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Black, patina'd early 40s Chevy sedan, being driven not gingerly, but normally.

*FINNED DRUM ROLL PLEASE...*

Well, it's been a little over a month, and I have to give a status report. First off, I am very pleased with the ride, handling and braking this truck offers. It also feels extremely solid while driving. It definitely gives a feeling of safety on the road that none of my little cars have provided. The back-up camera (that I have bitched about in years past on this website) has me spoiled. I can back into a parking spot perfectly, the first time. If it remains reliable, I will be glad to have it there. With my current, suburban commute, I've been averaging about 18.8 MPG, a bit better than the city rating of 17. I did take a road trip to MD a couple of weeks ago, and I filled the tank down there for the ride home. Over the first 85 miles, I averaged 25.4 MPG (against a rating of 24), which I feel is stellar for a 305-hp 4WD pickup truck without an airdam . It feels at once familiar and comfortable like a Chevy truck, with a host of welcome refinements. It is not a perfect machine though. If I don't make sure the rear doors are shut, (they require a good strong arm) the "door is open" message appears in the DIC (this issue has been solved with diligence). The truck is vault-like quiet, which makes my ears wander to pick up any noise. The door lock plunger rattles quietly in its hole, and there is an itch in the steering wheel when turning. I have an area of thin paint inside the rear wheelwells. Apparently, Cyber Gray has some underlying green in it (the underhood color is green). My 2010 Colorado had the same paint issue in the same area. It is covered with some paint and protected with clearcoat, and someone who doesn't work in auto body might not notice it. I had occasion to pin the accelerator to the floor once to pass a geezer, and the 3.6 sounds like it is going to explode under full throttle, very tinny and high-pitched, but it provides good high-end power. I might be one of those that laments the fact that the new 4.3 is not in these trucks, but that is a minor concern. Oh, and the transmission is very slow to downshift, probably in the interest of fuel economy, at the expense of instant gratification. The radio antenna was too tall to allow the truck into my garage. The short one I bought over the internet does not give the same quality reception, but I don't want to jump in and out of the bed to remove and install every time I want to go somewhere. Over on the Colorado/Canyon forums, some of those guys are whining and complaining about the issues I have described above, and they are running their trucks back to the dealer to demand warranty repairs. To me, I have not encountered a problem yet that is serious enough to mention it to the dealer. Overall, this is a typical Chevrolet pickup with welcome refinements, and I am a happy owner so far. I will stick with what I like, with the understanding that every vehicle has its own quirks. Overall, kudos to GM for taking a chance on a midsize truck in America once again, it's like you were listening to my very own prayers.

paper

In the brake picture, I've been trying to glean as much info as I can. I see what appears to be a sway bar and some sort of control arm. I see what appears to be an oil pan, and it is either red, orange (if it is orange, it is probably a Chevrolet product) or iron oxide-colored. I see a coil spring and a totally tubular shock absorber on a full-frame vehicle, along with an old bias-ply tire on the other side. Final answer: Buick or Pontiac finned drum. The fins were for brake cooling to try to dissipate fade. Since it is a five-lug, I am going with Buick, just because. And from what I remember, Buicks were known for having good brake systems for the day, 50s-60s. Full disclosure: I did google "Pontiac finned drum brake photo" and "Buick finned brake drum photo". Not saying I'm correct, just got me intensely curious.

sway

Sawr a '56 Chevy four-door wagon in turquoise and white driving. Two late model Tahoe 2-doors, one for sale.

White Delta 88 is a real trooper.

recreation

Well it sure does make me to awe!

Challenger photo, I believe the side stripe is cut too short.

Yup, exactly what I said. I do like the Karl.

Yup, I see those hips now. Sweet!

Looks like a promising little chunk! I hope it has a grown-up powertrain to go along with the new look.

Was followed today by a bright red/white tin top '67 Newport coupe. Seemed like a daily driver, made me cringe seeing it out on the salt soaked roads.

Yes, everyone close enough to hear real world stories knows... a Sprinter van is junk.

Jeez, my fault. Why not just go in and do a full edit to change your ? to a ! in your title, then you'll be good to go for the munt. Honestly, my first F-150 sighting was an Enterprise rental, but I am sure they will proliferate soon.

Thanks for the quick post! I do not see a whole lot new here. I can buy a set of Wrangler Duratracs and the wheel flares over the Chevy parts counter for a whole lot less than $3300. Everything in the package except for the tires and Trail Boss stickers are already available as GM Accessories. It does make a nice ready-made accessory pack though, I guess. I ordered mine with G80, and the regular Z71 already has it as standard.

I am seriously at a loss here. WHY would anyone not prefer RWD in snowy, icy weather to FWD? My truck is so much more controllable than any of my FWD vehicles. I can actually TURN it with the throttle and keep it completely under control way easier than the sideways push of a FWD vehicle in snowy turns. I LOVE THIS THING!

ZR2? I was at my max comfort level, MSRP-wise with what I got. I love my truck! However now you have me curious.

Sounds like a real nice combo for the Wrangler.

LineX has had color-matched spray-in liners for years. I have a rubber mat (aftermarket) in my new truck, and I bought the GM tailgate liner (have not installed it yet, although it will be easy). I would prefer a spray-in liner, but think the cost is prohibitive. And I loved my BedRugs in past trucks, but they all had some sort of bed cover. If I can afford it, maybe next year I will spring for a lined Leer cap for mine, like I had on my '04 Colorado... that made the ideal camping rig, with the lined cap and the BedRug.

The Chevy Spark, IIRC, has consistently sold better than Chevy expected here in the U.S., maybe for the (quick model changeover!) new one, the U.S. will be the debut point. I wish the best for Chevy with all of these new models. Cruze, Camaro and Volt have been well done as gen ones, however... My mom test drove a green Spark 1LT with CVT before she got her Versa Note, and as much as I wanted to like the Spark, the very jerky CVT let it down BADLY. I thought it was because of the cold weather at first and was trying not to panic before I panned it, but even after warmup it was jerky as heck. The Nissan cruised smoothly up to speed with nary a hiccup, also with a cold engine.

Is the new Spark a Chevy version of the Karl?