Looking At 08 Sierra Few ?'s

[jecpontiac]

Hey guys, first post here. Been lurking a couple of weeks researching buying a 2008 Sierra 1500 crew 4x4. I currently have a 01 Silverado 2500LD ECSB 4x4. I have a few questions to run by you guys before making a purchase decision. The truck is my daily driver for 3-4 months in the winter when my car is in garage and is used to tow a 4500 lb boat in the summer.

 

1. My 01 has the 6.0 and 3.73 gears. I love the power but the MPG leaves a little to be desired. The 08's I am looking at have the 5.3 and 3.73's. How much of a change in power will I feel, especially when towing? It feels fine empty on the test drive because is actually has more HP than my old 6.0 but is still down pretty far on TQ.

 

2. I am expecting in the mid to high teens in MPG when not towing, which is significanly higher than the 12-13 I can get on a good day. Is this realistic?

 

3. I would love to have the VMAX but they are next to impossible to find on the lots and carry a hefty price penalty. It seems they are going to be more widely avaiable in 09, but does anyone know if they will still carry as high a price premium as they do now?

 

Thanks in advance. You guys have been a wealth of information so far and are making the purchase decision much easier.

 

Jason

[aj923]

i have an 08 crew cab with the 5.3. i get about 15 when i drive around town and when i get on the highway it gets 20-22.... i tow a 22 foot ski boat no problem at all. and get about 17-18 when i tow that on the highway..

[5050]

Go for the 5.3 with 4.10's and i think you will be satisfied. You should get your desired mileage with this setup empty, lot's of guy's here with 4.10's so they would know about what to expect pulling your boat. Hope you find what your looking for, good luck.

[jecpontiac]

i have an 08 crew cab with the 5.3. i get about 15 when i drive around town and when i get on the highway it gets 20-22.... i tow a 22 foot ski boat no problem at all. and get about 17-18 when i tow that on the highway..

 

That's great news on the mileage. I towed my boat on a 400 mile round trip last year on the highway and couldn't even get 10 MPG.

[hiker270]

Only have 1400 miles on my 2008 5.3-3.73 Sierra Crew. Been averaging around 19 on the highway and 16 when towing my bass boat. I love this truck and would not change anything..

[hiker270]

Only have 1400 miles on my 2008 5.3-3.73 Sierra Crew. Been averaging around 19 on the highway and 16 when towing my bass boat. I love this truck and would not change anything..

 

 

Not sure how that photo got screwed up. lets try another..

[VMax2007]

Nice All-Terrain, Love that grill!!!

 

Now, tint those front windows!!!

[alaska511]

Well I went from a 2500HD with an 8.1 to the 5.3 CC you see below, and I tow 6500# and fill the seats and the bed...no regrets.

4.10s might be nice since I went to the 33s, but around town as the daily driver, the 3.73s are great.

[jecpontiac]

Well I went from a 2500HD with an 8.1 to the 5.3 CC you see below, and I tow 6500# and fill the seats and the bed...no regrets.

4.10s might be nice since I went to the 33s, but around town as the daily driver, the 3.73s are great.

 

That's good to hear. I was afraid I would miss the 6.0 too much when towing, but it won't be as dramatic of change as your 8.1 swap.

[cerbomark]

my 07 v max is for sale (look under 4 sale section) You could save a ton of money. With my upgrades I m getting better than average mileage when towing, the thing never downshifts with the 4.10 s.. I don t think more than a MPG or two no matter what combo you get. I had a 07 4.8 with 3 42 s and got the same mileage. But it sucked for towing so I traded it in.

[2018GMC]

my 07 v max is for sale (look under 4 sale section) You could save a ton of money. With my upgrades I m getting better than average mileage when towing, the thing never downshifts with the 4.10 s.. I don t think more than a MPG or two no matter what combo you get. I had a 07 4.8 with 3 42 s and got the same mileage. But it sucked for towing so I traded it in.

 

why are you selling?

[08 GMC]

I am getting about 15-16 on a regular basis.

 

If I drive like an old lady holding people up I got 19 once.

 

5.3l 2WD

 

It has gotten a bit better with more miles on it but no where near the window sticker.