I don't know how you wound up with your play/race car. Maybe it was pure chance. Maybe you knew what you were doing and it was deliberate choice. How you wound up with the prejudices that guided your decision is probably a mix of fact, fiction, and fear?

How many times has a vehicle looked good on paper - and failed to meet it's promise in real life? Chevy Vega?

I know that it's possible that one of the few remaining viable basies for a second American civil war might be the Ford vs Chevy thing. And of course they would settle their differences and come together in the face of foreign or alien threat.

Since Alien Tow Rig technology isn't yet commercially available on this planet, I'm stuck with having to make my decision the old fashioned way. I wish I could just surrender to passion, but there really isn't any to be found.

I need a truck for 2004, so I can tow the race car. Problem is that I have very restrictive criteria.

The truck has to be my primary transportation. It has to be capable of carrying 4 passengers in reasonable comfort. It cannot be gigantic - so much as I might like to just buy a Silverado or new F-150, I'm not going to. The budget won't allow it either - I'm not going to sacrifice another season on the track for building up the infrastructure.

It's most important function is to be reliable. It's heaviest mission is to tow a 2350lb race car on a lightweight single axle trailer with a minimal race support payload up and down the west coast about 6 times a year max. It's most subjective requirement is that it not make me wish I'd bought something else every time I drive it.

On paper - ON PAPER - the new Chev Colorado Sport looks like it might just do the job. The powerband on the silly 5-cylinder motor looks really good for what I want to do, and I think theres a reasonable chance that it'll drive better than any other truck in it's class.

Problem - Can I believe that it will even come close to the design/build quality and reliability of a Toyota Tacoma for example? I know that to suggest that the answer to this question is anything other than "Are you kidding?" would represent an example of blind faith the basis for which I've never acquired.

Over the years I've taken alot of open minded test drives and given American competitors a fair chance. In every instance the gross superiority of the European or Japanese competition was overwhelmingly clear. Still, I'd like to believe that Chevy is capable of making the Colorado the truck that will best fit my mission.

BTW - I've determined that if I were to suddenly need to find a new race car I would make the decision quickly and easily. Spec Miata. Course that being theoretical I'm sure it seems an easier decision than it might actually prove to be.

Scott, who can afford to wait till spring to make this decision...I'm in no hurry to buy something that doesn't work and cost's me a bundle to get out from under...just thinking out loud...

 

Buy American....Get the Tacoma

 

Nissan has a few new entries into the pickup truck world... they have a full-size now that can tow a house... and the frontier looks pretty cool & can get the job done.

If you wanted to save a few bucks, the S-10 and sonoma are still going to be in production for '04 despite the Colorado & Canyon coming out (the colorado/Canyon is NOT on the S-10/Sonoma platform). They (S-10/Sonoma) will only be available in crew cab configuration, which would work well with your people-hauler needs. However, its also only available in 4wd, which may be a waste of money and metal for what you're going to use it for.

The colorado/canyon can't tow as much as you'd think, but it can tow enough. (I work for GM, and have had a few chances to kick the tires on these things). For an extra margin, you'd want the automatic. Depending on final drive and model you select, the towing capacity of the 5-cyl. mated to a 5-speed manual is as low as 2900 lbs.



Modified by Greyout at 5:48 PM 9/29/2003

 

Scott, I'm in the same boat as you, as I've been looking for a tow vehicle that will double as a daily driver. At one point, I was gung-ho about the Dakota. I hate trucks, and the Dakota appeals to me because it is the smallest truck to carry a hefty V8. However, the Dakota is not enough truck to haul an enclosed trailer. Having realized this limitation, my attention then shifted to a 2500 diesel.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RR98ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's heaviest mission is to tow a 2350lb race car on a lightweight single axle trailer with a minimal race support payload up and down the west coast about 6 times a year max. ... ON PAPER - the new Chev Colorado Sport looks like it might just do the job. The powerband on the silly 5-cylinder motor looks really good for what I want to do, and I think theres a reasonable chance that it'll drive better than any other truck in it's class.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Chevy shows the max towing capacity of the Colorado as 4000 lb. If you <u>never</u> get a heavier car, or heavier trailer, or more stuff, you might be OK. How many racers do you know that don't accumulate stuff at a fearsome rate? Maybe you should build in a little cushion.

BTW. Sure you want a pickup? I was looking at them too, but ended up with an SUV. I found that the ability to keep my stuff dry and reasonably secure in the back was a big plus, and it'll hold most anything I could put in a truck.

 

The Colorado looks nice on paper - but the Trailblazer had some serious issues when it was first released, so I'm not sure I'd put a lot of faith in a brand new design.

I daily drive a GMC Sierra 1500. Is it large? Yes. But not nearly as large as a great many truck and SUVs. Mine is an ext. cab and works fine for carrying 4 normal sized people. My biggest complaint is the fuel economy (or lack thereof). 16mpg with mostly highway driving. Other than that, no complaints - it's comfy on long drives, the seats are way better than anything that ever came in a Civic, interior fit and finish is better than expected (only one minor rattle after 60,000 miles). And really, what's more patriotic than a big red truck?

 

Internet &gt; Me.


Modified by Crack Monkey at 10:39 AM 9/29/2003

 

How bout a Nissan Exterra? with the 6cyl (n/a or blower) and an auto, the rated towing capacity is a surprising 5,000lbs.

 

Have you taken a look at the new Nissan Titan?

The pricing seems reasonable, and while it is a large truck, it doesn't seem to have the same front overhang as the domestics and Nissan set it up to outhandle the domestics, so as not to feel "bulky." If you can wait 'til Dec/Jan, it should be out. Always bugs in new vehicles, but the domestics usually have them well after the first year (like around 10 years after the first year).

