Need Help With Silverado 1500 Purchase

[ALFisher]

This is a great forum. First time post. I have searched around and looked at the advantages/disadvantages of the 4.8L V8 vs. the 5.3L V8 and the differences in the LS/LT package. Here is what it boils down to for me, and I need some help. I have the cash to buy a NEW 2010 4.8L V8 4x4 LS with the trailering package option.

 

I don't have the cash to buy a 2010 or 2011 with all the bells and whistles. I will occasionally tow a 19' boat short distances, and although I will go offroad, not a ton. If I need something real heavy duty offroad, that's why someone invented four-wheelers, but the occasional offroad use where 4 wheel might be necessary, I'll do. I could almost get a away with a 2x4, but what's the point of having a truck if it's not 4x4, it seems to me.

 

Anyway, I could get a new truck as above or get a used LT, Z71, 4x4, maybe even leather. The only things I would want on a used truck that I couldn't afford on a new one are (1) 5.3 L engine, (2) z71 package, (3) leather.

 

You can always add leather to an LS aftermarket, so I don't see the disadvantage there. The LS has the shifter on the floor, but is that a big deal? Otherwise, the LT1 and LS package with the options I mentioned are very similar.

 

Thanks for the help.

[tanked_darren]

4.8 = no afm

4.8 is bulletproof

 

Unless you think you want a 6.0 I'd get the 4.8

difference between 4.8 and 5.3 is marginal most people won't even notice it on the pedal (and queue insults now) . Just look around how many guys hate thier AFM, yeah sure you gain like .5mpg with the 5.3 but so what?

 

Unless you have severe winters or go mud-bogging I would stick with the 2 wheel drive. 4 wheel has more to worry about. Most people get the 4x4 as a status symbol, I can go almost anywhere my 4 wheel drive friends go and it all comes down to a good set of A/T tires, and a little wieght in the back.

 

It all comes down to what you think you'll be happy with because your the one who has to live with thier purchase.

 

If I was you I'd be more looking into if I was getting a 4speed or a 6speed tranny.

[gnet158]

Why would you pay cash for a 2010 truck when GM is still running the 0% for 72 months? It ends up being the same thing. That said paying cash for a truck is kind of a waste only because 90% of us end up trading them in. I had a 4.8L Sierra and love it, good power and great gas mileage. I traded it in for my 08 and I'm looking at a 2010 HD. My advice is test drive the 4.8 and the 5.3 and see what you think. I've doubt you'll be able to notice any real difference.

 

And use GM's financing.

[ALFisher]

I am either going to use cash or a very low interest credit line I have access to. Probably not cash, so I misspoke a little there. If I use the low interest line, I still get a better deal taking the cash rebate.

 

I don't think the 6-speed is available in a 4.8, is it? What's the major difference there?

[Porter_]

i've been very happy with my 4.8L. i also have the SL trim package with the manual transfer case. one thing to consider with the manual t-case is that you don't get the "auto" option of the electronic t-case. that would be *very* helpful if you live in a place that has snowy winters. it's really the only option i wish my truck had. as far as purchasing new vs used, that's something you'll have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. i went with a low-option new truck w/ warranty versus an optioned-out used truck. but to each their own.

[gnet158]

Then take the 0% for 72 months GM's offering on all remaining 2010's. Get what you want and don't settle.

[ALFisher]

Gnet,

 

Is that a black or black granite truck? Looks good. I just missed a black granite truck that sold. They have black, but I don't know what the difference is.

[fraiolib]

i would go with the used with the extras... but thats just me.

[bremon]

This is a pic of my Black Granite LT next to my dad's Black LTZ. Hopefully it gets the point across with the difference between the two colors. My black granite gets a lot of compliments, but black is a great looking color regardless whether you get the metallic or not, as long as you can keep the thing clean!

 

As far as new vs. used, everyone's situation is different. I had very specific preferences with my vehicle choice, and I found it hard to compromise, so I bought new. If I wasn't planning on keeping the vehicle for too long, I would have went used. I also got a better financing rate new, so that helped too.

[211lostlake]

I would purchase for the future - do you think you will ever tow anything? If so, the 4.8L doesn't tow much. The six speed transmission also assists in towing, and offers a very smooth ride (although I've never experienced the 4 speed).

[pm26]

Why would you pay cash for a 2010 truck when GM is still running the 0% for 72 months? It ends up being the same thing. That said paying cash for a truck is kind of a waste only because 90% of us end up trading them in. I had a 4.8L Sierra and love it, good power and great gas mileage. I traded it in for my 08 and I'm looking at a 2010 HD. My advice is test drive the 4.8 and the 5.3 and see what you think. I've doubt you'll be able to notice any real difference.

 

And use GM's financing.

 

Zero percent financing is not a very attractive option if you can get a $ 4k rebate instead and still get low 4 % financing. If you trade in your truck let's say two later, your payoff will be about $ 4k less than it would be if you financed the truck at 0 % and did not take the rebate. Zero % financing only works to your advantage if you intend to keep the truck for the full term of the loan (6 years) and make all payments as scheduled and your monthly payment works out to be less.

 

I actually compared the numbers on a 2010 Jeep Liberty. Financed through Chrysler credit at 0 percent for five years and taking $ 2k rebate on top, the payment was about $ 398/month.

If I took the $4k rebate and financed through my local bank at 3.9% interest, the payment worked out to be about $ 401/month. Only three dollars more per month! The difference being that you are financing $ 2k less and at any given time the payoff during the first 4 years or so will be $ 2k less when you trade the vehicle in.

[pm26]

4.8 is bulletproof

 

As long as the bullet misses the engine.

[leverlution]

Depends what your gonna be doing.

 

I got the LT because I wanted 40-20-40, not the garbage console, but I wanted the extra under seat lockable storage. That only comes on the LT, or its an option on the LS. Never seen an LS with one, but haven't looked too hard.

 

I went for the 5.3 because of the highways going through the mountains. I orginally wanted a 4.8. I drove a few, they don't drive bad. Plenty of power. You can tell the difference in a 5.3 truck though.

 

I went 4x4 for the low gear. Not because a 2 wheel drive truck can't go where a 4 wheel drive truck can (most the time a 2wd WILL get you there with the right driver) but because a 2 wheel can't pull itself out, and a 2 wheel can't engage a low range transfer case to engine brake better when descending mountain trails.

 

If I lived in Arizona, I would probably have a 2wd truck. Depends on the intended use.

[oldmann]

You'll be happy with it. I went with a sierra slt 5.3 20000mi for 3000 less than the truck you are considering.

[BadBowtie1]

I can't tell you how many times I pulled out a 2wd truck on boat launches,and if you go to a place and your by yourself it's always nice to have that O so handy 4x4 button.If it was me I would go 5.3 4x4.