New Truck Blues...

poirierpro · June 25, 2010

So I just baught a 2010 Sierra SLE about 2 months ago. At first I didnt want leather...cause it gets hot and cold...now I want it. And I'm kinda missing the bells and whistles that my buddy's new trucks have...like backup camera, heated/folding mirror, rear window defroster, Bose, etc. Should I look into already trading in my new truck for a SLT and hope to not loose a lot of $ OR just learn to like what I got and maybe do some aftermarket upgrades later? Its a sweet truck 5.3 Z71 SLE 6 speed...I just wish it had more bells and whistles.

Thanks for reading my rant....

Mark

grizzlyrafting · June 25, 2010

I'd stick with what you got.. Think about it... Back-up camera. c'mon?? that's for chicks who can't back up... folding/heated mirrors.. That's for chicks too.. I have a 2006 sierra SLE and it has heated mirrors, yours probably does too.. I also have a rear window defroster, yours probably does too, although I live in Canada and I think all trucks sold here have rear window defrost.

Only feature that's worth it is the Bose system, but I'd say it would probably be cheaper to install a Bose system aftermarket than to switch trucks.. Leather is nice but I have cloth and it's nice too, who really cares in the end??

My opinion is chicks like to accessorize and need all the bells and whistles to be happy, we're guys and we like meat and potatoes and we should be more worried about what's under the hood and what gear ratio we have rather than fussing over back up cameras and folding mirrors, etc.. That's my rant.. Take pride in your ride..

Wingnut · June 25, 2010

I'm a guy and I like ALL the bells and whistles.

Upgrading to aftermarket stuff a) costs less than buying a new truck b) makes the truck more "yours" and c) generally has better functionality. Cheapass aftermarket stereos blow Bose out of the water.

Where are you located? I've got a local hookup for leather if you're anywhere near OKC.

rogerf · June 25, 2010

So I just baught a 2010 Sierra SLE about 2 months ago....Should I look into already trading in my new truck for a SLT and hope to not loose a lot of $ OR just learn to like what I got and maybe do some aftermarket upgrades later?

Bad idea...you already lost too much value on a 2-month old truck. Most of what you described is eye-candy, can easily be selectively added much cheaper to what you already own. Start googling your accessories and looking around ebay & craigslist...would be surprised what can be bolted to a truck, better & cheaper than OEM.

grayghost7 · June 25, 2010

So I just baught a 2010 Sierra SLE about 2 months ago....Should I look into already trading in my new truck for a SLT and hope to not loose a lot of $ OR just learn to like what I got and maybe do some aftermarket upgrades later?

Bad idea...you already lost too much value on a 2-month old truck. Most of what you described is eye-candy, can easily be selectively added much cheaper to what you already own. Start googling your accessories and looking around ebay & craigslist...would be surprised what can be bolted to a truck, better & cheaper than OEM.

The longer you wait the worse it will get. I say ditch the truck and get what you really want. You will spend much more $$$ trying to update yours.

I went from a 1970 to a 2005 and I love all the bells. Anyone who says you don't need all that stuff isn't thinking clearly. Why would you want to get out of your truck three times whilst hooking up a trailer, when you could do it once with a camera. I'd love to have one on mine.

Stevens03 · June 25, 2010

I agree, get what you want

tunseeker1 · June 25, 2010

I see it a bit different.

You want a back-up camera you can order the parts and put it in.

leather=katzskin http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=78913

Power fold mirrors are a bit harder but doable.

Go to the dealer and see what the trade in would be and post!

Nick The Great · June 25, 2010

To the OP. With the exception of the mirrors, all the other stuff can be added cheaper and better aftermarket. Wingnut is spot on.

My opinion is chicks like to accessorize and need all the bells and whistles to be happy, we're guys and we like meat and potatoes and we should be more worried about what's under the hood and what gear ratio we have rather than fussing over back up cameras and folding mirrors, etc.. That's my rant.. Take pride in your ride..

