Chev vs GMC which is better value

GMANsr · July 14, 2014

The GMC Sierra typically has a few esthetic differences from the Chevrolet Silverado. The front ends as you know are different. I think the GMC's are bolder. All of the electronics in both are identical. Underneath they are all the same. I would do with the Silverado since you are importing. The Chevy Bow tie is known throughout the world. One caveat, the Onstar will not work, and the navigation maps will be US maps.

diannabill · July 14, 2014

Hi guys thanks for your replies, first up, spectaculous grow up!

EaZ8 · July 14, 2014

ok so the warranty thing doesnt bother you ill move on from that.

the Silverado i like that it has separate bulbs for the high and low beams, the Sierra is 1 projector with a low/high that flips between the 2.

i like the fog lights shape better on the chev as well but thats only because it seems more natural.

besides those, i actually like the GMC front end as a full package much better that the Chev front end as its complete package.

i love the GMC SLT headlights with the LED strip running lights.

overall i was 50-50 on the 2 but picked the Sierra because of the paint and the front end (relay wanted stealth grey, no matter what vehicle i got.)

Aussiechevfan2014 · July 14, 2014

Thanks Greg,

I know I would miss out on the On star part which is a huge selling point over there and everyone talks about, both good and bad. Apparently because of the demand of the trucks here Alpine are developing a unit to replace this and could run in at a couple of grand in the future, but we couldn't call anyone for directions it would just be a normal GPS which I would be more than happy with.

It is weird how even though GM is a worldwide company and ships their trucks here, albeit they are built in other countries, that they wouldn't warranty their own truck through their own dealers here. That's life.

I heard also they had been thinking of doing the factory right hand drive trucks as mentioned before for 2018, that will probably go to 2022 going by previous track records.

I would probably go for the Chevrolet version over the GMC for the reason you mentioned, it is better known and parts may be easier to get plus insuring the truck is easier cause they have heard of it to an extent.

Thanks everyone for your help.

KeukaZ71 · July 14, 2014

Go for chevy. Who knows what the future holds. Never know, GM could phase out GMCs.

KeukaZ71 · July 14, 2014

Also, don't get a 2014. I would wait until at least 2015. Hopefully they will have less hiccups by then

Harry-Nips · July 14, 2014

I would agree with Keuka, they may have ironed out some bugs and you might see a couple extra features in the 2015 models. However, there will probably be a huge sale on already-built 2014's around September time frame. I would look to see if you can get the navigation to work out of a Holden vehicle, since the MyLink system looked identical in the car I drove down there.

As far as differences, the grill & headlights, rims, GMC has a crease in the wheel well as well as a plastic liner (visible from the outside), red vs. blue interior lights, and possibly something with the head unit. I can't remember anything else, other than of course the packages available. Are you looking at potentially a Denali or High Country? Denali has a really nice grill, aluminum door sills, Denali rims, and a really cool digital gauge cluster, whereas the High Country has the saddle leather package, along with different rims, grill, etc. I don't think there will be any significant difference in value between the two brands; it mostly comes down to personal preference. I bought a Sierra because of the LED accent lights, rim preference (20" chrome) and red interior lights, with my only complaint being the stock headlights (fixed with HIDs).

I was just in Australia last December, and I only saw one full size pickup while I was over there. It was a Toyota Tundra, and like you said, the owner spent about 100K to get it converted to right hand drive just so he could pull his boat. Love the country, but some things are so bloody expensive!

Keep us updated when you make a decision, and g'day mate!

BEastwick · July 14, 2014

You know, it just occurred to me, and it may be a dumb idead, but if you're spending that kind of cash to begin with, why not spend just a little more and fly over here spend a couple of days really going over them inside and out? At least you'd know for certain which one you prefer, and you might even be able to pick it up while you're here, and maybe save some money by driving it directly to the shipping docks yourself. Just an idea.

Mike1220 · July 16, 2014

I would wait till the 2015 1500's come out. Let them work out all (or atleast most) if the kinks. Also I would say get the Sierra. I'm a fan of the sierras. To me, the Chevys have the same basic look on the front end as last body. It's been reformed, but still too much the same IMO. The Sierra stands out more to me. It looks much better and the interior uses aluminum instead of plastic, as mentioned before and, IMO, is a bit nicer.

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Aussiechevfan2014 · July 16, 2014

Hi guys, really appreciate all your feed back!

After reading all the forums and seeing the niggling recalls and complaints, which in all honesty is to be expected from any "new model" on any vehicle in my opinion I am going to wait until Jan 2015.

Plus I managed to have a look at a Jan 2014 GMC Denali, it was a 2500 but it is still the current shape, let me say FREAKING WOW!! you guys get ALL of that for between $50k and $65k???????? Man we cant even get a half decent Hilux dualcab over here for that kind of money!

I was blown away by how much room was in this truck and the finishes and extras and more extras!!! Definitely worth waiting for them to get it right and buying one and spending the extra to get it here and converted.

