GMT900 vs K2XX

trojanone1 · August 5, 2015

Hello everyone,

I thought I would pose a question (one of many) I have been having. Looking for a new or slightly used truck and wanted some opinions. If you had to choose, would you pick a more optioned 2012-2013 Silverado/Sierra over a lesser optioned 2014-2015 Silverado/Sierra? Would the newer bodystyle be the way to go even if it has less options than a older, but more optioned truck?

Example: 2012 Chevy Silverado LT vs a 2015 Chevy Silverado LS Custom

I appreciate any opinions, thanks.

Spurshot · August 5, 2015

The later model truck has a much more advanced engine. That would lean me toward the later truck.

Robert.jean1 · August 5, 2015

If it were me I would always go for the newer truck. I would accept less options over the greater chance of maintenance problems. That is if I were to be financing the vehicle. If I paid cash then I would choose the one that is the most appealing to me.

trojanone1 · August 5, 2015

The exterior and new engine are making me lean towards the K2XX, but with my budget I don't know if I would have buyers remorse buying a lesser optioned truck. I guess anything is better than the 1999 Grand Prix SE I currently drive!

Robert.jean1 · August 5, 2015

The new K2's are pretty nice! I traded a absolutely loaded '09 Avalanche that did have more options than the SLT I bought and I'll tell you I haven't regretted it even once.

If you follow this forum you will find people doing all kinds of personalizing of these trucks some already loaded and other not. I think you can do what ever you like with your truck. Different budgets only mean different amounts of time it takes for you to make what ever you drive perfect for you.

trojanone1 · August 5, 2015

The new K2's are pretty nice! I traded a absolutely loaded '09 Avalanche that did have more options than the SLT I bought and I'll tell you I haven't regretted it even once.

If you follow this forum you will find people doing all kinds of personalizing of these trucks some already loaded and other not. I think you can do what ever you like with your truck. Different budgets only mean different amounts of time it takes for you to make what ever you drive perfect for you.

You are in an SLT now which is pretty loaded. I'm looking at lower models. The only hang ups I have with the Silverado Custom LS is the steering wheel is missing the controls for the right side (I find that goofy) and I do not know if i would regret not getting the 8" radio, but I do not want/need the NAV. Otherwise I think it looks like a sharp truck on the outside. It is similar to the Ram 1500 express in that it looks sharp on the outside but spartan on the inside.

'01LS1 · August 5, 2015

I think used truck pricing is insane at most dealerships. Would not even look at the 900's unless you know it is a good deal.

There is a 2012 Sierra crew SLT with a 6.2L & 46+ thousand miles at a local dealer. They are asking $35,820. Granted, you probably will not get a

2015 SLT with a 6.2L for $35k. But $35 grand will buy a lot of new truck. See the price paid thread.

Would think the used 900 series would be a better purchase via private seller. Go to the dealership for new year end clearance stuff on the K2xx.

Robert.jean1 · August 5, 2015

Yeah I know the one I have is loaded but was comparing it to my previous vehicle, and compared to it my SLT is not as. Yeah I didn't chose Nav either. And if later you decided you just had to have the 8" screen you can add it.

http://www.oemautopartsco.com/products/2014-2017-chevrolet-silverado-4-io4-to-8-io6-gps-navigation-radio-upgrade

trojanone1 · August 5, 2015

I think used truck pricing is insane at most dealerships. Would not even look at the 900's unless you know it is a good deal.

There is a 2012 Sierra crew SLT with a 6.2L & 46+ thousand miles at a local dealer. They are asking $35,820. Granted, you probably will not get a

2015 SLT with a 6.2L for $35k. But $35 grand will buy a lot of new truck. See the price paid thread.

Would think the used 900 series would be a better purchase via private seller. Go to the dealership for new year end clearance stuff on the K2xx.

Oh I know the used prices are insane what some dealers want for a used truck. I initially wanted to only buy used to let some else take the depreciation hit, but seems like there is only a $3000-5000 difference between a brand new truck and a one year used one.

Yeah I know the one I have is loaded but was comparing it to my previous vehicle, and compared to it my SLT is not as. Yeah I didn't chose Nav either. And if later you decided you just had to have the 8" screen you can add it.

http://www.oemautopartsco.com/products/2014-2017-chevrolet-silverado-4-io4-to-8-io6-gps-navigation-radio-upgrade

Is there a lot of difficulty to jump from the 4" screen to the 8" i am assuming?

Robert.jean1 · August 5, 2015

Nope they are plug and play, and even send the replacement bezel in kit. I only am aware of this because I am about to but one for my wife's '15 Chrysler 200.

'01LS1 · August 5, 2015

Oh I know the used prices are insane what some dealers want for a used truck. I initially wanted to only buy used to let some else take the depreciation hit, but seems like there is only a $3000-5000 difference between a brand new truck and a one year used one.

Is there a lot of difficulty to jump from the 4" screen to the 8" i am assuming?

I spent nearly two years trying to buy older & used to save from having to buy new. Really wanted a 1998 ext cab under a 100,000 miles. But if they were in really good shape(no to little rust, interior not destroyed) they were 12-15 grand. Finally caved & bought a 900 series Sierra new April 2013.

If you can wait another month or so when the 2016's start hitting the lots. Would try to buy a 2015 then.

tnchevy · August 5, 2015

I too was looking at a 2 to 3 year old truck with less than 30k miles but the prices the dealerships wanted for them was insane and they would not come off very much. That is why I bought new this go around.

trojanone1 · August 5, 2015

I spent nearly two years trying to buy older & used to save from having to buy new. Really wanted a 1998 ext cab under a 100,000 miles. But if they were in really good shape(no to little rust, interior not destroyed) they were 12-15 grand. Finally caved & bought a 900 series Sierra new April 2013.

If you can wait another month or so when the 2016's start hitting the lots. Would try to buy a 2015 then.

I plan on buying around the new years, maybe January or February. I'd love to get a truck in a month or so, but I am getting married the end of September and have those expenses yet.

jonny24 · August 5, 2015

I have the 4" screen and never feel like I'm lacking anything. I never played with the 8" much so I don't really know what I'm missing though.

I do like the steering wheel buttons though.

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · August 5, 2015

Well with the high incentives and rebates that go along with brand new trucks, especially these K2s, You would be able to get a decent optioned new K2 truck as you would a slightly used 900. It's not uncommon for people to get $8-10K off sticker without negotiating. Before loan interest, I got my LT from $42K down to $34K without much negotiating at all. Also if you look at even the interior the K2s are much better and one with the 8" screen in the center dash is great. Also having the little DIC screen in the gauge cluster is much better than a small LED screen. Then when you look at the engines, all of the 1/2 ton engines are newly designed. The 4.3 V6 in the K2s have more power than the older 5.3 V8s so just imagine the new 5.3 Ecotecs and then of course the 6.2 Ecotec. Sure you'll be upside down on a new truck, but that only last about 3 years so after 3 years you owe less than it's worth. So if you plan on keeping the truck for a long time then get brand new. Especially since I like the fact that I've been the only owner of my '14 so I don't have to wonder how it was treated before I got ahold of it. My '98 that I got back in '04 and kept until '14 there were a lot of cheap lazy fixes.