Looks, power, comfort, utility and drivability. In 1997, I drove all the V6 trucks in this class and none drove as nice as the S-10.

Initial quality and the factory Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires lose traction too easily in wet road conditions.

I bought the LS package XTRA cab with the 3rd door option, 5spd and bucket seats new in 1997. After 3yrs, 40k miles it still drives smoothly although the 3rd door rattles off the road. The paint and trim have held up well under the desert sun w/ regular waxing and armouralling of the rubber trim. The factory stereo is adequate and the air conditioning is good. overall, the truck handles like a truck, with plenty of power and tork from the 4.3 V6. Dont expect this truck to handle like a sports car, it aint gonna happen. But for long road trips it drives great with around 26 mpg, not bad for a 4.3 V6. Also, the driver side 3rd door adds easy access to the xtra cab space, which adds to the utility of the truck.

My only complaints are about initial quality. During the warranty period I had the pinion seal on the rear end replaced, an engine oil leak fixed, and the air conditioner compressor replaced due to a noisy AC clutch. I was stranded once due to a dead battery, which is a regular occurance in the desert southwest. Also, I needed an seal around the base of the shifter on the transmission replaced. Overall, the leaks associated with these repairs were minor and the air conditioning, despite the noisy AC clutch, worked. I would also like to add that the dealer that serviced my truck went the extra mile for me, so that overcame some of the initial quality problems.

In short, I like this truck. Compared to the '91 Toyota I owned, it hasnt been as reliable. However, the S-10 is more comfortable, more powerful and just more enjoyable to drive; and is a nicer looking truck. My recommendation for anyone looking for a 2WD V6 powered compact pickup, I feel the S-10 is a good value. But if you are looking for a 4 cyl compact truck, go with the nissan or toyota you will be happier with their reliability.

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'91 toyota 4 cyl 2WD owned for 5 yrs

I got the high output 4.3l cpi vortec engine and I am very satisfied with it's power and performance. I have installed a 2" body lift and 31" tires. I also have installed an K&N filter and intake system, as well as flowmaster exhaust. The automatic transmission works flawlessly for hauling and towing. Performs off-road very well, good exterior and interior design.

ABS-almost causing several accidents for me, hopefully the recall will take care of that..All problems were covered by warranty so-far!!! Watch for bad valve guide seals!!!

I thought the price was too high, sticker price in 96' was 23,900, but it did have all options but 4. I wanted a ZR2 but they cost even more, so I guess I made my own.

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1988 gmc S-15, good 2.5l 5spd great little cheap truck.

The tires have lasted for 75,000 miles

It's four banger is useless
Suspension---lousy
Everything rattles
Got an oil leak at 25,000 miles, had it fixed by a Chevrolet dealer. It was leaking again by 32,000 miles.
Bad location for the jack.
Shallow radio making after market radio installation a pain
Transmission came loose at 30,000 miles. Rearend came loose at 40,000 miles.

It isn't worth half the money I owe on it.
I am not a satisfied customer.

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None

Powerful VORTEC V-6, Smooth shifting 5-speed, Meat Locker
A/C, decent factory stereo cassette, plenty of room, easy to reach controls, durability.

ABS is a misnomer; should be called NSB (No-Stopping Brakes)
when there is a drop of water on the ground...trim rings
are a joke; lost one after just 750 miles, took the other
off.

Except for the aforementioned weaknesses there are no complaints. I run volunteer fire/rescue and at one time in my life delivered pizza's for a living. This truck has never
refused to do what it was asked. It is just as comfortable
at a 110 mph going to a bad call as it is at 5 mph riding the clutch looking for some unlit house at midnight in a bad neighborhood. My truck is two tone RED over gray
(notice emphasis on red) and looked great with a fullsize
emergency light bar on the roof, which has since been deleted. The truck had 12 miles on it when we bought it and as a few ticks over 102000 miles as of this writing. Crank the A/C on MAX and I promise that you will be reaching for a snowmoblie suit within 5 minutes, even on a 100 degree North Carolina day. Except for the braking the drivability in bad weather has been great; she has been through several landfalling hurricanes since I began fire/rescue in 1995.
Still has original clutch and is only on its second set of brakes and tires (phenominal when one considers the severe use she is put through). I do second one piece of advice that a few others have mentioned. Don't take her in the mud or snow without a cell-phone because it will be a long walk to the nearest pay phone (will get stuck the minute the road gets soft). The engine is great, although I do wish I had the newer EFI instead of the TBI. Gets 18-20 mpg around town and once got 26 on a trip to Miami. I am going to miss this truck, but, alas, a growing family means that I need an extended cab...Hey, for $12,950 new in a 1994, we got alot more then we paid for. I would recommend these trucks for anything but off-road use. DO NOT SCRIMP AND BUY A 4 CYL FOR ANY REASON!!! The 6 cyl is not that much more, doesn't cost any more to insure, and mine still hums like it did on the dealer's lot. Except for being pulled off a muddy road that I got stuck on mine has never been towed . It has never failed to start, and does not have one visable spot of rust on her. One more thing: Chevy, PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE NBS...uh, I mean ABS.