The Nissan Armada SUV based on the Titan will be out next month, so you can get some feel for how it is going to sit, drive, etc.

I'd be leary of anything w/ a 5 cylinder engine, particularly from GM, such as the Colorado/Canyon platform will have. The Trailblazer is pretty small inside for me (actually makes a 4runner feel large) and I'd find it hard to believe the similarity won't extend to the Colorado, depending on how much they share w/ each other. If you're short/slim, that would be one thing, but your passengers may hate you if they're ~250# and over 6 feet.










Modified by Bill Hook at 11:31 AM 9/29/2003

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...up and down the west coast about 6 times a year max. It's most subjective requirement is that it not make me wish I'd bought something else every time I drive it.</TD></TR></TABLE>


If you really only need a truck 6 times a year, why not rent a tow vehicle for those six weekends and save yourself having to drive a truck on the other 350 days of the year? You won't have to come up with $20k+ plus it would save you a whole bunch of gas money, too. However if you actually just want to have a truck for the heck of it, then that changes things quite a bit. Good luck in your decision.

 

OK Alistair, we get your point.

 

My friend in SA has a tacoma and it tows his Lotus 7 on his trailer without a single problem! Single axle trailer too!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Want2race &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My friend in SA has a tacoma and it tows his Lotus 7 on his trailer without a single problem! Single axle trailer too!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Which is about 600-1000 lbs lighter?

 

QUOTE "The truck has to be my primary transportation. It has to be capable of carrying 4 passengers in reasonable comfort."

Well that eliminates the mid-size trucks...and non-ext cabs.

At the minimum, I'd say V-8 1/2 ton. And are you sure you want a single axle trailer?

 

Sheesh.

I WANT a 1/2 Ton Toyota Tundra Extended Cab V8 AND a Double Axle 24 Foot Enclosed Trailer - AND an '01 Integra GSR for a daily driver.....and a Mansion and a Yacht.

I'm trying to settle on a minimalist compromise...that I don't have to climb up into.

This is one of those stories that isn't going to have a story book happy ending.

Scott, who can see the advantages of an SUV...except for when I want a truck...it's gonna be a truck...

 

I actually just bought a Toyota Tacoma Prerunner double-cab TRD as my tow vehicle. With the optional Toyota towing package, I can tow 6000lbs.

The 3.4 has very good power and the truck does not really weigh that much so it moves along pretty good. If you desire more power, Toyota makes a TRD supercharger for it and you still retail oem warranty. HP goes from 195 to 265. But again, I don't know if it is needed. I'll know more about this next year when the season starts back up again but the stock motor with only an intake yanks a trailer around great.

Toyota trucks are bulletproof. And, the truck is double-wishbone suspension in the front and leaf in the rear. So, it handles good and tows well.

Price is about $25K retail. A lot cheaper than some of the other options out there, and the Toyota dealers around me are dealing like mad on them.

I did a lot of research, and for the price, reliability and capability, this was the best I could come up with. And I don't have room/desire for a used dualie in my driveway/garage and I wanted something I could drive easily without spending a grip on gas and having to worry about a parking spot at the mall. While the truck is not my daily, I do use it quite often other than just for towing.

My advice: go drive a Tacoma Double-cab. You'll be shocked at just how nice and practical it is.

 

hmm, how 'bout a Toyota Tundra? I daily drive mine and it is quite comfortable. The extended cab rear seats are great for children's seats, but the back is a little bit too straight up to be real comfortable for adults. OK for short distances, though. I get about 15mpg, in mixed driving, which sucks considering the old '87 F250 6.9L diesel got at least 18mpg...
The Tundra tows great as well. And if you really want a bigger cab, the new Tundra Crew cab should be out any day now...

 

The Tacoma Prerunner double-cab is the standard of comparison I'm using.

I just wish the S-Runner could be had with Double-Cab, Automatic, LSD, and a 5000lb tow rating.

Scott, who's almost able to accept the short beds on these small 4-doors...after checking that I could still load a motorcycle...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RR98ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Tacoma Prerunner double-cab is the standard of comparison I'm using.

I just wish the S-Runner could be had with Double-Cab, Automatic, LSD, and a 5000lb tow rating.

Scott, who's almost able to accept the short beds on these small 4-doors...after checking that I could still load a motorcycle...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I got the optional tailgate extender and I can haul my ATV around just fine.

The S-runner is rare and I don't think can haul as much or comes with an auto.

The TRD package gives you a locking rear diff on the Prerunner and a 4.10 rear end.

 

Does the truck have to be new?

There are a lot of low mileage, low wear, F150s and 250s on the market. With the money you save on a used vehicle, you could repair anything that's not up to par.

 

If you're going to buy used there are a ton of great choices for your dollar. A mid 90s Cummins turbo diesel Ram is a good one. Buddy of mine has one with 150k on it, has been a tow ***** for about 70k of its life. If you're going gas engine get as new as possible and long wheel base. 97-current fullsize fords are nice, no the greatest reliablity record, but drive and tow really well. Is this going to be a daily driver also?

 

Looks cool.

 

daily driver and needs to have a V8 to double as a tow vehicle?

I got it I got it I got it.... a Mazda Miata with a Ford 5.0 Mustang V8 swap !

Hows that? you could do one on a budget with a ugly Miata shell and at least do it for under $7000.00 total. I dont know what sprinmgs/shocks you'd require, but hey why not try THAT, oh crazy one?

 

Subaru Baha Turbo!

 

i was looking for the same thing and i am leaning towards the the tacoma extracab. for the same reasons as stated in other posts.