GMC Sonoma Problems?

orwoody

I am thinking about picking up a new 2002 Ext cab 4WD S-10/Sonoma pu that my dealer has marked way down. It has the ZR2 package and seems like a nice little truck. My only concern is that the Consumer reports and a few others rate the quality and reliability lower than similar models from other mfrs. I would like to hear about any issues and problems owners have had on the last few model years.

thanks

ryanbab

I have a friend who had a 99 Zr2 with no problems and he just traded for an 03 with no problems

saddaddy

and have some really old components. I like em alot, though. GM just doesn't have the greatest quality record, and that is what the consumer reports stuff is echoing. Good luck. My local dealer has a ZR2 in this bright corvette yellow that I really like!

ryanbab

The stereo system in my friends new truck is awesome. In dash 6 disc changer. Also the radio is updated (it will search for specific kinds of music)

PAman

They LOVE foreign cars and trucks. Case in point--Nissan and Toyota have problems with their trucks and cars just like everyone else. Yet, CR and other groups tend to treat them like they are the holy grail of auto manufacturers--you know, they can do no wrong.

Lee Iaccoca proved this mystique years ago when he had surveys done to investigate this misperception. One group of potential buyers would look at and evaluate a car, being told it was a domestic make soon to be introduced. The badging and manufacturer's name was completely removed from the car. Another similar group of buyers would evaluate the same car, only being told it was a foreign model soon to be introduced. The buyers that thought they were looking at a foreign car gave it a higher evaluation, but the only difference was their PERCEPTION, not reality.

Fact is, ALL cars and trucks have a certain level of strong and weak points. Buy what you like, take great care of it, and as long as it doesn't have a major design flaw that no one knows about until years later, you'll be satisfied.

orwoody

I appreciate your comments on CR as I have felt that their data was biased. It is one reason I wanted to hear from owners direct. I found this article from a auto write who more eloquently than I can outline his concerns with their data. You might find this interesting.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=4733&sid=192&n=156

PAman

Once again, the "unwashed masses" that are not fortunate enough to live in the People's Socialist-Marxist Republic of Mass. are given access to information that otherwise might get buried.

I've seen this misperception many times while operating a vanpool business in Virginia. The dealership where I bought the vans and had them serviced sold Dodges and Toyotas. Often, while waiting for my vehicle, I would hear a Dodge owner complaing about "American junk" when a piece of trim or small hardware would break. A Toyota owner would come in and pay $300-450 for his "15,000 mile check-up" without a whimper of complaint. Guess what was included in that cost? Fixing broken, loose or failing parts on the Toyota. Yet, the Toyota owner just assumed this was part of the price of reliability, while the Dodge owner assumed his car was falling apart.

Personally, I think you can take a 25-year-old Chevy and make it last just as long and drive as well as a 25-year-old Mercedes IF (big IF!) they both get the same quality and quantity of maintenance. Fleet owners do this all the time with medium and heavy duty trucks, police cars and taxi cabs.

Like I said earlier--buy what you like and take care of it.

Joe