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Donkey Strong: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Tested
caranddriver ^ | 12/29/2023 | ELANA SCHERR

Posted on 12/29/2023 9:35:46 AM PST by ChicagoConservative27

In 1902, a miner named William "Burro" Schmidt began digging a tunnel through a mountain in California's Mojave Desert. He continued, by hand, for three decades, despite that a road was built during that time, and his tunnel came out on a ledge above the valley. You can visit Schmidt's work down a silty dirt road. It's a slidey, sandy journey, but it's so easy in the Chevy Colorado ZR2 that if Schmidt had had one, he wouldn't have bothered trying to make a shortcut.

Much like the burros that gave Schmidt his nickname, the Colorado is stubborn and sure-footed. It's easier to house than a draft horse, although for 2023, the mid-size Colorado grows in width, wheelbase, and ground clearance. A simplified powertrain lineup means all versions come with a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine comes in three strengths, and the ZR2 gets max burro power: the high-output 310-hp version that makes 430 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to tow 6000 pounds (1000 more than the previous generation), but unladen acceleration is no quicker, with a trot to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. On the road, the ZR2 brays loudly when spurred, but off-road, it scampers up hills and over loose surfaces. All that pulling and climbing makes it hungry—its fuel economy is slightly worse than the previous V-6, with an EPA combined rating of 16 mpg.

(Excerpt) Read more at caranddriver.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat; Reference; Society
KEYWORDS: chevrolet; colorado; tested; zr2
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My best friend just bought a 2023 Colorado. Sticker price for his was around $41,000
1 posted on 12/29/2023 9:35:46 AM PST by ChicagoConservative27
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To: ChicagoConservative27

That’s not a bad price for a pickup these days. And it doesn’t look too small or too big.


2 posted on 12/29/2023 9:39:50 AM PST by packagingguy
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To: ChicagoConservative27

Back in June I picked up a 2023 Chevy Silverado RST eight cylinder, a few upgrades, $72,000! My first full-size Chevy pick up, one of the upgraded features that Colorado did not have. First time buying a full size pick up, xPress, so far is good.


3 posted on 12/29/2023 9:41:15 AM PST by Reno89519 (It's war. No one murders and takes Americans hostage. Time to act. Declare war on Islamic Hamas.)
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To: Reno89519

Experience, not xPress!


4 posted on 12/29/2023 9:41:40 AM PST by Reno89519 (It's war. No one murders and takes Americans hostage. Time to act. Declare war on Islamic Hamas.)
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To: ChicagoConservative27

my 2020 Colorado has a V6 that is 300HP, and list was 32K and I got the dealer to give it to me for 25K OUT THE DOOR! on week 4 or 5 of 2 weeks to flatten the curve


5 posted on 12/29/2023 9:42:30 AM PST by eyeamok
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To: ChicagoConservative27

Government Motors - buyers should get a good 30,000 miles out of it. :)


6 posted on 12/29/2023 9:44:25 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves ([CTRL]-[GALT]-[DELETE])
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To: Mr. Jeeves

I have heard nothing but horror stories about GM trucks in regard to transmissions and engine issues. Personally I would never drive anything but a Toyota.


7 posted on 12/29/2023 9:47:55 AM PST by LumberJack53213
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To: Reno89519

Was it worth it?


8 posted on 12/29/2023 9:48:46 AM PST by ChicagoConservative27
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To: LumberJack53213

Funny you should say that. My friend had a issue with the truck just braking by itself out of nowhere. It was a sensor issue


9 posted on 12/29/2023 9:49:42 AM PST by ChicagoConservative27
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To: ChicagoConservative27

I just picked up a new 4runner this year, I am hoping its the last car I will ever buy. Unless the Democrats ban fuel.


10 posted on 12/29/2023 9:52:04 AM PST by LumberJack53213
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To: LumberJack53213

> Personally I would never drive anything but a Toyota. <

That’s the direction I’m heading. But I couldn’t buy any Japanese vehicle as long as my father was alive. He was a WW2 vet, and he hated all things Japanese.