So I am hoping to order a new on around Christmas or the new year (do they run specials with extras thrown in over those holidays?) then when it arrives at the dealers I will aim to fly over and drive it for a few weeks to make sure everything is right and get some extras fitted to it while checking out the west coast and then if there are no major issues, ship it down under!

I have been waiting for 25 years so another 6 months isn't going to hurt me for my own peace of mind and if they have more goodies in them by then that's a bonus!

The denali was impressive with the digital dash, I read some where that the Silverado are supposed to have one as well but I don't know which model, because I want the Z71 package I guess I will probably miss out on that part anyways.

Also Alpine are making a head unit to replace your On Star system here, so by the time I get my truck hopefully they will have their bugs out of their new system as well!

I cant wait, the tucks rock, you guys are so lucky over there to have such cheap trucks that are awesome!!

I hope all you guys with the issues on your trucks get them sorted so you can enjoy them more!

When I get my truck landed here and its licensed I WILL be posting pics for sure! Bring on the 6.2l LTZ Z71 CC !! in Tungsten I hope!

Cheers Guys!

Aussiechevfan2014 · July 16, 2014

Here are some of our vehicles and what we pay, these are the most popular out of the Toyota 4wds

http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-2014/AGC-AD-15790536/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1 These are every where

http://www.carsales.com.au/bnc/details/Toyota-Hilux-2014/SHRM-AD-5531712/?Cr=4&sdmvc=1&WT.z_cs_clicksrc=stock-listing Extremely Popular and look at the price and it is 4 cylinders short!

http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-2014/AGC-AD-15861728/?Cr=1&sdmvc=1 70% of tradesman and farmers have one of these

http://www.carsales.com.au/bncis/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-2014/AGC-AD-15510664/?Cr=2&sdmvc=1 Do you all have these over there?

http://www.carsales.com.au/demo/details/Chevrolet-Silverado-2013/AGC-AD-16036664/?Cr=4&sdmvc=1 I know its a 2500 but there are NO 1500s in Australia, this isn't even a 2014 and check out the price....

So you can see for your self what we have to pay for trucks and cars here, you guys have got it pretty darn good, oh we don't have a Lemon Law, our version is "suck it up and live with it".. like the lemon but we get the bitter taste left in our mouth haha.

MikeNH · July 16, 2014

About the only thing option-wise the GMC comes with standard vs the Chevy is the LED lighting in the bed. Otherwise, the GMC looks quite a bit different outside (your decision on styling preference obviously), has mostly red instrument lighting vs the blue/green of the Chevy and it has real aluminum trim instead of metal-look plastic. It seems manufacturers have sorted out how to make the metallic plastic last compared to vehicles from a decade or so ago when it first became popular.

As for parts, the trucks are all made in three plants in the US and Mexico, GMC and Chevy side by side so aside from model-specific trim, I'd think parts should be the same regardless of the badge on the grill.

As for buying, you can usually find deals around the end of the year and during our President's Day weekend (mid-February). But that applies to delivered vehicles, when you order one you're generally going to get the incentives that are current when the truck arrives at the dealership. So it may be tough to order it to arrive then but you may luck out and find a dealer with one in stock with the options you're looking for.

As for buying, I'm sure you've done the research but look for a dealer here in a state without sales tax. I'm guessing you'll want to try and buy from a dealer on our west coast so I think maybe Oregon might not have sales tax. I grew up in New Hampshire and they don't either but that's clear across the country from where I expect you'll want to do the transaction.

Good luck! That's some dedication to get what you want.

And we have a version of the Toyota Land Cruiser, but not the one pictured. All they sell here is a luxury model that isn't really off road/utility focused.

Aussiechevfan2014 · July 16, 2014

Cheers Mike!

I have been told to look around the 94080 zip, I didn't know about the sales tax part, that would save heaps I am assuming. I am not sure what your taxes are yet I heard 12.5%?

I was told it takes up to 4 weeks to get a title after the truck is in the lot?

I was really impressed with the Denali dash and the trim, I was surprised they had the plain black plastic over the guards which is on all their trucks.

I read on one of the forums one guy saved $7000 off the new price on a truck which sounded awesome for him, lucky guy!

I read that with the 6.2l if it's a custom build it can take 12 weeks as well, heaps to be learnt on these forums, they are awesome!

MikeNH · July 16, 2014

Glad to help!

That zip code is San Francisco. I'm guessing you'll fly into SFO? California is easy access as I know most of its airports offer direct flights to different Australian cities but California has high taxes. States with no sales tax are Oregon, Alaska, New Hampshire, Delaware and Montana. No sales tax can save you 6-10% or more. There are no federal-level fees when buying a new vehicle, it's all state or local (or just fees the dealer dreams up!). I am not sure about the title as I financed my purchase so Ally Bank has the title to my 2011 locked up somewhere. The one thing I can't help on is how you'll be able to insure/plate it if you intend on driving it here. I have always bought my vehicles in the state I live in, I know out of state can add complications so out of country may too I suppose.