Thoughts on new tow vehicle

Thinking of getting a truck to tow the X-Star around and to use around the cottage for gan cans, lumber, concrete, etc..

Yet still need the class for work to go to meetings and drive clients to lunch etc.

Stumbled across this great deal... or so I think..

New list price was $60k cnd... now about half of that...

2007 Chev Silverado CrewCab LTZ
Has 17500 miles on it... was a GM Canada exec truck..

Options
LTZ package
6.0 V8 with active fuel management
HD Tow package
Leather, heated seats, 12-way power adj
Touch screen nav and rear DVD flip screen (factory installed)
Rear parking sensors
20" wheels
Sunroof
power rear glass

and all the other good stuff...

Thoughts on reliability, fuel economy, missing obvious options?

That is one sweet truck...that is all...

Test drive a new Limited Tundra 4x4 before you pull the trigger. Whats the price on that thing? Chevy is in a horrible economic condition, if they tank and consolidate say with Chrysler, your warranty isnt going to be worth a crap. Very nice truck though.

tundra is a nice truck... not crazy with the interior.... outside is nice though...

Martin is right on the GM stuff but silverado got better all around ratings. Pretty sure it won the truck shoot out. Thats a nice lookin truck too, I love the interior.

My friend bought the same truck in black for $40k new. Sounds like a good deal and I like the red look. If it was in Texas I would be looking at it.

Have you drove it?

I think it drives car like compared to my friends 2002 Z offroad whatever the number is. His old truck was real floaty even when brand new and the new truck is more firm but not too harsh on bumps. Seems like they found a good middle ground on this new truck where it feels good on the road but can handle the dirt just as well.

I test drove a tundra, and one of my good buddies own one. They are a fast truck, but don't do well for towing. There gas mileage is surprisingly horrible as well.

why buy a big v-8 ? they are giving them away here in the states.

if you can get a good deal on it - duramax and allison

The track above is vastly superior to the Tundra from the frame to the 4x4 system to the motor.

FYI, "GM exec truck" this is a line a lot of car salesmen use but actually mean a rental rig. Not saying it's not an exec rig or even that a rental rig is bad but maybe get a carfax.

No I saw the report from the GM system.. no registration to any dealers...

I use to work in the auto industry so I know what to ask to get the answers I am looking for.

I drove the truck last night... was really impressed on the quality of ride etc...

I've heard good and bad things about the tundra.. fuel being the worse... again.. not crazy on the interior...

What are people seeing for avg consumption with the 6.0 engine?

Shop around and you can get a great deal. I just bought a 2005 f-350 crew cab duelly with the 6.0 diesel for 19,000. It is in great shape. While i was shopping I saw a lot of great deals on various brands.

Check out the new Dodge Ram 1500. 400 hp, 20 mpg on the hwy. I love mine. Bought mine for around 33,000 with the sport package, moon roof, dvd, plus extras. I don't know if I got a screamin deal but I'm pretty happy with it so far. Mineral gray was my choice.

I just picked up an 05 Nissan Frontier SE crew cab, super nice truck you should check it out. I just averaged out the gas mileage, it realistically gets 14 liters per 100 kilometers, with a good mix of highway and in town driving. More than enough power to tow your boat

I am looking for slightly used in about the low 30k range...

I will look..

I have a 2007 Silverado 2500 with the 6.0L, so to answer your questions

1. Has been very reliable for 41,000 miles
2. fuel economy no boat 14mpg With boat about 11mpg
3. It does struggle on steep hills with our 08 Tige 22ve but will get the job done.

I do think it is better than anything else I have driven except for a diesel motor.

Greg,
can't speak for th 6.0l but I have 05 Tahoe with 5.3l and have 125K miles on it with only a water pump at 100k and a tune up at 100k..
Gets 19 on hwy (2wd) and tows my Moomba LSV fine. My riding bud tows his 08 Xstar with a Chevy 1500 with 5.3 and it tows fine....
I don't know about CDN exchange right now..but a fully loaded LTZ here is low 40s and they'll take about 10K off that!
Color would match your 40th anny well!

