need advice on which truck is the best??

[willys]

Well I got a lot of good advice on my last question I now have another dilemma for everyone. I am no longer looking at new trucks I am looking for a slightly used ccsb or ex-cab z71. I don't think I can afford the new payment and day-care for our new baby right now, so I am looking at used trucks. So here are the three trucks around here that I am thinking about:

 

1. 2004 Chev. ex-cab 4x4 z71-sport red. It has 25,000 miles for $22,995.00. Pretty basic z71 nothing fancy, felt good to drive. I don't know what rear end but had a lot of get up and go. This truck was a local trade.

 

2. 2005 Chev. ccsb 4x4 z71 dark green with a terrible yellow stripe on it. It has 18,000 miles for $24,995.00. Same as above, basic z71 with a plastic bed liner. This truck drove nice also. It was a gmac short term lease vehicle from down-state.

 

3. 2003 Chev ex-cab 4x4 z71 loaded up pewter. It has onstar and buckets, and is gm certified. It has 42,000 miles for $23,995.00. I have not driven this one yet.

 

Which truck does everybody think sounds good. I like the crew cab but not too crazy about the color, the red one was nice also. I could live with either a crew cab or ex-cab. The first two are not gm certified if that matters. I need to find a truck soon because my wife is so sick of me dragging her to look at trucks. java script:emoticon('')Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

neil.

[asilverblazer]

I pick... door NUMBER 1! Sounds good to me anyways.

[PELICAN]

I would go with door #1 also.

[willys]

Oh yea, these trucks are all located at dealers if that matters. Keep the responses coming.

 

neil.

[01z71]

I vote for #1 Also

[LogixRat]

I agree with the others, #1 just sounds like a better deal.

 

In regards to #2, is this yellow strip removeable? I think the dark green can look okay as long as you watch how you accessorize. Also, with it being a crew cab I believe it's a few inches shorter than the extended cab. That may not be important, but nowadays it seems more and more that garages cannot house the bigger vehicles. Last thing I will mention is I thought in 2005 they introduced an aluminum high output (HO) 5.3 liter that produced about 310hp, which is about 15hp over the cast iron 5.3. I'm not on the up and up on that but have heard it kicked around, it may just be an option and not a standard.

[willys]

I think you may be able to take the stripe off, but the length of the truck is the same as the ex-cab std box according to the chevy info packet I have. Either way, neither will fit in my short one car garage. The engine is the 5.3 iron block according to the vin number("T" at the 8th didgit). The red one does seem to be a good deal compared with others around here at the dealers and on autotrader.

Some other info: the red one has the black fender flares, green & pewter have body color fender flares.

[MS3DALE]

I'd go with #1.

And the reason #1 & #2 are probably not certified is because they are both still under the factory GM 3/36 warranty.

[LogixRat]

Yeup, you are right about the length. I just checked this morning for myself.

 

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/

 

If the '05 doesn't offer better dimensions and the HO engine then I see no reason to keep it on your list. You already admitted to not liking the color. It seems like an easy nix to me.

 

In regard to the GM certified stuff...take it for what it's worth. I'd prefer to have it inspected by a qualified and trusted technician (perhaps yourself) and save my money. I'm not saying certified and extended warranties are bad, but if you look at the payback factor most people waste their money. A good friend explained this to me several years back and I haven't bought an extended warranty since '97. But I normally buy new or nearly new cars and trade/sell them once they get older so I don't have the headaches.

[willys]

Well I think I found the truck for me, and it is not on the list. It is at a local used car lot that is known for selling late model high quality vehicles, basically they don't sell junk. It is a 2004 ex-cab Silverado Z71 LS pkg. It has the 5.3 with 3.73 rear end, which I wanted. It is a two tone black and pewter with chrome nerf bars, chrome bed rails, mud flaps, bug guard, tow package, and a penda bedliner. I looked at the truck after work today and man was it clean. I did the carfax on it and it came from an auction in southern Wisconsin. They are asking $21,400.00 with 24,000 miiles. I am going to try to set up a test drive on Monday after work to make sure I like it. I think it is a better deal than all the rest and it is cleaner. Does anybody else agree?? Does this sound like a good deal? Thanks in advance.

neil.

[Truckman031]

It sounds like a good deal, but I don't like the auction part. IMO, I'd go with #1 since you know where it came from. My dad has an 05 Z71 CC and it is a great daily driver. The only thing is, a toolbox will really limit your bed space. If you need bed space, go with #1. If you need cab space go with #2, if they can get the strip of yellow off. Remember, a crew cab will be easier to get a car seat in and out of.

[LogixRat]

I agree, I'd prefer a local trade but in a way I guess used is used. There are plenty of people in my town that I wouldn't buy their stuff. Also, does it say if it came from a private/public auction. I think GM and the other dealers have auctions on leases, etc. to move them to the different dealers...just a thought. Just with a local trade, the dealer at least has a chance to test drive/inspect them. At an auction it's usually just by sight.

 

In regards to price, I use Kelly Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com) as a guide to right pricing. I think 3rd party values are fair, even at a dealer. Sometimes you get a little lower or higher than that depending on the dealer on how hard you negotiate.

[fossil]

In any case, make sure you get the GM Total extended warranty, even if its an extra 2400 bucks....you'll more than likely use it down the road.

[Truckman031]

$2400 is steep. I'd say maybe $1000-1500 tops.

[fossil]

Thats $2400 canadian for the 0$ deductible total plus extended warranty for an additional 80000KM on top of what you have. Cheap insurance in my mind especially considering cost of major repairs these days and with the complex electrical systems in vehicles now.