Please help me shop

GN2018 · March 14, 2021

I have a 2018 Silverado Crew Cab. I'm thinking about trading it in for a nicer truck. It's a mid range LT 5.3. I'd like something similar but better equipped. The problem I have is I don't really know what the packages mean. I'm a little better versed with the Chevy's but have no understanding of the GMC. Given that I want a smooth ride, I know I would probably want an LTZ and would probably not want a Z71. But I don't really know anything about the GMC's. Is the AT4 the same and the Z71? Anyway, if someone could point me in the right direction, I'm sure it would save me a lot of time and I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm looking for a nice, smoothing riding, quiet road truck. Outside of something unforeseen, I don't ever picture me being off road. I do want 4WD as I live in the north and there is snow. I'm pretty sure I'll never trailer anything more than the base towing capacity, but I do appreciate the trailer packages for their improvement in things like the trans cooling but I probably wouldn't add that if it stiffens the ride. I basically want a big car with a bigger trunk (I love my Tonneau cover and Bed Rug combination). I'd like to stay around $60K so I don't think I can do a top of the line like a Denali. I did read the other thread about a Chevy/GMC comparison and it sounds like a good thing to look for is the 10 speed. I don't think I'd go with a diesel but I guess I could look at it. My guess is that it would be too noisy. I asked a question in another thread, and it seemed that most thought that the GMC would be more quiet so I started looking there, but I don't know what I'm looking at. Not looking for anyone to do my research for me, but some help in what to start with would be greatly appreciated.

Dunn · March 14, 2021

GMC packages are very similar to chevy just worded differently.....AT4 is trail boss in chevy....

just check out build options between both and you'll see similarities

Z71 and X31 are the same

ive had both GMC and chevy recently and GMC seems a bit more refined but who knows if its brand or just a 2 yr newer version......i have GMC 8 speed and flawless so far......SLT and denali have 10 spd and elevation is split in half with either tranny currently

whatever is available, best options and price is the one that is probably the best choice.......their options are very similar.....conv 2 pkg in chevy is preferred pkg in GMC....X31 is Z71 (2 spd transfer case and hill descent) for offroad the rest are self explanantory

SLT in GMC is LTZ in chevy basically......AT4 is a trail boss with options that go beyond i believe, not alot of deals on AT4 or trail boss from what ive seen but maybe YMMV

Edited March 14, 2021 by Dunn

OnTheReel · March 14, 2021

X31 is the GMC equivalent of Z71. The Sierra SLT would be the equivalent of the LTZ.

The Max Trailering Package stiffens the ride a bit but I actually like the sportier and controlled feel. The best ride would obviously come in the Denali and High Country with Adaptive Ride Control.

redwngr · March 14, 2021

Go to GM website and find the downloadable brochures for sierra and silverado.

(or find a dealer that passes them out)

They will show what is standard on each trim level and what options are available on each trim level.

Sometimes a feature is optional on one trim and included on the next trim. Price both versions.

When you have an idea what you think you want, you can 'build and price' it on the website.

It will also list current GM 'offers'. Of course the dealer added discount (if any) and trade values won't be shown.

Options can significantly add to the price. Even on top level trims there are options that can be expensive.

Makes if very difficult to use just dealer websites to compare a chev vs gmc of different trim levels at different dealer.....

Trim levels are similar but not identical between silverado and sierra. Makes it tough to spec them identical.

The marketing types that help determine pricing are really good at making it so 'for just a little more you can add this next feature'.

Good luck.

GN2018 · March 14, 2021

3 hours ago, redwngr said:

Go to GM website and find the downloadable brochures for sierra and silverado.

(or find a dealer that passes them out)

Thanks. I didn’t know where to get that level of information without going to the dealer. Very helpful.

ETA:

Well, I spoke too soon. The Chevy brochure is great. Lot of information. The GMC brochure is very light on detail. Definitely more of a sales pitch than an informative piece. Still, I think I'm going to have to decide if I want a Denali or a High Country. I'm thinking a Denali but I'll either have to find a really good deal or keep driving my 2018.

Thanks for the help.

Edited March 14, 2021 by GN2018

Ultimate 2022 · March 14, 2021

I actually went down from a 2016 GMC SLT to a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado LT because they included more features that I actually used. I had the dealership install leather seats, the truck already had dual climate control, a heated steering wheel, and heated seats. Those are the main things I even used on the SLT, so it was worth stepping down for me.

GN2018 · March 14, 2021

I am just starting the process, but my focus is on the GMC because in an earlier post, I asked about cabin noise and it seemed that most thought the GMC would be a quieter ride. Coming from driving Buicks (pre-retirement), I miss a quiet cabin. My 2018 LT crew cab is anything but quiet.

redwngr · March 14, 2021

4 hours ago, GN2018 said:

Thanks. I didn’t know where to get that level of information without going to the dealer. Very helpful.

