Too Long, Not Long Enough - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Long-Term Road Test

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Too Long, Not Long Enough - 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Long-Term Road Test

For smaller garages, there may not be a configuration of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado that will fit the available space. But other truck alternatives do.

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daryleason

And yet again, I whine about the lack of a truly small pickup (Ford Ranger, Chevy S-10, etc) that's offered as an extended cab/crew cab and a short bed. I know it's whining, because no car manufacturer will ever truly offer that again. If they come close, it'll be some uni-body based luxury vehicle that you can't get with a simple set up. All I want to see...small truck, extended cab/crew cab with seating for six, short bed, about the same size of the Ranger/S-10 from the late 90s, availability of a 4 cylinder that gets astonding fuel economy or a V6 that gets great fuel economy, six speed manual, 2WD, AC, AM/FM with bluetooth. Manual windows, mirrors, etc. Price it for less than 16 grand (set up like that) with a max price of maybe 20 grand (and for that, we're talking the leather package, etc.)

csubowtie

You're not going to fit 6 people into anything the size of a Ranger/S-10 sized truck unless 4 of those people are small children and you completely ignore car seat safe practices. Not to mention that as soon as you try to stuff 600-800 lbs of people into a 4-cyl powered truck, acceleration will be horrendous, especially with any kind of additional load. And no way your getting it for less than $16k. Even the most entry of entry level subcompacts are few and far between for less than $16k. I'm all for the manufacturers bringing back a compact truck (not these midsizers), but your expectations are unreasonable. We're not talking about the Weasley's Ford Anglia.

daryleason

csubowtie said:

You're not going to fit 6 people into anything the size of a Ranger/S-10 sized truck unless 4 of those people are small children and you completely ignore car seat safe practices. Not to mention that as soon as you try to stuff 600-800 lbs of people into a 4-cyl powered truck, acceleration will be horrendous, especially with any kind of additional load. And no way your getting it for less than $16k. Even the most entry of entry level subcompacts are few and far between for less than $16k. I'm all for the manufacturers bringing back a compact truck (not these midsizers), but your expectations are unreasonable. We're not talking about the Weasley's Ford Anglia.

Everything that you just said is true...but we're talking cars and what I'd want...not what I'd accept. I get it, there is no way they'd come close to that. But, I'd like to point out that 1) Chevy did make an S-10 as a crew cab with a REALLY short bed. I agree, it'd probably need to be powered by a six cylinder. But when I was mentioning engines, in my mind, I was also thinking of a regular cab option. However, the 4 cylinder ecoboost could probably handle the weight of 6 people. As for price...same thing, only flipped...Aim low and see how close they can get to it. As for unreasonable...it's just as unreasonable as the current mark-up that all the truck manufacturers are doing right now on the full-size trucks. The public is willing to pay that much because of the long term loans. The price-point would be there if they'd keep the features limited.

5vzfe

^I totally agree with you, I prefer the size of compact trucks to the new midsizers, but they are pretty cramped. I essentially grab my passengers leg everything I shift gears in my old Tacoma - which is awkward at times. And the backseat is not wide enough for three, despite the number of seat belts. My friend has a first gen Dakota, and thats probably about as small as it can get without feeling claustrophobic. The second gen Tacoma offered a single cab configuration too, though I don't know what options, bed lengths or v6 availability are like for those. In general most used Tacomas are solid vehicles so buying new isn't an absolute necessity in my opinion

daryleason

I've actually been seeking out 2000-2010 Ford Ranger. The thing is, at least in my area of Texas, they're in high demand. While the Ranger was still in production, you could pick up (haha, I'm still funny) Rangers in outstanding condition for next to nothing. Now, the prices of them have shot up. They're damn near indestructible and people believe that since you can't buy them new they must be valuable used. Due to the interior room issue, I'm considering the Ford Explorer SporTrak, but I just like the Ranger more.