I don't know where people are getting horrible gas mileage for the Tundra... If you take it easy (63 mph is where it likes to sit) you can get around 22-23 mpg.

Total bias here, but get the chevy

Look at that interior! The Chevys are almost like cars man, i love em. Im not a big fan of the 6.0 and would rather look at the Duramaxs they are really dropping in price also. Either way thats a really nice truck!

From my experience, Chevy trucks are very reliable. I have '94 1500 with about 175,000 miles and it runs great. I rarely (if ever) have any significant problems with it.

Great truck I have the same model 6.0 4x4 with the Tow package and I have a Nautique SuperAir220 it weights about 6k with trailer and full of gas no problems towing hills here in Cali.. My 2 cents

DD

I've got an 08 Sierra crew cab that I tow a 24' Supra with and it does fine. It struggles on inlcines but does fine.

I've had the following trucks in teh last few years and have towed a 25' Baja Outlaw weighing in at 6500#, and an 07 Supra 24' GG boat with all of them.

04 Chevy 1/2 ton 5.3L 2WD
05 Chevy 2500HD 6.0L 4WD
06 Chevy 2500HD 6.6L Duramax 4WD
04 Ford F-250 6.0L Powerstroke
08 GMC Sierra 5.3L 4WD

By far the best truck was the Duramax. I'd suggest finding one of those in an 06-07. The LBZ engine was 360hp/600ft. lbs. when stock and a mild program bumped it up a bunch, but you had to be careful with the transmission as thats the weak point.

^^^ The LBZ is 360hp/650ft. lbs. And the tranny is not a weak point, u have to stay reasonable with the power, but I would never call the Allison weak.

other than styling and a few differences in bed style and such. There isn't much difference with a Avalanche is there?

I assume same chassis and such?

That is a nice looking truck, but to me it would look much better with about a 3" lift up front to level it out.
And I just don't understand why they put low profile street tires on a 4x4 truck? To me it just looks wrong, besides being impractical for the application.
I'd put at least 33" all terrains on some (preferably black) smaller diameter wheels. ... personal opinion only! not bashing

The 6.0 is a great motor. Tons of power and not horrible on gas. Lasts a long time as well! A marina I used to work at had a 2500 with the 6.0. That truck towed boats everyday (some way to big for a 2500) and had well over 200,000 with no engine/trans problems.

Chris- Maybe you aren't in a urban area... have you ever seem an underground parking garage in a major city? Most SUVs only clear with inches to spare.

Greg, the Avalanche is the same chassis as the suburban. It doesnt have leaf springs in the rear. Its more or less a suburban with the back taken off...

Whoever said Tundra has a problem towing has never drove or used a Tundra to pull.

Tundra gives very good gas mileage, and at 371hp in a DOHC engine, thats technology at its finest. Fuel economy while towing is a mute point. Your never going to get what you want. Before you invest 30k into anything, just make sure your putting your money into the right asset. I know I wouldnt spend a dime on GM stock, not sure if I would want a GM truck in these times either. Thats not saying its not a great truck. But anything mechanical can break down.

The largest Chevy store in the country, Landmark Chevrolet in Houston, TX, shut its doors a few months ago. Every chevy they sold there with an extended warranty is now void. Hell folks bought cars and trucks there and still havent gotten the title because Landmark didnt pay thier floor plan. That pretty much devistated the GM market in Houston. Imagine what will happen if Chevrolet as a whole goes under? Its VERY VERY possible. GMAC has already told all the dealers they will not finance anyone below Tier 1+. Chevy dealers are sending the deals to other banks and credit unions and not GMAC. GMAC holds the floor plan for all dealers, and if they decide to pull the plug because they arent getting enough business, then Chevy goes under. Its a real possibility right now.

If they were selling GMPP the warranties would still be valid. Also GMAC does not have the floor plan for all dealers, it is the dealers option who they have their floor plan with. I have worked for and dealt with quite a few dealers who did not use GMAC for their floor plans.

