Revealing more than a scratch?

Sierra Dan · May 7, 2019

10 hours ago, GN2018 said:

$30,000 FOR A DAMAGED TRUCK!!! Are you crazy? I’d rather have a truck with higher mileage to save money rather than take one with obvious damage. Not to mention damage that wasn’t repaired correctly. Walk away.

Right now trucks are Gold. New, used and in between.

The sedan is dying off as a result and truck prices are at record highs. The 2020 HD trucks will eclipse the 90K mark.

New 2020 Tahoe, Yukon and Suburban will break the 100K mark and of course Escalade even higher than that thus making used trucks expensive.

mcdavis · May 7, 2019

What are the specs of this truck? Unless it's an SLT fully loaded with extremely low mileage, $30,000 is too much even in pristine shape for a 2014...and even then, still could be in my opinion.

Dubblrest1985 · May 7, 2019

Its an SLT crew cab with 43,000 miles on it. Loaded tow package etc. the purchase price of the truck itself would’ve been around the 27k mark, which is 3-5k less than anything else I’ve found while searching over the last 6+ months. Taxes and tags are an additional ~3k.

Just to clarify.

Sierra Dan is absolutely correct. The market right now is extremely high and retaining value especially for the Crew Cab loaded trucks.

Donstar · May 7, 2019

4 minutes ago, Dubblrest1985 said:

Sierra Dan is absolutely correct. The market right now is extremely high and retaining value especially for the Crew Cab loaded trucks.

There is maybe some truth to this but don't let it force you into a bad decision. The fact that this is what you are looking for also plays a role. A few months ago when I was helping my niece find a Rav4, it appeared everyone was switching to a Rav4! Expand your search to an SLE or LT. Many of these mid-trim level trucks come with packages and options that rival the higher trim levels. The other day I was kicking tires at my local GM dealership and was quite impressed with the base model Sierra's and Silverado's. (I would choose a new base model '19 over a '14 or '15 SLT) Of course, this comes from a person who was excited when he first bought a truck with the PS/PB option!

mcdavis · May 7, 2019

1 hour ago, Donstar said:

There is maybe some truth to this but don't let it force you into a bad decision. The fact that this is what you are looking for also plays a role. A few months ago when I was helping my niece find a Rav4, it appeared everyone was switching to a Rav4! Expand your search to an SLE or LT. Many of these mid-trim level trucks come with packages and options that rival the higher trim levels. The other day I was kicking tires at my local GM dealership and was quite impressed with the base model Sierra's and Silverado's. (I would choose a new base model '19 over a '14 or '15 SLT) Of course, this comes from a person who was excited when he first bought a truck with the PS/PB option!

Good point. My 2016 SLE has leather, heated seats, nav, tow package, etc...basically, with what it has, I didn't go up to an SLT. Only thing I miss, which I've never had so it's speculation, are the parking sensors in the front and rear bumpers. But, with the backup camera and 13 straight years experience driving 2 Yukon XL's, I have no problems parking the truck (CCSB).

spenpet · May 7, 2019

you can get brand new leather seats installed for probably less than $2k...so...if that is a factor, I am willing to bet you could get an SLE for more than a $2k savings...just a thought...we have kids and leather is way easier to clean, so it is a priority for us....but that doesnt mean all the other bells and whistles with a loaded pacakge are...

GN2018 · May 7, 2019

2 hours ago, mcdavis said:

Good point. My 2016 SLE has leather, heated seats, nav, tow package, etc...basically, with what it has, I didn't go up to an SLT. Only thing I miss, which I've never had so it's speculation, are the parking sensors in the front and rear bumpers. But, with the backup camera and 13 straight years experience driving 2 Yukon XL's, I have no problems parking the truck (CCSB).

I agree. I have a 2018 crew cab with leather seats, tow package, rear parking sensors, good infotainment set up, heated seats, power driver seat and a few other things. Basically a base crew cab with a couple option packages. Stickered out at $51K and I got it for $38K before taxes. If you want to drive a $90K truck, go for it. They’re sweet, no doubt. But you can get into a nice truck for a lot less. Plus, with all the leasing going on, there should be a pretty good market for lower mileage used trucks. No, not easy to find, but adjust your criteria to what you need and maybe you’ll get a few of your wants thrown in for what you can afford.

