Small Truck Segment (Colorado/Tacoma etc)

[saberz]

Hey all,

Thinking about getting a truck in the next 12+ months. I am an FCA employee and can get 5% under invoice on our product umbrella (Ram, Jeep, etc), but not sure about getting a full size pickup (beyond what I may want/need). So I was looking at the small trucks like the Colorado and Tacoma and am just flabbergasted! I want something a little nicer (leather) and 4wd and the price is mid to upper 30k+ range (36-38k). To me, it sounds ridiculously high and enters into Silverado/Ram territory. Do you all feel the pricing is fair or over priced?

Since the Colorado is relatively new, I figure by summer or next fall there might be some good incentives. Looking for the quad cab and short bed as I do have our 4 year old and possibly another on the way (wife is prego, but..complications). Hopefully closing on our first home soon and feel having something small, useful and practical would be nice to have (again 12+ months).

Thoughts? I think they are overpriced, but Chevy has done a nice job on the new trucks, especially the trail boss.

 

[RamFan]

While the new Colorado seems to be a great truck. From a dollar stand point, I'd go full size. You can get a similarly appointed truck that has a larger work capacity and retains value better, for roughly the same price.

 

[KD0AXS]

Since you're an FCA employee, how about the upcoming Jeep Scrambler?

 

[saberz]

Haven't heard anything about the scrambler, I'm on the Maserati side of the business and only hear about Maserati things. We work shoulder to shoulder next to Ferrari and I hear nothing about Ferrari stuff. But that does look intriguing.

 

[saberz]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
While the new Colorado seems to be a great truck. From a dollar stand point, I'd go full size. You can get a similarly appointed truck that has a larger work capacity and retains value better, for roughly the same price.


This is my sentiment but I am of the mindset I don't want the larger truck as the smaller one really can handle it all, but the price just makes it really unjustifiable. If it were in the upper 20's like 28k-29k might make sense but I am looking at a 2wd 2 door extended cab for that money. None of the other manufacturers are priced any cheaper.

I'm even leaning into the used segment with 20k miles but apparently its the bad time of the year to shop for anything 4x4 related in NJ :|(gauging prices)

 

[NormanBuntz]

If you want leather seats, be prepared to spend at least $35 to $40K no matter what the brand is. As a comparison, the next Honda Ridgeline will start at about $31,000 and it's not even a truck.

 

[WiskyBadger]

Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
If you want leather seats, be prepared to spend at least $35 to $40K no matter what the brand is. As a comparison, the next Honda Ridgeline will start at about $31,000.
Ridgeline is essentially a El Camino, if you want a truck Id pass on that. As said by someone else earlier fullsize truck is the way to go. The pruce difference and mileage are minimal and fullsize can tow/haul more. Gas mileage is also generally not that big of a difference unless you buy the stripped down 4 cyl 2wd version of the small truck.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Ridgeline is essentially a El Camino, if you want a truck Id pass on that. As said by someone else earlier fullsize truck is the way to go. The pruce difference and mileage are minimal and fullsize can tow/haul more. Gas mileage is also generally not that big of a difference unless you buy the stripped down 4 cyl 2wd version of the small truck.


I agree that if you need the horsepower, torque and towing/hauling capacity that full size is the way to go. But not everyone needs that. BTW my Ridgeline has not needed one single repair in 9 years. Can you say that about your Silverado?

 

[WiskyBadger]

Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Ridgeline is essentially a El Camino, if you want a truck Id pass on that. As said by someone else earlier fullsize truck is the way to go. The pruce difference and mileage are minimal and fullsize can tow/haul more. Gas mileage is also generally not that big of a difference unless you buy the stripped down 4 cyl 2wd version of the small truck.


I agree that if you need the horsepower, torque and towing/hauling capacity that full size is the way to go. But not everyone needs that. BTW my Ridgeline has not needed one single repair in 9 years. Can you say that about your Silverado?
I have owned my Silverado for a year and a half now and havent done anything but maintenance. Brakes, oil change, etc. btw I didnt say anything about fixing something. I just dont consider a Ridgeline a truck. They have what a 4 ft bed? Whats the haul/tow capacity on those things?

 

[Kuato]

Back on topic for OP:

I test drove the Canyon (GMC version of Colorado) with the V6 and it had plenty of power, drove well and was pretty roomy. I don't recall how large the crew cab back seat area was, guess a test fit of your carseats is in order. If it's not too tight it might be a good fit for you.

I also liked the suggestion of a full size. Before it was stolen, I had a 2013 F150 with the SuperCrew, and there was a LOT of room in back which would leave plenty of room for carseats and all the "stuff" for the kids. Plus you can pick up a used full size for under 30k.

When my daughter was small, I found that a Grand Cherokee fit our needs perfectly, so since you're a FCA employee you may want to check one out, if you don't need the bed space.

