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Chevy S10 - GMC S15 and Sonoma Owners: Meet the Members
Please take a moment to introduce yourself and share some details about your S-10!
My name is KarenS and I am the host of the Edmunds.com Owners Clubs. Please let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club folder. I will create them ASAP. You may want to take a look through the other clubs to get ideas for discussions.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
My name is KarenS and I am the host of the Edmunds.com Owners Clubs. Please let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club folder. I will create them ASAP. You may want to take a look through the other clubs to get ideas for discussions.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
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I would like to know if GMC Sonoma owners are also welcome or do you want to restrict this to just Chevrolet. jjstokes0430@hotmail.com
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
Regarding the folding cover on my Sonoma. It is made of a double layer of aluminum with styrofoam in between. The side rails are attached with double sided molding tape. The only necessary holes are two in the tailgate to mount the lock striker. It does lock the tailgate as well. It is water resistant but not guaranteed water proof. Water will get in my bed through the gaps between the side of the tailgate and the bed. It was made by Fold A Cover and sold through my GM dealer as a GM accesory.
If you have some time, we would really appreciate Town Hall members writing a review of their current auto, or a favorite make/model. It takes approximately a week for your review to appear on that make/model.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
I saw the 1996 S-10 pickup at the Auto Show in Feb. I saw the third door on the extended cab and said I have to have that truck. They started producing that model in June of 96. I bought mine off the lot July 5, 1996 two weeks after it came off the line. 88,000 miles on it and have not regreted my purchase once.
Since I have owned mine I have had four friends and a brother-in-law buy the S-10 because it is a great vehicle.
One of my buds is a GM mechanic(one of the best,even if he rides a Harley). I find out all the running problems with the Chevys. There is no gage problem that we have heard of. Fuel pump yes but no gauge problem.
Great truck would be an understatement. I used to trade cars and trucks every year or so, but I've had this one two years and just added a 6 year 100K miles Warranty Gold contract on it. I expect to have it at least that long--will be great to have it paid for, under warranty, know it is dependable, and won't leave me stranded somewhere. No big problems, but several small ones ($200 here, $300 there) all covered under the new GM warranty. I like to keep mine as close to new and in perfect running condition, so I expect I will get about a 2-for-1 payback on the warranty between now (32K mmiles) and 100K miles.
To anyone considering buying a Chevy S-10 or GMC Sonoma, two words: DO IT!! My personal recommendation is to go for the V-6, extended cab with third door and automatic.
These trucks are very dependable, have great rebates on them now, and will have good parts availability for years to come. When the new Chevy Colorado comes out to replace the S-10, you can expect a 5-15% price increase and no rebates for a year or two. That means the Colorado will easily be $5K-7K more expensive than a comparable S-10. And, we all know what can happen with new models, new engines and new transmissions.
Joe
1) The throttle stuck so they replaced the intake.
2) Why didn't we notice that it didn't have a recirculation setting? We live in LA and the fumes kill us whenever/wherever we drive.
3) Fuel gauge calibration is off even after we've taken it in to be 'fixed' several times. When the fuel light goes on there's still 6 gallons in there.
4) The Max AC doesn't work.
5) Lots of squeaking in the cabin, especially around the third door.
6) The first bedliner didn't fit right. And the second one that we had them put in rattles.
7) Scratches on rooftop from shipment.
8) Floormats don't fit and are wearing terribly.
9) When the mechanics replaced sending unit within fuel tank, they didn't put it in right. 10,000 miles later the truck stalled on a busy freeway as we were hauling a small boat...with gas spraying everywhere. Luckily no one was injured!
I miss our Toyota!
Alloverit~
Len
Thanks Jason
Am new to the P/U scene.
My wife decided a few weeks ago that I needed a "new" toy to play with.. so she went out and
got me a 99 S-10 LS extended cab.
It has a 4.3 V-6 Vortec and 4 speed automatic. Mileage on it is just a tad over 36,000. In addition, she also picked up a extra 36 month/36,000 mile extended warranty just for
the heck of it.
She saw the custom bed liner, but at the time she first looked at it, didn't realize that it also had a class III Hidden Hitch receiver.