The dealer being out of trust is another issue all together.

Martin is wrong, on all counts, and obviously works for toyota.

I went into the local Toyota dealer, Don Valley North here in Toronto (Largest in Canada both size and volume)

They had a few Tundra's on the lot.. I loved the exterior... great motor..

But $50,000 cnd for a truck with interior that is 90% hard plastic???? What gives with the radio and climate control area... Thought I was sitting in a old 94 chev calavier... or something..


Hate to knock.. but that is what I noticed.. first impression...

Seriously, I could care less if you purchase a Toyota or Chevy. Ewing, please point out where I am wrong. Dont be offended if you own a Chevy, I do too!! All I am saying is if GM goes bankrupt, a GM warranty is no good. Its not rocket science. Its a fact of life I have to live with too, since I have one in my garage. GMAC floor plan is optional, however there is not one GM dealer in Texas that does not have GMAC holding thier floor plan.

Again, if its a good truck. Buy it. Just understand what your investing your money into.

Ewing, dont get your pantys in a clog. Its ok to own a Chevy. You'll have to trust me when I say Chevy business is not a threat to Toyota business.

Here is a good article that just came out today.

Fear of bankruptcy scares off GM customers

Lindsay Chappell
and Richard Truett

Automotive News | December 3, 2008 - 12:01 am EST
Is the smell of death keeping customers away from General Motors showrooms?
You bet, says Mark LaNeve, GM’s vice president of North American sales, service and marketing.
“There’s not a doubt in my mind that it has affected business,” LaNeve said yesterday in a conference call with reporters and analysts.
That’s consistent with experts who say that filing for bankruptcy protection would doom an automaker. The experts say consumers are wary of brands that might not be around to handle service and repairs over the long haul.
LaNeve cited a report by CNW Marketing Research Inc., of Bandon, Ore., that 20 to 30 percent of new-car buyers are avoiding Detroit 3 brands because of negative news about the brands’ financial health.
“It could be higher," LeNeve said of the CNW report.
GM sales plunged 41 percent in November from the same month in 2007.
As the automaker presses Congress for a multibillion-dollar loan to stay afloat, some legislators and industry observers say filing for bankruptcy protection would be a better way, allowing GM to slip out of past contracts and labor agreements.
“There’s not a plan in the company that I know of that deals with bankruptcy,” LaNeve said. “We don't think any plan in that regard is viable.”
LaNeve blamed the November sales crash largely on the nationwide credit squeeze.
GM did not lease any vehicles in November, he said. And GMAC Financial Services, which is controlled by Cerberus Capital Management, financed very few of the vehicles GM dealers did sell during the month, he added.
“With each passing day, it is less able to finance the sale of GM vehicles, either for dealers or for the public,” according to the restructuring plan GM gave Congress today. “One year ago, GMAC was able to provide either installment or lease financing for nearly half of GM retail sales. That number has fallen to 6 percent today.”
LaNeve said dealers are asking GM for two things: to get back into leasing and help the retailers get access to credit.
"We are trying to figure out how to do that,” he said.
LaNeve said GM will not use advertising to convince buyers that it will be around. GM will change the message in its current year-end Red Tag sale campaign, he revealed, but there will be no mention of GM’s financial situation.
He said: “We are not going to use bankruptcy as a foundation for an ad campaign.”

If you want a smokin deal on a dodge Ram Quad Cab, Spring Chrysler/Dodge has 50% off ALL 08 quad cabs! You can get a loaded one for $16k, that aint bad at all!!! Brand new full size truck priced like a neon.

The fear of Bankruptcy is being driven by media morons, and guys like you who keep posting it up.

Chevy is in trouble. They will probably re-organize, thru bankruptcy. GM sold 3.5 MILLION cars in 2007...do you really think that next friday they will just lock the doors on all the buildings and walk away? Even if they did, Ford and Chrysler and the others will have to ramp up to replace about 2.5 MILLION of those units...because even though sales are down, we still need a whole lot of new cars and trucks here in the USA.