 

[barkingspider]

The new Colorado is nice but the dealers won't budge on the price because it's new body/engine/everything. I agree the prices are super high. Ramfan is right, if u are buying new, you can get a full size for not much more money. But if u are stuck on midsize, I would do the Colorado

 

[sciphi]

Some folks might want to pull a vehicle into a garage. Full-size trucks these days are massive. Fitting a full-size truck into a garage designed when vehicles were smaller just might not happen. A midsize truck just might fit.

Agreed that the Colorado/Canyon are currently a bit over-priced. Give it another year or two and prices should get more in line. Especially when Toyota releases the new Tacoma.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Some folks might want to pull a vehicle into a garage. Full-size trucks these days are massive. Fitting a full-size truck into a garage designed when vehicles were smaller just might not happen. A midsize truck just might fit.

Agreed that the Colorado/Canyon are currently a bit over-priced. Give it another year or two and prices should get more in line. Especially when Toyota releases the new Tacoma.



Agreed...a full size truck will not fit in my garage....

 

[cptbarkey]

A truck is a wheel barrow. Dont be the hundreds of thousands of guys out there that think they need a 35k wheel barrow.

 

[saberz]

Originally Posted By: Kuato
Back on topic for OP:

I test drove the Canyon (GMC version of Colorado) with the V6 and it had plenty of power, drove well and was pretty roomy. I don't recall how large the crew cab back seat area was, guess a test fit of your carseats is in order. If it's not too tight it might be a good fit for you.

I also liked the suggestion of a full size. Before it was stolen, I had a 2013 F150 with the SuperCrew, and there was a LOT of room in back which would leave plenty of room for carseats and all the "stuff" for the kids. Plus you can pick up a used full size for under 30k.

When my daughter was small, I found that a Grand Cherokee fit our needs perfectly, so since you're a FCA employee you may want to check one out, if you don't need the bed space.



Thanks for the information about your experience and the suggestion regarding the Grand Cherokee. I was looking at them and the Durango as well. I'll have to look at the numbers and what really works out the best among all types (truck or suv).

 

[KD0AXS]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
A truck is a wheel barrow. Dont be the hundreds of thousands of guys out there that think they need a 35k wheel barrow.


Have you priced pickups lately?

I just looked at my local Chevy dealer's website. All the Colorados they have are $35K. You can get a 2WD regular cab Silverado WT for just under $30K. Add 4WD and any sort of options and they're north of $35K, and that's a "discounted" price. MSRPs are over $40K. Cheapest Tacoma at my local Toyota dealership is $32,500.

If you want a pickup, that's the price you pay.

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Originally Posted By: KD0AXS
Have you priced pickups lately? I just looked at my local Chevy dealer's website. All the Colorados they have are $35K. You can get a 2WD regular cab Silverado WT for just under $30K. Add 4WD and any sort of options and they're north of $35K, and that's a "discounted" price. MSRPs are over $40K. Cheapest Tacoma at my local Toyota dealership is $32,500.


I used to get automatic & air conditioned V8 or V6 work trucks from GM and Ford in the 2000's for $18,000. Now hard to touch that.
Have you noticed on the Colorado/Canyon that the price shoots up by many thousands if you want an automatic transmission? (The manual ones are almost cheap enough.)
And, since when is the Colorado/Canyon considered "small"? I think there is a market for a truly small truck. Maybe not as small as the old VW Rabbit pu's, but something more like the old Nissan hardbody's.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
Originally Posted By: ChevyBadger
Ridgeline is essentially a El Camino, if you want a truck Id pass on that. As said by someone else earlier fullsize truck is the way to go. The pruce difference and mileage are minimal and fullsize can tow/haul more. Gas mileage is also generally not that big of a difference unless you buy the stripped down 4 cyl 2wd version of the small truck.


I agree that if you need the horsepower, torque and towing/hauling capacity that full size is the way to go. But not everyone needs that. BTW my Ridgeline has not needed one single repair in 9 years. Can you say that about your Silverado?


I 100% agree. The Ridgeline is nothing like an El Camino. Not even close in any way.
Mines been a fantastic truck (yep...it's a truck as you know). It's had the room and comfort of an SUV and handles beautifully. It's hauled everything I've required of it without complaint. But no...I don't intend on pulling a four-horse trailer or a fifth wheel. It was never intended to do that.
I have no idea if the new one coming out next year will be something I'd like though since I really don't know too much about it.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs



Agreed...a full size truck will not fit in my garage....


The small trucks have gotten bigger and bigger. I wish there were small trucks. The Frontier may be the smallest. I liked the s-10 but the colorado looks much bigger.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: daves87rs



Agreed...a full size truck will not fit in my garage....


The small trucks have gotten bigger and bigger. I wish there were small trucks. The Frontier may be the smallest. I liked the s-10 but the colorado looks much bigger.


I've had two great small trucks (compact trucks?). A 1988 Toyota 4x4 w/manual 4 cylinder, 22RE EFI engine and a 1992 Nissan base model manual 4 cylinder. Both were bare bones. Both were also great little pickups. Not expensive...nothing fancy....but they did the job very well. Today, the entry level truck consumer seems to want something different. Everybody wants big, max horsepower, and all the electronic gizmos.