323I Junkie
05-17-2007, 08:13 AM
Drove a rental about 1000 miles. In my estimation, the most amazing all around pickup out there. I like the styling, the interior, just an all around very good looking vehicle for a pickup. I cant get over the interior. Two tone even on the base model, the front 40-20-40 split bench had enough stowage to satisfy even my needs (laptop, chargers, cell phone, pistol, ammo, pens, keys, music drives....). The staility at highway speed and the power from the little 4.8 LSX engine are also amazing. ergonomics left me wishing for stereo buttons on the steering wheel. Factory 17" rims were decent, Four wheel drive was flawless as usual, but there seems to be no provision now for a nuetral position in the t-case, as my 99 does have with its auto four wheel drive system. Factory bedliner was great, and the tailgate cap they should have been putting on for the last thirty years. I didnt tow with it, but it held my dog and bikes, luggage, and all five of us with ease.
Now for the down side. Did I mention great power? Let me redefine that. This little 4.8 LSX belongs in the Solstice. I never driven a pickup with an engine that wants to rev to seven like this thing does, and, might I add, thats where its power lies. This thing has no torque. NONE. Its a high revving, albeit very smooth V8 that is tuned for the absolute opposite of what it is designed for. 3.42 axles left me wanting 4.10's, which are an option. Little truck will lay back in the seat, hard, but from 30 mph rolls, dont drag race this. I would definitely go for the flex fuel variable cylinder 5.3 ...only about 10 more HP but I know they make torque. Adding to the downside is this little nugget of truth:
i once had a 70-ish Ford half ton four by four with a 302. It had a two barrel carb and headers/exhaust. It had a C4 transmission as well. 3.55 gears in both axles. Loved that truck. I drove it to school a lot, filled it with gas. On the highway, it got about 15, in town, about 12. Ghastly, I thought. Flash forward 30 years. Aerodynamics, better tires, better lubricants, better bearings, better (more free rolling) brakes, better transmissions, COP technology, multiple O2 sensors with MAF technology, SMPFI, electric fans...and guess what this little half ton 4wd gets? 11.7 in town, 15.7 highway. Which nixed my ideas to buy one. Driving habits might get me another mpg, but they wont get three.Three highway trips and multiple in town fillups, and thats what I got. I imagine the 5.3 does about the same. This is not a GM bash, my buddies 06 f-150 does the same, and my father in laws 1/2 dodge gets ten.
Step up manufacturers, start making some benefit for all this technology at the pump, opr stop charging $32,000 dollars for a pickup.
Let the record state that my little 302 2bbl wouldnt keep up with this 07 if it had three carlenths of a running start, but does torque mean anything to GM?
Now for the down side. Did I mention great power? Let me redefine that. This little 4.8 LSX belongs in the Solstice. I never driven a pickup with an engine that wants to rev to seven like this thing does, and, might I add, thats where its power lies. This thing has no torque. NONE. Its a high revving, albeit very smooth V8 that is tuned for the absolute opposite of what it is designed for. 3.42 axles left me wanting 4.10's, which are an option. Little truck will lay back in the seat, hard, but from 30 mph rolls, dont drag race this. I would definitely go for the flex fuel variable cylinder 5.3 ...only about 10 more HP but I know they make torque. Adding to the downside is this little nugget of truth:
i once had a 70-ish Ford half ton four by four with a 302. It had a two barrel carb and headers/exhaust. It had a C4 transmission as well. 3.55 gears in both axles. Loved that truck. I drove it to school a lot, filled it with gas. On the highway, it got about 15, in town, about 12. Ghastly, I thought. Flash forward 30 years. Aerodynamics, better tires, better lubricants, better bearings, better (more free rolling) brakes, better transmissions, COP technology, multiple O2 sensors with MAF technology, SMPFI, electric fans...and guess what this little half ton 4wd gets? 11.7 in town, 15.7 highway. Which nixed my ideas to buy one. Driving habits might get me another mpg, but they wont get three.Three highway trips and multiple in town fillups, and thats what I got. I imagine the 5.3 does about the same. This is not a GM bash, my buddies 06 f-150 does the same, and my father in laws 1/2 dodge gets ten.
Step up manufacturers, start making some benefit for all this technology at the pump, opr stop charging $32,000 dollars for a pickup.
Let the record state that my little 302 2bbl wouldnt keep up with this 07 if it had three carlenths of a running start, but does torque mean anything to GM?