Well I guess you know where that leaves me now.. (LOL) I'll sure be giving her alot of " love'n " in the future.. (LOL).
As it stands, I'm nothing but happy with the purchase she made.
I just bought a used '94 pick-up, because I loved the test drive (Mom came along and liked it, too). I tried out other trucks, but enjoyed simply driving this one, beyond its utilitarian function for my work.
However, I do not speak "car"...could you folks please explain to me the following terms: Vortex engine; 4.3 (I think it's the block!?!); and, the S10's "LS" classification...none of the websites explain this stuff. Thank you so much.
I haven't been on the board for a while but when I saw the gauge question I had to jump in.
The gas gauge is similar to the one in my old '69' Malibu.
Once it hit the 1/2 mark the gauge can dive to empty. I have heard of this problem from many others. I find that on "E" the tank can have as much as 4 gallons.
I don't trust it though. I fill up at 250 miles normally.
I hope that GM comes out with a fix.
Here's hoping.
Otherwise, we love this crew cab. My wife really likes it and that is unusual for her to like a truck. I added a Jerico cap and it is ideal for holiday travel to the relatives with the 2 kids/car seats, 2 dogs, luggage and baby gear.
Keep your eyes open for door problems. I first heard of this problem on Edmunds and my dealer admitted that they had a rear door just 'break'. Mine was getting stiff and making noise so they checked it out and lubed it up.
Our 2002 crew cab 4x4 gets 15-18 around town and on a back road commute to work. It gets 19-23 on the road so far depending on speed and how long we sit in traffic.
The best mileage of 24 mpg was on one trip averaging 55 mph. Since we usually travel 65 mph, we haven't seen that mileage repeated yet.
We just experienced a nice 7-9 inches of snow in our area that kept most people at home. There was a layer of ice under the snow as well. Schools were closed and the roads were not plowed. After 1/2 day of work, we were sent home....in the middle of the snow.
Dispite stopping to clean the ice off the wipers and being stopped at the base of hills while others 'burned' their way up the hill, I was able to drive the back roads without incidence.
This being deer season I managed to get my first day off in too long, so I took my S-10 up to a friends property. Not only was I pleased with how this truck handled the snow off road, but when I met a Pathfinder coming the other direction on the one way trail, the little S10 just went up in the woods to let the Pathfinder through. I thought that this would be a test of the ground clearance. I am happy to report that it didn't. It was as sure-footed as driving in town.
I know this 2001 S10 doesn't have the profile of the Z package or the "aggressive features?" of the frontier, or a V-8 like the Dakota to which the S10 was compared in the small truck category. But I hope Chevy keeps making this small truck. I understand that(Isuzu)will replace the S10 with the "Colorado" as a midsize truck. It's a shame that a best seller like the S10 can't stay in the market. I'll bet if Chevy put a diesel' engine in the S10 it would find a new market share. Maybe someone from GM reads these postings?
For me, the S10 won out over Nissans new plastic truck, the Ford Ranger, and the Dakotas(all the Dakotas around here need new transmissions). The only truck in its class that had more appeal was the Toyota that was $3000 more than the S10 and I couldn't afford it.
Oh, one more thing... the S10 did manage a respectable 15 mpg on a 1/2 tank using 4 wheel drive. That was better than expected.
Here's a vote to keep a truck like the S10 on the market...so I can replace this truck someday.
I was concerned that about 1/3 or the 100 plus complaints lodged against the Chevy S-10 for the 2001 model were in regards to hydrolic brake failure. Nearly another 1/3 were related to serious transmission problems.
Dealerships were not viewed as taking these problems seriously.
I am not seeing those types of complaints posted in this forum. The site was well worth the look especially if you are considering the value of an extended warranty.
I do not know whether the number of complaints to the NHTSA are "normal" or unusual.
Any ideas?
The owner (my buddy) and a co-worker helped me overhaul it, as well. We put a new 2.8L V6 in it, virtually identical to the 2.8L V6 that was in it --but this one wasn't throwing a rod and actually had a functioning oil pump. The only difference is that the original block had a mechanical fuel pump and the new one had an electronic. Therefore, the hole that the mechanical fuel pump plugs into the block with was not there. Oh well, time for an electronic fuel pump.
