What Do You Guys Think?

ferris209 · May 29, 2009

Howdy guys,

After being an avid small car guy for years, I have found myself increasingly needing a truck has I've gotten older. I now have a wife, a house, and a kid and all three seem to necessitate owning a pickup, and I am sick of calling up my cousin or brother to borrow theirs. I don't haul trailers a hardly at all and, if I did, it would just be small stuff or maybe my old 1958 Cadillac every five years or so. Anyhow, I've located a 2008 Chevrolet C1500 Crew Cab short bed with a 4.8l engine and 40,000 miles on the odometer. This is pretty much exactly what I want and I got the dealer down to $18,500. I haven't driven it yet and will tomarrow to see if it has any quirks. I was initialy a little hinky about the smaller engine, but I think since I don't pull any trailers, I could deal with it. Do you all think this is a good deal?

Irv · May 29, 2009

Howdy guys,
After being an avid small car guy for years, I have found myself increasingly needing a truck has I've gotten older. I now have a wife, a house, and a kid and all three seem to necessitate owning a pickup, and I am sick of calling up my cousin or brother to borrow theirs. I don't haul trailers a hardly at all and, if I did, it would just be small stuff or maybe my old 1958 Cadillac every five years or so. Anyhow, I've located a 2008 Chevrolet C1500 Crew Cab short bed with a 4.8l engine and 40,000 miles on the odometer. This is pretty much exactly what I want and I got the dealer down to $18,500. I haven't driven it yet and will tomarrow to see if it has any quirks. I was initialy a little hinky about the smaller engine, but I think since I don't pull any trailers, I could deal with it. Do you all think this is a good deal?

Not really sure myself as I live in Canada but it doesn't sound too bad? I think the 4.8 would suit your needs, most want the 5.3 or larger though. Has it been sitting on the lot for a long time? Have you talked him down any, is he offering any type of warranty? Good luck and welcome aboard, I just joined myself and I can tell you this is a great site!

ferris209 · May 29, 2009

Not really sure myself as I live in Canada but it doesn't sound too bad? I think the 4.8 would suit your needs, most want the 5.3 or larger though. Has it been sitting on the lot for a long time? Have you talked him down any, is he offering any type of warranty? Good luck and welcome aboard, I just joined myself and I can tell you this is a great site!

Well, the $18,500 was actually a fluke. He had the truck listed for $21,999 with a special internet price of $18,999. But, I found the truck had been mislisted on another site for $18,500, so I called him on it and he admitted he messed up on listing it. He told that the dealership was only making $310 on the $18,500. So, he will sell it to me for that if I wanted it, but he was removing the internet ad. I haven't got into the warranty stuff just yet, I will tomorrow morning. I went by and looked it over earlier, but I will drive it tomorrow. It looks pretty good. It is from a local Dodge dealership, so I assume the truck was a trade up or a trade down for someone. I'll know more in the morning. Anyhow, I'm just wondering about the future market for pickups. Will the now increasing gas prices drive prices down? Or will Obama's attack on the automotive industry with mostly unreasonable MPG demands drive the prices of trucks up? I'm just stuck on wondering if I could hold out a couple months and get the same type truck for $2000 less or $2000 more? Thanks for the welcome BTW, I just can't wait to have myself a truck in the drive way.

Irv · May 29, 2009

Not really sure myself as I live in Canada but it doesn't sound too bad? I think the 4.8 would suit your needs, most want the 5.3 or larger though. Has it been sitting on the lot for a long time? Have you talked him down any, is he offering any type of warranty? Good luck and welcome aboard, I just joined myself and I can tell you this is a great site!

