Choosing between two trucks

[Scott P]

I'm down to a couple 2014 Sierra SLTs. This is my first truck, so I really do not know what I really would want/need/use in the long run. It's going to be the family truckster for my wife and me and our one year old twins. I don't have anything to tow regularly, but may get a travel trailer for when the kids get old enough. I'm a stay at home Dad, so it wont be piling on the miles in a commute.

 

Truck one is a 5.3L AT CC SLT. It has the options I want and a color I like. It includes a trailer brake controller, Nav and the Plus package. It is running just under $11k off MSRP.

 

Truck two is a 6.2L CC SLT. It has the Texas Value Plus package, Nav, heated and cooled seats, but no trailer brake controller. I haven't seen the machined aluminum wheels in person yet and I'm not a big fan of black. Too much real estate when it comes to paint care. It is running around $9,500 off MSRP.

 

The car guy in me wants the 6.2L. It will pull a travel trailer better and it of course has more power. But I like the overall look of the All Terrain better and the color. I'd want the integrated brake controller since it is tied into the stability system, but I don't know what actual difference it would make.

 

So, I'd like to gather a few opinions from the more experienced members of the group. Is the 6.2L worth the approximate $2,000 price premium over the 5.3L AT? I have owned a black vehicle before and I do think it looks good on the trucks, I just don't look forward to detailing it like I would any other car.

 

 

[chevyguy45]

Its all up to you but personally i will never own a 5.3 again. Their good engines with decent power but after owning two 6.2's ill never go back. The 6.2 changes the way the vehicle drives much more grunt. Passing power, towing, and getting up to speed easier is great. Ive owned a 2012 sierra denali with a 6.2 and my high country has one.

[TJay74]

Same here, I've had two 5.3's (2001 w/ 285hp and a 2010 w/ 330hp) and though the 355hp the new 5.3 puts out is a nice step up there is nothing that replaces the 6.2 power that I have in my 2014 Sierra AT CC. The gas mileage penalty is minimal, but the grin factor is always there.

 

Have you tried seeing if there are any other trucks in your region that fit your requirements with the AT package on them? Personally I love the AT package, this is my second truck with the package.

[Dropsix]

Just don't settle. I am sure there are other dealers within 100 miles you can check out.

 

I sorta settled, and while I am not completely unhappy, I am not 100% happy.

[Scott P]

I haven't been able to locate a 6.2L AT around here. There was one, but it sold a couple weeks ago. Plus, combining a 6.2L and an AT package starts to push the upper limit of what I want to spend on the truck. I can't really travel too far as I would be taking my wife and the twins with me, so a long trip would not be fun.

 

I really was hoping for an integrated trailer brake controller since it looks nice and is tied into the stability system. But, I could easily install a P3 and remove it when not in use. If I wait for a 2015, I'll probably pay a few thousand more.

[chevyguy45]

If i couldn't find the exact one i wanted i would go to the dealer and have one ordered. It couldn't hurt to see how much it would cost. If you wanted a 2015 sierra denali you could order a 6.2 with an 8 speed auto and magnetic ride. I bet that truck drives so good.

[waumo1]

If I was towing or only owning 1 vehicle, it would be a 6.2L. However in my case and my opinion, the truck is not a performance/fun vehicle it is for work, going on bad roads, hauling a bed full of stuff, winter driving, etc so I'm fine with the 5.3. The power is just "OK", nothing to get excited about.

[Roidz]

6.2

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6+

[redwngr]

Every time you see that black truck even a little dirty, you will regret not listening to your own advice about the colour.

[gSwift]

Every time you see that black truck even a little dirty, you will regret not listening to your own advice about the colour.

^^Truth!! I sold my black 6.2 SLT and bought a Iridium Metallic 5.3 AT and don't regret it one bit. You can't beat black when its clean and swirl free...but it doesn't stay that way long. And i hand wash my vehicles, they've never seen an automatic wash.

[Scott P]

I'm leaning towards the 6.2L. I think the every day power boost will override the looks of the All Terrain. I can add a trailer brake controller and simply remove it when I don't need it. They might have a Summit White 6.2L as well, but it has the Cocoa/Dune interior and I don't know about the long term cleanliness of that interior, especially with the stinkers.

 

A 2015 AT with a 6.2L would be about $4-5,000 more than what I think these trucks will be.

 

Then again, I don't want to overbuy since it is a grocery getter and just the occasional trailer hauler.

[2018GMC]

You could look on cars.com search any distance. A lot of dealers will pay for your flight and then you can drive your new truck a few hundred miles home. At least you would know if your perfect truck is out there.

[Isriam]

FYI the AT has a more stiff ride than the other, from what i hear and read. I'd get the 6.2L every time and the softer ride. Especially if you don't have anything to tow for the next couple of years.

[KARNUT]

I'm leaning towards the 6.2L. I think the every day power boost will override the looks of the All Terrain. I can add a trailer brake controller and simply remove it when I don't need it. They might have a Summit White 6.2L as well, but it has the Cocoa/Dune interior and I don't know about the long term cleanliness of that interior, especially with the stinkers. A 2015 AT with a 6.2L would be about $4-5,000 more than what I think these trucks will be. Then again, I don't want to overbuy since it is a grocery getter and just the occasional trailer hauler.

Im from the Houston area like you I have a couple points that I considered when I bought mine. First you say you like the truck with the 5.3, but you want the power of the 6.2. In our area E85 is everywhere, using that gets you within 40HP of the 6.2 to 380 vs 420, that's just 40 HP. You can only run 93 in the 6.2, you can run any thing in the 5.3. E85 runs over 1.00 per gallon less than 93 even if its burns faster, and you can still run 87 gas when needed. I ended up with a hard loaded Texas package and saved thousands. With the money you saved you can supercharge and put in a gear vender over drive if you really want to go crazy. Im a performance junky, my last DD that I still have is a 383 blown Chevy p/u, my 5.3 on E85 doesn't feel under powered to me.

[Scott P]

The salesman just emailed me to let me know the 6.2L truck just sold last night.