The ZR2
- Thread starter WallyT4R
- Start date
fourwd1
Moderator
That would be great, I thought about that also.
4Reak Show
New member
Just wanted to update anyone who cares:
Turns out the replacement engine we got was also shot. So now I'm doing the job for the 2nd time.
Really puts a bad taste in my mouth for small Chevy engines..
Turns out the replacement engine we got was also shot. So now I'm doing the job for the 2nd time.
Really puts a bad taste in my mouth for small Chevy engines..
I don't understand how you can group all small chevy engines into putting a bad taste in your mouth??? Sorry but that makes no sense. So the original engine went bad, it happens and who knows how it was maintained....Also, I am not defending chevy here but you bought a used engine from a junk yard. Am I missing something here?
Amen. Their big trucks are fine but the little ones have fallen off.
Example:
Replacing engine right now on an '07 canyon, 170,000 miles. Customer wanted replacement instead of head job due to valve issues. And guess how many engines were available from Junkers? Just the one! Tells me even scrappers don't want this engine...
American cars are always great for power, but never last as long. So you can chose fun right now, and pay for it later. Or you can chose slightly less fun, and have a vehicle for quite awhile, relatively worry free.
I've only owned toyotas so maybe I'm biased.
You can't compare a 1st gen and 2nd gen Colorado / Canyon like that. The 1st gen's were essentially rebadged Isuzus. The 2nd gen models are leaps and bounds above the 1st. Also, the 3.6L in the current models seems to be a pretty reliable power plant in everything else they put it in.
4Reak Show
New member
You guys are totally correct. I'd still argue it's not apples to oranges however, but probably closer to comparing green apples to Fuji apples. They're still apples. 2 engines, one with less than 100K miles, and both are sh!t. This would never happen with a yota. Of course I'm heavily Toyota biased, obviously.
All I wanted to do was give some perspective to anyone who was going to make a $20-30K decision, showing that a 10 year old truck with the same name sake is a total pile of sh!t. How many 07 4Runners or Tacomas are on their 3rd engine? Go ahead, I'll wait while you look that up....
That's all I was getting at. If you're the kind of person to buy a vehicle for temporary use, do whatever you want, that's the beauty of capitalism. But if you want something that will be 99% headache free and last longer than your morning Chai Latte, go Toyota or at least Japanese.
All I wanted to do was give some perspective to anyone who was going to make a $20-30K decision, showing that a 10 year old truck with the same name sake is a total pile of sh!t. How many 07 4Runners or Tacomas are on their 3rd engine? Go ahead, I'll wait while you look that up....
That's all I was getting at. If you're the kind of person to buy a vehicle for temporary use, do whatever you want, that's the beauty of capitalism. But if you want something that will be 99% headache free and last longer than your morning Chai Latte, go Toyota or at least Japanese.
Same namesake, yes. However, a totally different gene pool.
4Reak Show
New member
Good point I suppose. I've just seen too many simple things go wrong with the Chevy brand that shouldn't ever go wrong in a vehicle for a very long time. Their work trucks are pretty rad most often. And power difference is night and day better compared to Japanese. I just don't trust them personally. (Again, just giving first hand experience)
By all means, buy what you like! And please report on your findings. For your pocket book, I sincerely hope I'm wrong and it's a great truck for years to come. (And I mean that genuinely)
By all means, buy what you like! And please report on your findings. For your pocket book, I sincerely hope I'm wrong and it's a great truck for years to come. (And I mean that genuinely)
GM could make the most reliable vehicles on the planet - I would still never, ever, ever buy one. Ever.
That would be kinda dumb...
I guess I just don't understand all the fanboy brand loyalty. I have owned 3 GM, 2 Toyota, and 1 Subaru. The Japanese vehicles were no more reliable than anything else I had. The vehicle I miss the most was my 04 GTO.
4Reak Show
New member
Like I said, I'm just basing my judgement on what I've seen in the field. GM (and all "American" cars really) have not only the little things go wrong like head units, seat belts, suspension etc but also engines and transmissions at at alarmingly higher rate than the Japanese.
My theory is simple: cars built in Japan by Japanese workers are better. Americans are fat and lazy. There's no pride. It's all about cranking out a product with as much profit and speed as possible. Of course this is based on minimal study and just internet jargon but that's my theory haha. Look at the first letter of the vin. If it's a J, it tends to last longer with fewer headaches (from what ive seen over a 10 1/2 year long career in general non specialized repair) and when something does go wrong (since EVERYTHING will break down at some point) they tend to be more user friendly.
Are these Tacomas that are so terrible as everyone says made in Japan or america? I honestly don't know but I'd be willing to bet they're made in Mexico or America.
