by "Justino6969" (justino6969)
Published 04/13/2017 at 11:33
by "Justino6969" (justino6969)
Published 04/13/2017 at 11:33
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STARS: 0
What can Oppo tell me about the 2014+ Chevrolet Silverados with the L83 (Gen V 5.3)? I’ve been seriously considering buying a truck because 1) I want one and miss driving one, and 2) I think it would be a wiser buy than a GTI, for around the same price (Low 30's), with me moving into a new place, getting married, and eventually having kids to cart around. 4 door 4wd is what I’m looking for, and I absolutely HATE the trend of chrome everything on modern trucks. So, 2017 Silverado 1500 Custom seems like a good choice for me. All the utility, none of the fancy/unnecessary (also love the 4wd selector on the floor instead of the push button/knob).
Anything I should be on the lookout for? Anyone have one and know what I should be on the lookout for?
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
04/13/2017 at 11:40, STARS: 1
That is fairly different from a GTI, so I wonder what you feel that you are giving up from the GTI, and whether a truck is really the right way to go?
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/13/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 1
Used GTI then El Camino :)
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/13/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 3
I haven’t heard any horror stories about these trucks. A good friend of mine has had no trouble with his ‘15, but he’s the only person I know who actually owns one. General advice here no matter what you buy, if you’re planning ahead for hauling a kid around, you’re going to want a full crew cab, not just a double cab (I think that’s what they’re calling the extended cab these days?). Rear facing car seats are freaking MASSIVE, and the kid is supposed to stay in them until they’re two years old. So unless your wife to be is really short, the only way to haul baby and wife around is in a crew cab.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 0
Giving up from the GTI? Being a boy racer. Then I can also sell my Jeep since I would have a go anywhere do anything vehicle in the form of a 4WD truck, so less insurance and space requirements, and more cargo capacity. I’m also thinking long term; we’ve had GM trucks in our family for many years. This thing would be bought to last at least 10+ years, that I don’t think a GTI would.
This post is less about ‘tell me what car you think I should get’ and more ‘give me info/experience on a relatively new engine/truck.’
"450X_FTW" (mistermic)
04/13/2017 at 11:51, STARS: 2
I bought a 2015 GMC Sierra 5.3L 4x4, replacing my 2012 Ram 1500 5.7L, back in August, 1 year old with 26,000 miles on it. Pretty sure it’s the same as 2014 options wise, and is the same powertrain wise as the Silverado.
Once it got cold outside, under 40F, I had a shift quality issue almost once a week. First to second gear would slam into gear, felt like the shift was being completed in 2 ms. Dealership could not replicate it, so I waited a few months until it happened every day, to and from work, to take it back to them. They replicated it, pulled the trans apart and found a piston for the hydraulic pump was not sealing as well so it could not provide the pressure required to complete the shift. Replaced everything but the gears, housing and torque converter (gotta love that warranty). This was about a month ago, since then it’s been shifting very smooth.
Tow’s better than my Ram did, uses higher gears more, both trucks were 6 speed trans, can’t speak about the 8 speed Ram.
Overall very happy with it, interior quality is better, less plastic panels. Would definitely recommend.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
04/13/2017 at 12:02, STARS: 1
My father-in-law is waiting delivery on a ‘17 CC 6.5 bed Z71 in electric blue. I agree, this front end is awesome looking, much better than the chrome.
If I could buy a new truck, this would be on my short list of one’s I’d consider. Though my number one is still the yet-to-be-shipped Colorado ZR2.
I know there were issues with the cylinder deactivation motors in the GMT900s, but I imagine that has been solved. These are fully DI now.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 12:04, STARS: 0
My dad has a 2015 2500 Double Cab, and I’m not a small person, and I fit just fine. Before that we had the extended cab, and the new Double Cab is a decent amount larger than the extended was. Cousin has a previous gen crew cab and I love it, but they start like $5k more. Not worth it, IMO.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
04/13/2017 at 12:05, STARS: 0
Sorry for sidetracking your intention in posting, couldn’t resist asking. Makes sense as you described it, but without context it really caught my attention.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/13/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 1
Compared a 2017 1500 LTZ 4x4 extended cab standard bed directly to a 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn 4x4 extended cab standard bed. You can guess by my name which one I bought.
Standing alone the Silverado is a nice truck. Compared to the Ram it was uncomfortable, underpowered and not nearly as stable/confident.
I do remember seeing that some of the ‘14-’15 models were having issues with driveshafts demolishing themselves.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/13/2017 at 12:09, STARS: 1
The 8 speed definitely puts the Ram above the Silverado, at least it did in my book ;)
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 0
No problem at all, glad to explain myself. I’ve looked at a lot of different cars over the past few months since I got my new job, with a 200k mile MK4 Jetta ticking time bomb in my possession. I like the appeal of the GTI go fast mobile, but I feel like I should be more responsible with my finances and get something built to last, instead of an expensive hot hatch that I would inevitably tune, which really can’t help reliability. I have two vehicles now, and to be able to consolidate them down to one do it all machine would be nice.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/13/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 0
Again, I can’t stress enough how big the car seats are. Borrow a rear facing one from a friend who has a kid, put it in, and see if you have enough room.
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
04/13/2017 at 12:24, STARS: 1
The consolidation angle is what is preventing me from arguing for the GTI, plus I went through having a truck, then a Prius, before I realized that I needed a sporty vehicle to be satisfied, and a GTI was my all-arounder. So, you may yet return to the less practical world . . .
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/13/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 2
I’m just marveling at how “I’m getting married and might have kids at some point” results in the conclusion of “so I should buy a crew cab pickup now.”
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0
It’s more “I want a truck and this another point on the pro/con table.”
