Trade High Country for ZR2?

gregus73 · January 25

Hi,

A dealer offered to trade my 2024 High Country for a 2026 ZR2.

Mine is heading out of warranty in August.

It has been a perfect truck and planned on keeping it for 7-10 years. I do mostly highway driving and have a 5,500lb jet boat that I tow.

The dealer is offering to beat my current payment and gets me into a new 2026 with a full warranty.

Would you consider this or just stay with the High Country.

I would be gaining the 2" lift, better shocks, locking diff, HUD and camera rear view mirror.

I would be losing the Cadillac like comfort of my HC, moonroof, wood trim, and I am thinking an extra speaker in the dash.

Both are diesel and has the same options plus or minus the ones listed above.

I am just concerned how the ZR2 is for highway driving and driving in the rain. The HC has been flawless.

Edited January 25 by gregus73

CamGTP · January 25

Tires determine how they drive on the highway and in the rain. Being lifted by 2in means really nothing here when it's just bombing down the freeway.

Good chance that your current truck runs all season passenger truck tires of some sort and the ZR2 is going to run a minimum a C rated or even an E rated LT truck tire. They will be heavier, likely louder and have an offroad tread to them. All of those things can make a ride worse feeling is some cases if you are so used to riding in luxury. Most name brand offroad tires are just fine in the rain until maybe half tread, then you might notice them being easier to spin with enough power in the wet.

Also expect less fuel mileage in the ZR2 with the suspension and tires.

KARNUT · January 25

The young me would do the deal. The older me would keep the HC, possibly buying extended warranty.

silveradosid · January 25

i agree with karnut

Atlas · January 25

12 hours ago, gregus73 said:

Hi,

A dealer offered to trade my 2024 High Country for a 2026 ZR2.

Mine is heading out of warranty in August.

It has been a perfect truck and planned on keeping it for 7-10 years. I do mostly highway driving and have a 5,500lb jet boat that I tow.

The dealer is offering to beat my current payment and gets me into a new 2026 with a full warranty.

Would you consider this or just stay with the High Country.

I would be gaining the 2" lift, better shocks, locking diff, HUD and camera rear view mirror.

I would be losing the Cadillac like comfort of my HC, moonroof, wood trim, and I am thinking an extra speaker in the dash.

Both are diesel and has the same options plus or minus the ones listed above.

I am just concerned how the ZR2 is for highway driving and driving in the rain. The HC has been flawless.

Nope.

Doesn't matter if the dealer is "beating your payment". I'm guessing the term is getting extended, and you just took a 2-year thrashing on depreciation on your High Country. You're likely not saving any money, just prolonging the pain. ZR2's are, IMO, are a ridiculously overpriced 1500 trim.

The ZR2 tow rating is down from the regular Silverado because of the lift. Taller entry/exit, IMO less comfortable for everyday driving. And while driving in the rain wouldn't worry me, driving in mixed snow conditions would as the ZR2 on has selectable lockers, no G80/ limited slip. You're either running the lockers or not, and those are for offroad use only.

Now, I'm biased for the 3.0 diesel. It's a great engine, but it's not something that would make me switch from a V8 that's served me well and is only 2 years old.

Homer1959 · January 25

What drives you—emotions or reason?

Let’s say you hadn’t received this offer from the dealer, who is driven by reason. Was trading your current truck part of your plan anyway? If not, there’s your answer.

On the other hand we live only once so ...

gregus73 · January 25

Thanks for the replies. It would be for 2500 ZR2.

My wife thinks the extended warranty makes most sense.

I am still waiting for their quote on the gasser ZR2 as well.

The dealer approached me with the temptation of something shiny and new, with a new warranty. I test drove the gasser and diesel ZR2s yesterday for grins, with no intention of mailing an immediate deal. I also have reservations about losing MPG, if I were to go with the gas.
On the plus side of gas, no more yearly emissions tests, def or expensive services.

Yea, I would lose ground for owning the vehicle 2 and a half years and start over with a new payment. Not fun.

I am on my second diesel and love the Duramax engines. I am hesitant about the 6.6 gas.

The driving experience on the 6.6 gas was very different. The Duramax does seem to have more get up and go. The gas was peppy, just different. I am only towing 5500-6000lbs so do not need the diesel.

Edited January 25 by gregus73

Pryme · January 26

I wouldn’t do that deal but if my dealer wanted to trade straight up for another ZR vehicle, the ZR1x I would take that deal haha.

gregus73 · January 26

I was running it by my nephew, who thinks it is a bad deal too.

i also called insurance and it would run me $40 extra per month for the ZR2. The biggest thing that is holding me back is the miles to empty on the gasser ZR2. I am use to 670-700 miles per tank on the HC diesel. The dealer said 650 per tank on the gas ZR2 and I am calling shenanigans on that.

Byrds8 · January 26

I believe you said a gas ZR2 2500? If that is the case, it's BS 100%. I have a gas 2500 and get around 11 in the city. It sure as hell isnt jumping to 18 on the hwy. Most likely, if youre talking hwy MPG, it will get 14. That would put you at 504 a tank.

newdude · January 26

10 hours ago, gregus73 said:

I was running it by my nephew, who thinks it is a bad deal too.

i also called insurance and it would run me $40 extra per month for the ZR2. The biggest thing that is holding me back is the miles to empty on the gasser ZR2. I am use to 670-700 miles per tank on the HC diesel. The dealer said 650 per tank on the gas ZR2 and I am calling shenanigans on that.

If you are averaging 12mpg on a gas ZR2 HD, x 36 gallons, 432mi total estimated range. Definitely not 650mi lol.

A regular gas HD typically averages 12-14mpg empty driving per tank. You "could" squeak 15-17mpg on a long highway run. I'd garner a ZR2 would get 1-2mpg worse across the board because lift (lower aero) and 35" Goodyear Territory MT tires.

A Duramax ZR2 HD, expect a similar loss of 1-2mpg.

Edited January 26 by newdude

diyer2 · January 26

Monthly payment for insurance tells me you need better money management.

KARNUT · January 26

9 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

Monthly payment for insurance tells me you need better money management.

That depends. Small monthly payments while a lump sum earns interest could cover the small payments amount. One never knows.

diyer2 · January 26

Cheaper to pay yearly, works for me.

Atlas · January 26

There are lots of use cases for a 2500 instead of a 1500 but I still don't see the value add in a ZR2 package on one unless you're specifically using it off-highway.

Another $480 per year for insurance on top of it all is ridiculous. It's still a Chevy pickup.