Question to anyone who has ordered a truck

Frozen001 · May 6, 2014

Hello,

I am considering "downsizing" from my 2006 2500HD LLY duramax crew cab 6.5' bed to a 1500 crew cab 6.5' bed with the Max tow package. In the 4+ years that I ahve had the 2500 I have maybe used the 4 wheel drive 5 times so I am strongle considering 2WD. Trouble is the 1500 crews with the max two package are like needles in a hay stack. Local dealer search pulled up one with the 6.2, leather etc, all stuff I really do not want. So I am thinking of maybe ordering one. Has anyone gone this route? Can I still get a "deal" this way? Or is it basically MSRP less any promo's and that is the price. My ideal truck would be a GMC Sierra SLE, 5.3L CC standard bed...and either 2 or 4 wheel drive. The GMC web site shows that this combination is available, and the price with rebates may be doable depending on what I would get for trade in.

Just looking for input from guys who have actually ordered a truck and their experience over all.

nards444 · May 6, 2014

I ordered mine in SEP and got it in NOV so about 5-6 weeks later in 5.3 max tow. Double cab config. When you order you get all the current factory incentives, military, USAA incentives etc. You might not get incentives the dealer is running or other things they are doing to get rid of lot queens.

soltys · May 6, 2014

You may miss out on "blow out" specials to get rid of the left overs on the lot or anything like that but then on a side note, when ordering, you only get and pay for the options you want. That's why I ordered - I got as close to the exact truck that I wanted and only paid for the options I wanted. Instead of getting something that the dealership tells you, you want.

00Silverado4x4 · May 6, 2014

I personally, once I'm ready for another truck, will be ordering it. I'm done with searching dealerships and making compromises. I figure if I'm ordering, then I've got the time to wait to receive the truck I want and not the one I'm settling for.

EChavez · May 6, 2014

When I ordered mine my dealer gave me some of the deals that would be going on during the time my truck would be arriving. Personally I think it's worth ordering a truck especially if you want it a specific way. The only downside is you have to have a lot of patience.

Mr. Dan · May 6, 2014

Call your favorite dealer and ask if he'll still order a 2014. I ordered a 1500 SLT crew 6.5' bed Max Trailering Package with the 6.2L engine on April 12 and the GM of the dealship said, "It ain't gonna happen." Said the engine was constrained and I heard later the Max Trailering Package rearend was also constrained. This GM said if I DO get the truck, it will be August. I also heard they were about to stop taking orders for 2014 units. I heard.... I heard.... Now GM Customer Service told me yesterday "You are currently at event code 3400 - Broadcast, it's still in line waiting to move toward production. Your TPW is still showing as 5/5/14. It's almost there! I'll be in touch with you next week with another update!"

With so many 'rumors' flying around, you do well to ask for experiences of others. Nothing we tell you trumps what an ordering dealer tells you. "No, I won't order it" means "call another dealer". "Yes, I can still order it" puts you at your next decision point.

Regards, Dan

TexasDevilDog · May 6, 2014

I put an order in on March 31 on a Denali, drove it off the lot May 3. I received the GM and dealership incentives for May + USAA and military discounts. This is the 2nd time I order a vehicle, 1st time was my Z in 2003. I wouldn't do it any other way. A person is at the disposal of what is available on the lot or in the area when they got to lots to buy vehicles. I knew I would be buying in May so I placed the order in March. If I am buying something that costs $50k, I am getting how I want.

Most people buy a car when they have to (car wreck, car dies) or when they get bored and can't wait a month or two to order one. When I went in to pick up the truck, I already had my financing in place and I had been keeping in contact with the sales person so he already knew what my bottom dollar was so did not have to BS back and forth on price. My wife were in and out in less than an hour.

KARNUT · May 6, 2014

Im on the other side of the fence, the best deals are on the lot. Two best times to buy are coming fast and Dec. 31. Im seeing 8 to 10 grand off advertised already. If your the type of person that's keeps your ride a long time than ordering may be your best way to go. I trade often so I go by best deal than pure personal preference.

