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Used 1997 Chevrolet S-10 Extended Cab Consumer Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
21 reviews

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5 out of 5 stars

Chevrolet S10

wbchevy, 09/28/2006
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Fantastic truck, excellent power for this vehicle class, and excellent overall value. This truck provides the perfect combination of form and function, providing good fuel mileage and overall capability. The cabin is quiet and well layed out, providing good room for most all passenger sizes. Overall, I would highly recommend this vehicle as it provides nearly full size capability with compact fuel economy of over 20mpg.

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5 out of 5 stars

Tough little truck

S10man, 02/05/2009
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

This truck was given to me by grandfather after he died and it has been very reliable. I have just turned 16 and I've been rough with this truck and it still holds up. The 4.3 V6 was the best V6 ever made. Actually it is a 350 block with two cylinders chopped off. It has the same size pistons and everything. It has a lot of power and will still lay you back in your seat with over 106,000 miles on it. The only thing I've ever had to do to it was change the oil and I put a K&N lifetime air filter in it. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is the compressor had a leak that I fixed easily. Other than that it has been great.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Runnin' son-of-a-gun

HGW, 08/08/2003
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I'm extremely happy with my S-10. My gas mileage isn't too hot, but it's so fun to drive, I don't care. Besides, I'm probably most of the problem (quick jackrabbit starts, driving fast, etc.).

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4 out of 5 stars

Good solid truck

Ritch, 11/01/2002
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have had no problems with my truck, the power is great, the gas mileage is okay, never have had to do anything to my truck except maintenance...I would highly recommend a S-10 to anyone...

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2.75 out of 5 stars

mixed review

Jim1243567, 12/15/2003
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

overall truck has been dependable. Looks good, body has held up well. v-6 has plenty of power. However, 4wd not working right out of showroom. I found out in snow storm. Trans went at 36437 miles, that's right 437 miles out of warranty. Caused by faulty switch for 4wd. Turning radius is very poor for such a small truck. Stepside box is too narrow, you can't fit a sheet of plywood in it. 3rd door rattles. Jump seat is useless.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

Alright car

Adam, 08/30/2005
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought the car with 135k miles on it and within 800 miles I needed a new transmission, but other than that its a good truck to have

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Pretty Good Little Truck

Crash, 03/06/2002
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

LS trim package Ext. Cab. Purchased in March 1997. Vortec V6 w/4-speed automatic tranmission. Current milage - 75k. Not a bad little pickup. The performance is nice, although I think the transmission could be a little more refined. It's had about $600 worth of repair work over the past 5 years, which isn't bad. Despite the problems, the return on my purchase has far outweighed the problems. I am a satisfied customer.

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4.38 out of 5 stars

Reliability and Miles

James B, 08/03/2007
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have not had one single major problem with this truck. I absolutly love this truck. When I first bought the truck my freinds said, "The transmission is gonna break down first. 225,000 miles later and still no problem. This is a very well built truck. Truly the heartbeat of my needs and Chevy is truly The Heartbeat of America.

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3 out of 5 stars

Bought Used

StevL, 07/04/2003
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bought this truck used for my 16 year old son. The V6 has good response and is a positive. Transmission had to have work after 5,000 miles. Side mirrors rattle terribly. Cab fairly noisey. Had to replace wiper motor after 3,000 miles. Two O2 sensors after 6,000 miles. At about 7,000 mile (now) the a/c compressor is leaking. This truck had one owner and looked very good for it's age. I had it checked out by a Chevy dealership before purchase. Everything was checked to be in "Excellent" condition. Truck had 112,000 miles when purchased.

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1.63 out of 5 stars

Maintenance nightmare

jrhickey, 06/11/2002
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

I have put 2 alternators, 3 batteries, a power brake booster, an air conditioner compresser/dryer, a wiper motor, a signal flasher, a water pump, a thermostat, a passenger side mirror, and a rearview mirror. Not to mention the normal stuff like brakes, tires, alignment, filters, and fluids. I just turned 80,000 miles. That is only about 16,000 per year. NEVER EVER AGAIN will I buy an S-10 anything. JRH

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2.75 out of 5 stars

Biggest lemon ever built

Stomper, 06/12/2003
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Since day one never ran right with miss in engine and stalling spent most of first two years in service bays. Trans. died at 75000mi. Compressor died at 20000mi. Movement in rear axle since 50000mi. Chevy says that is ok no problem!!!. All S-10 have that problem, learn to live with it!!!!

