Opinions Wanted - Looking to Buy 2006 Sierra

KMK94 · September 30, 2017

I've been wandering these forums for a little bit now - I was initially looking hard at a 16+ chevy. Then realized it wasn't practical for me to buy another newer truck. So I then started looking at 07-13 trucks.... Then realized I don't want to deal with the 5.3 AFM issues.... So now I'm very interested in even older ones, from 03-06. I have been looking for about a month and have now found a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT that is 2 hours away. Heres the info:

- 2006 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4 5.3

- 127k miles

- crew cab

- leather

- heated & memory seats

- electronic everything

- sunroof

- matching cap

- tinted windows

- Grey color (MY FAVORITE)

- 2.5" lift

- GMT900 wheels

- few other add ons, only a few repairs to the front end... mostly untouched

- new rear brake lines

The bad:

- rusted out driver side rocker, but the passenger side is almost flawless (so he says - the pictures look like its good)

- dent/scrape on the passenger side from the rear door to the beginning of the bed. I got an estimate to fix all of the body issues from someone who I personally know who does professional body work - ~$2,200 to repair.

I will post pictures later when I'm able.... But for now I wanted to get a feel for what everyone who is experienced with these trucks thinks about it. I have him down to $8.000 cash.

Do you think that is a good deal? It seems that these crew cabs are GOLD and hold their value like an old jeep. I love the truck so far. I don't mind the rust because it is all contained on the bottom rocker - which can all be replaced as one when I see fit. Does this sound like a good deal? Obviously I'll probably have to have work done on the front end in the near future. I am planning to go look at it 10/7/17.... exactly 1 week away.

Thanks for your input.

KMK94 · October 1, 2017

Passenger side:

Body damage:

silveradosid · October 1, 2017

had the same truck even the same colour put 240 k miles on it and never a problem traded it in on my 2014 silverado now wish i had kept that 2006

Chevymetal · October 1, 2017

Not sure how the prices are on used trucks near you but u looked for an 05-07 1500 for several months and $8000 sounds more like a dealer price after the bodywork is done. It's a nice truck all things considered, but it's a $6-$7k truck without the body damage in a private sale, imo. But if that's what they sell for around you then it is what it is. I'm sure that truck has well over 100kmi left in her.

diyer2 · October 1, 2017

If my wallet allowed the purchase of a new truck, I'd buy new.

I think you're worrying about something that's not an issue.

If you want to save money and you think the 06 is worth the price, do that.

Me, I would look at used 2013-2014. The AFM issue was fixed.

KMK94 · October 1, 2017

Not sure how the prices are on used trucks near you but u looked for an 05-07 1500 for several months and $8000 sounds more like a dealer price after the bodywork is done. It's a nice truck all things considered, but it's a $6-$7k truck without the body damage in a private sale, imo. But if that's what they sell for around you then it is what it is. I'm sure that truck has well over 100kmi left in her.

Thanks for your opinion. Yes, it seems that around here, the older crew cab GM's are gold. It doesn't matter if its private or dealer, youre probably looking at $9000 and up depending on condition around here. Are they totally worth what people ask? Maybe not... But they sure are damn hard to find at a decent price. The Dodges in this area with similar options, mileage, and condition are probably $2k less. (I grew up in a Dodge family)...

It irks me that it will need body work done to it, which isn't cheap. But its got everything I'd want. I would love to get the price down a little more so I can feel safer, but we will see what happens.

KMK94 · October 1, 2017

If my wallet allowed the purchase of a new truck, I'd buy new.

I think you're worrying about something that's not an issue.

If you want to save money and you think the 06 is worth the price, do that.

Me, I would look at used 2013-2014. The AFM issue was fixed.

My wallet doesn't allow a new truck. I Just purchased a rzr 1000xp with cash, am having my wedding next summer, and will be looking for a house within the next year or 2. I'd really like to avoid buying new because it would take me forever to pay off.

What makes you say the AFM issue was fixed? I had a lot of people tell me that they did the "fix" to theirs when they bought them with 100k+ miles on them, and it didn't resolve the issue because the damage had already been done...Then again I had several say that they haven't noticed any issues.

