers are giving out right now it makes more sense to me to buy new plus my wife said she doesn't want something that somebody has already driven and used.

well you might aswell just go buy the new Escalade :cheers:

 

[05GTXSC]

Looked at those too but I don't want or need the 6.2. I do like the Platinum Escalade but I don't really want or need to spend 84,000 but I do like it. I could buy a Suburban and an Colorado for the price of that Escalade. LOL Who knows it all depends on what I get back for taxes this year if I get anything back last year I had to send them 5,000 so I don't know yet.

 

[05GTXSC]

I do like the EXT though, I will have to see if the wife likes them I am going to take tomorrow off to go look at them.

 

[Squidoo]

... I use to have an 04 Silverado 4.3 and it only got around 15 mpg...

That's what I heard, that the 4.8 V8 gets better mieage than the 4.3 V6 got. I've always hated the 4.3, I always think that there is a bad plug or wire. It was such an anti-fun engine. Blah. V6s just don't sound right. I6s sound great, V6s sound wrong.
I was lured into this thread by a false title, so it is my right to voice my opinion about V6s.

 

[05GTXSC]

No problem that was the feed back I was looking for but the Colorado has the 3.7 straight 5 not V6.

 

[timmyboy76]

dig this topic

I had bought my ex, one of those, trailblazer ext, looked like a damn hearst. That truk/suv, was theee worst, P.O.S., toilet vehicle, I've ever bought. Couldnt tow for crap (I6), had no sweet spot for towing, either turning 5k or 1500, just to turn 5k again. Towing a 15ft enclosed, so around 3k weight, with 2-quads, fuel alright, arounf 4k. Thing pissed me off, since had warranty, TRIED to pop that bit**. Couldnt wait to get back, to trade in...

Had that vehicle for 6months, traded in for the 05 crew cab 1500....loved that truck, 5.3 is an awesome motor, with 3.73 ratio...test drove the COlorado, prior to the trailblazer...hated it, no power, and turn signal noise, sounded like rain drops...wtf. Also, had the ex-cab w/ 4.8 as rental..thats a dog also, had same rpm fluctuation as the trailblazer, and seemed also, gas went faster in that, then the 5.3.

So, thrown my cents, since I had experience w/ these motors...:cheers: