V6 in CC 4x4 with full size bed?

Brian S. · February 16, 2017

Brian, this is getting tiring and frankly, dig a little deeper in your understanding. I pointed out that if you compare a mid size Colorado Canyon to it's full size 4.3 comparison, the midsize outsells the 4.3. I never said a midsize outsells or comes close to the full size. Remember GM sells way more V8 trucks then the V6, why is that? Most trucks are driven unloaded and don't haul by 95% of their owners. What this means and what you fail to see even though it's been pointed out several times over now is, people are buying the midsize if their needs only require they tow >7000lbs, rarely haul large loads and mpgs are a factor which suits 95% of truck buyers. All of these arguments were the same ones you made on why people should consider the 4.3 over the 5.3. The other 80% of truck sales for the average buyers is for buyers like me, people who buy a full size who may not need a full size day to day, but may want that capability in the future...maybe a travel trailer, a toy hauler, boat or an enclosed trailer and also prefer the luxury and capability of a full size even though they may not haul 9,000 pounds on a regular basis. You can't get a 4,3 on an LTZ,, SLT, Denali or HC. Again, the stats prove that if people only need midsize capability, they are choosing a midsize truck over a full size truck that offers equal capability nothing less nothing more. Again, why would Ford reintroduce the Ranger if the midsize market is garbage when you can buy a V6 F-150? There is no further debate to this fact. So again I state that people who buy a full size truck will choose full size capability versus their true need or choose a midsize. The stats prove that. So you and Donstar are the outliers....there is little benefit overall to buying a 4.3 midsize unless overall cost is your main objective..and even with that fact in mind, most of the full makers offer a V8 across their lineups regardless of trims for a negligible upcharge...in GMs case it's $750, which factors into $18/mon over the course of a 60 month loan...hardly a disqualifier for most buyers looking at a $40K truck, and hardly a strong case of an economic benefit to choose the 4.3. Make sense now?

Steve,

you bought this truck three years ago and told me then "you might be planning to buy a camper". How is that extra power to pull the imaginary camper working out for you?

I don't know about your area of the world, but when I go to a boat dock, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Ducks Unlimited meeting, fishing club, fishing tournament, or even the mall, I see a whole lot of full size trucks and am basically surprised to see a Colorado.

I've never said "Buy a 4.3l instead of a 5.3l if they're $750 apart", because that doesn't make sense. I have said that if you can haggle the price on a comparable 4.3l to $2-$3K less than the 5.3l due to less demand, and don't tow over 4K weight there is no reason not to do it. Saving $2-$3K up front, then on interest, gas and insurance for X years makes at least as much sense as buying a truck with tow capacity for something you haven't bought in 3 years and may never.

Colorados are 1000lbs lighter, not good for driving in snow, or trailering.

Colorados are 5" narrower, and 17" shorter, not good for hauling people or gear. And yes at this very minute, and all winter long, I'm using my whole bed to store my ice fishing gear that barely fits in the 6'6" full size bed. I go 2-3X a week and don't want to pack and unpack every time. In the summer I'm hauling my canoe at least weekly, and it's good my trailered boat is half the weight of my vehicle. (not most of the weight of my vehicle)

Again, you're a guy that doesn't really use a truck as a truck arguing with people who do based on things you've READ. Don't you think it's possible we know if we're more comfortable in bigger vehicles? (I'm 6'5" personally) Don't you think we know what is the easiest way to haul the stuff we haul? Don't you think we know how to tow, after doing it for decades while you think about it?

Sheesh.

When I want to go to a parking ramp I just take one of the cars, it's not a big deal.

mookdoc6 · February 16, 2017

You forgot one thing Brian.......Honest to god probably the easiest engine to work on in Full-Size truck.....I envy that 4.3L

Mark Diedrich · February 16, 2017

Lol, you 2 are never going to change each other's mind..... Carry on!

KARNUT · February 16, 2017

People really save money on insurance with a 4.3 in a truck? I never get asked that. In my wife's car there's a 125 HP difference between the V6 and the V8, we didn't get ask there either. Nor was it implied either way.

Silverado Steve · February 16, 2017

This is the last I will post on this topic because as SLDhead said, we're not changing each others mind.

