New Colorado diesel report.

rjstractor wrote:

spoon059 wrote:
The "problem" with the Ram manual is that you get lower HP and a lot lower torque with the manual G56 transmission. All things being equal power wise, more people might buy a manual... I don't know.

I doubt they would. The main reason the manual version has lower hp and torque is to preserve the drivetrain in the lower gears. Not everyone has enough common sense to not floor in in first or second gear with a full load on a steep hill. With the auto the computer can do the thinking and prevent drivetrain damage. I suppose Ram could follow what the HD truck manufacturers have done and allow full HP and torque only when cruise control is engaged.

I never said they would. That is why its a "problem" for manual buyers.... you get a manual, but lose some HP and 200+ lbs/ft of torque in the process.

spoon059 wrote:
The "problem" with the Ram manual is that you get lower HP and a lot lower torque with the manual G56 transmission. All things being equal power wise, more people might buy a manual... I don't know.

I doubt they would. The main reason the manual version has lower hp and torque is to preserve the drivetrain in the lower gears. Not everyone has enough common sense to not floor in in first or second gear with a full load on a steep hill. With the auto the computer can do the thinking and prevent drivetrain damage. I suppose Ram could follow what the HD truck manufacturers have done and allow full HP and torque only when cruise control is engaged.

For many years, the manual transmission in the RAM was actually MORE powerful than the auto. My 2003 was that way - the HO engine was only available in the manual. And still, very few people bought them.

It is not difficult to offer minimal options, but it is a bad business decision to do so if those trucks are not in demand and sit on the lot. Just like it would be a bad decision to build everything loaded up with options if they sat on the lot.

Bionic Man wrote:
I see posts regularily about the desire to have a manual transmission in a truck. RAM is the only one that offers it, and they just don't seem to sell. I'd bet good money that the same would be true for a bare bones truck that people here are asking for.

The "problem" with the Ram manual is that you get lower HP and a lot lower torque with the manual G56 transmission. All things being equal power wise, more people might buy a manual... I don't know.

I bought a relatively bare bones Tundra (manual seats, upgraded radio, cruise control, power windows/locks, AC) and a relatively bare bones Ram (manual seats, standard radio, cruise control, power windows/locks, AC). I drive about 8K miles a year with my truck, mostly towing or Home Depot trips. I don't want or need all the extra stuff that other people like and want.

To me, it is a tool for a job. I realize that I am in the minority here, but is it really so difficult to offer minimal options...?

I love the free market and the choice that it gives. But I would be willing to bet that the manufactures know what they are doing when they decide which options to load up on and wether or not to offer trucks with very few amenities.

I see posts regularily about the desire to have a manual transmission in a truck. RAM is the only one that offers it, and they just don't seem to sell. I'd bet good money that the same would be true for a bare bones truck that people here are asking for.

Has anyone gone on line to see if such a truck is available for order?

Tiger02 wrote:
How I wish I could have brought one of the Toyota Hilux 4-door pick-ups home from Afghanistan. Very stout and indestructible with the 2.5L in-line turbo diesel. Even up-armored they were great with the manual transmission.

I think the diesel Canyon and Colorado will sell very well, but like other have stated I wish they would come in bare bones trim levels with a manual tranny.

I know what you're saying. It is too bad that there aren't very much (if any) in the way of stripper, heavy duty work trucks anymore. I guess the manufacturers...all of them....believe that such a model wouldn't sell very well.

It's interesting to note that Toyota doesn't bring that truck you describe to the North American market.

As far as manual transmissions go, I recall reading somewhere that the great majority of drivers, nowadays, don't know how to drive a standard transmission.

In fact some feel, that a standard transmission is the most effective, modern theft deterrent device in a vehicle. ;)

How I wish I could have brought one of the Toyota Hilux 4-door pick-ups home from Afghanistan. Very stout and indestructible with the 2.5L in-line turbo diesel. Even up-armored they were great with the manual transmission.

I think the diesel Canyon and Colorado will sell very well, but like other have stated I wish they would come in bare bones trim levels with a manual tranny.

spoon059 wrote:
...Price point will be key though. They will sell some of these trucks at $40K, but they will sell a LOT more at $30K...

Yes, and they could make up the loss on volume! Oh - that is what they did on the Solstice, Volt, and others in the past.

Since I drive close to 50k miles a year, I like to be comfortable in my vehicle. I can tell you that some of these bells and whistles (heated seats, remote start (including through cellphone), power & heated mirrors, automatic climate control, folding mirrors, rear vision camera and sensors, bose, 10+ speakers, and many more) make the miles more comfortable.

As I noted on the other Colorado post, if I could convince my wife to sell the CTS4, I would have a loaded Colorado Dmax ordered.

I was reading about the Duramax 2.8 on the Colorado/Canyon forum. Quite a few people have ordered them already, but production dates still haven't been set yet.

spoon059 wrote:
Absolute stupidity on the part of manufacturers, in my opinion. When I was shopping for my Tundra I looked at the GM products. In order to get the 6.2 gas engine in the half ton, I had to have a high cost trim package that I didn't want.

Unfortunately for us, I think it's actually smart for GM to do what they did. They know that they will sell every Colorado/Canyon Duramax that they build, so they can increase profits by forcing consumers to get options they may not want in order to get the Duramax. Hopefully Ford and maybe Toyota will offer a midsize diesel, since right now GM has no direct competition in this class.