Topic: Upgrading to a new truck, GMC or CHEV

[spidey]

6 years ago I bought a Nissan Frontier Crew Cab.  In that time alot has happened in my life, moved to an acregae, got a quad, bigger camper, haul water, hauling more cargo,etc.

For the most part my truck does what I want it to do, but its come to the point as a family we are outgrowing it fast.  We have 3 kids, and the back is defintly getting more cramped.  Kids are 15, 12 and 10.  6 years ago it wasnt an issue, but each day it comes down to we are running out of room as bodies grow.

The last few years Ive wanted to upgrade to a full size truck.  My truck hauls fine, but its at the top end of what it can haul.  My water tank is 6000 lbs loaded, and my camping trailer while under the limit a lot, Im defintly not going 100KM an hour unless I have a nice tailwind.  I can live with and have been the last 3 years.

But it comes a time when you know you need to upgrade, so Ive been looking the last few months at Chevs and GMC's  I just like the looks of them the best, and we always had good luck with them on the farm growing up.

I dont want this to become a dodge, ford, tundra fanboy thread.  Just want some info

Are there any difference between the Sierra and Silverado besides looks.  From what Ive read all the same trannys, motots and specs

What I am looking for is either a 1500HD or a 2500.  Keep my truck I have now for the daily driver, and justr use this for towing, hauling, etc.  Obviously I wont be buying new since it wont be used full time.

What years should a person avoid?  Specs I want monium are

Crew Cab
6 passenger
1500HD or 2500
Gas engine
4:10 rear end
5.4 Litre

[airbalancer]

the is no difference between the two beside the front grill and rear light

I think the new truck comes out in 2013

there are smoking deals on new trucks, which could be better deal then used

I would no limited yourself to GM / Chevy , they are all good truck

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/

[rrocket]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

[spidey]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

Well it is, but there always some other company saying this truck has gotten truck of the year, this other is the highest selling, etc, etc.

Im sticking with GMC or CHEV, otherwise I will be shopping forver

[spidey]

the is no difference between the two beside the front grill and rear light

I think the new truck comes out in 2013

there are smoking deals on new trucks, which could be better deal then used

I would no limited yourself to GM / Chevy , they are all good truck

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/

I will admit that the price ion new trucks have dropped a ton since I bought mine.  Stuff that is high 20's new  now were high 30's back then.  if I could turn back time I would of gone at least 1/2 ton back then

I would consider Ford as well, but will stick to Chev or GMC if I can

[rrocket]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

Well it is, but there always some other company saying this truck has gotten truck of the year, this other is the highest selling, etc, etc.

Im sticking with GMC or CHEV, otherwise I will be shopping forver

Try not to confuse a Truck of the Year award (which is given to the most significant new truck in the segment) with a dependability/reliability study over a several year period.  Big difference IMO. 

[spidey]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

Well it is, but there always some other company saying this truck has gotten truck of the year, this other is the highest selling, etc, etc.

Im sticking with GMC or CHEV, otherwise I will be shopping forver

Try not to confuse a Truck of the Year award (which is given to the most significant new truck in the segment) with a dependability/reliability study over a several year period.  Big difference IMO. 

Makes sense, but Im not a Tundra fan. 

[rrocket]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

Well it is, but there always some other company saying this truck has gotten truck of the year, this other is the highest selling, etc, etc.

Im sticking with GMC or CHEV, otherwise I will be shopping forver

Try not to confuse a Truck of the Year award (which is given to the most significant new truck in the segment) with a dependability/reliability study over a several year period.  Big difference IMO. 

Makes sense, but Im not a Tundra fan. 

Oh, ok.

[spidey]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

Well it is, but there always some other company saying this truck has gotten truck of the year, this other is the highest selling, etc, etc.

Im sticking with GMC or CHEV, otherwise I will be shopping forver

Try not to confuse a Truck of the Year award (which is given to the most significant new truck in the segment) with a dependability/reliability study over a several year period.  Big difference IMO. 

Makes sense, but Im not a Tundra fan. 

Oh, ok.

Not saying they arent good trucks, just not something Ive liked style wise, and when it comes to heavy hauling comparisons on review sites, they are never even close it seems

[Snowman]

Have you test driven all the full size truck options?

[G0dspd]

the is no difference between the two beside the front grill and rear light

I think the new truck comes out in 2013

"GM's new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups are slated to hit dealer lots next year (2013). The trucks will offer better fuel economy, the result of improved aerodynamics, an eight-speed automatic transmission, less mass, engine improvements and other changes. A new chassis is expected, and the exterior and interior will be totally changed."

"Some have speculated that the two trucks will become more distinct, even suggesting there will be two different frames, possibly two separate lines in each plant, in order to allow for more handling and packaging distinction. Others can't believe that GM has allowed the two very similar product lines to continue to exist this long, but they both are quite profitable and GMC is clearly a brand on the rise"

What I am looking for is either a 1500HD or a 2500.

I was under the impression that 1500 wasn't available in HD and that the 2500 and 3500 are HD only.  Maybe they had "special" models in the past?

[spidey]

the is no difference between the two beside the front grill and rear light

I think the new truck comes out in 2013

"GM's new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups are slated to hit dealer lots next year (2013). The trucks will offer better fuel economy, the result of improved aerodynamics, an eight-speed automatic transmission, less mass, engine improvements and other changes. A new chassis is expected, and the exterior and interior will be totally changed."