Steve,

you bought this truck three years ago and told me then "you might be planning to buy a camper". How is that extra power to pull the imaginary camper working out for you?

You seem to have an infatuation incorrectly speculating on how I use my truck, let me clarify. No I don't tow on a regular basis, I have towed several loads to which I will detail in a minute. I do haul around a truck bed full of ski gear, bikes, dog crates, furniture, camping gear, odd and end items for work. Will a 4.3 tote that around sure, but so would a 5ft2 midsize and surely a 6ft midsize.

Now to the towing, just last month I helped a buddy of mine tote his Nissan GTR down to Denver, a 45 mile trip. He was getting a supercharger added and having the front end clear bra'd, He was looking to have it transported down to save his front end from rock chips....totally understandable. Well a vehicle transporter wanted $600. I offered to help so long as he found a car trailer and paid for gas. Well after no hits on knowing anyone who had a full car trailer, we looked at U-Haul. The funny thing, UHauls website when you go to reserve the trailer, they ask for what you are towing and then the VIN of the vehicle you are towing with. Even more strange for a car that may weigh in the 3K pound range, UHaul at a minimum wouldn't allow the option to tow with a 4.3 GM Silverado or midsize. Now we all know that that is well within the spectrum of the towing range of a 4.3 full size and midsize, but in this instance UHaul wouldn't allow it. Had the same issue with renting a 8 ft trailer to bring bikes back from Denver from a charitable organization for kids of military families....no dice trying to rent an 8 ft open trailer from UHaul for a Tacoma (which my friend has) or midsize of V6 fullsize GM, so I had to make the trek. Again another unforeseen need.

I don't know about your area of the world, but when I go to a boat dock, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Ducks Unlimited meeting, fishing club, fishing tournament, or even the mall, I see a whole lot of full size trucks and am basically surprised to see a Colorado.

I'm confused on why you said this. Are you assuming the full size trucks in the lots of your Sportsman stores are V6s? Because I thought we are discussing the viability of a midsize vs a 4.3 full size? However, funny you should ask, I live 2 exits down from Bass Pro, and the parking lot is littered with Gucci'd out full sizes, HDs and Tacoma's. So yeah, each area is different, maybe Wisconsin is vastly different. The question is are those 1500s V6s in your area? What I find even more funny about your point is there is a tracker boat on display and guess what they have tied to the front? A GMC Canyon Denali...ironic

I've never said "Buy a 4.3l instead of a 5.3l if they're $750 apart", because that doesn't make sense. I have said that if you can haggle the price on a comparable 4.3l to $2-$3K less than the 5.3l due to less demand, and don't tow over 4K weight there is no reason not to do it. Saving $2-$3K up front, then on interest, gas and insurance for X years makes at least as much sense as buying a truck with tow capacity for something you haven't bought in 3 years and may never.

So how abundant are these deals on a 4.3 that it's a clear buy from the 5.3? I ask because in the 3 K2s you've owned you claim to have had one 4.3 and two 5.3s, so that would lead me to believe that either the deals aren't as abundant to make it worth the buy, or there are 5.3 deals to be had too....I said that pages ago. I also said in upper trim trucks and in areas of the country 4.3s just aren't available. I even referenced my own buying experience with the one 4,3 my dealer had....no deal because the truck would be better utilized as a demo/loaner than to sell it for the cheap.

Colorados are 1000lbs lighter, not good for driving in snow, or trailering.

I don't know if I agree with this, there are plenty of Tacoma's roaming the road here. 4wd, snow tires and skill can get most people through snow, but if you are saying this as fact, I'll play, but understand there are plenty of mid sizers who seem to do fine....this from Colorado.

Colorados are 5" narrower, and 17" shorter, not good for hauling people or gear. And yes at this very minute, and all winter long, I'm using my whole bed to store my ice fishing gear that barely fits in the 6'6" full size bed. I go 2-3X a week and don't want to pack and unpack every time. In the summer I'm hauling my canoe at least weekly, and it's good my trailered boat is half the weight of my vehicle. (not most of the weight of my vehicle)

True, but again are we talking about the trucking habits of Brain S or the vast majority of truck buyers, because as I said posts ago, most will never haul a house hold worth of plywood on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. I said this earlier, most people who are honest about their trucking needs only need a midsize, and as I mentioned last page there's a reason the GM midsize trucks are outselling the 4.3 full size. A Colorado/Canyon is 90% the size of a full size dimensionally. Also the GM twins are the same size as a full size from the 1990s. How did you survive back then?

