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Thinking About A Newer Truck........maybe...

Fobroader

By Fobroader
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Fobroader Enthusiast

Fobroader

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So I was out and about this weekend and decided to swing by a GM dealer. They had a 2011 GMC 2500HD crew cab Z71, buckets, bose stereo, built in brake controller and a 6L. Took it out for a drive and what can I say......I wasnt that impressed. The interior looks better than my 06, but the seats arent as comfotable. The whole truck felt like it was built somehow cheaper, nothing I could put my finger on, but the truck didnt seem like it was put together well. Then there was the exterior.....in a word, meh, I cant say I like the looks better than my truck, like at all, made it too plasticky and too many things to knock off if you actually use it as a truck. So all you 07 and up guys, is the truck screwed toghether well, I know drivetrain wise Ill be fine, but hows the trim, interior and exterior for quality wise? I dont want to drop an extra $35-40K on a truck and have something that shit is falling off of in the first 100,000Km. Thanks guys!!

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

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Your thoughts couldn't be the furthest from the truth. The GMT-900 platform is a big step up in my opinion. Especially in the 2500's. My 07 lasted 50,000 miles before trading and didn't have any issues. I owned a gmt-800 prior and thought it was a big step up. Now I will give you the seats aren't quite the same as the 800's but not bad either. We always take the truck over the car for trips. It's just so much more comfortable.

 

My 11 so far is shaping up to be the same as well. Out the door with 3 miles, now has just over 8000 miles without a single complaint or issue. I'm Very happy myself. :dunno:

Daryl LBZ Senior Enthusiast

Daryl LBZ

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My truck is a great truck. It drives and rides alot better than most cars Ive ridden in, and it seems to take weight alot better than a GMT800 Series I think mainly due to the Fully Boxed Frame. The Interior is way ahead of the older GM Trucks (Except for the seat material). The only thing I think could be better is the paint, and the sheet metal. Besides that the GMT900's are great truck IMO.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

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Like I have stated many times overall gmt900 > gmt800

flyboyron Enthusiast

flyboyron

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So far I like my 09 Silverado. I think it is a great truck. I haven't had to haul much in it yet, but did pull a trailer and it handled well. I seem to be real easy with my vehicles anyway, so I won't have all the wear and tear some guys will have.

Fobroader Enthusiast

Fobroader

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Maybe Ill go takea second drive, maybe that was just a bad unit, you know, monday/friday truck. I really love the looks of the newer interiors and the stereo was awesome. I dont know, I just felt that the one I drove had a lot of squeaks and felt very poorly put toghether on a rough road.

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

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I completely leap frogged the GMT800 series for multiple reasons and can say that I have found my current choice, a most excellent one. :lurk:

 

Keep your 800 if you like it better of the 900 series offerings if you must but I'm sticking with my 900 7 days a week and twice on Sunday. Much better put togther truck as I've found thus far, hands down. :dunno:

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

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Yeah, I drove another 2011 2500HD and Im sticking with my 06.

 

Different strokes... :eek:

 

Thats why they make choices.

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

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Yeah, I drove another 2011 2500HD and Im sticking with my 06.

 

 

what did you notice with this 2500?

 

 

like you, im holding on to my GMT800

blacksierra01 Enthusiast

blacksierra01

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I agree 100% with the comment about the gmt 900 trucks seeming cheaper inside. I have ridden in and drove some of my co workers and friends gmt 900 trucks and the dash and seat material seems way cheaper feeling than my gmt 800. I think ist just mostly what the dash is made of, but i really preffer the interior of a gmt 800. JMO

Fobroader Enthusiast

Fobroader

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Yeah, I drove another 2011 2500HD and Im sticking with my 06.

 

 

what did you notice with this 2500?

 

 

like you, im holding on to my GMT800

 

 

 

Saething as the other one, just a real flimsy feeling and sounding. The dashboard is very nice though!! The front and rear end though is what really kills it for me, I love the front end on my 2500HD because its still got a GMT400-esque look, and the 400 are my favorite trucks. Yeah, the 800 is gonna be it for me.

KMGZ400 Senior Enthusiast

KMGZ400

Posted
Posted
Yeah, I drove another 2011 2500HD and Im sticking with my 06.

 

 

what did you notice with this 2500?

 

 

like you, im holding on to my GMT800

 

 

 

Saething as the other one, just a real flimsy feeling and sounding. The dashboard is very nice though!! The front and rear end though is what really kills it for me, I love the front end on my 2500HD because its still got a GMT400-esque look, and the 400 are my favorite trucks. Yeah, the 800 is gonna be it for me.

 

 

 

i was actually thinking about that the other day, i kinda wish GM kept the stacked headlights/blinkers. it definatley is my favorite setup.

 

one of my concerns with the GMT900's is how they will hold up with 100,000+ miles of abuse... interior and exterior.

DoMDrty Enthusiast

DoMDrty

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The sheet metal is thinner on the newer body style. I leaned on the bed rails of my 09 and now I have small dents on the top of the bed rails. Didn't have that problem with my 2003.

Fobroader Enthusiast

Fobroader

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The sheet metal is thinner on the newer body style. I leaned on the bed rails of my 09 and now I have small dents on the top of the bed rails. Didn't have that problem with my 2003.

 

 

Wow, really, I dragged really heavy crates across my old 93 bedrails and it did nothing, cant believe it bent that easy.

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