I'm Shopping, 2005 Sierra 1500...feedback?

Paullys50 · October 17, 2009

Hey all, great forum! I'm a big fan of automotive forums due to the wealth of knowledge and I've come across this forum during my search for a new truck. I'd appreciate any feedback as I don't know much about GMC Trucks and what to look for when I'm shopping.

Yesterday I test drove a 2005 Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab. Fabulous truck! 5.3L, Heated leather, Bose, Moonroof, 4x4 (non z71), 42,000 miles, matching cap pretty much had all the bells and whistles, again great truck.

I'm curious about typical problems that this model truck has, I also noticed some decent rust on the body frame behind the rear wheels under the bed. Durning the test drive the steering wheel felt sloppy, the front tires did apear to be low so the slop could have been from the tires.

This is a dealership, told me the previous owner traded it in for a new truck to haul a 5th wheel trailer, so I know this truck has been used for towing. The truck has a trailer brake installed, so I am wondering what the "tow package" consists of on this truck. Wondering if the brake was an after tought.

We talked pricing a little ~ $21000 which seems on the high side. I was looking at a similar year F-150, and certainly can't get all the options the GMC has at this milage at this price point.

Thoughts/Feedback?

Thanks!

pwall · October 17, 2009

Sounds like a nice truck. Can't comment on the price, not really knowledgeable in US prices.

In regards to the tow package, it would not have included a brake controller. So if one is installed, it's after-market.

Then one can certainly assume that the truck was used for towing.

Check out the pan, see if there are any holes in it that would be been done for the fifth wheel hitch.

It's not a big deal, but the truck was used for towing, otherwise no requirement to install a brake controller. ;)

And welcome to GM-Trucks.com!

pwall · October 17, 2009

Sounds like a nice truck. Can't comment on the price, not really knowledgeable in US prices.

In regards to the tow package, it would not have included a brake controller. So if one is installed, it's after-market.

Then one can certainly assume that the truck was used for towing.

Check out the pan, see if there are any holes in it that would be been done for the fifth wheel hitch.

It's not a big deal, but the truck was used for towing, otherwise no requirement to install a brake controller. ;)

And welcome to GM-Trucks.com!

grimmysnr · October 17, 2009

That price seems about right for retail through a dealer. Private party sales for something like that could be around 17k-19k so you can expect the dealer to raise the price just a little. Overall sounds like a good truck and if its a 4x4 but not a Z71 then it probably came with the trailering package. This will include 4.10s (fact check) in the rear diff and a brake controller. The steering for this model truck has always been an issue but the slop you are talking about would be subjective at best. What someone would consider slop wouldnt be slop for somebody else, ya know? But what you may experience is some knocking in the steering wheel which is something thats been going on for ages. Basically GM has a faulty design in the Intermediate Steering shaft causing some play and noises. This can be replaced for free at a GM dealer (atleast mine was). After perusing a few forums I have noticed that quite a few folks seems to have some premature warping of the front rotors. Mine did at 20k miles. Replaced them with Powerslots and all is well. I have also seen a lot of front wheel hub topics as in bad bearings or ball joints etc etc. So this may have something to do with the slop.

Any other problems can be found on any truck really. Its all about preventative maintenance and your driving style. The bad part about buying a used vehicle is you inherit some of the driving habits of the previous owner. So there may be problems you just dont know about until later. But the design of the GMT800 trucks is still a very good one and I am still driving one as of today. I love this truck but probably mid next year I will be shopping for a 2009 or 2010 Sierra All-Terrain.

txab · October 17, 2009

The front end could be worn. Check the ball joints, tie rods, pittman, idler etc. Does this truck have a lift installed?

P71_CrownVic · October 17, 2009

Yesterday I test drove a 2005 Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab. Fabulous truck! 5.3L, Heated leather, Bose, Moonroof, 4x4 (non z71), 42,000 miles, matching cap pretty much had all the bells and whistles, again great truck.

We talked pricing a little ~ $21000 which seems on the high side. I was looking at a similar year F-150, and certainly can't get all the options the GMC has at this milage at this price point.

That's very high. I paid that for my 2006 Silverado Crew Cab, LT3, heated/power/memory seats, moonroof, Bose, Dual-zone HVAC, 4X4, 5.3, tow package, Z71, and only 18K miles.

Paullys50 · October 21, 2009

Thanks all, I ended up buying the truck over the weekend, picked it up yesterday! It's great and I talked them down in price. I'm extremely happy! The slop in the steering wheel seems to be more of my psychology then anything. I'm coming from a Mazda 3, big difference in handling. A co-worker took it for a test drive as well and confirmed that it's nothing to worry about. He's very familiar with the GM/Chevy truck lineup so I trust him on it.

Nice to be in a new forum too!

700 sportsman · October 21, 2009

Sharp truck

thearborbarber · October 21, 2009

My folks have almost the same truck. Only problem they had is they replaced the intermediate steering shaft and front brake job.

Stevens03 · October 21, 2009

Congrats on the new truck, looks like a nice one.

Paullys50 · October 21, 2009

Thanks for the compliments! I'm not a big fan of the topper so I hope to sell it and have those funds pay for a tonneau cover and decent bedliner.

thearborbarber · October 21, 2009

The Stianless nurf bars really look good with the trim and color.

My folk's have a gull wing tool box in there bed. They see about 16mpg with mixed driving

KMGZ400 · October 21, 2009

thats a nice truck! what did you end up paying for it? 21k was definatley overpriced. i got my 01 silverado with 45k on it for only 10,000.

and the sloppy feeling in the wheel, yeah i get that too after i drive even my sisters malibu.

amtz.zero · October 21, 2009

Nice truck! Yeah, the steering is a little different on these trucks. I used to drive a Toyota (I know, I know...) and I immediately noticed the difference. It's better in my opinion. That's a good looking truck, though. And that's probably what I would do too, get rid of the shell, I don't really like them.

P71_CrownVic · October 21, 2009

Thanks all, I ended up buying the truck over the weekend, picked it up yesterday! It's great and I talked them down in price. I'm extremely happy! The slop in the steering wheel seems to be more of my psychology then anything. I'm coming from a Mazda 3, big difference in handling. A co-worker took it for a test drive as well and confirmed that it's nothing to worry about. He's very familiar with the GM/Chevy truck lineup so I trust him on it.

Nice to be in a new forum too!

Make sure your moonroof drain holes are the proper size. The one on my drivers side was not drilled out to the proper size thus water got into my truck.

Great looking truck though. Your first mod.............change the DRLs to amber!