First time truck buyer - need help!

[Iron]

Hi! I am seeking your help in purchasing my very first pickup truck. I am still using my first car (2010 Hyundai Sonata, all paid off) and I want to get a truck, because of the utility and how it will open up some opportunities for camping and other activities for my fiance and me (beach travel, desert shooting, etc., possible towing at a later date).

I have been gathering information for months and have focused my search on Chevrolet trucks (and some research into GMC). We have decided we want 4x4, a center floor console and preferably an offroad package. We were looking at the Silverado Redline series for a bit, but have been waiting to see if Chevrolet will have a 17%+ discount on LTZ models (since the LT has bench seats).

Today, GMC offered 20% off or 0% interest for 72 months on their GMC Sierra 1500 SLT models. We originally wanted to keep our budget to an approximate $45k price tag. We found a red quartz GMC Sierra 1500 Premium Plus Packagetruck at a discount price of either:

1) $55,046.22 (out the door price, after $3,864 discount/$1,500 rebate) with 0% financing for 72 months

or

2) $50,631.22 (out the door price, after $3,864 discount and $5,915 rebate) at an approximate 2.4-3.9% APR for 72 months.

After what I have seen and have been researching (new and used), this honestly seems like pretty fair pricing for the truck with all its amenities. With the hefty 20% discount and 0% financing option, they have communicated that there is basically no haggle room. I have been able to haggle slightly with some dealerships (albeit not to my target price) but nothing that could compare to these discounts.

Is there anything more I could be doing to improve the price, or is this a fair market price for the truck? Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Thank you!

[quality_sound]

The rebates and offers are almost always better on a Chevy vs a GMC. I'd have preferred a GMC over a Chevy but I got my LTZ with a sticker of $53k+ for $45k OTD.

Wouldn't 20% off put your price at $44k? I haven't done the math, but that seems like a better option than the 0% for 72 months, especially if you can get a low rate from your bank or credit union.

[Fishbait]

Here is a good place to start. http://www.laurabuickgmc.com

 

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[Nanotech Environmental]

I'd also suggest looking at 2017 SLE level(or Chev equivalent), as you could get as much or more than you want and pay waaay less than your budget.

I just bought a new 2017 GMC SLE 1500 that is quite well equipped for the equivalent of roughly 35k US OTD(and we have high sales taxes where I live). It has auto 4wd, trailer pkg, lock diff, 5.3, bedliner, 6" stepboards, all kinds of interior amenities and much more. It worked out to about 13k off sticker price.

I could be wrong but there doesn't appear to be many(if any) appreciable changes in the 18's over the remaining 17's, so there's not a big advantage in that regard to buying an 18(which is where your link directs to) There will also be waaay less negotiation room on an 18, over a 17 which is sitting on the lot.

 

Unless you feel you absolutely have to get in to a 6.2 engine, IMO there isn't a lot of advantage to jumping up to the SLT's over the SLE's & you pay a big premium to do so. Sure, the floor console is nice, but there are also a lot of advantages of going with the 40/20/40 front seat with fold down console. The 'offroad pkg' is basically a couple of cheap $100 skid plates and (I think) downhill assist & is fine for cottage and logging roads, but nothing more hardcore than that. You can always add skid plates afterwards.

If you're not towing more than 5000 lbs on a weekly basis, the 5.3 is quite powerful, waaay more than adequate and can deliver quite good economy.

Perhaps test drive one and see how nice the mid level packages are?

[quality_sound]

I'd also suggest looking at 2017 SLE level(or Chev equivalent), as you could get as much or more than you want and pay waaay less than your budget.

I just bought a new 2017 GMC SLE 1500 that is quite well equipped for the equivalent of roughly 35k US OTD(and we have high sales taxes where I live). It has auto 4wd, trailer pkg, lock diff, 5.3, bedliner, 6" stepboards, all kinds of interior amenities and much more. It worked out to about 13k off sticker price.

I could be wrong but there doesn't appear to be many(if any) appreciable changes in the 18's over the remaining 17's, so there's not a big advantage in that regard to buying an 18(which is where your link directs to) There will also be waaay less negotiation room on an 18, over a 17 which is sitting on the lot.

 

Unless you feel you absolutely have to get in to a 6.2 engine, IMO there isn't a lot of advantage to jumping up to the SLT's over the SLE's & you pay a big premium to do so. Sure, the floor console is nice, but there are also a lot of advantages of going with the 40/20/40 front seat with fold down console. The 'offroad pkg' is basically a couple of cheap $100 skid plates and (I think) downhill assist & is fine for cottage and logging roads, but nothing more hardcore than that. You can always add skid plates afterwards.

