Chevy inline 5 any good?

[WillBrinkhoff]

Looking at getting a 2010 chevy colorado with the 5 cylinder, is this a good motor and what should I look for on the truck. Thank you.

 

[JavierH19]

The only real issue is when you need a timing job, they designed it bad on this engine.

 

[Tdbo]

I know nothing about it, but I would think that the fact that they only offered a four and a six on the generation that followed the one that you are looking at, would tell you all you need to know.

 

[Nukeman7]

I have always heard that the GM 5 cylinder combines the critical attributes of their 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder technology. That is, the 5 cylinder has the power of a 4 cylinder and the gas consumption of the V-6!

 

[dadto2]

The 2010 will have the 3.7, I had the 3.5 in my 2005 Colorado. The change to the bigger displacement was to correct a head gasket issue that was known on the 3.5. Having said that, I drove mine to 205k miles, then sold it to my brother-in-law who beat on it for another 30k or so. The motor was great. Plenty of power for the truck. Fine for light towing. There is nothing to be afraid of, I'd buy another.

 

[b4autodark]

I have had a 2012 Colorado 5 cylinder for 7 years and have 110,000 on it. Have had absolutely no problems with it. I use it for general running around and pulling my rail speeder which weighs in at about 2500 lbs. Pulls good, decent mileage. only problem is I hate the short box and 4 doors but that doesn't reflect on it being a 5 cylinder.

I would not hesitate on buying another if they still offered them.

 

[PontiacHO]

I drove a 2006 Trailblazer with the 5 cylinder for 8 years and 150,000 miles with zero problems. It did need an alternator but that’s all I can remember.

 

[AZjeff]

Sounds like personal experience is different than hearsay. There have to be forums for this platform and engine that will have good info.

 

[Delta]

I drove a 2006 Trailblazer with the 5 cylinder for 8 years and 150,000 miles with zero problems. It did need an alternator but that’s all I can remember.

'06 Trailblazer had the 4.2 inline 6, or V8 in some rare models.

 

[DriveHard]

I drove a 2006 Trailblazer with the 5 cylinder for 8 years and 150,000 miles with zero problems. It did need an alternator but that’s all I can remember.

I didn't realize they put the 5 cylinder in the Trailblazer...I thought they were all the Atlas I6 - 4.2L. Anyways, I had the 4.2L in my Trailblazer...great motor, VERY smooth! Decent power after an aftermarket tune.

 

[zrxkawboy]

I didn't realize they put the 5 cylinder in the Trailblazer...I thought they were all the Atlas I6 - 4.2L.

Yes, either the 4.2 I6 or 5.3 V8.

 

[PontiacHO]

Got that wrong then.. Anyway it did good. It was a company vehicle so I never raised the hood..

 

[skyactiv]

i messed a link up

 

[GMBoy]

I remember my dad trading in his 97 GMC Sonoma (S10) with the 4.3V6 on a new 2005 Colorado with the the I5. He said it had the power of a 4cyl with the gas mileage of a V6 - he did not like it at all and wish he kept the 97. But with that, the truck is still going strong, have not had any major issues with it but it only has about 60k miles.

 

[dadto2]

I remember my dad trading in his 97 GMC Sonoma (S10) with the 4.3V6 on a new 2005 Colorado with the the I5. He said it had the power of a 4cyl with the gas mileage of a V6 - he did not like it at all and wish he kept the 97. But with that, the truck is still going strong, have not had any major issues with it but it only has about 60k miles.

This is exactly what I did... Traded my 97 Sonoma 4.3 (5 speed manual) for the 2005 3.5 (4 speed automatic) crew cab Colorado. Both had 4x4. The Colorado was bigger, had more power, and my combined mileage increased from about 18 to about 20 mpg.

 

[D60]

I had the 3.5 I5 with 5 speed manual in an '05 Canyon 4x4. I liked it a lot, but it was a regular cab. The lower weight of the body and manual transmission made it great.

I bought it new and only put about 68k on it before selling, which I kinda regret. It was a great parts runner.

It was nearly impossible to get the manual in the crew cabs, and guys with crew cab autos seemed to report ~17mpg highway, while I could pull down 24 with the regular cab m/t

2wd might do a bit better as they did sit lower

 

[Exhaustgases]

5 cylinder, sounds like GM spending millions for nothing. Especially since they are not being made now.
But I guess they have to give the engineers something to do for what they pay them. Easy just raise the price of the product.

 

[raaizin]

I have always heard that the GM 5 cylinder combines the critical attributes of their 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder technology. That is, the 5 cylinder has the power of a 4 cylinder and the gas consumption of the V-6!

same line they used on VW 2.5. Not sure if based on fact. To me it was internet experts chiming in without facts. We had one in a 2012 Jetta and it was very good on gas.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

I had a 2007 Colorado with the 3.7L I5, the first year they offered it. I had zero problems with the motor. It wasn't a powerhouse but had enough power to move just fine. I regularly towed a 3,500lb boat with 500lbs in the bed and had no problems. Wish I kept that truck!

The 4, 5 and 6 cylinder versions of that motor were designed to be modular. Essentially just copy/paste another cylinder and you were good to go and they used many common parts. Economy of scale.

 

[Elkins45]

I owned a 2004 Colorado regular cab 4x4 with the 3.5 and a manual. I traded it when I inherited my dad’s truck in 2012. It only had about 35k miles but it never gave me any issues and felt like a significant power upgrade from the 2.7 in my previous Tacoma.