These are not just internet guys.... Some people who I know that own a 2007-2013 GM admitted that they consume oil like a mofo. Not really something I want to flip a coin on.............

Chevymetal · October 1, 2017

In the long run, a couple grand over what we feel a truck is worth is a fraction of what youre saving with that truck vs a newer one. If that's what they cost, then what can you do right? I say go for it cause I paid more than I wanted to for my 09 crew, and I ain't no hypocrite ?

KARNUT · October 1, 2017

A few years ago I bought two 98 model clean 4 wheel drive trucks. One was a Ford lariat two tone paint loaded. The other was a 2 door Tahoe, both had just turned 100K miles. I paid 5 K each. Private sales. Put 30K miles on each and sold them later for the same price.

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KMK94 · October 1, 2017

In the long run, a couple grand over what we feel a truck is worth is a fraction of what youre saving with that truck vs a newer one. If that's what they cost, then what can you do right? I say go for it cause I paid more than I wanted to for my 09 crew, and I ain't no hypocrite

I totally agree. And I am able to do most regular repairs myself... so it makes more sense for me right now, especially since I don't want more debt.

I just cant believe that $8k for a dented up crew cab is actually a good price for around here....

KMK94 · October 2, 2017

Also he said the engine light is on because of a "Evaporation sensor" malfunction. I think he means the vapor pressure relief valve on top of the gas tank?

intheburbs · October 2, 2017

It's a solid truck. I'm with you on AFM. I don't believe a redesigned valve cover with a deflector is a "fix." I will buy a Ram or a blue oval before I buy a GM AFM truck.

The truck is going to rust out. Unless you're replacing body panels, you're not going to get ahead of it. When I owned my '01 Burb, it was garaged 100% of the time. Now my buddy has had it for the last two years, never garaged, and every lower body panel and door panel is rusting through.

And yes, those trucks are gold, because a lot of people don't like AFM. IMHO, the 1999-2006 5.3 motor was one of the best ever made by GM. My Burb has 240k miles, original engine and transmission, and still purrs like a kitten.

KMK94 · October 2, 2017

It's a solid truck. I'm with you on AFM. I don't believe a redesigned valve cover with a deflector is a "fix." I will buy a Ram or a blue oval before I buy a GM AFM truck.

The truck is going to rust out. Unless you're replacing body panels, you're not going to get ahead of it. When I owned my '01 Burb, it was garaged 100% of the time. Now my buddy has had it for the last two years, never garaged, and every lower body panel and door panel is rusting through.

And yes, those trucks are gold, because a lot of people don't like AFM. IMHO, the 1999-2006 5.3 motor was one of the best ever made by GM. My Burb has 240k miles, original engine and transmission, and still purrs like a kitten.

Thanks for your input. I just absolutely hate rust haha. I have never heard anything bad about the older 5.3 trucks other than rust rust rust....

Chevymetal · October 2, 2017

It's a solid truck. I'm with you on AFM. I don't believe a redesigned valve cover with a deflector is a "fix." I will buy a Ram or a blue oval before I buy a GM AFM truck.

The truck is going to rust out. Unless you're replacing body panels, you're not going to get ahead of it. When I owned my '01 Burb, it was garaged 100% of the time. Now my buddy has had it for the last two years, never garaged, and every lower body panel and door panel is rusting through.

And yes, those trucks are gold, because a lot of people don't like AFM. IMHO, the 1999-2006 5.3 motor was one of the best ever made by GM. My Burb has 240k miles, original engine and transmission, and still purrs like a kitten.

I wish I read a little more about the AFM issues before I bought my 09, I figured it was a couple trucks here and there with AFM issues. But mine burned 2 quarts the first 1000 miles I had it. I put the updated valve cover on and seafoamed the engine and cut the consumption by roughly 80%. I'm happy with it overall. Still though, I miss my 05 Silverado. 200 kmi on that one and it ran like a top till I sold it. If I sell my 09 I'll def be looking for an 05-early 07 crew cab. Rust or not, great trucks.