Otherwise, ask the dealer what he would charge you to deliver the truck properly repaired. Maybe it’s not as bad as it looks and he can fix it and still give you a good deal. Remember, it doesn’t cost him as much to fix it as it does for you to have it fixed after the fact unless you can do the work yourself or have a buddy that can. Personally, I would keep looking.

Sierra Dan · May 7, 2019

4 hours ago, Dubblrest1985 said:

Its an SLT crew cab with 43,000 miles on it. Loaded tow package etc. the purchase price of the truck itself would’ve been around the 27k mark, which is 3-5k less than anything else I’ve found while searching over the last 6+ months. Taxes and tags are an additional ~3k.

Just to clarify.

Sierra Dan is absolutely correct. The market right now is extremely high and retaining value especially for the Crew Cab loaded trucks.

Loaded is a broad term. I have heard many friends and other members here state that their vehicles are "Loaded"

To me, Loaded means every option you can get on a truck. Denali is truly Loaded.

Loaded for an SLT would include Power Sunroof, Air Conditioned/Vented seats, Navigation (i06) , Z71 package and a sliding rear window to boot.

Does this SLT have those 3 features?

GN2018 · May 7, 2019

Did a quick Carfax search and I’m back to my original statement. To save money, I’d go for a higher mileage truck rather than a damaged one. Seems like at about 70K miles, you can get a nice truck for under $25K. I’d take the 30K extra miles but to each his own. Best of luck with your search.

Likarok · May 7, 2019

I have to strongly agree with GN2018! No damage to me is worth more IMO! Plus IMO it was not fixed properly. I had a truck hailed a few years back and they replaced all the panels. No bondo! A box side panel would have been an easy fix.

Dubblrest1985 · May 7, 2019

Im unsure on the cooled seats, heated yes. Z71, navigation, power rear window, no sunroof.

The dealership has its own body shop but they didn't want to repair it themselves. Again, i’m assuming that it has been repaired before. If that scratch were not there, then i wouldn’t have had a clue or been suspect of anything else had happened. Body lines looked smooth and straight etc.

Dan, I agree with your statement about it being a broad spectrum, if you will. In talking with others about potential purchase, including this one. I too have come across those guys who say "i picked up the same truck for far less than that..." Come to find out it's a double cab SLE with twice the mileage and half of the bells and whistles.

I notified the dealership yesterday of my decision, so I'll keep looking. I kind of prefer the 2016 and up "facelift" so maybe I'll save up a few more pennies and pursue a newer model.

GN2018 · May 7, 2019

The dealership has its own body shop and didn’t want to fix it? That seems like a red flag. I think you made the right decision. Keep looking, the right one will come to you.

NCPGMC · May 7, 2019

5 minutes ago, GN2018 said:

The dealership has its own body shop and didn’t want to fix it? That seems like a red flag. I think you made the right decision. Keep looking, the right one will come to you.

Agreed 100%. Why would a dealer with a body shop choose not to fix body damage in-house? As was said before, Run...if it smells like a turd, it's a turd.

Dubblrest1985 · May 8, 2019

4 hours ago, GN2018 said:

The dealership has its own body shop and didn’t want to fix it? That seems like a red flag. I think you made the right decision. Keep looking, the right one will come to you.

My thoughts exactly. I'm glad I didn't settle for something, knowing it needed work, just because of a better price. I've done that with vehicles in the past and it always bites me in the a**!

Thanks for the complimentary consultation, fellas!

Imcrazy · May 8, 2019

10 hours ago, mcdavis said:

Good point. My 2016 SLE has leather, heated seats, nav, tow package, etc...basically, with what it has, I didn't go up to an SLT. Only thing I miss, which I've never had so it's speculation, are the parking sensors in the front and rear bumpers. But, with the backup camera and 13 straight years experience driving 2 Yukon XL's, I have no problems parking the truck (CCSB).

The sensors are nice but, not necessary.. The backup cam is much more useful.. I have an LT that sounds pretty comparable to your SLE except I have cloth seats but, I do have backup sensors adjustable pedals and a power rear window... Don't know what my next truck will be, I am leaning towards an LTZ or SLT but, I wouldn't turn down a loaded RST, LT or SLE...