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1.63 out of 5 stars

This truck is the worst!

ozonewht, 01/09/2004
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I drive the 4cyl. version. I bought this truck brand new. I have had nothing but problems. The CD player has been replaced twice, the radiator replaced, windshield wipers were defective, the seatbelts were defective, Im on my 3rd AC compressor, the alarm was defective,the door handle fell out of the door-had to replaced, battery has had to be replaced 4 times- truck wouldnt start when I had to go to work, the gas gauge broke after 3 years, rearview mirror fell off. 3rd door rattles. Seats wore out after 2 years.I bought a extended warranty up 75000 miles, but things really needed to be replaced after 80000 miles.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

CHEVY S10

JOHN TORRES, 09/13/2002
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

THIS TRUCK IS TO SMALL AND SHOULD ONLY BE FOR SMALL PEOPLE

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3.13 out of 5 stars

Surprising reliability

cajun626, 08/07/2002
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

The ONLY reason I even considered buying a GM product was b/c I had a $4K rebate on my GM card. I'm shocked, but I haven't paid a dime for a repair yet (just maint.). Bad stuff - the 3rd door sticks sometimes and shakes, rattles and rolls and the 2.2L is weak.

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Okay Car

Adam W., 04/21/2006
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought this truck with 135,000miles on it. About 2000 miles later I needed a new transmission. At 142,000 I needed a new gas line, brake line, and gas tank. I still need to get a O2 sensor, fuel sensor, new shocks, my transmission still isn't that great, and the gas mileage for a 4 cylinder isn't that great. All in all I wish I just bought a nice sedan..

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Pretty Satisfied

Central VA, 05/19/2006
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bought my S10 used 6 years ago, have driven it about 50K miles. Had to replace an alternator, battery and mirror, but otherwise nothing but tires and routine maintenance. Gas mileage isn't very good, but truck is good looking, fun to drive and comfortable. 5 speed and V6 are a good combination. Paid $9000 for it used, according to Edmunds, it's still worth over $4300. Pretty darn good buy as far as I can tell.

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2.38 out of 5 stars

Piece of Junk

Jhow0672, 04/01/2004
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Only 66,000 miles but already had driveshaft fall off, computer died, radiator leak, water pump died, intake manifold leaked, air-conditioning died, windshield wipers had a manufacturing defect that I fixed myself.. generally unreliable truck.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

My S-10

papaptl, 04/12/2004
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

No mechanical trouble in 14 mos. ownership, even though I just turned 151k mi. I just do regular maintenance and put a set of tires on her.

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5 out of 5 stars

1997 S10 Etx Cab

Deerehere, 04/19/2004
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I bought this truck new 7 years ago. I has been a great running and reliable truck.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Sweet Trucks

Gomer Pile, 01/14/2003
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

S-10s are awesome little trucks, especially the 4.3 with a five speed. These things are verry quick for compact trucks. Quick, nimble, good gas mileage, looks good doing it. This particular truck has the ZQ8 suspension package and an SS motor. Also it has been lowered and has performance shocks and tires to enhance it's qualitys.

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1.75 out of 5 stars

Many Electrical and Engine Problems

jack, 08/12/2006
1997 Chevrolet S-10 LS 2dr Extended Cab SB (2.2L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful

I purchased this truck used from a local dealer with around 97,000 miles on it. It has had constant problems with electrical shorts in the wiring bundle. ECM circuit problems including fuel pump and ignition . I will never buy a S-10 again after reading all the comments on numerous sites . Chevy will continue to lose capital if they don't do a better job on quality control. Any one want a 97 s-10 cheap? Looking at Toyota after reading consumer reports.

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