What to look for in used Sierra/Silverado?

[Nick Bellistri]

I'm thinking of purchasing a '15 Sierra Crew cab. After reading through all the threads about unfixable vibrations, etc. it has me a little concerned. The truck I'm looking at has 26k which also make a little suspect because who trades in a car with such low miles. This would be my family's large car for transporting my kids so I cant really afford to be running back to the dealer.

 

Is there anything I can be on the look out for during a test drive? I dont expect everything to be perfect, but I would hope that any issue would be minor and easy to resolve. Of which the whole vibration thing seems the opposite. Any guidance is helpful.

[Silverado Steve]

Truck could be a lease return, or yeah a problematic vehicle the original owner wanted to dump. Do a thorough test drive, get over speeds over 75 to check for the coveted vibration issue. The only issue I have had had was the seat heater went out on my driver side, so if equipped check for that. My Silverado has been pretty good, I would even say now that I'm going on 3 years, better than the Gold Standard 2007 Toyota Tacoma it replaced. Some people have had transmission clunk issues. Normally this is evident during slow speeds 15mph or less slowing down, then suddenly accelerating where the transmission clunks slowing down then suddenly speeding up. Last check the frame for rust. Perhaps elaborate on what trim model or even post the link to the truck you are looking at for better inputs.

 

Good luck.

[Nick Bellistri]

Thanks. Here is a link. It is an SLT with CrewCab, 5.3l. It is certified pre owned too. Not sure if that makes a difference. I'm not sure if GM would do a buy back and then certify it. Seems like it has all the options. My experience with trucks has only been Tacoma's of which recently got bought back with the frame issues with 260k on it.

 

Out of all the trucks I test drove I liked the GMC as it was the best bang for the ride/comfort. That said I don't want to get a lemon.

[OldBlue61]

When I purchased my 15 Chevy, it had 1634 miles on it, which made me a bit concerned. After a thorough test drive, and the fortunate coincidence of talking to the original owner when he brought his 2500 in for service, I jumped on mine. Very happy with it. Like Steve mentions above, check it out thoroughly with a comprehensive test drive.

[1300c]

Tell them to give you the name and number of the owner that traded it in. I do that on every used vehicle I look at. If they traded it into that dealer (at least in my state) it's law that they give you the information. That's saved me from buying a lemon that the dealer said was great before.

[Donstar]

It is a nice looking truck. You may want to see if you are able to talk with the previous owner like OldBlue61. I have done this in the past as both the person who traded in the truck and as a potential purchaser. I would also suggest you consider looking at year-end 2016's. The savings on buying "used" may not be as great in the long term.

[Nick Bellistri]

From the history it looks like it has made its way through several dealers.The original owner owned it for about a year. It is also had about 1k worth of test drives which even the finance guy found interesting. I have another test scheduled for tonight.

[Silverado Steve]

I wouldn't put it past any dealer to take a buyback lemon and put it back on the lot. I'm not sure of the specifics, some manufacturers like Toyota add an extended warranty to their CPO'd labeled vehicles. Perhaps a Carfax would highlight the maintenance history of the vehicle. The good thing is the truck still has a couple years and 10K miles left on the bumper to bumper but going back constantly to get warranty work done is a PITA.

Thanks. Here is a link. It is an SLT with CrewCab, 5.3l. It is certified pre owned too. Not sure if that makes a difference. I'm not sure if GM would do a buy back and then certify it. Seems like it has all the options. My experience with trucks has only been Tacoma's of which recently got bought back with the frame issues with 260k on it.

 

Out of all the trucks I test drove I liked the GMC as it was the best bang for the ride/comfort. That said I don't want to get a lemon.

[Silverado Steve]

Good point on looking for a 2016 leftover. The asking price of $40K is what I paid for mine brand new and my truck stickered at $51K.

It is a nice looking truck. You may want to see if you are able to talk with the previous owner like OldBlue61. I have done this in the past as both the person who traded in the truck and as a potential purchaser. I would also suggest you consider looking at year-end 2016's. The savings on buying "used" may not be as great in the long term.

[Nick Bellistri]

Thanks. I'll take a look at the '16s but the pickings were slim in the Northeast. The dealers are not very interested in finding anything. Maybe I'll try at the beginning of the month instead of the end.

['01LS1]

Just run the VIN through the service dept. It will show specifically what it came in for each time from oil changes to any issues.

 

A friend of mine just bought a 2015 2500 HD Dmax with 16,000 miles on it. The previous owner traded it in for a Denali.

No issues so far that he has mentioned to me.

[redwngr]

Twice over the years I've traded a year old vehicle. There was nothing wrong with either one.

 

I know at least one guy that gets a new one every year. His trade's are always spotless and he put's on lower than average miles -- but he likes, and can afford, to drive new ones. (and yet he doesn't get them 'fully loaded')

[Chevor]

I look for signs of abuse. Rust, and chips down low. Dings and scratches in box.

[huey62]

When I bought my 2016 in July sticker price was $47k and I got it for $33k. Check around there still might a good deal on a leftover somewhere.