"450X_FTW" (mistermic)
04/13/2017 at 12:52, STARS: 0
I did powertrain development work on the Ram 3.0 diesel for about 6 months, just as interim, as grand cherokee diesel was my main program. Never got drive the gasoline version with the 8spd
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/13/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 0
I can tell you the Silverado LT Z71 is also (virtually) chrome-free. It has a tiny chrome bit on the bottom of the bumper and different black grille slats. Someone at my job drives one.
I drive the BMW behind it, because I’ve never been a fan of DD’ing big vehicles.
I have in the past had a couple Grand Cherokees as my second vehicle when I had an even-smaller BMW coupe but this one is big enough to occasionally fit someone in the back and is awd, which is good enough for me.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
04/13/2017 at 13:03, STARS: 1
That’s neat!
I love the ZF unit. It is so right for an automatic
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 0
I would very much like a Z71, but price is definitely a factor. It helps that the W/T and Custom models come lower-end, with manual transfer case selector on the floor as opposed to push button, and black and white screen on the gauge cluster instead of larger color screen, both of which I would prefer anyway.
"450X_FTW" (mistermic)
04/13/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 0
It was a great job, they were a great company to work. Management ruined it for a lot of us
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/13/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 1
See, another pet peeve of mine with trucks, since I live in the snow belt, is how so many of them still lack full-time 4wd that operates like a proper awd setup. Most people don’t off-road their trucks but they do drive in snow.
GM for example uses the NV246 transfer case with what they call Autotrac, which is basically an on-demand awd setup where it waits for the rears to slip and then sends varying amounts of power to the front wheels until they’re no longer needed. Which is fine, but kinda basic. Driving in the snow in locked 4wd is annoying because it’s not good controlling the vehicle while turning and you have to switch back to 2wd if you want to make a tight turn like into a parking space.
A proper center LSD or some kind of computer-controlled setup that has a starting front/rear torque split that varies power on the fly is much more desirable. Many awd cars have this (many others have on-demand systems not all that unlike GM Autotrac) along with Cherokees & Grand Cherokees, and assorted Toyota SUVs (BUT NOT TRUCKS ARGH) over the years have Torsen center LSDs.
In my ideal world, all trucks would have transfer cases with limited slip center differentials, but that’s not what comes in trucks because most truck buyers don’t understand the benefits, or even actively don’t want awd because of their unfavorable experience with stuff like the GM Autotrac setup.
"I have another burner, try to guess it!" (ihaveanotherburner)
04/13/2017 at 14:21, STARS: 0
Have you considered a new Ridgeline? Probably more fun to drive on the street and you have that compartment in the bed for more space. Seems like a win-win except the awd isn’t what your looking for.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 1
Agreed, more control is always better.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 0
The Ridgeline is probably one of the better options, but if I’m getting a truck, it’s going to be a V8 and BOF. Because (title of this article).
"I have another burner, try to guess it!" (ihaveanotherburner)
04/13/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 1
But then you’ll spill your Starbucks offroading! /jk
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 15:01, STARS: 0
That’s why I have this:
And I don’t drink Starbucks =P
"V8, RWD and pedal to the floor!" (kretara)
04/13/2017 at 16:23, STARS: 0
Could swear that I saw this same jeep for sale on Craigslist in AR.
Might we have more than one person from AR here?
Personally, I am no fan of GM products. Currently the wife has a 2015 Buick Enclave and it has been less than impressive in the first year or ownership.
That 1500 does look nice though!!!
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 16:43, STARS: 0
Sorry, no, this Jeep was made in Ohio and hasn’t left since.
Conversely, I am a fan of GM products (so I may be biased); the only vehicles my family has owned that haven’t had any real issues. Worst, unsurprisingly, has been Dodge (minus this Jeep; it’s actually been pretty great).
"nermal" (nermal)
04/13/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 1
Are you looking new or used?
Either way, check the Axle gear ratios. If my math is right, you can get a 3.08, 3.42, or 3.73 option. Avoid the 3.08. The 3.73 option is only available with the Max Tow option, which also adds stiffer suspension and bigger towing mirrors.
Also, the electronic 4wd option has on-demand 4wd in addition to 2H/4H/4L. It works great in rain, light snow, and for gravel roads. Aim for that.
The Goodyear SR-A tires that come stock are good in dry weather or snow, and borderline dangerous in rain. Plan on replacing them with something better if you live in a rainy area.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/13/2017 at 19:38, STARS: 0
New (unless I find an amazing deal), Custom or W/T trim, so 3.42 rear end and manual transfer case lever, but the trailering package adds auto-locking rear diff. The tires are probably the same that came on my dad’s 2500, so yeah I agree, they are garbage. He just replaced them with the same tires that I got on my Jeep (All Terrain TA KO2s), and I’ll most likely do the same after not too long.
"nermal" (nermal)
04/13/2017 at 22:17, STARS: 0
Cool. As far as price shopping, the double cab will be cheaper than the crew cab. GM does “bonus tags”, keep an eye out for a truck advertised with one of them to save a few extra bucks. They’re not transferrable though, so you need to buy the truck the dealer has tagged to get the extra rebate.
Also, don’t overlook GMCs, they’re the same truck, just look slightly different.
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
04/14/2017 at 08:25, STARS: 0
Yeah, we’ve mostly had GMCs in our family (including 4 Sierras right now), so I haven’t excluded them. I just like the look of the Silverado better. I’ll have to keep an eye out on bonus tags. Thanks!
"Justino6969" (justino6969)
09/21/2018 at 14:24, STARS: 0
I returned to the less practical world..
"LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com" (limitedtimeonly)
09/21/2018 at 19:08, STARS: 1
Hahahahaha! Welcome back! It's still pretty practical.