TxTruckMan · May 6, 2014

As others have said, you'll be limited on "dealing" with the dealer if you order, but you'll get exactly what you want.

Your other option is to write down the exact options you want and have another dealer or GM customer service track down the truck someplace in the US, or hopefully relatively close to your area. You might be able to swing a slightly better deal, and get it faster, but you might have to travel to get it. But I see Max Tow package being a problem. Those have been on constraint a bunch, and people really want them. I bet pickings are slim.

It just depends on your needs, wants, and wallet.

Sooperdave · May 6, 2014

You might should consider the 6.2L as an option along with the max tow coming from a diesel. I coudn't be happier with mileage and the power. I ordered my particular truck with specifics. Took about 7 weeks for mine. Glad I did as I got THE truck that I wanted!

bruklnboy · May 7, 2014

i ordered 3/3 with a bunch of constraints and got mine on 4/30, depending on the relationship with your dealer I still got a really good deal, better than the inventory they had on the lot.

Since its getting late in the 2014 model year you may do really well with one thats on the ground, have your dealer do a regional search and see if they can do a swap.

I could only find a few online, but my dealer found alot more. I just wanted specific setup and didnt want to settle for less so I ordered

nards444 · May 7, 2014

Im on the other side of the fence, the best deals are on the lot. Two best times to buy are coming fast and Dec. 31. Im seeing 8 to 10 grand off advertised already. If your the type of person that's keeps your ride a long time than ordering may be your best way to go. I trade often so I go by best deal than pure personal preference.

Thats good point. If your are willing to sacrafice what you want for price. And sometimes you can very well find what you want on the lot. The only thing you might miss is the exact color you wanted. But if I can get all the options I want at a better price, I would do that before getting all the options and the color I wanted for a worse price, color to a point doesnt matter.

Last two trucks I had order due to the simple fact they didnt have the max tow options on the lot or could find one.

Keep in mind for about every grand you finance its about 20 bucks give or take. So taking off the lot or ordering you could be talking a grand here or there.

KARNUT · May 7, 2014

Thats good point. If your are willing to sacrafice what you want for price. And sometimes you can very well find what you want on the lot. The only thing you might miss is the exact color you wanted. But if I can get all the options I want at a better price, I would do that before getting all the options and the color I wanted for a worse price, color to a point doesnt matter.

Last two trucks I had order due to the simple fact they didnt have the max tow options on the lot or could find one.

Keep in mind for about every grand you finance its about 20 bucks give or take. So taking off the lot or ordering you could be talking a grand here or there.

I save 10k got every thing I wanted, but the color. I like lighter looks clean longer, so I wash more often. Those savings off the lot are becoming more common now.

SY2455 · May 7, 2014

You should look at the 6.2L again. The mpg is not that big of a of a hit. I have made 2 trips that were over 800 miles with a lot of mountain driving. My avg mileage is running about 20.4 mpg. In the next couple of months I will be taking a 7500 mile trip and once I get on the flat land of America, I think that 22.5 to 24 mpg can be had with the 6.2L. You will like the extra power too. Granted my truck has the 3.42 gear rear end and is only 2wd.

Frozen001 · May 7, 2014

Thanks for the information guys. The 6.2/5.3 I could go either way. A co-worker has a Denali with the 6.2 and he gets decent mileage. I love my duramax, but it is getting old age wise but mileage is pretty low at 75K, so she still has a decent value. Milage I am getting 14-15 now that the winter mix is gone, and with the max tow-package in a 1500 I should be fine. My TT is about 7K dry, and I want the extra room just incase the wife decides she wants something bigger down the road, and I would rather not by on the edge. The tongue weight is high since the wheels are rear of center on the TT so that is another factor for the max tow. I have not gone to the dealer, only have been working via e-mail at this point. I may try another dealer and see what they say.