Hypothetical question

[mpalombo]

Let's say you were shopping for a new truck.  Knowing what we know about the knocking engines would you consider buying an '03 Silverado?

 

So far I have seen what I like in them and I think I would. I'm not sure I will but I might.

 

-Mark

[chevy4x4trucks]

I wouldn't have a problem buying a new silverado or sierra.  From what I've seen it's a very small percentage of people who actually have any problems w/ knocking, and I'm sure most of that is just a cold start knock that they think is something more.  If I had some money there's be a new 03 sitting in my driveway right now.

[TxDoc]

I plan on an '03. I have not seen a single documented case of damage. It's a noise.

[THE BIGPUNN]

i have owned many cars, trucks, motorcycles etc.. i have noticed and i feel is true...if you can afford to buy brand new, do so! many problems we expierience are from the previous owners neglect, lack of income for maintanance or ignorance. i dont care what make, model, type, brand... if the vehicle is neglected it aint gonna last long. vehicles owners that pay attention to recalls, tsb, all maintainance, and general issues concerning their car have a much better expierience. not to say an occasional lemon dont roll out, i mean for the most part. and also, not to kiss gm's @$$, cause they do have issues... but for the most part.

[RyanbabZ71]

I would not buy the new 03 style.  Not because of knocking engines or anything but because i dont like the looks sorry

[sincityZ71]

I would not buy the new 03 style.  Not because of knocking engines or anything but because i dont like the looks sorry

I'll second that.  I just couldn't own a vehicle that made me vomit everytime I saw it.   ???

[pipermaru9]

I would not buy the new 03 style.  Not because of knocking engines or anything but because i dont like the looks sorry

I agree, but I remember feeling the same way when the new 99's came out. I guess it will grow on me after time.....so, I guess I wouldn't buy one right now.

[GreenRado]

mpalombo,

 

I'm in exactly the same mode as you.  I want to get an '03 as the lease expires end of this calander year, but I'm a little leary of getting a knocker also.  Granted, it may not cause any long-term damage (I'm not convinced though), I'm a little nervous.  Unfortunatley, it seems that they do not knock from the start, so a test-drive before buying won't help.  

 

My hope is that GM will have whatever fix (if any is coming) in place by the start of '03 engine manufacturing.  I'll likely stick w/ the 1/2 ton 5.3 combo, so maybe we all get the all aluminum block 5.3 that is to be in the SSR and extended TB and Envoy SUVs.  Supposedly there are "fixes" in place for this engine to stop, or minimize, cold start knock.

[GnatGoSplat]

I would not buy the new 03 style.  Not because of knocking engines or anything but because i dont like the looks sorry

I agree, but I remember feeling the same way when the new 99's came out. I guess it will grow on me after time.....so, I guess I wouldn't buy one right now.

Really?  Not me, I liked the 99's immediately.

I've never "grown" to like anything that I didn't already immediately like.  03 Silverado is a face I could never grow to love.

 

Anyway, I think brand new vehicles are a waste of money, but that's just me.  All my vehicles have been well-maintained high-mileage used cars, and although I have an occasional problem now and then, it is far less often than most people have to take their brand new vehicles in for warranty service.

 

My '99 Silverado has 96k miles, had it for 2 months but it runs perfectly.  I doubt it will need anything in the forseeable future, and it has no piston slap.

My '89 Cutlass Supreme has 197k miles and has not needed anything but regular oil changes in the past 3 years.

My wife's '88 Cutlass Supreme has 185k miles and has not needed anything in the past year and a half.

 

However, I like to be independent so I do my own work.  Luckily, no single repair has ever cost me more than $100 in parts.

 

Only reason to get a brand new vehicle, IMO, is if it has features/looks you can't get in one that's a few years old and you just HAVE to have it today, or you're one of those people that doesn't mind being dependent others and just has to have a warranty.

[SilveradoWV]

Is there any difference mechanically in '03??

[mpalombo]

GreenRado;

 

I didn't like the '99s when they came out either.  At the time I had a '94 and I thought that the '99 were ugly.  I was actually looking at the new Fords, I liked their body style better.  Every once in while I would see a Silverado that caught my eye, after paying more attention I realized that it was the fender flares that I liked.  I do like the trucks without flares now but I didn't when they first came out.

 

-Mark

[pstewart]

To be honest I didnt know they had changed the body style for the 2003's. I've been too busy enjoying my own ride.....So I flipped over to the site looked at the picture and almost tossed my cookies! :0 I'm sure glad I bought when I did.... Look at it this way- The 2003 body style will increase the value of the 99-2002"'s as the demand for the ones that look good will drive up their prices. I figure mine will be worth more than I paid for it in a couple years;-)

 

-Just a thought

 

-Patrick

[Bob G.]

I'm glad that I bought my '02 when I did because I don't know if I could get used to the '03 front end. It reminds me of the Avalanche.. Also, my 6.0L ticks or knocks when it is cold at idle, but goes away in a minute or two. It never knocks while driving. This is not a problem that concerns me.

 

Gnat, sounds like you have had good luck with high mileage vehicles. I live in the northeast, and a lot of vehicles turn into low dollar beaters or winter cars after 100k miles.

[vortec4800]

Well if you're worried about buying an '03 because of problems, wait until the '04s when they should have things ironed out... You'll probably get some extra toys along with it too.

 

Just my $.02

[mpalombo]

Well if you're worried about buying an '03 because of problems, wait until the '04s when they should have things ironed out... You'll probably get some extra toys along with it too.

 

Just my $.02

I'm not worried just curious.  One thing though....they haven't "ironed out" the cold start knock since '99, why would the '04 be any different?

 

-Mark