Purchasing 14-18 Silverado 1500

steveo2155 · February 13, 2022

6 hours ago, 16LT4 said:

That truck is a different chassis, so questions would be best answered in that forum.

FWIW, at nearly 100k miles, my '16 5.3 CCSB 4x4 has a lifetime MPG of 27.9, which has decreased considerably from driving it more in this cold winter. I'm not sure the 2.7 can best that after 100k miles, though I've read it's torque curve shames the 5.3. I'm not a turbo fan though.

Could I expect similar mpg in the 2015 Silverado 1500 5.3 CCSB 4x4 I'm looking at next week? Any significant changes in the 5.3 from 15 to 16?

mikeyk101 · February 13, 2022

46 minutes ago, steveo2155 said:

Could I expect similar mpg in the 2015 Silverado 1500 5.3 CCSB 4x4 I'm looking at next week? Any significant changes in the 5.3 from 15 to 16?

There are a lot of variables to gas mileage such as terrain, city vs hwy, ethanol vs non ethanol and don't forget winter blend, speeds driven etc... I imagine if you exclusively drove on highway with ethanol free gas and watched your speed as well as used a light touch on the accelerator, it may be possible. Not saying that 27.9 lifetime mpg with a 5.3l couldn't happen but even on my best trip, I was lucky to break just over 20mpg. I think mid teens is going to be more reasonable on what to expect...

Grumpy Bear · February 13, 2022

I know I already posted to this but some more thoughts.

2015 is the sweet spot for me. 14's had a few issues sorted in the next year a major one. I also love the 14/15 look. Last truck to look 'old school'. The WT1 is stone axe simple with few electrical/computer/infotainment center bugs.

The 6L80E behind the 4.3 V6 uses a different converter that NEVER fails. Captive clutch instead of a floater and piston. Keep the ATF cool and it will last.

I've never heard of anyone loose a lifter/cam/pushrod/valve spring or suffer excessive oil usage with the V6.

Will tow any load inside it's door plate capacity. Unloaded and driven 55 it is capable crazy mileage. Tow haul heavy no worse than the 5.3.

OffTheAir · February 13, 2022

I know this has kind of been explained in great detail already, but I wanted to take a moment to share my experience since I own a 2014 truck. Some of these items will parallel what was said of the other model years:

- Third brake light leak (replacement gasket on Amazon; headliner stains came out just fine)

- Recalls (this was sorted a long time ago)

- Leaking Radiator and cooling lines

- Water Pump (though this may have just been bad luck)

- Trailer Brake Controller (This was fixed years ago, just changed the fuse)

- Exhaust Manifold Bolts (since you had an 05' Silverado, you might recognize this, as it is the exact same problem)

- Battery (this was my fault since I didn't use to drive it all that much)

- Tuning (There is a clear difference between mine and my Dad's 2016 Sierra. His is a lot more seamless in the V8 to v4 transition and has better throttle response, while mine is a little more slow. This is based on personal preference, it doesn't bother me all that much)

I won't deny, statistically the 14's did have more issues and gremlins, but for an eight year old truck I really have not been disappointed with the repairs. The radiator sucked but that was the first real big repair I had to make in all the time I've been driving it. I do have the 6L80 transmission with the infamous TQ, but I service it frequently and the fluid doesn't get hot, and at 110k it is still doing a pretty great job. And that's the key here: maintenance. As long as you're changing the fluids on these and not driving them super hard, I do really think they are golden. Mine still has original wheel bearings, control arms, vacuum pump, etc.

I think it is more wise to consider a 15'+, however, just wanted to mention that you can find a solid, reliable 2014 truck out there, I would just make sure that there is maintenance records to go along with it. I personally think my 14' looks better than my Dad's 16', and it gets better MPG!

P.S. Also wanted to piggyback on what was said previously, the V6 is an incredible motor with plenty of power to handle your basic needs

Edited February 13, 2022 by OffTheAir

16LT4 · February 14, 2022

13 hours ago, mikeyk101 said:

Not saying that 27.9 lifetime mpg with a 5.3l couldn't happen but even on my best trip, I was lucky to break just over 20mpg. I think mid teens is going to be more reasonable on what to expect...

In the interest of full disclosure, I've mostly stopped calculating the fuel mileage on the truck (because even the hand calculation isn't 100% for a multitude of factors), but when I did, the Onstar/dash display was within 0.5 +/- of the calculation.

When I bought the truck 25k miles ago, the lifetime mileage was 30.5 mpg. It has decreased considerably during my ownership. Considering the previous owner put on nearly 30k miles a year, that's no suprise.

I've owned both '16 and '17 versions of this chassis, and my '16 is a far and away better version of the truck; the '17 was a giant sack of garbage. They couldn't even make both sides of the bed the same length, they were off by 1/4" resulting in tailgate closure issues (among other things, like the headlight falling out on the way to FL at only 4k miles).

Edited February 14, 2022 by 16LT4

steveo2155 · February 15, 2022

Upon my search I stumbled across a 2010 Silverado 5.3 w only 36000 miles for about half the price. Has me debating. Technology advances aside could I expect this to be equally reliable as the 15 Silverado 5.3 with 33k I was originally looking at?

CamGTP · February 15, 2022

Yes, you could.

Those older trucks are also cheaper to fix as well.

truckguy82 · February 16, 2022

On 2/14/2022 at 8:11 PM, steveo2155 said:

Upon my search I stumbled across a 2010 Silverado 5.3 w only 36000 miles for about half the price. Has me debating. Technology advances aside could I expect this to be equally reliable as the 15 Silverado 5.3 with 33k I was originally looking at?

