2012 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 life expectancy

deucestabbings · December 28, 2016

Does anyone have any sustained experience with a 2012 Sierra 5.3 engine above 200k miles? My father is offering to sell me his for a massive loss (203k miles).

it has seen some light hauling, 95% interstate miles, 100% dealer maintained with no issues but regular oil changes, trans flush every 100k, blah blah. The man doesn't miss much of anything regarding maintenance/issues with engines, so I can trust his word. He takes GMC/Chevy trucks like this to 300k+ miles all the time, so this isn't a fluke for him. I've also seen it recently and it purrs like day one. been driven in SC/NC it's whole life, no off-road business, etc.

Have I lost my mind to consider buying this for $6k??? and continuing the standard of maintenance my father set, what kind of ballpark mileage can I expect out of this series of engine with minimal light to moderate hauling, 15k year, 60/40 hwy miles, light traffic? I know the older versions of the 5.3 were rock solid.

thanks for all the help

dirtfan21 · December 28, 2016

For $6k and knowing all the maintenance records, I'd buy it. The GMT 900 5.3L's with AFM are so unpredictable. Some go for 150k plus with no oil burning, no lifter issues, and others burn 2 quarts in 5k miles from the time they left the dealer lot.

If it runs well I'd by it for that price and turn AFM off asap with a Range Module.

mookdoc6 · December 28, 2016

Tell him 5K CASH! Turn off the AFM like above mentioned! The oil burning probably not even that just blow by because of AFM will probably reduce most oil consumption on those years by 50% at least......It should consume marginal amount at that level of service anyway. Trans probably next for the truck though!

Boardmember · December 28, 2016

Cool deal! Hammer your dad on the negotiation. Tell him if he can't produce every service oil change receipt, it didn't happen in your eyes. Take another $50 off for that stain on the driver side footwell. $100 if you don't think you can get it off. Does it have new tires? Can you get those thrown in?

Ha. Just kidding. Please take it that way.

If I'd buy a used vehicle from anyone, my dad would be first.