Dear readers: Those of you who follow my incoherent, semi-literate, long-winded blog posts know that I am a fan of four-door sport sedans. Fortunately, the nature of my work has allowed me to expand my horizons to a variety of cars, from the amazing Miata to the incomprehensible R500, the sweet RAV4 to the unlovable Pontiac Solstice. I have used the Chevy Silverado on a few occasions, once to move a large table, and despite all my best intentions, I really like it.
Primarily, this has to do with its handling...
But it drives really well. Yes, it sucks to back up in a parking garage, but as long as you're heading forward, it's terrific. Last night, on the cherished 110 freeway, the whole truck and most notably, the steering wheel, started shaking uncontrollably at high speed, practically out of my hands. But I attributed that to the road, because it stopped after about 5 minutes.
Years ago a girlfriend had an early-edition Ford Explorer, which I hated driving. She taught me that the best way to drive something of that ilk on windy roads was to plan the turn in advance, to start turning the wheel before you needed to turn. Which worked for that truck. But despite its proportions, the Silverado requires no such technique. And the acceleration? Fantastic low-end torque, just as it should have. Pulling into traffic, no prob. Accelerating on an on-ramp? Fantastic. Good brakes, communicative steering. And live Talking Heads sounded fantastic on the stereo. I get this whole "truck" thing now.
Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor, @ 15,449 miles
priuscrusher says:
11:25 AM, 06/ 9/07
Amen brother. But that turning radius. I once drove a Pt cruiser with something like a 41 foot turning circle. Horrible. This truck with 47 feet might be a deal breaker.
billt9 says:
12:06 PM, 06/ 9/07
A midsized sedan turns in 36 feet.
the Equinox's terrible turning diameter was 42 feet.
So embarassing, Chevrolet removed the Equinox's turning radius from its website.
Yes the Silverado's the sportiest truck on the market, beating out the Titan overall. (Although turning diameter, the Titan is minutely better at 45.4 feet. Ram 46 ft, F-150 45 ft, Tundra 44ft.)
But that adjective you used is funny hahahah!
Did you mean "ballistic"?
And you did mean "diameter", not "radius", otherwise that would just be horrific.
stingray454 says:
07:00 AM, 06/11/07
I understand where you are coming from. I was never a SUV or truck guy either, always owning sport coupes, sports cars, and sports sedans. I bought a Suburban 4x4 two years ago for my home remodeling projects, and to tow my boat, and now that I have it, I love it.
I guess what I like the most about it is its capabilities. It seems like it can haul anything, go anywhere, and do anything. It's very liberating to have such capabilities. It's like a freedom machine. And to combine all that capability with comfort, luxury, and style truly makes this vehicle a home run. Sounds like the new Silverado is the same way.
funkymunky says:
11:28 AM, 06/11/07
All:
Good observations. I did not compare the truck's turning circle (so yes, bilt 9, I meant diameter and not radius) to others, so I didn't realize that it's competitive. Yet another feather in its cap.
Other things:
I didn't mean ballistic. I meant balletic, as in "like a ballet dancer." It was an intentional (alleged) joke.
And stingray? I have a feeling I'd hate the Suburban. Because even though I really love the Silverado, I don't care for our long-term Tahoe, which seems positively monstrous, and a Suburban is even BIGGER. But I'm glad you like it. I'll let you know in the future if my opinion changes.