It’s funny. He served not in the Pacific, but in the Atlantic on anti-submarine duty. And he knew all about the destruction the German U-boats caused. But he had nothing against German cars.

I guess Pearl Harbor made the difference.


11 posted on 12/29/2023 9:54:55 AM PST by Leaning Right (The steal is real.)
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To: Mr. Jeeves

GM is for union thugs.


12 posted on 12/29/2023 9:57:09 AM PST by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
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To: ChicagoConservative27

**its fuel economy is slightly worse than the previous V-6, with an EPA combined rating of 16 mpg.**

That’s pathetic. I have gotten 18-19 mpg combined, with my 90 Silverado 1500 w/350ci and 4wd. (Disclaimer: it ran a little rough at idle back then. I discovered that a small portion of the gasket between the throttle body and the intake manifold was gone at the rear, causing a leaner mixture. The throttle body bolts had gotten loose, and the gasket was probably cracked)


13 posted on 12/29/2023 9:57:29 AM PST by Zuriel (Acts 2:38,39....Do you believe it?)
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To: Leaning Right

I hear you. My old man was a GM mechanic for over 45 years, that’s all we had and owned. I bought my first Toyota and didn’t tell him.


14 posted on 12/29/2023 9:57:48 AM PST by LumberJack53213
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To: Zuriel

My 2004 GMC 6.0l Yukon XL gets 18-19 mpg on the freeway and 15-16 mpg on short trips to the grocery. And that’s with 238K on the odometer.


15 posted on 12/29/2023 10:08:30 AM PST by Noumenon (You're not voting your way out of this. KTF)
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To: ChicagoConservative27

I traded in a 2016 Colorado 2WD V6 on a 2023 Colorado 2WD 4 cyl Turbo. Pretty happy with both trucks. I don’t tow or go off road, so I’m pretty easy on trucks. The size and handling on this truck is just right for me.


16 posted on 12/29/2023 10:14:37 AM PST by Repealthe17thAmendment
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To: Leaning Right
My dad was the same way. Never would buy a Japanese car because of Pearl Harbor.

However, he helped me move cross country in my brand new 1998 Toyota Tacoma and was very impressed.

So much so, he traded his Chrysler for a Honda Odyssey and then my mom traded her Buick for a Honda, too, and they never went back, staying instead with “Japanese” cars until they both passed.

I’m the same way. Once a GM true believer, but now only Toyotas, a Honda and a Subaru and zero problems with any of them … ever.

The only problem has been the Subaru dealership’s service department for recalls and such.

They fix one thing but break something else while doing it, so it always takes two trips for any warranty thing they do.

17 posted on 12/29/2023 10:26:19 AM PST by GBA (Endeavor to persevere)
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To: Noumenon

That’s good! We also have 2 Blazers (an 01 and an 04. Both 4dr, 4.3 with 2wd). They get 23-24 when on long trips, about 20 locally (we aren’t in metro areas very often.)

I like being able to do my own maintenence. The older stuff is less complex. If need be, I could drop the transmission on either blazer in less than an hour. Haven’t had to though. My wife’s 07 awd Highlander?...I don’t even want to think about dropping that trans.


18 posted on 12/29/2023 10:26:32 AM PST by Zuriel (Acts 2:38,39....Do you believe it?)
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To: LumberJack53213

My experience with Chevy trucks does not support your ‘nothing but horror stories’ comment. I bought a new 2002 Trailblazer and drove it until 2021 when my oldest son wanted it instead of me trading it in on me 2021 Colorado. The Trailblazer currently has over 200,000 miles on it. Over the time of my ownership I had to replace the shocks twice, front ball joints once, and of course engine and transmission oils, and tires. I could not ask for a more trouble free vehicle overall.


19 posted on 12/29/2023 10:40:47 AM PST by ByteMercenary (Cho Bi Dung and KamalHo are not my leaders.)
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To: LumberJack53213
Toyota

Same. Tundra and a couple of FJs here. Smiles per mile.

20 posted on 12/29/2023 10:46:21 AM PST by Sirius Lee (I am going to keep SPAMming the meme "I see Freepers bickering..." where applicable)
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