Look at the 0-60 times for the Colorado. They are more than respectable with the I5.

 

My sister has an 05 colorado crew cab. I drive it pretty often and am very dissapointed with it. Granted it is the LS, NOT the Z71.

Just driving it around the handling isnt too bad, but the acceleration is terrible. My XJ destroys it off the line, and out accellerates it at any point. Slow speed handling and parking it handles like a yacht. It has a massive turning radius and it parks worse than my minivan. The suspension is soft and squishy. We loaded the tiny, and almost useless bed with dirt for a house project and it rode home on the bumpstops. I think the towing on it is less than 3500lbs.

It also gets about 14-16mpg with the 5 cylender engine. That is mostly around town driving, and on a trip to louisiana last year I got in the low 20's, but still worse than my XJ with a 3" lift.

The interior feels very cheap. its not too bad at first, but none of the little plastic crap seems to stay together very well. Lots of it has broken and needed to be fixed, She keeps a tube of super glue in the glove box.

There has also been a whole bunch of problems with the electrical. windows and door locks work when they want.

It has been in and out of the shop at least once every 6 months for engine and trans issues. it is currently DID (dead in the driveway) because the trans isnt shifting...again.

I dont know if you can judge the whole line based on 1 truck, but that thing is a piece of crap

 

My father has a 04 silverado crew cab long bed with the diesel. That truck is a beast. I have nothing but good to say about it. I use it every time I need something bigger than the XJ can handle.

We have even taken it on a few wheeling trips

it is as solid as you can get. I can only speak for the diesel engine, but is accelerates like a champ. We towed a 10k lb 5th wheel from PA to wisconson last summer and it accelerates, brakes, and handles like a dream. Smooth as silk. On another trip to louisiana from PA I towed my sisters colorado on a twin axle auto transport with it, and half the time I didnt even know it was there. I could pass uphill without a sweat.

The inside is nice and clean. Guages, door locks, windows and all the various plastic stuff just seems to work like it should. It is comfy and even plush. The only thing that I dont really like is the console between the seats. it just seems huge

It has done everything we have ever asked it to do. haul dirt, tow stuff, remove the XJ from mud it should never have been in. Anything

It have never had any mechanical problems. It just works

 

Im 18 and i say go for the silverrado for sure...

my father owns one an 06 and its probably the best truck in my opinion alive haha love that thing...

What does he think of commanche XD

 

I personally wouldn't get a Colorado.

Rented one for 3 days and dogged the hell outta it. by the time I returned it, engine light was on and the tranny was smoking. What can I say, it was a rental, drove it like I stole it

 

So I've been reading and in 3 pages nobody has mentioned a diesel. For 10k your son can get a very nice upgraded Dodge. 12k would be a high end price for an excellent 12valve cummins. Opt for a manual tranny with an upgraded clutch and you will have a truck that gets 22mpgs. They are a very simple mechanical injected engine so you won't have to fight with dealers about fixing stuff. Some mentioned no IFS, I think my dodges have D60s or 70s and my dually has a d80 rear. My 2wd has 450k miles and purrs like a kitten. Just please stay away from an auto.

 

I was just gonna mention. I used to have a 1995 F-250 with the 7.3. He was in love with that truck.. He hated me for gettin rid of it!. I found a nice 95 with 120k and the 7.3 with the extended cab for 8k. Realllll nice condition.. I think im gonna surprise him with that. He'll love it!! And, he gets to save his money!

 

Get him a cummins. Nothing compares to them.

 

yea i agree too i am 17 and my first vehicle is my xj. my dad told me hed pay for it if it was under 2000 and id pay the rest. so i got her for 1800, which he payd then i have bought everything else that i have put on it.

but out of these choices id go with the f150 personally cause i am a ford guy haha

 

lol you guys got to look at the big pic no harm but i was raised with this sang (if you wana play you got to pay) i say the older the cheeper tha parts i say bronco cuz there are so many and u can find lots of parts once u lift it and start playen a little you start to break stuf

 

Try to find an older Ram 250 or 350 with a 12 valve Cummins. Those things last forever. One of my friends has one that he's had for as long as I remember, it was well over 700k on it and still runs great.

 

What?! Is that without being rebuilt or replacing/re-building the turbo?



(sorry for the mini hijack)

 

Not entirely sure about the turbo but the engine hadn't been rebuilt.

 

i vote.....Bronco!!!!

 

7.3's a good reliable engine. I think he'll be happy with that, also if he can drive a standard Id reccomend the 5-speed, drove an F-250 with a 5-speed with the granny gear and I LOVED that truck. Im 17 so hopefully that helps you out some.