New here with a few questions

Clocked92 · June 9, 2014

Hi everyone, my name is Tanner and I'm looking to buy a new sierra but have a couple questions first.

I have been looking for a new truck for about a year now. I test drove the Ram sport and Sierra. To me, the Ram feels way too big and just doesn't fit me even tho I love the look of them. The sierra all terrain is the truck I'm looking at, it would just meet my needs better for hunting and towing a boat.

My questions are:

-Should I buy a 2014 or wait till they get some bugs worked out for 2015?

-are there any changes planned for the 2015 model year?

-should I get the 5.3L or the 6.2?

The sierra I test drove was the 5.3 and it seemed to have a slow throttle response. I understand this has to do with fuel economy and is programmed through the computer. Has anyone chipped or tuned their truck to help with this?

Thanks everyone

Sooperdave · June 9, 2014

Drive the 6.2L if you can. That might definitely sway your decision. The latter 14's pretty much have the bugs worked out. I have a March built truck and have none of the issues listed on the problem subforum. I did get the recall notice in for the transmission line which I have checked it out and it's dry as a bone. Good luck though!

soltys · June 9, 2014

Wait for 2015. Big changes are coming but it might not happen right out of the gate. The 5.3L felt slow because it is. Get a 6.2L & don't look back, unless you want to see 5.3L powered trucks in the RVM.

What big changes do you speak of? A new color? Maybe some new wheels? Like Sooperdave said, most of the bugs have been worked out already. So save yourself some cash and get yourself a '14. I've got a November build and haven't had any real issues besides recall notices.

glcbn · June 9, 2014

.............and there isn't anything wrong with the 5.3L either!!!

Clocked92 · June 9, 2014

Only changes I've heard of possibly are an 8 speed tranny which I wouldn't want, and a possible diesel which I wouldn't want either. I'd love for blue to be available in the all terrain package as well as some Led tail lights

nards444 · June 9, 2014

What big changes do you speak of? A new color? Maybe some new wheels? Like Sooperdave said, most of the bugs have been worked out already. So save yourself some cash and get yourself a '14. I've got a November build and haven't had any real issues besides recall notices.

Good point. I would still wait. doesnt hurt to see what the 2015 will offer, also once those 15s hit the lot the 14s are going to be price cut even further.

fondupot · June 9, 2014

The 5.3 is not a bad motor. But when paired with the 3.08 gears its a dog. I have the 3.42 gears and its much better, and even with 3.73's it would be fantastic.

All the trucks are going to have similar throttle feel, meaning how much you actually have to press the pedal. If you have a different gear ratio it will effect how it feels, regardless of the truck.

nards444 · June 9, 2014

The 5.3 is not a bad motor. But when paired with the 3.08 gears its a dog. I have the 3.42 gears and its much better, and even with 3.73's it would be fantastic.

All the trucks are going to have similar throttle feel, meaning how much you actually have to press the pedal. If you have a different gear ratio it will effect how it feels, regardless of the truck.

yes the 3.08 in 5.3 which quite a few were on the lot when I shopped was terrible when I drove it. cant imagine buying one with that set up. The 3.73 is much better.

soltys · June 9, 2014

yes the 3.08 in 5.3 which quite a few were on the lot when I shopped was terrible when I drove it. cant imagine buying one with that set up. The 3.73 is much better.

It's not a terrible setup, just don't ask it to do anything besides cruise around empty on the highway. And don't expect to leave the stoplight any faster then the old lady next to you.

Sooperdave · June 9, 2014

I think it's stupid that GM even uses such a ridiculous gear choice. Standard gear should be a 3.42 in such a heavy application. Takes load off the engine. 3.73 is definitly my choice and I made sure I got the Max Tow on mine.

nards444 · June 9, 2014

It's not a terrible setup, just don't ask it to do anything besides cruise around empty on the highway. And don't expect to leave the stoplight any faster then the old lady next to you.

Lol yeah. For a 5-6k truck its really a rediculous proposition. I drove one and to be honest I almost thought it to be dangerous.

I think it's stupid that GM even uses such a ridiculous gear choice. Standard gear should be a 3.42 in such a heavy application. Takes load off the engine. 3.73 is definitly my choice and I made sure I got the Max Tow on mine.

Your right. But its all about MPG. If they can advertise that their truck gets one MPG better than the competition thats all that matters, nobody reads the fine print to that or really cares till they start driving the thing.

jbott82 · June 9, 2014

Keep in mind that the 6.2 is recommended to use Premium… Just an fyi.

Good luck Love my 6.2 max tow!

Sooperdave · June 9, 2014

Your right. But its all about MPG. If they can advertise that their truck gets one MPG better than the competition thats all that matters, nobody reads the fine print to that or really cares till they start driving the thing.

It is but I can't see in the real world that gear ratio actually pulling better mpg. I think their mpg tests are performed on a track at steady speeds. Sure when all things are perfect may be better, but day to day driving, don't see it. Less engine load and low rpms at cruise from the 6th gear equals good mpg's. But yeah it's all about the numbers to meet stupid goverment standards. Gimme big engine and more gear any day!

nards444 · June 9, 2014

It is but I can't see in the real world that gear ratio actually pulling better mpg. I think their mpg tests are performed on a track at steady speeds. Sure when all things are perfect may be better, but day to day driving, don't see it. Less engine load and low rpms at cruise from the 6th gear equals good mpg's. But yeah it's all about the numbers to meet stupid goverment standards. Gimme big engine and more gear any day!

Thats the thing its cruise set at 55mph around a flat track with probably favorable ambient temps. I think it will still do well, but with 3.08 gearing if you do anything that a truck is built to do, you are probably going to be worse off then if you got better gearing. But then again for every 5 trucks sold, 3 of them are nothing more than soccer dad trucks.

Sooperdave · June 9, 2014

Thats the thing its cruise set at 55mph around a flat track with probably favorable ambient temps. I think it will still do well, but with 3.08 gearing if you do anything that a truck is built to do, you are probably going to be worse off then if you got better gearing. But then again for every 5 trucks sold, 3 of them are nothing more than soccer dad trucks.

Yep! Or your typical run of the mill construction beater.