Well, the $18,500 was actually a fluke. He had the truck listed for $21,999 with a special internet price of $18,999. But, I found the truck had been mislisted on another site for $18,500, so I called him on it and he admitted he messed up on listing it. He told that the dealership was only making $310 on the $18,500. So, he will sell it to me for that if I wanted it, but he was removing the internet ad. I haven't got into the warranty stuff just yet, I will tomorrow morning. I went by and looked it over earlier, but I will drive it tomorrow. It looks pretty good. It is from a local Dodge dealership, so I assume the truck was a trade up or a trade down for someone. I'll know more in the morning. Anyhow, I'm just wondering about the future market for pickups. Will the now increasing gas prices drive prices down? Or will Obama's attack on the automotive industry with mostly unreasonable MPG demands drive the prices of trucks up? I'm just stuck on wondering if I could hold out a couple months and get the same type truck for $2000 less or $2000 more? Thanks for the welcome BTW, I just can't wait to have myself a truck in the drive way.

Well no one can predict the future and you know what else they say, hindsight is 20/20.

So it comes down to a personal decision only you can make, if you asked 10 people, 5 would say wait with the other 5 saying buy now! Who knows

It boils down to how bad do "you" want the truck, not someone else. Would you be totally peed if it did come down or would you be totally peed if the price went up?

I just purchased a new 09 Sierra SLT last wknd, I hymed and hawed myself but finally said screw it, bring it in, I'm buyin it!!

Just found out the other night, with the GM/ UAW's new contract agreement that all GM employee discounts are gone, sure lucked out there, that would have cost me another $5 to $6 thousand dollars on my new truck! See, you just never know what is going to happen. My 2 coppers........Irv

ferris209 · May 29, 2009

Very true, anyhow, does this sound like a good deal? Also, do ya'll think the 4.8l would suffice? I'm sure it will and I hate to beat a dead horse, but I just need a little reassurance I reckon.

Irv · May 29, 2009

Very true, anyhow, does this sound like a good deal? Also, do ya'll think the 4.8l would suffice? I'm sure it will and I hate to beat a dead horse, but I just need a little reassurance I reckon.

Ferris, having never owned or driven a 4.8, I don't really know? But I am pretty sure the 4.8 has more H/P than my 97 5.7 so I don't think you will have any issues pulling anything that you described?

Be sure to check out the tow ratings, torque etc and decide if you think that will be enough for you?

I don't think the 4.8 gets any better gas milage than the 5.3, that is usually why people opt for it instead, more power/torque and the same or better gas milage.

How long do you plan on keeping the truck? The only thing I can see that would maybe hurt you in the future is re-sale? Like I stated, most want the 5.3 or higher so your potential buyer's list may be on the short side?

I see alot of people driving Ford rangers, GM Canyons, Mazda p/u's pulling/hauling quite large loads so I am sure you will be more than happy with it? Good Luck.....Irv

(P.S. As for a good deal, I don't really know, are you in the States? I am in Canada so that is a whole new set of varibles as far as pricing goes.)

punmax · May 29, 2009

Very true, anyhow, does this sound like a good deal? Also, do ya'll think the 4.8l would suffice? I'm sure it will and I hate to beat a dead horse, but I just need a little reassurance I reckon.

Ferris, having never owned or driven a 4.8, I don't really know? But I am pretty sure the 4.8 has more H/P than my 97 5.7 so I don't think you will have any issues pulling anything that you described?

Be sure to check out the tow ratings, torque etc and decide if you think that will be enough for you?

I don't think the 4.8 gets any better gas milage than the 5.3, that is usually why people opt for it instead, more power/torque and the same or better gas milage.

How long do you plan on keeping the truck? The only thing I can see that would maybe hurt you in the future is re-sale? Like I stated, most want the 5.3 or higher so your potential buyer's list may be on the short side?

I see alot of people driving Ford rangers, GM Canyons, Mazda p/u's pulling/hauling quite large loads so I am sure you will be more than happy with it? Good Luck.....Irv

(P.S. As for a good deal, I don't really know, are you in the States? I am in Canada so that is a whole new set of varibles as far as pricing goes.)

$18,500 for a 4.8L Silverado with 40,000 miles (work truck?) seems a lot. I'd shoot for 16k, or 17k.

ferris209 · May 29, 2009

Very true, anyhow, does this sound like a good deal? Also, do ya'll think the 4.8l would suffice? I'm sure it will and I hate to beat a dead horse, but I just need a little reassurance I reckon.

