First Time S-10 buyer, what should I get?

[Mikeallen_90]

I am looking into buying a second gen S-10 because I have friends that have them and they enjoy them a lot and customize them.

So what should I look into if I want one? I want an automatic, but should I get a 4cylinder or 6cylinder? is the fuel economy that much worse in a 6 as opposed to a 4?

[98noma97]

my truck has a V6 and i get great gas mileage but it is up to you what you really want

[98noma97]

are you bagging it too

[Mikeallen_90]

Thanks, I was just wondering if the v6 would still get good gas mileage while having the extra power.

And yes I might bag it

[sonomagm]

get a v6 man more power to you 262 200hp or the 180 hp but the 4cyl has like 150 i think but i have a 1997 gmc sonoma sport costome from the factory with 4.3l x code and i love it

[98noma97]

no prob
my next s10 i buy will be a V6 as well

[Mikeallen_90]

yeah I never thought about Sonomas. I do like that the V6 is a little beefier. Is the V6 a transverse engine? and whats the gas mileage like?

[Mikeallen_90]

98sonoma97 i Love your truck, the flames actually look damn good.

[RainShadow]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mikeallen_90

yeah I never thought about Sonomas. I do like that the V6 is a little beefier. Is the V6 a transverse engine? and whats the gas mileage like?

Nope, no transverse engines on these trucks, that's a FWD thing.

The 2.2L with the automatic is pretty slow, especially is you get an extended cab truck (more weight). I speak from personal experience on this

If you have the oppurtunity you should try driving both (what have your friends got?)

[threehouse]

Mike,

I have a 99 6cyl EX-Cab. For gas a get roughly 16/19. I towed ~6,200lbs a few weekends ago on a ~200 mile trip and got 15.9mpg while towing. (90% highway) I wouldn't consider 16/19 great mileage for driving but I consider it pretty good for a pick-up. My other car gets 24/29. (Average I think)

For a decision between a 4 vs 6. I guess it depends on what you are going to use it for. I use mine as a 2nd car and got it for a work truck and wanted a 4wd vehicle. If you plan load up the bed or tow anything I would definitely go 6cyl. If you just want a primary car to drive around and if gas is a big consideration for you then the 4cyl might be better. Personally I will not buy a 4cyl car w/o a turbo as I think they are to slow. Just my 2 cents

[Bobthebiker]

With the 4 cylinder, you're best off with the 5 spd. but really its up to you and what you're going to do with it.

[Wrkn prgs]

Quote: Originally Posted by sonomagm

get a v6 man more power to you 262 200hp or the 180 hp but the 4cyl has like 150 i think but i have a 1997 gmc sonoma sport costome from the factory with 4.3l x code and i love it

No, the 4 cylinder motors come with an estimated 118 HP.. which is really around 75 or so at the wheels.

I have a '95 Sonoma, and a '96 S10, both 2.2 automatics and standard cabs. I get about 30 mpg highway in both of them.

[RNGRDVE]

I have owned both 4 and 6cyl s-10's the loss of fuel economy is well worth the gain in H.P. I wasn't very fond of the 4 cyl especially on the x-way uphill.

[SonnyD]

I've had both, a 94 with the Vortec 4.3 and a 2000 I now have
with the 2.2. The 4.3 is definitely a snappy motor in a S-10.
My truck is a third vehicle, so it doesn't get driven much anyway.
Would I rather have the 4.3....Yes, Am I dissapointed in the 2.2...
No. If I was towing or had it loaded down then I wouldn't consider
the 2.2 but for just everyday driving and 22mpg in town, I'm satisfied.
Regards Sonny

[beandip]

like everyone said, if you are going to tow forget about the 2.2 unless you do some light towing. the 2.2 can pull quite a bit but it will be very slow taking off. if you ever do consider the 2.2 you might as well be thinking a 5 speed because IMO the 2.2 automatics are just worthless (stock).

if you are just going to bag it and use it as your daily a 2.2 5speed would be what you need. mine gets 27 mpg and i happy with it even if i dont have enough power as the 4.3, but you can always turbo it

[556mm]

single cab v6 automatic. my advice.

[Daveman2]

Quote: Originally Posted by 556mm

single cab v6 automatic. my advice.

Fleetside or Stepside?

[556mm]

blazer

[Mikeallen_90]

Well I have a Ford contour 4cylinder right now, it gets like 32+ on highway.

I think I just might look into a V6 because my 4cylinder is terrible on hills. I think the Turbo 4 banger would kill me because it would probably be way expensive and I would get terrible gas mileage.