If you're not towing more than 5000 lbs on a weekly basis, the 5.3 is quite powerful, waaay more than adequate and can deliver quite good economy.

Perhaps test drive one and see how nice the mid level packages are?

 

He may want the 6.2. I did so I had to get into an LTZ. But if you look at the pricing, unless you go balls out, a really optioned LT Z71 can easily be the same pricing as an LTZ. At my local dealer they had 4WD LT Z71s in the mid 50s. Mine stickered at $53K but is 2WD.

I agree about the console. It has it's perks, and it's drawbacks. I wanted the vented seats so I had to get it and Bose, which I REALLY wish I didn't have to get.

The offroad package is the skidplates but Z71 adds Rancho shocks and different tires as well. I think the rear end is geared differently as well.

My ex-wife's 2015 Z71 4WD is a CCSB with the 5.3 and the 5-speed. My 2017 is a CCSB with the 6.2 and the 8-speed and my mileage on the highway is a litter better but in town is noticeably better. Maybe it's because it can spend more time in 4 cyl mode, but I'm around 20MPG in town at 4000' elevation. I'm not complaining and the extra power is noticeable and welcome.

[Donstar]

3beeiay3 gives good advice. You can find SLE's on the lot with center consoles but I find the "bench" seat more functional. The seats are the same as the trucks with a console. Welcome to this forum and good luck with your search!

[Loco-diablo]

I just bought a new chevy LT midnight edition Z71.. I got the 17% off sticker and they said that's all the room they had. They also said it was much better than my supplier discount. The haggling got interesting on my trade. After several minutes of back and forth, I ended up getting 3k more for my trade than they originally offered. I also go the $800 running boards thrown into the deal.

During the hour of haggling, I got up from my chair and headed towards the door at least 4 times. They kept stopping me from leaving and sweetened the deal a bit more each time I got up to leave. I left happy.

 

I had my heart set on a console but I find the bench seats with the locking compartment to be excellent. I'm very happy with the leather bench seating .

 

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[JTodo]

That's not a terrible price, but I got my '17 Denali for less out the door. I think you can push that price down at least another couple K

[truckguy82]

Here is a good place to start. http://www.laurabuickgmc.com

 

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New buyers looking to get a truck should always check this site first.

 

Even if you can't fly there and drive it home, it gives you a way to gauge how good your pricing is.

 

If I was trying to buy one new, I'd print out the comparable lauragmc truck to my local dealer and be like, look, gonna cost me about $1k to fly there and drive home. Can you match this plus $1k.

[qwank]

Always take the rebates, you can refinance the loan for a lower rate later on.

[michigan2500hd]

Just a question about your preference on a floor mounted 4x4 selector. Is there a advantage nowadays? I'm not one for all the gimiky gadgets we're getting on it vehicles now but I do love the auto feature on the transfer case. Is the lever mounted selector actually a more reliable system? Is there a mechanical connection or is it still just a lever that actuates a electrical switch?

 

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[Heavy 5.7]

Find your preference in a truck fresh off a 24 month lease and pay cash.

[Silverado Steve]

I dont think the OP wants a floor mounted shift lever, rather 4wd and and the center console storage area normally found on the LTZ, HC and Denali trims. I think if you want a 4wd. Floor mounted shifter you have to go with the WT trim.

 

Just a question about your preference on a floor mounted 4x4 selector. Is there a advantage nowadays? I'm not one for all the gimiky gadgets we're getting on it vehicles now but I do love the auto feature on the transfer case. Is the lever mounted selector actually a more reliable system? Is there a mechanical connection or is it still just a lever that actuates a electrical switch?

 

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[Slugworth]

New buyers looking to get a truck should always check this site first.

Even if you can't fly there and drive it home, it gives you a way to gauge how good your pricing is.

If I was trying to buy one new, I'd print out the comparable lauragmc truck to my local dealer and be like, look, gonna cost me about $1k to fly there and drive home. Can you match this plus $1k.

Why are they so much cheaper??

[truckguy82]

Why are they so much cheaper??

Because that's what they really cost

 

They are the highest volume dealer in the country. They don't give you much for trade-in and they don't negotiate.

 

Well in reality I don't think any dealer gives much for trade-in, since when they offer you more on the trade-in they are making it up somewhere else, which really isn't offeeing you more to at all.

 

I love Laura based on reviews, I didn't know they existed when I bought my truck. Sounds like the perfect dealer if you ask me. No negotiating just cheap prices, resolves everything we hate about new vehicle shopping.