Gave it a new clutch, new transmission fluid, and new fluid for the rear pumpkin.
Now all I need is a new heater core, new starter, new carburetor, and 3" suspension lift kit. :-p The leaf-springs on the back are virtually flat, so I'm thinking that I may as well put in a whole new suspension while I'm at it.
I love my baby. :-D
I have an original 125,000 mile Florida 96 S-10 LS extended cab pick-up, and I really love it. It's a Mark III conversion so it's lowered, mags & fat tires, bed rails, and skirting all around. A bit squirrely in the winter time with only rear wheel drive, but 270 lbs. of sand in the bed helps. It's loaded, with an aftermarket AM/FM Cassette/CD so it is a great ride. I/m thinking of selling it and get a SUV, but why? It runs great, and everything works, and it seems everything out there 4x4 is junk or there are a million problems with them! So, I guess I'm probably just gonna' stay a happy S-10 family member!
Dick Wenzel
I have a 2003 Chevy S-10 Xtreme Black w/silver stripes. I have done a lot to the audio/video side of the the truck, but I am still working on the performance portion. So far, so good! I love it! If anyone has questions for me or would like to see a pic, just ask!
I am pretty much always signed on to AIM: screen name, eatalargecorndog
-Aaron
does anyone have any suggestions about what i can do to get the truck running again? any help is very much appreciated. thanks so much for your time.
matt iv
Bill
Bill
some one put a flow master muffler on. It sounds sweet.the other day while driving
with the air on (CALIF- HOT), Whoa let me back the truck up to make some sense.
I never filled my gas tank up. now I am driving further to work so i fill it.while running on free way w/air onI feel the motor kinda miss a beat.is this normal
at 95 to 100mph it shuts down governor?I am trying to explain this and ask questions at the same time. Ok last week driving w/air on truck don't want to shift out of 1st from stop. if i let off gas it shifts. bottom line is I think since I just started filling up the tank
i think the sediment in there got to the filter.(in the mean time service engine light comes on) I buy and install filter They say have it donedue to 60psi..
I did it my self . now it don't
t start like it should i have to put gas in carb or i'll run battery down.any body have this problem? sorry it took so long to explain
As far as the L/S being luxury, thats wrong I have a 2000 S10 extended cab
L/S, its not luxury. You have to add some of those features you spoke of, like
leather, power locks, windows etc-. the option is there but your gonna pay out the
nose for it. Mine only came with AC. No other luxuries, but I am very happy with
my truck, has 51K and only thing i've had to do is replace throttle position sensor
which, in case you did not know is a common problem according to postings I see
on the problems and solutions site. Anyway mine is 2.2L, I have added cold air
induction, flowmaster exhaust, and got rid of the original rubberband (skinny)tires
and put on some low profile fatties, handles alot better! sounds great!
Anyway, love the site keep up the good work! and CHEVY'S ROCK!!!!
have stirred up some settiment in bottom of the tank. check you pickup valve in
the tank, which is not too hard. good luck!
first things first, you dont have a carb, youshould have fuel injection, second alot of newer vehicles do have a rev limiter, or governer. I have not
had my S10 to that speed, but my work truck(2001 ranger 4x4) does the same
thing around 92mph, called ford and they said normal(rev limiter). last but not
least, the hesitating and not shifting could be your throttle position sensor, your
tranny has to see the proper rpms etc- from the computer to shift properly, and
your hesitating and or surging is probably related to that, I just replaced my
TPS a week ago because I was having problems, truck would act like it was running out of gas(spit and sputter) it would throw a code(check engine light)but
would go away, then would be ok for another month or more, and would do it again
so I took it to my mechanic and he pulled code history and found it to be the TPS.
the one for my truck was only $41, they run anywhere from $35 to $70 depending. good luck Phil, hope this helps
Problem is the vehicle stalls at a stop light and also takes several times to crank when starting...what could it be the fuel pump?
My 15-year-old and I are fixing this truck for him to drive. We're looking for a 1988 owner's manual, if anyone might know were we could find one.
Love this site!
Mike