I do want an ext. cab just in case I want to have other stuff in my truck with me lol.

What are some things I could do (like mods) to get better gas mileage?

[Daveman2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mikeallen_90

I think I just might look into a V6 because my 4cylinder is terrible on hills. I think the Turbo 4 banger would kill me because it would probably be way expensive and I would get terrible gas mileage.

I do want an ext. cab just in case I want to have other stuff in my truck with me lol.

What are some things I could do (like mods) to get better gas mileage?

The other thing about turbo 4 cyls, is few are faster than a 4.3L with a few bolt ons. Cold Air intake, a tune, maybe headers+exhaust, are all good. An E-fan is another good mod to reduce drag on the engine, I wouldn't go with undersdrive pullies, as they can cause charging problems

[Mikeallen_90]

"I wouldn't go with undersdrive pullies, as they can cause charging problems"

^are you talking about Light weight pulleys? or is that a good idea.

Also someone said that a tonneau cover can help your gas mileage a bit.

[98noma97]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mikeallen_90

"I wouldn't go with undersdrive pullies, as they can cause charging problems"

^are you talking about Light weight pulleys? or is that a good idea.

Also someone said that a tonneau cover can help your gas mileage a bit.

yes a tonneau can help a lil bit but so does dropping your truck to the ground plus it looks real good

[Mikeallen_90]

yeah bagged trucks look awesome. There are a bunch of them in my town. There are like 5 kids that are in high school with mini trucks. Like 2 94+ S-10's a couple 80's S-10s and a toyota mini truck. all of them are bagged or lowered a crap ton I can't tell. but they are all flat black, which looks terrible.

[98noma97]

nothing wrong with flat black just takes time to get a truck painted

[Mikeallen_90]

Yeah flat black is fine, but these kids just think it looks awesome. One kid I know did buy his flat black but the other kids trucks were Red and Blue and the paint was fine. they just want flat spray paint black.

[beandip]

Quote: Originally Posted by Daveman2

I wouldn't go with undersdrive pullies, as they can cause charging problems

only half true, if you get only the underdrive crank pulley you may have charging problems but if you get an overdrive alt pulley then the charging problems are gone.

[Outlook]

I don't think it really matters which you get. It all really depends on what you want in your truck.

I have a '95 S-10. Mine is a automatic 2.2L 4 cyl. It doesn't have much power though. But the gas mileage is fairly good on it, which is part of the reason I like it so much. I get around 30 mpg, on a good tank. I have no idea about the GMC Sonoma, because I have never owned one, or been inside one. I drove my friends '96 V6 S-10, and it has more power, and probably gets worse gas mileage. They really aren't too much different though. They are one year apart, and both single cab LS models.

[elliot98SS]

You need to ask your self..what body style do you like the looks of? Short box? Long box ? Standard or extended cab? I dont think you can beat the looks of a short cab short box truck with a rake, mag wheels and a roll pan, full size or compact.

[blue89]

Definitely get the 4.3. I hated my 2.2. Its not that i need alot of power its just that the 2.2 is almost unpractical its so slow. The only thing ive ever ridden in that slower is my friends 4 cyl wrangler with 33s. My 4.3 has so much more pick up and its an 89 tbi. If you dont know what tbi means it means might as well be carburated. The great gas mileage also gets killed if you go up a hill bc u have to drop it into 3rd if you want to get up it anytime soon

[Outlook]

Quote: Originally Posted by blue89

Definitely get the 4.3. I hated my 2.2. Its not that i need alot of power its just that the 2.2 is almost unpractical its so slow. The only thing ive ever ridden in that slower is my friends 4 cyl wrangler with 33s. My 4.3 has so much more pick up and its an 89 tbi. If you dont know what tbi means it means might as well be carburated. The great gas mileage also gets killed if you go up a hill bc u have to drop it into 3rd if you want to get up it anytime soon

I second this. My truck is has the 2.2L 4cyl engine, and it sucks. I can slam on the gas, all the way down, and all it does is make the sound of it accelerating fast, but it accelerates the same no matter what. It sucks! I kinda wish I had a 4.3L V6 now.

[elliot98SS]

What is really awful...a 2.2 with an automatic. I have driven one of those. I had to glance out and down the side window and look at the ground to make sure I was moving. The 2.8 V6 is not any better. Either one wont spin a tire on a bumper jack.

[98noma97]

soo








did you buy a truck and bag it yet

[98noma97]

i had a 2.2 5 speed at one time it was pretty quick