TV recommendations

[vickmt]

I am considering purchase of a 2005 Chevy Silverado extended cab 4WD. Clean as new, 66,330 miles. No leather, power everything, automatic, 5.3 liter (GVW on my trailer is 5,900 lbs.), lined bed 6-1/2' (I think), 4 new tires, aluminum wheels, towing package with hitch and hookups (don't know about e. brake, don't think it has ever towed). 2-owners, my local sales guy knew both of them....both senior gentlemen who didn't drive far.

Sale price is: $15,775.

Have never owned a pickup truck since '80.

Tell me what you think.

vicki

[Denise]

Trust me, I'm not a mechanic, but there must be something to that question "are those highway miles?" when we have gone to sell a vehicle. 66k miles over 6 years and all are 'local' miles? Be interesting to see what the tv techies have to say on this (watching with interest)

[Crabman]

The truck will do the job for that trailer, and should do it well. Price appears to be at the top range of the NADA clean retail. Ask for a CARFAX vehicle history report. If all checks out, make an offer, they will probably take less. Car prices are always negotiable IMO.

[clutch]

Check these out.

http://www.kbb.com http://www.nada.com

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Crabman

snip...... Ask for a CARFAX vehicle history report.....snip

X2

Also check the receiver hitch on the rear of the truck for any damage, or signs that it has been hit.

Check the two side hinged windows on the 1/2 doors and make sure when the windows are opened that the window hinge is secure (doesn't wobble), there was some issues with them and they are expensive to replace.

Bob

[vickmt]

Forgot to mention it has Z71 stickers on the bed, aluminum wheels (it's pretty for sure, champagne color). I am selling my 2006 Toyota Sienna with 33,000 miles. I can't afford both. I am concerned about how badly trucks of this timeframe are rated in Consumer Reports. I read reviews on Edmonds and have checked values on NADA and Kelley. The reviews on Edmonds are extremely high, like 4.5 out of 5 so quite opposite of Consumer Reports.

The hitch and hookup on the back are so clean, it is obvious they have never been used. No rust anywhere, (we have no salt on highways in Montana, no rust....wonderful older vehicles to be found). We are 100 miles from Missoula round trip, so if you go to Missoula shopping, you can do those kind of miles per year. Plus most of the population in our valley lives out in the country on their mini-ranches; it is a 5-15 mile trip to town. Do it everyday and you can get those miles built up locally. It is on a small dealer's lot that I know well and trust. He has a real knack for picking up those vehicles that are from local estates or from seniors who are switching vehicles (and he therefore knows the history) and they are facing an awful trade at a Chevy/Ford dealer. He had the bed spray-coated so I would imagine the bed was a little scratched up; he said it "looked better" with the rest of the truck's perfect look. One of the owners was 65 the other 80; it was probably a secondary vehicle that hauled stuff for their yards, trips to the dump, 4WD in winter (although our winters are mild), because trucks are the thing to have around here because we are still rural (at least in our heads).

Is this innately a dependable vehicle? Would I severely regret losing my dependable Toyota? which has zero issues except bodywork has slipped in this van and it rattles & squeeks. As you can see, I average about 5,000 per year. I don't go anywhere, I work too much.

Crabman: I see you have a similar rig and trailer. Has your truck been dependable?

Is a 2005 Silverado 1500 x-cab 5.3 ltr a dependable vehicle???

vicki

[Crabman]

The 5.3 ltr engine has been around quite awhile now and is a workhorse for GM 1500 series trucks and large suv`s such as the Suburban. After 110,000 miles my only issue other then regular maintanance has been a defective instrument cluster which I just had rebuilt. I also upgraded the original OEM hitch - http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...ighlight=hitch

From my experience and others I have talked to I would say they are good dependable vehicles, But do not expect the kind of gas mileage your Toyota Sienna is giving you.

[vickmt]

My Sienna does quite horribly in town, about 14 mpg. It does well on the highway, about 23.

Thank you much for your notes on the truck.

vicki

[3'senough]

I had an 02 Avalanche with the 5.3L which I owned since new until about 68K. I had no major issues with the drive train or engine for the 7 years I owned it. Also have the trailer dealer check your hitch. Just beacuse you see no rust does not mean that there are no apprarent flaws hidden underneath or bending which is common is those hitches. If you don't replace it check it after a few tows to make sure it is still holding up. Mine held up fine over the 2 years I towed with it but some have had issues.

The price however seems high for that type truck and should have some room in it for you to make a deal. Do some comparision shopping online with auto trader within your area or state to check other prices for like vehicles. Ask for the car fax report. If he declines then maybe there is something he's not telling you about it.

Also make sure you go to some offroad location or dirt road where you can test the 4WD in all ranges. Not using 4WD is what hurts them the most. Just don't do it on dry pavement. Some where the tires can slip a little is best, especially low range.

[vickmt]

Excellent suggestion. Thank you.

[29BHS ECO]

Vicki--On the surface sounds like a great truck, be sure that the recall for the instrement cluster has been taken care of, I think 2005's were effected, not sure, but your dealer should be able to help with that. The mileage is very low which is a plus. If it doesn't have 7 pin elec connector, make one part of the deal. Also be sure that the constant 12v wire (chargers the tt battery while towing)connected in the fuse box, some GM truck's don't have it connected from the factory. Like others have said make an offer. DON'T PAY THE ASKING PRICE. Larry

[Quahog]

Originally Posted by 19H F250

Vicki--On the surface sounds like a great truck, be sure that the recall for the instrement cluster has been taken care of, I think 2005's were effected, not sure, but your dealer should be able to help with that. The mileage is very low which is a plus. If it doesn't have 7 pin elec connector, make one part of the deal. Also be sure that the constant 12v wire (chargers the tt battery while towing)connected in the fuse box, some GM truck's don't have it connected from the factory. Like others have said make an offer. DON'T PAY THE ASKING PRICE. Larry

Let me echo Larry's suggestion... I had a 2000 GMC and the instrument cluster went bad on it too. Otherwise, it was a great truck.

[Crabman]

Unfortunately the instrument cluster deal was not a recall, but rather an extended warranty. GM extended the warranty to 7 years 70,000 miles and only ones with issues were to be replaced. I believe some dealers changed out the clusters as a courtesy for some owners though anyway. There are benefits to having a good dealer, unfortunately mine went out of business. In any event the rebuild only costs 70 to 125.00 depending on the problems, and many independent jobbers will perform the service. Here is the GM letter and a link to my thread on the issue.

Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2003 or 2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV or Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, or Tahoe; or GMC Sierra, Yukon, or Yukon XL vehicle, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some of these vehicles could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge needles may stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and the fuel gauge.

Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has this condition.

What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with a special coverage that extends the warranty on the instrument panel cluster for the condition described above. If this condition occurs on your 2003 or 2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, or Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, or Tahoe; GMC Sierra, Yukon, or Yukon XL within 7 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge.


http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=5188

[Quahog]

Thanks, Lee... I no longer own the GMC but my daughter has an Escalade in that year range so I will tell her about this.

[Seann45]

Speedo problems.. go to www.USSPEEDO.COM not only did I have them fix mine but had the fancy upgraded face plates put on.... and all for less than what the dealer wanted for fixing mine

[vickmt]

Have purchased a tow vehicle to pull my JayFeather 25Z.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/se...9751086&type=1

Extremely clean Silverado.