A killer example: had a Toyota Matrix gifted from my grandfather. Only had 35K miles on it and water pump started leaking. Car was Canadian built. And when I was ordering parts they specifically had to know the country of origin. Canadian built water pump was 1/3 the price for a Japanese product. Why? I'm not an economist but the signs are pretty clear.
Bottom line: this is a throw away culture anyway. Most people are worried about trade in value after 5 years when loans are up to 8 years now. There's not even pride in ownership. I don't personally shop this way. I prefer practicality to investment when in comes to vehicles and this new GM, albeit very appealing, just seems like a pretty little carrot dangled to try and win back some of the Japanese market.
Again, get one and share your experience! I sincerely would love to know Anerican companies are making a comeback. I just don't see it happening at the moment.
My theory is simple: cars built in Japan by Japanese workers are better. Americans are fat and lazy. There's no pride. It's all about cranking out a product with as much profit and speed as possible. Of course this is based on minimal study and just internet jargon but that's my theory haha. Look at the first letter of the vin. If it's a J, it tends to last longer with fewer headaches (from what ive seen over a 10 1/2 year long career in general non specialized repair) and when something does go wrong (since EVERYTHING will break down at some point) they tend to be more user friendly.
Are these Tacomas that are so terrible as everyone says made in Japan or america? I honestly don't know but I'd be willing to bet they're made in Mexico or America.
A killer example: had a Toyota Matrix gifted from my grandfather. Only had 35K miles on it and water pump started leaking. Car was Canadian built. And when I was ordering parts they specifically had to know the country of origin. Canadian built water pump was 1/3 the price for a Japanese product. Why? I'm not an economist but the signs are pretty clear.
Bottom line: this is a throw away culture anyway. Most people are worried about trade in value after 5 years when loans are up to 8 years now. There's not even pride in ownership. I don't personally shop this way. I prefer practicality to investment when in comes to vehicles and this new GM, albeit very appealing, just seems like a pretty little carrot dangled to try and win back some of the Japanese market.
Again, get one and share your experience! I sincerely would love to know Anerican companies are making a comeback. I just don't see it happening at the moment.
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4Reak Show
New member
And to play devil's advocate:
If you went to canyon/Colorado forum and bragged about wanting a 4Runner/Tacoma, you'd get just as hosed, and I mean that respectfully.
If you went to canyon/Colorado forum and bragged about wanting a 4Runner/Tacoma, you'd get just as hosed, and I mean that respectfully.
lucky7
New member
You're missing my point. GM is a scummy company - one that I will never support.
On a side note, I found this interesting.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/general-motors-corporation-detroit-2
RUNTHAT
New member
:sad: The ZR2 talk on this forum is a lot calmer than Tacoma World. People get way defensive when you bring up the Colorado over there HAHA
trailbikerider
Member
As cool as the ZR2 is, I hesitate to buy anything with a GM badge. Being from the epicenter of the Big 3 (Michigan), most everyone there buys a Ford, GM, or Chrysler product as opposed to anything Japanese, German, or Korean. I've seen a lot of GM products just rust out in no time flat, have transmission issues, or just general terrible build quality. Granted, the rust issue is just a symptom of midwest salt, but the fact is that I see a lot of older Ford and Japanese vehicles of the same years that don't have the rust issues.
If you're wanting a good mid-sized pickup truck, wait a few years and get a new Ranger. I am kind of a Ford fan-boy (all I've ever owned until my current 4Runner), but I've been extremely happy with every one of them.
If you're wanting a good mid-sized pickup truck, wait a few years and get a new Ranger. I am kind of a Ford fan-boy (all I've ever owned until my current 4Runner), but I've been extremely happy with every one of them.
Except the Ranger does not enter the US marked until AT LEAST 2020....
Toyota's yelp page isn't much better. People are faster to spread bad news than to sing praises.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/toyota-motor-sales-usa-inc-torrance
Did you even read the Yelp page before you posted the link? Most of the negative reviews on the GM page are about a dealer issue, not an issue with GM itself. Yes there are some on the Toyota page as well.
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lucky7
New member
Of course I read it, and I'm still entertained. I also hope they get ZERO taxpayer dollars when they try to save their sinking ship......again. It's certainly coming.
You should meet some locals that work for GM - ask them what they think of your Toyota. They're some of the most arrogant, ignorant SOBs you'll ever meet.
For the record, I'm not a 'Toyota guy.' I generally drive Hondas.
You should meet some locals that work for GM - ask them what they think of your Toyota. They're some of the most arrogant, ignorant SOBs you'll ever meet.
For the record, I'm not a 'Toyota guy.' I generally drive Hondas.
I dont need to go meet any. Both my Mother and Father retired from the GM plant here. Neither of them are overly loyal to one brand or the other. While they both currently own GM vehicles, they have owned plenty of other brands as well. Including Ford, Jeep, Toyota, and Subaru.
