Chevrolet S-Series

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $80.00 from private seller

Year / Model Reviewed:
1988 sonoma shortbox

Summary:
This is without a doubt the best vehicle I ever owned. I bought it for 80.00 with 159k on the odometer and a slight knock in the engine, fixed the loose rocker arm, and it's over 300k now. The 2.5 "iron duke" is unkillable! It's simple, easy to maintain, and you can find parts for it anywhere--I think that anything GM manufactured will fit on a sonoma. The transmission syncros went at about 230k, so I had to put a new transmission in it, but other than that it's just been basic maintenance work. I got about 90k out of the tires, and nearly 100k out of the brakes. The only real issue with the truck is rust--the cab floor's gone, and I've had to replace the bed. The truck will haul anything you throw in it, and not care. It'll drive through almost anything. Best 80 dollars I've ever spent. Oh--and it gets almost 28mpg.

Strengths:
simple to maintain
cheap to operate
easy to fix
nearly indestructible

Weaknesses:
rust

Similar Products Used:
various other s-trucks from '84 to '89
several late 70s full-size chevys
1990 Silverado

Price Paid:  $8500.00 from Palm Bay Chevrolet

Year / Model Reviewed:
1999 Chevrolet S10 LS

Summary:
I bought this S10 used in 2002. This is, by a long shot, the best vehicle I have ever owned. (I have owned Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas, Fords..) The 2.2L engine, although not a powerhouse, is extremely reliable. I have 140K miles on my truck and I still have excellent oil pressue, it starts right up every time, and the auto trans still shifts like new. I am rough on this truck as well, as I am constantly using it to haul around engines and parts for my various classic car projects, as well as driving it in city traffic daily. Other than routine maintanence, I haven't had to replace anything.

Also, the AC is cold as a meat locker, which comes in handy here in Florida. The interior is roomier and more comfortable than any small truck I have ever driven. (But I don't recommend it for long trips - although the interior is comfy, it's no Cadillac)

I wouldn't hesitate to drive this car across the country and back, and if GM still made them, I'd buy another without thinking twice.

Strengths:
Extremely reliable, decent gas mileage, good visibility.

Weaknesses:
The 2.2L is short on power.

Similar Products Used:
Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma. S10 is definitely my fav.

Price Paid:  $18000.00 from used

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 S-10 LS Crew Cab

Summary:
I wanted a truck with 4 doors so I could have my kids (car seats) in back and the bed loaded with Home Depot stuff. I chose the S-10 because the Nissan Frontier 4 door truck wouldn't fit child car seats with enough space for a comfortable seat position. I can't afford the Toyota Tacoma 4 door , so, the Chevy was the choice.

Strengths:
Powerful engine - it drives the same even with the bed either empty or full of soil. It climbs steep dirt roads very well(in low 4)and can accelerate while doing so. It is stock and decent for dirt roads with the exception of the clearance - the wheelbase is quite long and tends to hit rocks. This could be fixed with a lift kit.

Weaknesses:
-Gas guage: 15 gallon tank registers at half full when actually there is only 5 gallons in the tank.
-When selecting cool, fresh air (not AC) I notice that it is 5-10 degrees warmer than the outside air temperature. It can get a bit annoying on those days that are warm, not hot, and you don't want to run the AC.
-The doors get misaligned quite easily and do not shut smoothly.
-Some of the interior molding makes noise like it needs to be re-glued or tightend.

Similar Products Used:
Honda CRV (not really in the same class, eh?)

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $1200.00 from Individual

Year / Model Reviewed:
1996 LS / Regular cab

Summary:
This has by far been the best vehicle I have ever owned. My truck just turned over 202,000 miles! The 2.2L engine has never been rebuilt and neither has the 5 speed tranny. It fires right up without fail every single day, idles great, runs great and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country. I never have any problems with this truck. I've had it for years and haven't had anything go wrong with it. No leaks, no engine or tranny problems, just an alternator going out. That was about $80 and 10 minutes of my time. My A/C works better in this truck than it does in my $30,000 F250. Not only that, but it gets great mileage too! On the highway if I set the cruise, I can get up to 30 mpg. It looks a bit rough but I sure do love this truck! The 2.2L engine is definately underpowered but who cares with these gas prices? It will still go 90 mph before the governor kicks in. Parts are dirt cheap for this truck too. There's so many of them out there. I bought a brand new grille for $20 after some knucklehead backed into me and ran off. I paid $1,200 for this truck. That was by far the best money I ever spent on a vehicle.

Strengths:
Reliability
Looks
Gas mileage
Value

Weaknesses:
Some would say the 2.2L engine is underpowered. I don't care though.

Similar Products Used:
1993 Mazda B2200 - Can't hold a candle to the S-10!

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $0.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 chev s10

Summary:
Update to previous reveiw.

Shortly after posting original reveiw, the truck was sold. I recently bumped into the person who bought it and he told me the intake manifold gasket had to be replaced and the ball joints are going. He was thankful to have the extended warranty. Oh yes, the third door continues to need adjusting.

I have found out the intake manifold gasket is a common problem as well the ball joints.