Says the guy with a "Z-71." Does that sticker help you climb the rocks???

mkelly · June 25, 2010

So I just baught a 2010 Sierra SLE about 2 months ago. At first I didnt want leather...cause it gets hot and cold...now I want it. And I'm kinda missing the bells and whistles that my buddy's new trucks have...like backup camera, heated/folding mirror, rear window defroster, Bose, etc. Should I look into already trading in my new truck for a SLT and hope to not loose a lot of $ OR just learn to like what I got and maybe do some aftermarket upgrades later? Its a sweet truck 5.3 Z71 SLE 6 speed...I just wish it had more bells and whistles.
Thanks for reading my rant....

Mark

For around 700 you could add the backup camera and heated cloth seats.

Cloth + heat > leather + heat. Cloth seats dont burn your buns in the summer like leather seats.

The power folding mirrors are not that useful to be honest. I've used mine maybe 3 times in 2 years.

poirierpro · June 25, 2010

I live in WA state hence the need for rear defroster. The other stuff I just want and think are cool. I think I would use the backup camera when backing up to the raft trailer or paralleling downtown...maybe not as much as I think. I like music so I want a nice stereo system. My other concern is would you rather buy a truck with OEM add ons or aftermarket...I'm thinkin resale value here in the future is a SLE with a lot of cool aftermarket add ons more appealing than a factory SLT?

Thanks for all the input guys

FargoZ71 · June 25, 2010

I'm joining in on the folks who are saying keep the truck and do the add-on's, Unless your dealership will work with you and can upgrade realatively cheap just to help keep you coming back.

The only thing off your list I can see as actually viably needed would be your rear defroster, I live in the north and can say, I've never had / heard of a vehicle w/o them. On that note, my cab warms up so damn fast the rear window's usually melted anyways.

As for your power folding mirrors.. Weak.. Get some power extending tow mirrors! It never hurts the body to hop out and manually fold them in,

Back-up camera... I can go either way... Learn howto back a truck up and your fine, but as far as like if a kid laid a bike down in your garage spot or something.. I can see that.

The Radio.. Aftermarket is much better.. and so are the Catskinz..

The only thing I can see being your determining factor, is if you want to just roll it all into your loan now.. or pay for it piece by piece as you go and determine the upgrade needed/wanted out of pocket.

The SLT might catch more, but If someone's looking for everything you'd do to it, I think as a buyer I'd purchase the SLE and all the upgrades because the owner showed passion and care for customizing / working with his pickup and it wasn't neglected.

tunseeker1 · June 25, 2010

I did a lot of work for a guy on a base model F-250SD 4x4 a few years back (We had the truck for 3 years almost every week).

When it came time to get a new truck the dealer only looked at it being a base model truck and said it would cost more to put it back to factory to sell it.

He tried to get someone local to buy it and no one wanted all the stuff he had done to it. (Like a rear seat console and subwoofer enclosure)

Finally it got traded in for a viper motored dodge. (have had the new truck for past 3 years)

amtz.zero · June 25, 2010

That's why, when I'm gonna buy something that's gonna cost a lot of $$$, I research alot first. I also think about it for a LONG time. Like "do I really need this?", "how often am I going to use this?" "is it worth it?"

I say you keep your current truck and learn to be happy with it. I have an '04 Sierra and when I see one of the new Sierra's driving down the street, you can bet that I'm . But I'm happy with my truck and I like it a lot.

gnet158 · June 25, 2010

You are going to get SCR3WED on that trade in, I'm all for getting what you want but.... Go the the dealer ship and start asking. Don't jump on anything right away, take your time.

It took me about a year to get the deal I wanted. I got the color and options I wanted. You know how hard it is to find a 4x4 Crew with cloth seats in CA? Good luck!

AvalancheZ71 · June 25, 2010

You might as well visit a dealer (or two) and see what they have and can do for you. If you trade up you are going to take a hit, but whether or not you can accept that depends on your tolerance level. Unless you enjoy modding you may not be happy with upgrading the truck yourself, especially if the upgrades are not as nicely integrated as they would be from the factory. Also those features will not be covered by the factory warranty. After some shopping you may decide that a new truck is just too expensive, and then you can consider making some mods. Most important: don't buy on impulse. Make a deal and then sleep on it.

You have to live with this truck and if those things are important to you then you should get another one configured the way you want. The longer you wait, the more your truck will depreciate.

On the other hand, after a while you may just get used to what you have and decide that it's good enough (for now).

Good luck!