Live Post & Review: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

[Nargg]

Some quick thoughts on the posts about "1st year" and "too expensive"

 

I used to be a big supporter of the "never a first year" vehicle idea. But today, it seems that the 1st year versions may be better. Because as they continue to build, it seems they remove features too or cheapen some parts to make the vehicle more profitable. That's from observing just about any car/truck from any maker.

 

Also, many don't realize that GM did NOT raise the price of the 2014 over the 2013 models. In fact there are a number of features on the new 2014 truck that are actually standard now rather than at a price. I priced out a 2014 with similar setup to my 2011, and found it was actually cheaper! Go figure! Besides, you can still get a "Work Truck" if you want a cheap truck.

 

P.S. Thanks Zane on the phone info. Man, I want to really like Android, but these phones just continue to disappoint.

[BringTheRain403]

Are you running custom ROM's on those phones? If so many of them are having issues with Bluetooth only working on one channel (I forget whether it's the left out the right). Just a thought...

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[Stex]

Some quick thoughts on the posts about "1st year" and "too expensive"

 

I used to be a big supporter of the "never a first year" vehicle idea. But today, it seems that the 1st year versions may be better. Because as they continue to build, it seems they remove features too or cheapen some parts to make the vehicle more profitable. That's from observing just about any car/truck from any maker.

 

Also, many don't realize that GM did NOT raise the price of the 2014 over the 2013 models. In fact there are a number of features on the new 2014 truck that are actually standard now rather than at a price. I priced out a 2014 with similar setup to my 2011, and found it was actually cheaper! Go figure! Besides, you can still get a "Work Truck" if you want a cheap truck.

 

P.S. Thanks Zane on the phone info. Man, I want to really like Android, but these phones just continue to disappoint.

 

Not so and has been discussed. GM raised the base price of all trk models, 1500s, mid model year by $1,000 on the 2013s. My dealer had exact 2013 GMC SLEs on the lot and the new ones were $1,000 more base price. Which translated into $1,000 higher sticker on the identical truck. This was done so GM could say the '14 would be the same price as '13 at base.

 

Now the base SLT CC, 4x4 is $44,608. My 09 based at $42,400. Now add the up graded radio, slider window, home link etc...etc.... like my trk and the price is $47,000 +/- and my 09 stickered at $45,400.

[Zane]

Are you running custom ROM's on those phones? If so many of them are having issues with Bluetooth only working on one channel (I forget whether it's the left out the right). Just a thought... Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

No, all devices are stock. That said, I've only tried my GS4 so far. Will test the others this afternoon. That is, however exactly how it sounds... like only one side is being played. I can't tell if it's right or left. SiriusXM sounds perfectly fine. I'm pretty confused.

[rbt2]

With all the display screens on these devices, what's it like to drive at night?

 

I never liked the NAV unit radio is the GMT-900's, aside from the cost and that the 'radio' aspect was more complicated to use than the plain radio, simply because if you turned it off, but still wanted the clock on, you got a bright blue background display that annoyingly lighted up the interior at night.

 

And corresponding, are all of these displays useable during the day? Small thing, but may clue us if they got the interior ergonomics right. You commented previously that navigating between the options was much improved.

 

Someone previously asked, but I didn't see the answer (maybe I missed it), how well does the A/C work? And do these trucks use the 'new' refrigerant?

 

Bob.

[BringTheRain403]

No, all devices are stock. That said, I've only tried my GS4 so far. Will test the others this afternoon. That is, however exactly how it sounds... like only one side is being played. I can't tell if it's right or left. SiriusXM sounds perfectly fine. I'm pretty confused.

 

So SiriusXM streams via Bluetooth correctly but nothing else does? Even phone calls?

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Zane]

Josh and I just got back from a back to back drive of both the 2014 and our 2011. It's pretty cool to get the direct comparison. It really highlights how improved the 2014 is.

Here's some pics I grabbed with my phone.

[Josh]

Here a some side by side pics we took earlier.

[GMC-AT]

yea, yea, yea... we all already know you "bend over" for Ford's ... go away...

[MikeNH]

how well does the A/C work? And do these trucks use the 'new' refrigerant?

 

Bob.

 

GM started using the "new" refrigerant in 1994, 20 years ago. Bugs are worked out by now. Front AC cools fine but there is no rear AC in the 2014s. Very hot to ride in the back of a 2014 GM truck. With the lack of rear AC and decontented rear entertainment system for 2014, these trucks were not designed for family use at all. We will see if these issues get addressed in the new upper trim levels coming out later this year. The LTZ just does not bring much to the table in the form of high end trucks.

 

 

There is something newer than 134a now. Mostly on Euro cars. I forget the name, its a alphabet soup though.

[BringTheRain403]

I would like to know how effective the A/C is at cooling the rear section as well...

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[Jsdirt]

I read that CO2 was a brainstorm by some engineers. Don't know if there actually going to start using that or not .... anything to drive up the cost of simple repairs & eliminate DIY, I suppose. What a dumb idea for so many reasons. Why they keep screwing with refrigerant .......... well, I think we all know the answer to that one: MONEY.

 

 

One thing of note on the side-by-side comparison is, if you screw up and just tap something (like I did) backing up with that redesigned rear bumper, it will now cost you twice as much. Instead of individual chrome panels like the 07-13 models, you know have a one-piece bar. Your gonna want that backup camera!

 

The smaller tail lights are a nice update. Hard to judge (IMO) the front end differences, being that one is GMC and the other Chevy - they have differences all their own. Don't like the lack of plastic on the top of the '14 tailgate - I would destroy that thing in short order. The big, ugly plastic on my '07 has saved me quite a few dings, dents, holes and gouges. I like how they cleaned up the interface between the tail lights and the body - looks like they actually cared this time around.

[EChavez]

Is there an option to turn off the screen and keep the music playing?

Also, what's under the settings options, more specifically vehicle settings etc. Looks like there's some stuff to play with.

[Daryl LBZ]

Two small cosmetic things I don't like:

 

1) The rear bumper

2) The shape of the rear of the cab

 

I do like the body lines though, and most of the wheels. I also like how tight all the panels look now. I would buy the Sierra over the Silverado this time around though.

 

Here's a picture of the Silverado's side by side

 

['01LS1]

There is something newer than 134a now. Mostly on Euro cars. I forget the name, its a alphabet soup though.

 

Yeah, EU tree huggers wanted this stuff. Minor issue with potentially igniting during a crash.

http://www.autoblog.com/tag/r-1234yf+refrigerant/