Ferris, having never owned or driven a 4.8, I don't really know? But I am pretty sure the 4.8 has more H/P than my 97 5.7 so I don't think you will have any issues pulling anything that you described?

Be sure to check out the tow ratings, torque etc and decide if you think that will be enough for you?

I don't think the 4.8 gets any better gas milage than the 5.3, that is usually why people opt for it instead, more power/torque and the same or better gas milage.

How long do you plan on keeping the truck? The only thing I can see that would maybe hurt you in the future is re-sale? Like I stated, most want the 5.3 or higher so your potential buyer's list may be on the short side?

I see alot of people driving Ford rangers, GM Canyons, Mazda p/u's pulling/hauling quite large loads so I am sure you will be more than happy with it? Good Luck.....Irv

(P.S. As for a good deal, I don't really know, are you in the States? I am in Canada so that is a whole new set of varibles as far as pricing goes.)

$18,500 for a 4.8L Silverado with 40,000 miles (work truck?) seems a lot. I'd shoot for 16k, or 17k.

Nah, it's an LS, here's the listing

http://www.lonestarcdj.com/profile.asp?VIN...p=&distance=

Tsmith · May 29, 2009

Maybe its just me but almost 40K on an '08 is kinda high mileage ...

Matt_ · May 29, 2009

have you tried pricing up a brand new truck?

A 2008 2wd 4.8L with 40,000 miles on it... $18.5k seems kind of high. I recall people getting similar trucks (Crew cab C1500s with the 4.8L) brand new for under or about 20k... IMO, a brand new truck is worth the extra $2000

gmowner4life · May 29, 2009

I just looked up a truck in your area brand new. $25K for similar options, but I'm sure you can talk them down. My truck was listed for $35K and I paid $29K for it almost 3 years ago before all of this economy stuff was going on. Although at the time, gas prices were at about $4 a gallon, so I'm sure that helped me talk them down too, considering not too many people were buying at the time.

ATMINF · May 29, 2009

With 40,000 miles that is kinda high. I would look at the dealers for a new one and see what they got. I bought my truck new back in OCT 2006 for about $21K US. Granted it is a 2wd,extcab, and a LS, but it is a HD with the 6.0L, 4l80 trans and 14 boltFF rear. Hell you might even look around for a 3/4ton Work truck, and even though they are bare bones, they are ether in high demand, or low demand(construction/heavy industry)and right now those marks are soft, so you could a good deal on one. The new HD's have the 350hp engine and six-speed, and overall are a very capable truck, but the 6.0L like to drink the gas.

Z71Adrenaline · May 29, 2009

40k on an 08 isn't that high.. My 08 has almost 38k on it. Keep in mind that they started selling 08s in late 07, so that truck could be almost two years old.

As far as the power issue.. drive it, and see what you think.. If you like it, great! Buy it.. If not.. then keep looking.

I'm usually like you when I am looking, I need constant reassurance on everything.. but with the last few big decisions I have had to make, I realized that I'm the one that has to live with the decision and if I like what I'm buying and it makes sense to do it, then I go for it.

Good luck in your search, man!

Porter_ · May 29, 2009

i have essentially the same truck only a sierra and 4WD. like you, i don't tow much and haul only moderate weight around. the 4.8 is more than enough for that. the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3 is only 20hp/30 ft-lbs, which is immeasurable in a 5000lb+ truck. the only concern you might have is towing that caddy. with my 3.42 gears my tow capacity is ridiculously low...something like 4500lbs i think (fuzzy on the exact figure). i would ask what gears are in it and look at the owner's manual to confirm the tow capacity is enough for your needs.

the price is steep. i would offer 16K, and maybe go as high as 17K if the truck is immaculate. (assuming US dollars, not CAD).

ryan_hermanutz · May 29, 2009

For that truck with that mileage I wouldn't go any higher than 17k. Also if the dealer told you how much he would be making if he sold it for $18,500 I would call B.S. KBB says $17,625 for excellent condition.