Faults:

I bought the truck with a cracked engine block. However, that was due to lack of proper care. The former owner hardly ever changed the oil. Never serviced the cooling system (only added water instead of a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water), and ignored the check engine light for 11/2 years.

I replaced the engine (and related parts; starter, alternator, radiator, cat converter, O2 sensors, etc) with a new GM crate unit. I'm a retired auto mechanic trained in Asian imports. I found it far more difficult to work on than its Japanese counterparts.

At 6k miles, the new engine lost all oil pressure and fried the bearings. The factory and dealer replaced the engine for me as a gesture of goodwill at 80,000 miles (probably because they knew they couldn't bamboozle me). No problems from the 2nd engine (so far). If you build 100,000,000 engines, you're entitled to 1 goof.

General Comments:

I've driven the truck from Florida to New York and back 3 times. Performance is sluggish, but that's to be expected. It handles great as small trucks go, and the ride is fairly good. MPG is so-so. Japanese trucks of a similar size do a bit better.

I've used it to help friends and family move. Even loaded, the engine is slow, but the torque is pretty good.

Faults:

Clutch slave cylinder failing.

Driveshaft pilot bearing squeaks.

General Comments:

I bought this truck used at 90,000 miles and have driven it for almost 2 years. I've put 27,000 miles on it and never had any problems until recently. It needs a new clutch (and slave cylinder), which is normal I suppose for the mileage.

The engine is just laughable on a freeway. I mean I used to own a Volvo 245 wagon, beast of a heavy car, that had a 2.3L engine that blew this thing away AND got better gas mileage. However, I've taken my S-10 on some pretty rugged and steep mountain dirt roads, and it pulls up a hill quite well.

I really like the interior. The seat is roomy and supportive (I am 6'2" 220lbs) and all the latches, handles and other interior accessories still work and have never broken. It's a comfortable drive.

I also like the way it handles. It's just a really easy driving truck.

Overall I really like it, but if given a 2nd chance would get the V6 instead.

Faults:

- ABS control unit at $1200 (broke again and just disabled it this time).

- Tailgate cables and mounts (Repaired them myself because GM's fix wouldn't last if they tried).

- Alternator.

- Battery terminals.

- Rotors x 3 (4th time I threw on slotted and drilled to keep them cool, and seems to be the cure after 25,000kms)

General Comments:

My 2000 S-10 has the 2.2L, and I wonder what GM was smoking when they put that engine into use at all.

I'm not one to race my engines, but sometimes I feel sorry for this thing, because pedal to the metal is the only option a person has when turning onto highways or wanting to merge (be careful of those fast paced bicyclists tailgating you and trying to pass you). The truck's frame is just too heavy for it, let alone using it for any light duty work.

As a result of this gutlessness, the vehicle gets horrible gas mileage compared to my old 91' S-10 with the 4.3 V6.

The truck has poor suspension and a poorly executed auto transmission (Should have gotten a manual).

Valves are getting noisy, and will need adjusting soon, and all the lights on the radio have burnt out.

Otherwise the truck starts in the coldest temps no problem, has a great heater, and is decently comfortable on longer drives. Alignments are rare, and I've had zero engine or drive-train problems thus far.

If you need a nice light duty truck, then do not buy this one! If it wasn't such a gutless piece of garbage, then it would be tolerable. The 4.3 V6 is the route to go with these trucks, and a very, very, VERY reliable motor with good power. Either that, or go with a Ranger, Frontier, or Tacoma.