Again, you're a guy that doesn't really use a truck as a truck arguing with people who do based on things you've READ. Don't you think it's possible we know if we're more comfortable in bigger vehicles? (I'm 6'5" personally) Don't you think we know what is the easiest way to haul the stuff we haul? Don't you think we know how to tow, after doing it for decades while you think about it?

We have never met, but you again make a lot of frankly odd assumptions about how I live and use my truck. See point #1. I'm 6.2, I can fit fine in a midsize, did it for 8 years. Yes a full size is a nice convenience, but the reality of it is, most people don't drive with a truck full of people daily, or 90% of the time, which are all arguments made in why a 4.3 works for most people right? Another downside of driving a full size is parking in a crowded parking lot and in some garages, they've become so big. My next question is, do you drive a crew cab or double? What is the legroom and cab length between a double cab full size and a crew cab midsize? I bet they're close, now if width is an issue, then being tall isn't your issue, your girth is.

Sheesh.

When I want to go to a parking ramp I just take one of the cars, it's not a big deal.

More and more truck owners including myself use their trucks as their DDs.....all this talk from you on economy of owning a 4.3, so owning, fueling and insuring two cars is more economical? if you have two vehicles because of your family situation, that's one thing, but then again we're not talking about Brian S are we? We're talking about the majority of truck buyers and their needs.

It's been fun, it's been real, but I got bigger fish to fry then trying to continue rationalizing any further.....have a good weekend all!

Silverado Steve · February 16, 2017

My insurance would be the same between a 4.3 and 5.3...it's probably a YMMV situation.

People really save money on insurance with a 4.3 in a truck? I never get asked that. In my wife's car there's a 125 HP difference between the V6 and the V8, we didn't get ask there either. Nor was it implied either way.

JoJoSilverado · February 16, 2017

People really save money on insurance with a 4.3 in a truck? I never get asked that. In my wife's car there's a 125 HP difference between the V6 and the V8, we didn't get ask there either. Nor was it implied either way.

They generally don't have to ask, as when they look it up by the vin it gives them all the information they need.

When I got my truck, they asked what make/model it was, but also wanted the vin number. That's how they know what insurance rate to give you, because the vin provides them with all the features (safety and mechanical) as if you looked it up yourself.

The reason for the savings is due to having less hp and being a smaller engine, they don't expect people to be as reckless of drivers with such an engine.

Comparison: Camaro ZL1 and base Camaro with all the same features, except one is the base v6, and one is the large v8, obviously the v8 ZL1 will cost more to insure. People say sports cars are more expensive to insure for a reason, and that's because of their capabilities to go fast, and also get in trouble or even crazy accidents if the driver is careless.

You really wouldn't notice the savings unless you bought the identical vehicle with the other engine option compared to what you currently own, as a neighbor/friend can have a different rate on the same vehicle based on driving habits and age. That's common knowledge, not trying to talk down to you. Just saying that the difference isn't noticeable/comparable unless you were to own two of the same vehicle with both powertrain options.

My 4.3 WT DC was cheaper on insurance, not by much (only $15-20/mo) than my 5.3 LT DC with more "safety" options.

KARNUT · February 16, 2017

They generally don't have to ask, as when they look it up by the vin it gives them all the information they need.

When I got my truck, they asked what make/model it was, but also wanted the vin number. That's how they know what insurance rate to give you, because the vin provides them with all the features (safety and mechanical) as if you looked it up yourself.

The reason for the savings is due to having less hp and being a smaller engine, they don't expect people to be as reckless of drivers with such an engine.

Comparison: Camaro ZL1 and base Camaro with all the same features, except one is the base v6, and one is the large v8, obviously the v8 ZL1 will cost more to insure. People say sports cars are more expensive to insure for a reason, and that's because of their capabilities to go fast, and also get in trouble or even crazy accidents if the driver is careless.

