Help me decide which truck to buy!

Blake Kercovich · June 19, 2001

Greetings folks!

I'm new to this forum, and was pointed here my Mervz, from www.corvetteforum.com as I have been looking to purchase a truck.

Well, it is getting close to buying time finally. I have narrowed myself down to 2 choices, but I am having a hard time making that final decision between the 2 of them.

I decided to post here, and hopefully get some opinions on which one you think might suit me better.

- Both trucks are 1995 models.

- Both trucks come with air, stereo, power windows, power locks, power seats, tilt wheel, cruise, and your other basic options.

- Both trucks are 4x4 with automatic transmission.

- Both trucks have the towing package (tanny cooler and so forth).

- Both trucks are very clean inside, outside, and underneath. No caked on undercoating to mask things underneath. Immaculate interiors, and engine bays you could have a meal prepared on!

- The first truck is a Chevy Silverado Z71.

-- It has 100K miles.

-- It has a 350 engine.

-- It has a standard cab.

-- It costs ?K. Kelly Blue Book is ?,975.

- The second truck is a GMC Sierra.

-- It has 90K miles.

-- It has a 305 engine.

-- It has an extended cab.

-- It costs ?K. Kelly Blue Book is ?,865.

So, there is my dilemma. They both very comparable trucks, and each has their respective pluses and minuses.

In one truck, I get a bigger engine, and it costs less. But the other truck has the extended cab and has less miles.

I am really tore between which one would be right. My father has looked at, and driven them both and agrees that they are both in very nice shape, and either one would be a good buy.

The salesmen said that either truck would tow a small boat or a set of jet skis without any problem. If I decide to tow a car trailer, he said either of them would do it, but obviously the Chevy, with it's 350, would be quicker on the hills and so forth.

I would like to trailer my Corvette at some point, but it will be a couple years before I purchase a trailer, and even then I would only be towing maybe 4-5 times a year.

I like the idea of the extnded cab, just for the purpose of being able to carry more than 1 passenger. I will be selling my daily driver after purchasing the truck, so I will have the Corvette and the truck. With the Chevy, I would have 2, 2 seat, vehicles!

If you have any questions about either truck, just let me know and I'll try to answer.

I guess this may just come down to personal taste on what I feel is better for me. (My Dad said, "Just tell the salesmen that when someone comes and buys one, call me and I'll take the other"...no more tough decision!!)

Oh yeah, the Chevy is black, the GMC is teal green. Every car I've ever owned has been a Chevy...and they've all been black!! I swore I'd never buy another black car because they are get dirty so easy...but it sure is purdy sitting on the lot!! ;)Thank all.

76BBSub · June 19, 2001

Sounds like you've covered the usual bases on what you're looking for...If I were you, I'd try to find a '96 extended cab with 5.7 liter engine (350 ci). '96 was the first year of the Vortec 350, and it is a high output engine compared with '95 and earlier. I loved mine, except many of the Vortecs have a slightly rough idle, even today's Vortec 5.3s. But if you like performance, which I'm sure a guy with a Corvette does, that's the recommendation.

Unless you are in a hurry to buy I'd wait a little bit longer, find a truck with a 350 and X-cab, preferably a '96 or newer. I have never had much respect for the 305...

Great to see another Corvette Forum guy over here, welcome to GM-Trucks.com!!

Jeff

'74 Corvette (no_radio on Corvette Forum)

Blake Kercovich · June 19, 2001

Jeff, thanks for the reply and the info.

A 96 with the extended cab and a 350 would be great! Not sure I could find one in my price range though. I can only afford a max of ?K...out the door after taxes , title, etc.

Everytime I saw something in the '96 or '97 range with both those features, price was close to ?K.

LT · June 19, 2001

Blake, welcome to this forum. I also came over from www.corvetteforum.com. This is a well run forum that is growing in membership. You will like it here.

76BBSub nailed it. As with Corvettes, there are some aspects of certain years that are better than others. I had a 96 Silverado with the Vortec engine combined with Mobil 1 oil and I swear that the engine would run for ever and afforded me great mileage to boot. Best to look around a bit more and be patient. The X-cab is the way to go. Once you have one, it's hard to have a standard cab again.

Welcome.

(Edited by LT at 8:40 am on June 19, 2001)

LT · June 19, 2001

Quote:
Everytime I saw something in the '96 or '97 range with both those features, price was close to ?K.

You may be able to find something cheaper. Buddy up to a salesman or dealer and find out where auctions are held and go to one. You may be surprised at what dealers pay for cars/trucks at auction. Plus, 96/97's are starting to come on the market because so many people trade at 5 years (many took 60 payments). Patients and you may be more satisfied in the long run.

DigUout · June 19, 2001

Blake, welcome aboard. I recently found this site too and it's excellent. As far as trucks go, the only thing I do more than drive and read about 'em on the net, is shop for them . Constantly, drives the wife nuts. I was in the hunt last year and passed on several of the "perfect trucks for me." Here's my opinion on your two current choices.

-Don't focus on what the salesman tell you. He may be the nicest guy in the world, but he still has a family to feed. Some are knowledgeable, some need that commision check.

-Don't consider a spotless interior or engine to be in perfect condition. Maybe you could eat off it, but will you? Anyone can clean a truck to look like new with enough time and cleaners.

-90K or 100K is and isn't alot of miles. If there is any way to contact the previous owners, do it. Was that 100K only driving to church on Sundays or 90K towing 9,000lbs. every week on dirt roads?