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1983 Nissan Long Bed...it would be like comparing Fred
Flinstone's ride to the space shuttle...I'll take the S-10

Good gas mileage, hardly any maintance, interior layout, sport suspension package (15x7 factory honeycomb wheels), removeable sunroof

Weatherstripping falling off, bad blower motor and heater core placement, underpowered 2.8L, A/C is junk

I paid 4000 for this truck in 1997 since I redlined my other truck. Performance is underpowered (lose to 4 cyl.) but more than makes up for it in gas mileage (22). Weather stripping and exhaust doughnuts are notorious for problems. My truck has 150K+ on it and still drives great. A/C is junk though. No cold air when you need it, though that is what the sunroof is for.

Other than that, these are great trucks IF you take the time to take care of them. I'm 6'1" and I am not cramped at all with the seat all the way back. Great truck for a V8 project. Recommend this to anyone that asks.

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1986 S10 4x4 2.8L 5spd.- 2wd is MUCH better with the little 2.8

The 4.3L V6 is powerful and extremely reliable. The truck is great off road. I like the way it looks. Very smooth highway driving. No vibrations whatsoever even at 115 mph!

High maintenance. Bad handling around corners. Poor front suspension articulation. Not enough ground clearance, and too expensive to put a lift on($2000+ installed). Rims are unique and very few aftermarket rims are available. It now has 149,000 miles. I've had to replace the Automatic Transmission($2,000),Heater Core($200),Blower Motor($25),CV Boots($160),Ball Joints($200),Front Differential($550),Rear Axle($300),Alternator($100),Starter($100),Motor Mounts($200),Glove Box Door($25), and some other small, miscellaneous things.

I bought it for $5500 in '97 when it had 108,000 miles. It's a fun truck you can love, but it requires a lot of money. I was pretty hard on it off road. It costs a lot to maintain, but it has never broken down and left me stranded. Not recommended for off-road enthusiasts because of high customization costs. I would only recommend it for an around town truck, and occasional, light duty off road.

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1987 S10 2wd 2.8L.--Cool little truck, but no traction and no ground clearance. Only owned for 3 months. 4.3L engine is much better.

looks good,----thats about it

POS 2.8liter motor

too much for such a big piece of @$#%. i would highly reccomend a mazda b2200, just as much power if not more.
nothing really more i can say. Don't look good lowered and don't look good raised. your best bet would be a mazda, nissan or toyota

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ranger

The 2.8 has suprising power and dependability. The mazda pickups can't compare.

heater cole

Overall it has been a good truck and they are very easy to get accesseries for.

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a mazda can't keep up with the SONOMA

Very rugged(for a small truck) and dependable. I've had this truck just about everywhere that traction and ground clearance would allow (though only 2WD, tire chains help out immensely in snow and mud). I also hauled roughly a ton of dirt in it once. The springs were bent flat and the mud flaps barely cleared the road but it held up. I go camping alot smack in the middle of nowhere, and have no doubt this 13 year old truck will get me home every time. In addition, this truck has been cheap to own, and cheap to fix.

The 2.8L produces the horsepower of a Briggs and Straton.
To add insult to injury, the automatic transmission has a locking torque convertor that kills all power on the highway.
Rust is everywhere!
The brakes could use some more beef.
I have to poke the A/C compressor clutch with a screwdriver to get it going (they call it a "lazy clutch").

I paid $3000 for it used. I guess after reading over my review it does have a few flaws. I don't know a thing about the newer ones, but if you want an old truck for doing odd jobs, this be your truck.

Attractive interior

Just about everything you can imagine. I've had to have it towed to the dealership on 4 occasions for various problems. Braking is poor and front pads wear quickly. At about 38mos. (just out of warranty) the air conditioner compressor front seal started leaking so that the compressor won't hold a charge. Cost to get it fixed is approx. $950.00 because of the high cost of the compressor. Transmission sometimes hangs between gears. I have the 6 cylinder auto trans. option.

I paid $16K for the extended cab/V6/Auto. I wouldn't recommend this model to an enemy.

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This was my first and LAST small truck.