You really wouldn't notice the savings unless you bought the identical vehicle with the other engine option compared to what you currently own, as a neighbor/friend can have a different rate on the same vehicle based on driving habits and age. That's common knowledge, not trying to talk down to you. Just saying that the difference isn't noticeable/comparable unless you were to own two of the same vehicle with both powertrain options.

My 4.3 WT DC was cheaper on insurance, not by much (only $15-20/mo) than my 5.3 LT DC with more "safety" options.

I own sports cars the break down on my rates depend more on replacements cost not horsepower. I could see if I (we) had tickets. Innocent till proven guilty in regards to tickets. Even when my son started driving, I had a Z28, GT mustang and a impala SS among others at the time as long as I listed him driving the impala ( the fastest car by the way) my rates stayed low.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Brian S. · February 17, 2017

Steve,

In the time since you bought your first full size truck, I've purchased three. I had a bunch before that, and real (not "planned") things to tow.

You can't convince me you're the "truckin' authority" by telling me you've actually towed other people's stuff twice.

Like I said, there's people that actually use trucks, and there's city folks who buy them to put neon lights on and haul some heavy groceries. Nothing wrong with that, but you'll never convince me of anything about best use of pickup trucks. I'm actually off road most weeks of the year, and towing and hauling stuff every week of the year. I think I can figure out what I need to do these things without your input. You don't have any experience to draw on.

Knightfall · February 17, 2017

Welp. I love my 4.3L DC Custom. Does everything I could ever ask of it and with some good all terrain tires does fine in upstate NY snow to for a 4x2. I love my truck and fully intend on buying it for around 20k when my lease is up.

redwngr · February 17, 2017

I seem to remember test driving a V6 with a brake controller in 2015 but I don't see it as a separate item on the website for 2017. I

The 2017 V6 can be ordered with the (JL1) trailer brake controller.

Brian S. · February 18, 2017

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/spec-tables/2016/1500-double-cab.html

Bed in my double cab is 51" wide by 78" long. I can fit a sheet of plywood or drywall between the rails. How often do I need to? Well, 9 years ago I re-did the roof of the screen porch at cabin, a couple years after that I did the shed roofs, last year I had to replace a couple sheets where a tree limb knocked off some soffit, the year before that I replace a section of screen porch squirrels gnawed through, and last year we dry walled a storage room in our new house. Several of those years I built duck blinds at the land.

That's not to mention all the times I've hauled my jon boat that barely fits between the wheel wells, or my canoe that barely fits diagonal in the bed.

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/vehicles/colorado/2016.tab1.html

Colorado long bed is only 44" wide, much less usable for a pickup. Softener salt-yes. Building materials, water craft, ATV, snowmobile- no.

Interior dimensions on Silverado are 45 leg, 65 shoulder, 60 hip. The Colorado is only 45 leg, 55 shoulder, and 57 hip. Do you prefer flying economy coach to first class Silverado Steve? Because that is a HUGE difference in front seat room per passenger. Most people like bigger cars compared to smaller ones.

Basically your position seems to be that people should put up with a smaller truck cockpit and bed to save a couple thousand on a Colorado, when they could have the roomier, safer vehicle for a few thousand less than the 5.3l. BUT the 5.3l buyers should not have to put up with the more cramped cabin and bed, even though they have similar amounts of hp and torque less than the 6.2l buyers.

LOL. When I bought that 4.3l I spent around $60k on that and a new 150 hp fishing boat, because my 5.3l truck was three years old and my boat was 5 years old. Never once did it cross my mind "I should keep my 5 year old 150hp boat and get a bigger engine and leather seats!" or worse yet "I should buy a Taco or Colorado to fit in parking ramps I might be in once or twice a year".

I just bought stuff that fit my needs, because I knew what tools I needed to get the job done. A 2LT Z71 might seem low class to you Steve, but I'll to be honest the stuff I have additional on my current truck (spray in, undercoating, heated power seats, console, rear window, navigation, park assist, and probably some others I can't remember) isn't exactly revolutionizing my life. It's OK stuff, but in the spring of 2014 I was a lot happier to be getting a new truck and a new boat for $60K than I would have been to get a $60K truck.