questions about buying new GMC or cheby

[rondo]

Hey RME,
i'm thinking about buying a GMC or chevy 1/2 ton with 5.3. Not looking for a loaded version or anything. My pal has one with and he claims up to 26 mpg because it cuts off 1/2 the cylinders on flat hwy cruise.

Anyway can anybody give me props to a dealership that has given them good price and service?

Anybody give me any reasons not to buy this truck?

I'm thinking dealer because I have a truck to trade in. I may try to sell it on KSL for a while but the market is so saturated that i don't know (2006 2wd Titan with 77K and 20 mpg hwy). I LOVE my titan but i have to have a truck to tow with, i'm ready for 4x4 and with the gas the way it is...

thx in advance for your real world experience.

 

[ID Bronco]

My Brother has a small car biz here in Idaho, We can get new cars and trucks and have been very successful at beating dealership prices. The truck will be a tough trade in Idaho with 2 wd but pm me if you would like me to see what I can do.

 

[TJDukit]

Well just from my experience with my '03 1500 Z71 with the 5.3L. I manage 21mpg on the highway and about 15mpg in town, it can get as low as 11mpg when towing a heavy load but it does very well on the hills with up to about 5000lbs I have no problem keeping up speed.

I towed two four wheelers and about 8 deer back from South Dakota and the F150 that was with us could not keep up with me and he only had a quad in the bed.

No experience with the new ones but the 5.3l is one of my favorite engines. I would get a Z71 or order one with 4.10's, I can't imagine towing with my truck with higher gears. I would imagine that with the newer motors and the MDS or whatever Chevy calls it would help a lot with the mileage.

 

[iamsparticus]

Id go with a ford not a chevy, get the new eco-boost V6 F-150 it makes 365hp and 420 lb and gets 22 mpgs on the highway some say their getting better, id look into it

 

[skippy]

5.3s are for jeeps LOL. My buddy has a truck with the 6.0 and it tows ok.....But im a diesel fan so i will leave it at that

 

[rondo]

I'm told the 6.0 has a huge gas penalty for the ability to tow a 'little better'. I have no interest in being the fastest to Moab. My Titan tows like a dream and i'm sure a GMC can do just as well.
Ford- hate to be the test dummy for new products that come out but if the ford eco engine is true then it's revolutionary. I'm not a ford hater...just interested in better mpg since i plan to own this truck a long time.

 

[Bucking Bronco]

I was treated very well at Salt Lake Valley GMC at 725 w. 33rd. I shopped every dealer in town and they had the best price and treated me the best. It was commercial sales though.

For what its worth mine is a 2500 van with the 4.8 and its loaded with 1500lb of equipment and I get about 15mpg.

 

[Caleb]

You may want to check out the car reviews on that truck. That "feature" you're talking about that shuts down half of the cylinders is usually hated by all the reviews I have read. You basically have no power unless you're on the gas all the time.

 

[iamsparticus]

You may want to check out the car reviews on that truck. That "feature" you're talking about that shuts down half of the cylinders is usually hated by all the reviews I have read. You basically have no power unless you're on the gas all the time.

That is what i have read also, but maybe get one that does not have that option like a older model

 

[Unimog]

You may want to check out the car reviews on that truck. That "feature" you're talking about that shuts down half of the cylinders is usually hated by all the reviews I have read. You basically have no power unless you're on the gas all the time.

I haven't read much about it, but I have an 07 Suburban 5.3 with this feature and it is pretty much imperceptible to me. You don't need to get on the gas all the time or do anything except drive it. Unless you have the display in the mode that shows you when you are 8 vs 4, you won't know unless you really pay attention to the sound of the engine. The only time it shuts down 4 cylinders is when you are not asking for much power, like around the neighborhood or taking it really easy or coasting on the freeway. It is enough to make a significant difference at the pump - maybe 2mpg on the suburban - especially if you drive a lot in low power situations.

 

[LT.]

I don't really know much about the Chevy's feature but, I do own a Ram 1500 with the Hemi that also has the same idea on it. On straight highway cruising we can see mpg in the low 20's. I have had one tank that was 21.6 mpg. However, for the most part in town the feature really does not have much time to work. You see, you are always changing speed. Weather you are speeding up of slowing down in the stop and go traffic. Here in my home town I can keep it up around 15 mpg but, it does take some effort on your part to listen to the engine and know what mode you are in. The technology is great, no doubt about it.

While towing I'll bet that your new motor would never be in four cylinder mode. Also, the computer does have a bit of a learning curve to get to know how you drive it. If you are careful the computer will shut four of the cylinders off sooner if you drive it easy. With an aftermarket exhaust you will be able to hear it easier than with the stock exhaust.

If you are not too set on the Chevy you may want to check out the Dodge with the Hemi option as well. Same feature and I'll bet the Hemi puts out more horse power and torque. I understand that the Dodge is not as popular as the Chevy but, just a thought.

LT.

 

[rondo]

Thx for the dodge info. I'm not against Dodge- i just don't know much about them. I didn't know the hemi had that feature so its worth looking in to. i'd 'heard' that the hemi was a gas guzzler.

The only way i'd get a dodge is if it had the manual trans. It seems their autos are factory made to fail.

 

[LT.]

Thx for the dodge info. I'm not against Dodge- i just don't know much about them. I didn't know the hemi had that feature so its worth looking in to. i'd 'heard' that the hemi was a gas guzzler.

The only way i'd get a dodge is if it had the manual trans. It seems their autos are factory made to fail.

I really don't know about their autos failing. Honestly, we have never towed anything with the Hemi. That is what I have the Cummins for. I know that Sprueitt has a Hemi Charger and he uses it for commuting to work. I thought he had said he gets in the mid to high 20's for mileage.

Dodge is a different brand. They don't appeal to the masses, that is why Chevy and Ford do better than Dodge. It might be worth taking a look at the Dodge anyways. It doesn't hurt to look and see what is available.

LT.

 

[Toad]

My bro has a 5.3 chevy he manages 16 empty and about 10 pulling a small travel trailer. (20 foot and 3500 lbs) We have done lots of stuff to this thing chasing mpg's. Fuel tune up, intake,exhaust. He said it pulls like crap. Every little hill it hunts for gears and falls on its face.

 

[JL Rockies]

I work at Jerry Seiner in SLC, you should come talk with us before making a move, I will make sure you get taken care of.