"Some have speculated that the two trucks will become more distinct, even suggesting there will be two different frames, possibly two separate lines in each plant, in order to allow for more handling and packaging distinction. Others can't believe that GM has allowed the two very similar product lines to continue to exist this long, but they both are quite profitable and GMC is clearly a brand on the rise"

What I am looking for is either a 1500HD or a 2500.

I was under the impression that 1500 wasn't available in HD and that the 2500 and 3500 are HD only.  Maybe they had "special" models in the past?

They are out there, just hard to find.  Have the heavier duty tranny, extra leaf spring, etc.  basically the 3/4 ton guts on a 1/2 chassy.  If I find one great but wont hold my breath

[bridgecity]

Not sure if reliability is high on your list, but the Tundra has been the most reliable full size pickup for 6 years running according to JD Power.  The Ford was 2nd.

Well it is, but there always some other company saying this truck has gotten truck of the year, this other is the highest selling, etc, etc.

Im sticking with GMC or CHEV, otherwise I will be shopping forver

Try not to confuse a Truck of the Year award (which is given to the most significant new truck in the segment) with a dependability/reliability study over a several year period.  Big difference IMO. 

Makes sense, but Im not a Tundra fan. 

Oh, ok.

Not saying they arent good trucks, just not something Ive liked style wise, and when it comes to heavy hauling comparisons on review sites, they are never even close it seems

The best advice is to test drive them all.  You never know how you'll feel once you've done that.  As far as the Tundra and heavy hauling, read the 2011 truck king challenge article.  Rated it very well for towing, but not as well with a heavy load in the bed.

http://www.autos.ca/car-test-drives/feature-2011-truck-king-challenge/1

If I was in the market today, it'd be a tough choice between the Ford, Dodge, and Toyota.  No offence to the GM guys, just my preference.
 

[Fobroader]

They havent made a 1500HD since like 05 or 06. I am a GMC through and through, same vehicle, I hate the Chevy front end. I would stay before 2007, after that, they got really stingy with the metal on the trucks, heard they dent and rust really easy. THe engine that youre going to get is a 6L V8, great engine, powerful enough and theyre dependable. If youre buying the truck for towing, make sure its got the towing package. Take the VIN to the dealer and make sure its got the 4.10 gears and heavy duty cooling. Why are you not looking for a diesel?? As a 6L owner, the power is there, but the fuel mileage would make most commercial airline pilots feel at home. I would try to get one between 2004 and 2006, best interior, best driveline and should be fairly low mileage.......but honestly....look for a diesel man, the duramax has wicked power, the Allison is a great tranny and the fuel mileage you will love. If you are actually looking for a truck, stay away from Nissan and Toyota, they are a good wifes truck, but if you actually need a truck, stay with the big 3.

[bridgecity]

stay away from Nissan and Toyota, they are a good wifes truck, but if you actually need a truck, stay with the big 3.

 

You've obviously never spent much time in a latest gen Tundra. Its a lot of truck.

I have almost the total opposite opinion as you.  As someone who's logged nearly three hundred thousand km's with the 6.0 Chev motor, I can attest it is dependable. However, its brash at high rpm, rough at idle, piston slap is common, and power is low compared to todays engines considering its displacement.  Mileage was decent as usual with GM pickups.  If I were buying GM, I'd get a 2007+ with the much improved interior and newer styling.

Spidey, you really need to test drive other models.  You may come out buying a GM in the end anyway, but at least you'll know what everyone else has to offer.

[Fobroader]

While the tundra is a cute truck, Ive heard a lot of horror stories about it when its actually used as a work truck. Bent tailgates and transmission problems to say the least. If you want to hear about what kind of problems the 07 and up have been having, go to gmfs.com  or gm-trucks.com and see what owners have to say.

[articsteve]

None commercial users, in other words, the 1/2 ton crowd don't commonly buy Tundras because they are more $$$.

Currently, I think the Dodge Crew cab 4x4 with the Hemi 5.7 V8  has the best engine for the lowest cost of the Big 3.      

[articsteve]

 If you want to hear about what kind of problems the 07 and up have been having, go to gmfs.com  or gm-trucks.com and see what owners have to say.

    PPl on those sites are just like you; GM diehards. Of course they are going to blast Tundras because in 2007 the Tundra 5.7/6 speed auto just blew a GM 1500 series out of the water.

If you think a GM 1500 is mechanically superior to a Tundra then you would also believe that a Malibu is a superior vehicle to a Camry. 

[Fobroader]

Actually I told him to go there to check out what the owners have to say about the 07 and up GM trucks. Im not talking about a 1/2 ton truck either, hes looking for a 3/4 ton and up.....wheres toyotas competition for that??? Ive looked at the Tundra, its got a very nice interior.....and thats where my compliments end for it. Also, myself being a GM fan ends with a their trucks, only an idiot would argue the fact that a Camry is better than a Malibu.

[articsteve]

I've had 6 Tundras for 6 month stints more or less and I'd say the interiors probably are the weakest link of the vehicle in terms of poaching Big 3 customers. Rather it's the mechanicals, everything from the rad to the driveshalf, that are heavier built which makes them superior.

Hence it's the most expensive by quite a bit so it doesn't sell as well as the others.  Every year the Big 3 run 0%60 or 0%/72 OR huge cash discounts.  I believe GMC is offering $9700. off the 4x4 1500 crew now. 

EDIT:  I just went back and re-read and realized the OP is looking used and doesn't plan on using the unit for everyday driving. I think it boils down to what's the best dealavailable to him.  I'd probably look for a GM as well.