1999 Z71 vs. 1998 4x4

OUMike · October 22, 2003

Okay fellas,

Need an opinion. I recently ran into a dealership about 10 minutes from me that has several Chevy pickups. Among the pack there were two that caught my eye. A red 1998 Silverado 4x4. This truck had about 61k miles, paint and bed were in good shape. Interior was cloth (definatly a plus in Texas heat) and had the 60-40 split. 5.7L sounded pretty good and just recently had 10-ply Goodyears added. Truck seem to sit a little higher than stock (tires maybe?) despite stock suspension. The other truck was a maroon 99' Z71. This truck is an all options LS model. I've never seen an LS with leather interior but this one was loaded. The 99' is a stepside (definatly a plus). The 99' is priced at $17,500 the 98' at $12,900. Is the extra money worth 5.3, Leather, Stepside, 3k less miles, NBS?

asepgrad98 · October 22, 2003

Get what you want but for 17.5K i would look for a 2000+ without leather

ridnlow · October 22, 2003

I got my 99 LS 2wd with leather and heated mirrors all that stuff for right at 14k.. it had 51k miles on it...

MoJo · October 22, 2003

The biggest difference in perf/mileage will be the 5.3 LS1 style engine. IMHO, NOT worth the difference. And, yes, that seems high for the '99. $$ should be closer to $16K unless it's got less than 20k.

Elwood 2000 · October 22, 2003

While both of these trucks wear bowties, you are really talking about two different animals. That is how much has changed from the C/K style to the current style.

The reason why the C/K is prices so cheap is because most people want a newer style. The reason why the Silverado is priced higher is because people want a newer style.

The Silverado is priced too high in my opinion, but at an auto action in Indy last week, trucks like the Silverado you describe were going for $16k- $17k wholesale, which is nuts. Because of the demand for used Silverados, the C/K trucks have taken another hit in the used market.

You could get an LS with leather, but it probly does not have heated seats or heated mirrors. In Texas, heated seats are probly not an issue!

While I love the C/K style trucks, the Silverado trucks are so much better in my opinion. Better ride, better drive, better cab size, especially the extended cabs, better drive trains, better engines and the look is sharp. The wiring is supposed to be a lot simpler and the entire truck from bumper to bumper is different than the previous models. The 5.3 will also get better milage than the 5.7 by 3-5 mpg depending on how you drive. Not much, but when you are talking about just getting onto double digit milage, 3-5 mpg is a large percentage.

I guess only you can answer this question. Will you keep the truck for a long time? If so, maybe the extra money spent will not matter, but if you are only looking to keep it short term, the added re-sale of the new style could benifit you too. Which truck do you really like best? LIke I said, they are totally different trucks, inside and out. Does your financial situation make it tough to buy the more expensive truck? If so, the better bet may be to get the cheaper ride. It sounds like a good truck from what you have said so far.

If it were me, I would go for the Silverado, but I have the luxury of having owned both and know both pretty well, so call my biased.

Let us know what you decide and good luck!

OUMike · October 23, 2003

So maybe if I could get them down to about 16k on the 99' it'd be the way to go? Looks like the 98' is the better buy here.

Elwood 2000 · October 23, 2003

You will probly be doing good to get them to $16,500, but you can always come up in price, but it is hard to go down, so offer low. Remember, these trucks are hot in the used market and they won't budge as much as they may on other vehicles.

Something else to consider with the C/K, look at the peddles and look at the wear on them. It is VERY easy to unhook the odometer and run without logging any miles. Pedal wear is a good indicator. Not saying the previous owner is dishonest, but I know of a lot of "low milage" trucks that didn't log any miles for a couple years.

On both trucks, ask if they are local trucks and if they are, ask for information so you can possibly speak with the previous owners. They may lead you to a good report, or a bad one.

Buying used is a good idea, but you need to be very cautious and protect yourself. You have no GM warranty to fall back on.

Good Luck!

OUMike · October 23, 2003

Thanks fellas..despite wanted the 99' I think the 98' 4x4 will be the way to go. I'm gonna do a little number crunching in the budget and see if I can't research the truck a little more.

kaspar139 · October 23, 2003

OUMike, that is a tough decision...but based on budget I would go with the 98 4x4. From all I have read, they seem more durable material-wise. And, I like red I am not a huge maroon fan

OUMike · October 23, 2003

lol yea. The C/K trucks are bad a*s. I like red too. They really stand out. The other one is kinda burgandy(sp?). Not like an Aggie Maroon. The payments on the 98' are just right too. I can probably get them to do about $250 or so a month. With me bein' in college thats about where I need em to be. Kinda sucks havin' to finance something for 60 months though. Guess will' have to see. Wish it didn't have that stinkin' 60-40 split up front though

Man...I blue booked the 98...they have it priced at 12,900. Thats almost $2500 less than what Kelly has it listed at. Sounds like a good buy.

MCourson · October 24, 2003

If I had to choose I'd get the 98. OBS trucks own.

OUMike · October 24, 2003

Hell yea they do. Only thing is...in order to get payments I gotta get about $3500 for mine. I have a 1994 Chevy SWB Single Cab. 4.3L/4L60E. 162,500 miles runs great. New calipers, rotors, brake fluid lines, pads (front). What ya'll think? How do you post pictures on this thing? I'll post a few..