Definitely the older one for half the price. Easy decision.

steveo2155 · February 20, 2022

Would anything about this carfax scare you away from this truck? CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500 LT: 1GCUKREC9HF186942

mikeyk101 · February 21, 2022

6 hours ago, steveo2155 said:

Would anything about this carfax scare you away from this truck? CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500 LT: 1GCUKREC9HF186942

I would sign up with https://www.autocheck.com/vehiclehistory/ and also run the VIN through that. The Carfax shows no structural damage so it may have been cosmetic only which can still get pricey.

But... I had a Chrysler Pacifica some time ago. It was a couple years old when I bought it. I had the Carfax done on it and it showed 2 previous owners but no reported accidents. I had it for 5 years. I decided to trade it in on a 4 year old Dodge Dakota. I knew how much I should be getting and was all set. At the dealership, after they did the appraisal, the salesman came in and began quizzing me about the Pacifica. He told me that it had a reported accident so that was going to decrease the trade on by several thousand dollars. I got into a big argument as I knew I hadn't had any accidents in it. He then produces the Autocheck report which showed that it had sustained frame damage before it had even been titled. After seeing that, I had to profusely apologize to the poor guy and left the dealership still driving my frame damaged Pacifica.

But my point is, don't completely trust the Carfax report, especially because it does identify a reported accident. Run it through Autocheck as well just to be sure. But then, if it still seems acceptable, start researching prices of the same model and similar miles to see what those are being listed at dealers and then start bargaining. Even though it may have been minor damage, that info will still always be there and may be an issue when you get ready to trade it in. If you get it at the right price, then a slight loss later may not be an issue.

mikeyk101 · February 21, 2022

One thing that is a bit concerning though is that since it was imported to the US, it appears that owners only seem to keep it for a year or so and then there is a new owner reported. And then there is that warranty claim at 05/04/2021 where it says Engine Serviced and less than a month, a pre delivery inspection is completed.

The more I look at the details, the more I think I might consider passing on this. It would have to be at a really good price and I would highly recommend some kind of warranty provided and consider purchasing an aftermarket one to cover you down the road...

steveo2155 · February 23, 2022

I've decided to pass on that one. I now think I have it narrowed down to two options - a 2017 Silverado 1500 crew 4x4 LT2 with 45,000 miles for 35k or a 2010 Silverado 1500 crew 4x4 LT with 36000 miles for $22k. The 2017 is in great shape and gm certified. Both one elderly owners. The 2010 is in good shape, clean rockers but normal rust on frame - nothing out of the ordinary and rust above the rear wheel wells, not horrible yet but definitely there. The dealership is having their body shop treat and try to stop the rust and then put color matched flares on. I'm having a hard time deciding between the two and could use some opinions. Would the rust on the 2010 scare you away or do you think what they are doing will be OK for a few years until I could find another bed to put on?

Grumpy Bear · February 23, 2022

1 hour ago, steveo2155 said:

I've decided to pass on that one. I now think I have it narrowed down to two options - a 2017 Silverado 1500 crew 4x4 LT2 with 45,000 miles for 35k or a 2010 Silverado 1500 crew 4x4 LT with 36000 miles for $22k. The 2017 is in great shape and gm certified. Both one elderly owners. The 2010 is in good shape, clean rockers but normal rust on frame - nothing out of the ordinary and rust above the rear wheel wells, not horrible yet but definitely there. The dealership is having their body shop treat and try to stop the rust and then put color matched flares on. I'm having a hard time deciding between the two and could use some opinions. Would the rust on the 2010 scare you away or do you think what they are doing will be OK for a few years until I could find another bed to put on?

22K for a 12 year old truck with rust? Yea...hard pass. That's about 3K more than I paid for my 2015 with 1300 miles on it and a full factory warranty. Yea, yea, it was 6 years ago and the market hadn't lost it's mind yet. The fact that it has isn't reason I should too. Things will settle down. Patients grasshopper, patients.

The 2017 at near OEM MSRP is silly too, but if I had to? Yea that would be my truck right there.

It's an opinion. Nothing more.

Edited February 23, 2022 by Grumpy Bear

steveo2155 · February 23, 2022

I'm leaning towards the 22k 2010 Silverado with 36k mile. Even being 12 years old with that mileage I could expect this truck to last awhile, right? As far as the rust, it's at least isolated to the rear wheel wells and will be treated and covered for cosmetic purposes. Then I could keep my eye out for a good rust free box to switch it out with. Am I wrong for thinking/leaning this way? Also with the flares on, is there anything I can do assuming I purchase it to help.slow the rust down?

truckguy82 · February 23, 2022

2 hours ago, steveo2155 said:

I'm leaning towards the 22k 2010 Silverado with 36k mile. Even being 12 years old with that mileage I could expect this truck to last awhile, right? As far as the rust, it's at least isolated to the rear wheel wells and will be treated and covered for cosmetic purposes. Then I could keep my eye out for a good rust free box to switch it out with. Am I wrong for thinking/leaning this way? Also with the flares on, is there anything I can do assuming I purchase it to help.slow the rust down?

Buddy has a 2011 avalanche with a 5.3 and the 6l80 and the tall 3.08 gears.

He Installed a trans cooler and airbags.

Tows 12k lb trailer daily because he’s a general contractor. Mostly suburban towing so a lot of accelerating and shifting. 250k miles. Chassis is still pretty tight, still shifts well, and still runs great. I was shocked.