Chevy Xtreme

1999 Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme Pick up

"An Automotive Love Affair"
By Joseph Mavilia [Back]

Overview:
The Chevrolet S-10 took a ride to east LA and got a makeover. It then became the Xtreme that we’re looking at this week. Well… this has to be an all-time first for Chevrolet if not the industry. It has to be the first production "Low Rider" ever. Chevrolet is hoping to attract a younger audience with lowered ground effects, wheel flares, integrated fog lights, special 16-inch wheels, and Xtreme graphics that promise to eliminate the need for a trip to the aftermarket shop or Pick a Part.

I think they have achieved their goal of attracting the younger crowd because they were the ones who did double takes when they saw it. And see it they must, because if you believe the sad high school statistics they surely won’t be reading about this, or any vehicle for that matter. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words".

The odd thing is that as you approach the truck it looks like a, well a truck. But after you drive it for a few miles you forget you’re in a truck. It’s so low as to give the impression that you are in a passenger sport car. That is until you hit a dimple in the road. It’s like 20 miles of bad road, even on reasonably good roads, thanks to the ZQ8 Sport Suspension. That suspension reminds me of the Cheeevees and every other car with "Torched" springs very common in the 1950’s and early 1960’s if you couldn’t afford to do it right. You probably never did that, but I know I did. You got a "Radical Rake" with a torch and a little bit of weight on the bumper. Then, wa-la, cool car. It was Norman’s idea dad, honest. But then it was my Olds 88 so Norm thought it was a great idea.

I was also the proud owner of a couple of pick up trucks back then so I did appreciate the extended cab feature of this Xtreme Chevy. It even had a third door option on the driver side for access to the extra inside storage area. Great for my golf clubs etc., but then it made the small jump seat behind the passenger unusable. It didn’t matter though, because that jump seat is for contortionist ‘little people’ who can find their way into that back storage area.

This Xtreme comes standard with an inline 4-cylinder 120 horsepower engine, however I tested a model with the optional V6 175 hp engine that was very adequate. Handling, albeit rough, is great and not truck-like at all. With the low center of gravity cornering is slick.

The body styling is unique and the one I drove had the "Sportside" option for a few little reminders of the old days. Rear fenders and small rubber padded areas reminiscent of the ‘running boards’ of those early vintage pick up trucks.

The competition:
Dodge Dakota $13,360 - $19,765, Ford Ranger $11,845 - $19,435, GMC Sonoma $12,204 - $20,015, Isuzu Hombre $11,545 - $20,075, Mazda B-Series $11,345 - $22,435, Nissan Frontier $11,490 - $20,190, Toyota Tacoma $12,698 - $24,688.

Good News:
Different, fun to drive, pick up truck convenience, low, which makes entry easier, economical to operate.

Bad News:
Rough ride, no towing available on this Xtreme package.

Standard Equipment:
2.2 liter inline 4-cylinder 120 hp engine, 5 speed manual transmission, 16" wheels, fog lamps, air conditioning, tachometer, leather wrapped steering wheel.

Gas Stats:
23 City and 29 Highway MPG.

Pricing:
MSRP $15,370. The model I drove added options for Sportside, third door, reclining buckets, tinted glass, AM/FM with CD, V6 engine, tilt wheel and cruise control, power windows and door locks that brought the price to $22,063.

Your comments are welcomed. My e-mail is movello@earthlink.net.

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