Dave, don't know if this is the 5.3 thats in my 010 Suburban, but I'm really happy with it so far. Has the engine management system that cuts it back to 4 cyl on hwy. I thought the Colorado's had that 5cyl ??? Engine. The burban gets great fuel mi. on hwy, not bad in town [has 3:08's special order] & 6 spd. auto & more than enough "balls" when you hit the "loud" pedal!!!!

Chevrolet Colorado

The Chevrolet Colorado offers a variety of cab styles, suspensions and powertrains that make it both versatile and practical.

Available in two- or four-wheel drive, the Colorado offers three body styles: regular cab, extended cab and crew cab. The base engine is a 185-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine, while a 242-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine is available (standard on crew cab LT) on all models.

A 300-hp flexible-fuel 5.3-liter V8 is available on extended and crew cab models. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Safety features include side curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and ignition disable.

73SC wrote:

---

Was about to say to you good ole boys to stay current, the 300 HP V8 is an option for 2012. Hee Haw

---

        I thought I was current  but now I is smarter     I would still suggest to Dave to price out a 4 door Silverado with 4.8   I think he would enjoy the room and the better fuel mileage..   just my thoughts   The Dakota was/is bigger than a Colorado

I would stay away from the 4.8 They get poor gas milage I have a 5.3 and get real good gas milage A guy in town bought a new silverado truck with the 4.8 and he said it gets poor poor gas milages and he witch he had bought the 5.3 engine  

slinky wrote:

---

I would stay away from the 4.8 They get poor gas milage...

---

 I HAVE A 4.8 IN MY '02 1/2 TON 4X4, I WOULD AGREE WITH THE ABOVE QUOTE.

the 5.3 for the canyons in the last few years do not have the fuel management system and are detuned dogs. You can get them retuned to wake them up. I wanted an 08 but ended up with the full size. It was cheaper with rebates then the small truck and more options. For 2012 the 5.3 will only come in the crew cab model and not the extended cab. You will also have to order leather. I checked a month ago to see what was left over from the 2011. There was only 2 crew cabs with 4x4 in Ontario left but a bunch of extended cab and crew cab 4x2 trucks. Stickers on the windows of the full size show the 4.8 at 25 MPG and the 5.3 at 30 MPG. Figure that one out. I took my 08 {5.3}with only 253 kms on it towing a car 3300km round trip and was surprised to get great gas mileage. I still like the size of the small truck better but dollar for dollar go big.

Well it seems that Colorados are very hard to find. I went to the local Chevy dealer yesterday afternoon, and there was only one on the lot, a 'work truck' 2 door 4 cyl., but by looking at it I could see that, now that I have gotten used to my Dakota, the little Chevy truck (even if I could find a 4-door) will be just too small. So I looked at the Silverado. I could get used to that, it does not seem that much bigger, when sitting inside it (although I know it is considerably larger). They sell a package down here, the 'Florida Edition' which includes the 5.3, HD towing package, and some other stuff, seems like a good choice, rebate is over $4500, and he can even find me one exactly like I want it (4 door crew cab, short bed, red paint, 60/40 cloth front seat, no other options except the 'Florida Edition') - but their first total price was too high, they lowballed the trade-in for my Dakota (which needs paint - the ChryCo factory paint does not hold up in the Florida sun), so we will just let them stew a while and see what they come up with. The truck I want has been sitting in some other dealer's lot since January, and I have blue book price to show them which is about $2000 more than they offered for my Dakota, so I have a few 'back at you' points when they call.

We'll see.

Or maybe I'll just paint my old truck, keep it until it falls completely apart, it only has 58000 miles on it and it only gets driven about 40 miles a week nowadays ...

Although it REALLY aggravates me that another one (this makes 3 out of 4) of the power windows died, the glass just falls down inside the door and the only fix is to install a whole new motor for $275 grrrrrrrrr - until I decide what to do, duct tape is holding it up, with the crappy paint I look like a true redneck hillbilly driving it now, eh?

Dave

davelacourse wrote:

---

with the crappy paint I look like a true redneck hillbilly driving it now, eh?

Dave

---

 ... or a true Canadian! Eh!

Has your Dakota aways been a Florida vehicle? At 58,000 miles, it's just getting broken-in.

I have 5.3's and 4.8's. The 4.8's are a tic better on fuel

'03 5.3 267k 

-- Edited by 69 belair on Thursday 15th of September 2011 04:51:34 PM