please help need advice

tkkz71 · March 20, 2015

thank you all for great website. I've learned so much about the new trucks. my dilemma is this, I currently have an 03 avalanche (5.3 3:73) with 191xxx. I've had the the tuck for 10years now with no major issues at all. original motor,trans,rearend, fuel pump ect. I really want a new silverado 15dc 5.3 3:42. my absolute biggest concern is the issues i keep reading about the transmission. i know it's goint to be alot different than what i got now, i just don't think i could be a "civil & respectable " as an awful lot of you are not spending that kind of money. my last 2 trucks have been chevys, and I've had great success with them both well over 150000 with no major problems. am i over thinking this? the only other option i was even considering was a hemi ram? thank you in advance for your help

LongrangeLauber · March 20, 2015

Most of the issues are with the 8 speeds. The 5.3 still only has the 6 speed. Mine is running great and I have 9k miles on it (2014). I have gotten a periodic hard shift but it's not constant so I'm not worrying about it until it becomes a bigger problem. There are a few other miniscule problems but they can all be corrected. Absolutely love my truck other than that. Dead quiet rolling down the road. If you have a baby they sure ain't gonna wake up lol

jkul21 · March 20, 2015

I've put 35k on my 5.3 6 speed, never noticed a problem, there was a recall on the transmission shift control module, took it in to get reprogrammed and didn't notice a difference. I've done a lot of towing even off roading and it hasn't skipped a beat

TheTunaHunter · March 20, 2015

Just hit 13,500 miles since May 2014. My driving habits have me in NYC Streets and the Highway at about even rates and I've only had 3/4 hard shifts over those 13,xxx miles-mostly attributed to a hesitant foot/getting back on the go pedal inbetween gears/rpm's dropping. I always knew I wanted to wear a bowtie but the the 2014 issues did scare me. I relayed my concerns to the dealer and had them source 3 different trucks with late build dates. I even told them I wouldn't take any of the 3 if they didn't drive right. All three drove fine and I walked away with my CC/SB . Remember, most of the time people post their problems on the internet, not their satisfaction.

Silverado-Hareek · March 20, 2015

I love the 6 speed in my 2014. No problems at all. The issues seem to be mostly with the 8 speed. It's brand new to these trucks and it's going to be replaced in a few years when the 10 speed comes out so I personally would never get the 8 speed which is basically a just a temporary "hold-over" transmission. Remember the 6 speed has been out since like 2009 I believe...maybe 2008 even so this thing is time tested for a while now.

Rawyzf · March 20, 2015

I was dead set on getting a RAM. But then the Auto show came to town and I got to compare them all side by side. After that, I was sold on getting the Silverado. It just felt right inside, and I like the exterior look better. You can get a RAM with leather and some other options for the price of a Silverado LT, but the Silverado will hold it's value better. That might not matter to you though, as it seems you drive your trucks for a while.

tkkz71 · March 20, 2015

thank you all! you have put my mind at ease. I'm going today to start the process. probally going to order it so we can get what we want. thank you all again, I can't wait to get this thing. i fell in love the fist time i saw them out last year

f8l vnm · March 20, 2015

I think you will love the new truck .

However my 14' 6.2 6Speed tranmission feels confused when and it wants to shift, slugish and the infamous clunk when i take the foot off the gas in low speed driving. The slow speed driving around 10-25 MHP is super annoying. That and when getting on the HWY , it takes 26 minutes for the truck to finally go into 6th . ( im exagerrating but its a long time)

To say the problem is only for 8 speeds is very uneducated. There has been many threads on 6 speed issues for more then a year now.

IMO , i strongly beleive its the tune they have put to make the drivability so awful in low speed driving.

HiggySTL · March 20, 2015

Remember, most of the time people post their problems on the internet, not their satisfaction.

Completely agree! I think you will be very happy with your new truck. GM truck that is!

Ridersfan · March 20, 2015

Only someone who reads this forum daily will assume there is any transmission problems at all. I can't/won't be bothered to chase down all the threads or posts... but I'd guess there's probably 100 people complaining about a transmission clunk? 100 out of, I don't know, a million trucks between 14 & 15 across 1500 through HD? Maybe not that many produced, again just guessing... but 100 out of 1,000,000 is a 0.01% statistic. Double it if you doubt my guesses, hell even X10 or X100 it just isn't very bad. Just cause you read it online, doesn't make it a problematic thing.

Just my opinion. I run a dealership and am completely unaware of any single complaint from anyone that's not related to this forum.

Buy your truck, drive it, enjoy it.

thefishhawk · March 20, 2015

I came from an 02 Tahoe so the same setup as your Avalanche.

Does it feel like the transmission is a little more busy? yes, two more gears it's messing around with. Does it clunk every so often as slow speeds? yep, a bit. will it get better gas mileage? you bet! is it overall a nicer driving experience? heck yeah. does it tow with ease when the Tahoe felt like it was working? definitely.

it has it's quirks and the throttle reponse takes some getting used to (mine seems to feel much better now at 10k than it did starting out) but there's no doubt it's a nice ride with plenty of power.

tkkz71 · March 20, 2015

Just left dealer. I've never ordered a truck before so i dont know if I'm getting a good deal or not? 15 dc LT 4x4

Brownstone/ dark ash

18" wheels

All star

5.3 with E85

Trailer brake controller

Nav

White letter tires

Spray on bedliner

LED lighing

MSRP $43725

Quote with all available incentives $36306

This good deal or should i keep shopping?? Thank you all again for help

Ridersfan · March 20, 2015

In Canada, it's different programs than there, but with ours... discounted with all rebates out, for no trade-in, and for no finance... it should be very close $10K off sticker for a fair deal. $11K+ off is a great deal and $12K+ is probably at cost. $13K+ someone is BS'ing someone or it's used or past model.