-Totally agree with 76BBSub. If you can find a '96 with a Vortec, that's what you want. I'll also throw this in for thought. If you MAY tow in the next couple of years, I'd look for a manual. Might be harder to find, but will likely cost less. Think what you will want to do with your truck down the road. Better to have it and not need it for now, than to come up short if you find a cheap trailer, or buy a bigger boat later.

-Standard vs extended cab. If it's a daily commuter/work truck that will never cross the county line, a standard cab will work. If you're planning on some road trips, extended is the one. Also, if you're a tall guy, you may appreciate the ext. cab. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who has gone from ext. cab to regular cab. Both are fine, but ext. cabs will spoil you.

-Don't focus too much on Blue book retail value. Compare the retail price and the wholesale price and then the trade in price. Out west we have 4x4's out the wazoo, so the prices you're quoting seem a little high. Maybe they are harder to find in PA., but I wouldn't offer more than trade in value (without looking, should be ?-9K). "Trade in" on a 6 year old truck is a deal for you. "Retail" on a 6 year old truck is a deal for the seller. Who do you want to get the best deal?

-Lastly, if you are torn between 2 trucks, then likely neither one is the "perfect" choice. Sounds like they both have a lot of what you need/like, but neither is the total package for Blake. The worst thing you can do when shopping is to focus more on what you can afford to buy, rather than what you can't afford not to have. Never rush into a deal that is going to put you in debt for the next 4-6 years. Try to imagine how you'll feel next month, driving that ?K truck, and seeing a '97 with 60K, Xcab for ?K.... I don't know if this helps, but the very best advice I can give you, from my Dad who sold cars and trucks, is BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT. Like a good woman, the right truck is out there, just don't have a ring on the wrong one when the right one comes along!! Good Luck!!

silverado man · June 19, 2001

hey blake i just joined corvette forum not to long ago (chevy dude) welcome to the site. I think your best bet would be to wait until a 96 comes along. Im looking for a truck to and I plan on in the next week or two to go with a dealer that I know to an auction to look for a 99 x-cab he said the would sell for around 19,000 and he would only tack on another 500 for his help. hope you have good luck.

BIG BLUE · June 19, 2001

I think almost all areas have been covered very well by the others. I don't care much for the 305 especially in the x-cab. You'll have more power with the 350 standard cab. Plus, I think it the x-cab will be harder to get rid of down the road with the 305 in it.

One thing I did not see mentioned is the rear end ratio. What does each truck have in the rear. I thought the 305 only got the 3:42 rear but the 350 gets a 3:42 or 3:73 if memory serves? That would make a difference to me if I were to do any towing.

A couple of things about the 96 model years, it was the first year for the vortec in the C/K trucks so of course there are a few areas to look for. The infamous "bad ground wire" in the VCM comes to mind. There is a TSB on this and is a simple fix, but some of those who don't have it have had early tranny failures because of computer shift points being too mature. Intake manifold gaskets tend to leak more in the early 96-97 vortecs so that's something to look for in a service record log. Also, I think the windshield wiper board control module had a bad solder problem and caused shorting in the wiper motor.

So, the Vortec is a good choice, but as with any purchase I ask to see very detailed service records to see what problem areas have been taken care of and to see if regular scheduled service has been done.

As for the price, every area of the country is a bit different, but in my area I've seen 96 Suburbans as low as 14,500 w/100k miles, and usually the same year p/ups go for about 2-3 grand less.

I agree with the others, be patient and get what you really want, not what's left!

Good Luck,

BIG BLUE

Shaners · June 19, 2001

Blake,

Welcome!!!

I'm only about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh so I'll keep my eyes open for you... I'm sure something will show up soon. I know there is a place in Butler that sells trucks that are very nice and clean and usually have 80-100K on them. His prices are very good and he gives you a three year warranty.

Shane

76BBSub · June 20, 2001

Man, this is great advice!!!

Especially DigUout...

If the trucks haven't jumped out and said "buy me!!" then keep looking...you will probably get that feeling...

Try buying from an individual.

I sold my '99 GMC X-cab 5.3 with 24K miles directly to an individual who got a great deal....?.5K with tons of warranty left, and with a good bed liner, window tint, and maintenance that was impeccable..

They are out there...keep looking!

Best of luck

Jeff

Pastmaster · June 20, 2001

I would say go with the Chevy. I agree with everyone above, but in this case the 350 is a better winner hand's down. It get's as good or better mileage than the 305, and has 25more hp/40ft/lbs of torque. Even if you don't like it, you'd have a chance to regain your money...

Polaris Man · June 21, 2001

Correct me if Im wrong but Im pretty sure 95 was the first year the Vortech 350 was put in and 94 for the Vortech 4.3 . Because I looked at a 95 Chevy with a Vortech 350.

BIG BLUE · June 22, 2001

96 was the first year for the vortec in the full size C/K trucks. It is possible that you saw a 95 with a vortech but not a vortec (no "h" on the GM version)

;)BIG BLUE

76BBSub · June 22, 2001

The "hot rod" Vortec 350 was introduced in '96 as part of the rollout of OBD II, On Board Diagnostics round two. It has more sophisticated engine controls than previous models, allowing more HP/CI, along with reduced emissions.

Significantly more HP and Torque, they are fast trucks.

Jeff

Former '96 Vortec 350 X-cab owner