Help Getting A New Gmc

jcn7vc · December 4, 2007

Well, I started my search for a new truck over the summer. I started out looking at a Dodge Ram because I liked the look and feel of my Dad's old '03 with the Hemi. I knew that I wanted power and size, but wanted the MDS that newer trucks offered. Then one day I looked in my rear-view mirror and some badass truck started coming up behind me. When it got closer, I realized it was a new Tundra, and I was all but sold on those until recently. Now that I am close to graduation (next week), I am more serious and have been looking at every new truck I see.

I test drove my top choices two weeks ago. I started with the Tundra, but wasn't impressed. Didn't feel like the truck I wanted to drive, and I have been hearing about the recalls, etc. Next, I went to the Nissan dealer. Looked at a Titan, and really like it. Probably more than expected. I especially liked how the people did not pressure me to buy, but would still talk prices and ball-park figures with me. Seemed like a good, economical truck for me. Next, the Dodge dealership for ol' times' sake. The salesman wanted to sell me a truck that day, I could tell. Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth, and the new Rams didn't have anything that the other trucks didn't have, besides a life-time warranty. The next day, I went with my dad to the GMC dealership because until recently we have always been a GM family, and I got sold on the new '08 Sierra All-Terrain Crew Cabs.

There was one in the show room that caught my eye. It was black with chrome accents on everything. I asked him about it, and he said that they have them in the 6.0L or the 5.3L. I said I liked the 6.0L because I thought it would have the power I was looking for, so I test drove one. I absolutely loved everything about it, except the fact that it didn't feel that powerful. Ever since then I have been wondering if a 5.3L would be much worse, as it is still 300+ HP but gets better mpg. They both have the AFM system, but I could get FlexFuel in the 5.3L.

So to sum up, I am looking for a '08 All-Terrain Sierra with either 6.0L or 5.3L. I am still on the fence and want to know what people think. Also, the guy at the dealership was really pushing the On-star and Nav package, but I am not sold on it and actually would rather get a Garmin for $500 with BlueTooth for my phone, than the stock nav package in the truck. Anybody have any comments on either of those things? I am all ears...

jrrod2004 · December 4, 2007

6.0 with a nice tune and some mods and that will become a real beast, ask the guys who have a 6.0 with a tune. Get an MSRP price and knock off about 3500-5000 to get the invoice price and see if you can work a deal in your favor.

VMax2007 · December 4, 2007

6.0 with a nice tune and some mods and that will become a real beast, ask the guys who have a 6.0 with a tune. Get an MSRP price and knock off about 3500-5000 to get the invoice price and see if you can work a deal in your favor.

I'm one of those guys and that is 100% correct. I have the Edge Evo and it brought my truck to life, 0-60 went from about 8 secs to 6.5 secs. A custom tune will be even better. This truck is definitely "Badass". I think you did an excellent job of researching and have arrived at the absolute best choice, short of the Denali, but that is a different beast.

Nice work!! Get the All Terrain Sierra with the 6.0 and 4.10's and don't look back. Except to see all of the others in your rear view mirror.

PS Order one the way you want it and don't pay a dime over invoice less any rebates. That's what I did. Got it for $2K under invoice AND 0% for 3 yrs. Good Luck!!!

trailrider325 · December 4, 2007

don't let what you here about the tundra sway you, the problems with them are few some will lead you to believe that every tundra is junk but there not. i have almost 3000 miles on mine and not one problem that you heard about. not to say i won't have no problems but any brand you buy may or may not have problems.

but in the end you buy what you like as you will be the one driving it good luck with your choice

SinisterSS · December 4, 2007

Skip the puny 6.0 and go right for the 6.2L / 6-speed combo.

***Proud Toyota hater.

jrrod2004 · December 4, 2007

ok Dave, we are not posting what problems there are, just strictly what the man asked for: Power and Nav and people's experiences with just those two from GM products. It looks like to me that those were his two questions and VMAX2007 dont say a word, it is not worth it, anybody else with a 6.0L and/or NAV system care to chime in????, aww hell I didnt post fast enough............

pm26 · December 4, 2007

Skip the puny 6.0 and go right for the 6.2L / 6-speed combo.

***Proud Toyota hater.

I hope you like it at the gas pump.

trailrider325 · December 4, 2007

just saying that not every truck had problems but i guess that was wrong since it was not a gm. i thought this was a place to talk about all trucks

dlstewart01 · December 4, 2007

just saying that not every truck had problems but i guess that was wrong since it was not a gm. i thought this was a place to talk about all trucks

The last time I checked the web site name it said---GM-TRUCKS.com

Have a good one,

Don

Coachmenguy · December 4, 2007

just saying that not every truck had problems but i guess that was wrong since it was not a gm. i thought this was a place to talk about all trucks

The last time I checked the web site name it said---GM-TRUCKS.com

Have a good one,

Don

Good point!! remember the bumber sticker i saw Ms. Toyota: OUT OF A JOB YET??? KEEP BUYING FOREIGN

SinisterSS · December 4, 2007

I hope you like it at the gas pump.

Gas prices or fuel ecomony don't mean jack to me until they get about $10 a gallon (I've thought about this) and then I just won't go WFO kicking a Tundra's ass from every stoplight anymore.

Plus I have personal ethics to uphold.

Proud Toyota hater. Don't like it; too bad. It's a free country.

jcn7vc · December 4, 2007

Skip the puny 6.0 and go right for the 6.2L / 6-speed combo.

***Proud Toyota hater.

Currently not an option on 4WD Sierra's, unless I am missing something.

I am not worried about gas mileage for my own wallet, but for the resale value in 10 years. Ethanol might be the only fuel by then, but then again same thing with diesel/biodiesel. I have kind of a unique situation where I will be flying to/from work, so this truck will be for errands and driving to the mountains for skiing on my two weeks off. Possibly later getting a snowmobile/boat, but for now no plans. So gas mileage doesn't matter for me, but will for when I sell it (should I ever want to part with it).

I have never really worked on trucks, so I am unsure about this modding and tuning stuff. Where do you get it done? Cost? Warranty issues? I planned on getting dual exaust, custom off-road rims/snow tires, but not this stuff.

The thing I hate about the Nav systems on GM's is that it doesn't have BlueTooth or steering wheel mounted controls. My buddy has it in his Jeep Cherokee, and it is awesome. If the nav system doesn't have those two things, it is not worth paying the difference (~$1000) over a Garmin that does, IMO.

RyanZ71 · December 4, 2007

Don't get too excited about the AFM.. it really is not all that great.

georgerosen06 · December 4, 2007

i was just wondering if a dealer dosent have what you want who would you talk to about getting one built exactly how you want it? would you talk to someone at the dealer or would you go through the website or what? any insight would be appreciated.