ETA:

Well, I spoke too soon. The Chevy brochure is great. Lot of information. The GMC brochure is very light on detail. Definitely more of a sales pitch than an informative piece. Still, I think I'm going to have to decide if I want a Denali or a High Country. I'm thinking a Denali but I'll either have to find a really good deal or keep driving my 2018.

Thanks for the help.

The chart on page 24 of the 2021 1500 sierra brochure wasn't what you were looking for?

https://www.gmc.com/download-2021-brochure

GN2018 · March 14, 2021

23 minutes ago, redwngr said:

The chart on page 24 of the 2021 1500 sierra brochure wasn't what you were looking for?

https://www.gmc.com/download-2021-brochure

Thanks. Duh, I don't know how I missed that. I know I saw page 25. Maybe that hour of sleep I lost last night?

redwngr · March 14, 2021

2 hours ago, GN2018 said:

Thanks. Duh, I don't know how I missed that. I know I saw page 25. Maybe that hour of sleep I lost last night?

Thanks for updating.

You had me wondering if they had changed the brochure and deleted that info...which was why I checked ...and then posted the link.

L87Powered · March 15, 2021

On 3/14/2021 at 12:36 AM, GN2018 said:

I have a 2018 Silverado Crew Cab. I'm thinking about trading it in for a nicer truck. It's a mid range LT 5.3. I'd like something similar but better equipped. The problem I have is I don't really know what the packages mean. I'm a little better versed with the Chevy's but have no understanding of the GMC. Given that I want a smooth ride, I know I would probably want an LTZ and would probably not want a Z71. But I don't really know anything about the GMC's. Is the AT4 the same and the Z71? Anyway, if someone could point me in the right direction, I'm sure it would save me a lot of time and I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm looking for a nice, smoothing riding, quiet road truck. Outside of something unforeseen, I don't ever picture me being off road. I do want 4WD as I live in the north and there is snow. I'm pretty sure I'll never trailer anything more than the base towing capacity, but I do appreciate the trailer packages for their improvement in things like the trans cooling but I probably wouldn't add that if it stiffens the ride. I basically want a big car with a bigger trunk (I love my Tonneau cover and Bed Rug combination). I'd like to stay around $60K so I don't think I can do a top of the line like a Denali. I did read the other thread about a Chevy/GMC comparison and it sounds like a good thing to look for is the 10 speed. I don't think I'd go with a diesel but I guess I could look at it. My guess is that it would be too noisy. I asked a question in another thread, and it seemed that most thought that the GMC would be more quiet so I started looking there, but I don't know what I'm looking at. Not looking for anyone to do my research for me, but some help in what to start with would be greatly appreciated.

You will definitely notice an upgrade coming from a 2018. I came from a 2016 to a 2020, a much more smoother and quieter ride. The 10 spd is a huge upgrade from the 8 spd. Look for cash back offers to go along with 0% financing to keep price down. Also, if your 2018 is in good shape, demand a high trade in. Denali's can be had in your $60,000 price range.

econometrics · March 15, 2021

Yeah, you can get a well-equipped Denali for at or under $60K right now with the discounts out there.

You can even get a fully-loaded AT4 - which has nearly everything the Denali would have, but less ugly chrome () for under $60K with some dealers right now.

GN2018 · March 15, 2021

Interesting outcome from a few calls today. Who would have thought that a $50K+ truck would be hard to come by. Apparently not everyone is hurting. I called a few dealers and even though their web site had trucks I was interested in, none were available. They were all "tagged". Even the ones that showed "In Transit". I finally found one I liked that was in transit and got the dealer to tag it for me, but I was very surprised that the Denali's were for the most part all spoken for.

We'll see how things go when the one I tagged comes in. They're working on a price for my trade in right now.

econometrics · March 15, 2021

3 minutes ago, GN2018 said:

Interesting outcome from a few calls today. Who would have thought that a $50K+ truck would be hard to come by. Apparently not everyone is hurting. I called a few dealers and even though their web site had trucks I was interested in, none were available. They were all "tagged". Even the ones that showed "In Transit". I finally found one I liked that was in transit and got the dealer to tag it for me, but I was very surprised that the Denali's were for the most part all spoken for.

We'll see how things go when the one I tagged comes in. They're working on a price for my trade in right now.

Uncle Sam is dumping $7000 into my bank account this week, and I've been working without a change in employment or pay all year. So, yeah, there's some cash flowing in the US economy right now.

Also, dealer lots are pretty sparse. Some of them are even desolate. E.g. the local Chevy dealer by me is the #1 by volume in the US. They usually have around 400 new trucks on the lot at any given time. They have 100 right now.