And if GM does indeed file BK, you can bet that warranty resolution will be addressed by the courts, and owners will be protected.

And GMAC is not controlled by GM, it is in fact largely held by the same private group that controls Chrysler.

Unless your name is Warren Buffet, a lot of what you are throwing out there is opinion, not fact.

I can say one thing with certainty, a good friend of mine with a new Tundra absolutely hates it. He gets horrible gas mileage, no more than about 16 - 17 on the freeway and about 12 with the boat hooked up. He feels its the worst truck he's ever purchased and is already looking to get rid of it. And he bought it because of all the "hype" that people that work for Toyota sold him on. I know one thing, he will never buy another. Hell, the new Dodge's have almost 100 more horsepower and get better gas mileage than the Tundras, at least with what I've seen. Same with the Fords. Sure the Toyota is more reliable, but the gas mileage claims aren't up to par with what is claimed IMO. When the new 1500 Duramax trucks and the F150 powerstrokes come out late 09, toyota will probably lose some more of its truck sales. Just my 2 pennies.

Toyota will lose out on fullsize truck sales just by putting out crap like the current Tundra. Oh and the gas mileage is because they were originally putting 4:30 rear ends in and now have moved to 4:10's in order to get their claimed tow ratings. If you look at the torque ranges you'll see that the percentage of available torque is crap until higher RPM's. The truck thats "changing it all" is changing it for the worse. How bout the weak ass frame never mind welds lets just rivet the damn thing together it's faster and cheaper.

I literally had a tech of 19 years for a local Toyota dealer buy and F 150 becuase as he said "the Tundra just really isn't a truck yet"

Toyota makes good products including the Tacoma but the Tundra, Booty!

My piece of ••••••••••• Crew Max pulls the hell out our work trailer that weighs more than any x star or lsv out there loaded no problem. I am also happy with the interior all leather etc easy to keep clean and if you want a good system screw any factory installed crap anyway. Double Din on all of them suck and take up way too much space. Then again what do I know I have owned toyotas for the last 20 years of my life drove them all well over 100k and sold them in an instance. Had zero problems with any of them. I have owned one fullsize American truck and about 50k it fell apart from electrical to engine. I will say the new Fords look sweet but just not an American car guy. I guess we are going to bail them out because of •••••••• like me. I would say any full size truck will work just fine make sure you get 4x4 for those slippery ramps it does not cost you that much gas mileage. Find the one you like the most and buy it. They are going CHEAP right now. I love the bitch fest of wakeworld just glad we can fight over american cars vs foreign an ford vs chevy etc. Oh yeah Malibu and Correct Craft Suck built like ••••••••••••••••••••

Eh... It all depends on who you ask and what vehicle they got. I had a Tahoe that went 100k with zero issues. I changed the waterpump around 95k and the rear brakes at about the same time. The front brakes still looked like new. It towed my boat and went to the mountains almost every weekend. A truly flawless vehicle.

I now have a '06 Ford Powerstroke. I went Ford because I liked the look of the F250's with the 20" wheels and factory chrom package. I decided on cosmetics alone. People warned my about the "POS" Power Stroke 6.0's. I've got 35k on this truck and it literally has never gone back to the dealer. Not for anything. Once I drove it away all I've done is change the oil. This truck has been everywhere. Snow and mud up over the hood. Hauled 10k worth of boat, lead and gear.

So.... two vehicles, both from different manufactures and both of them flawless. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never had any majore complaints with anything I've owned. Maybe it also has to do with the fact that I'm particular about my maintanence.

I wouldn't worry about Ford or Chevy. They'll both restructure, but they'll both still be around. They're american institutions.

You could always pick up one of these.

"This one could make the Hummer look like a girlie car."


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6026041/

You could tow 8 X-stars with that one....

Martin

I do own a chevy and have probably owned 5-6 different GM products in the past 5 years.

GMAC floorplans about 60% of the GM dealers in the US. I guess all of them must reside in Texas.

A GM bankruptcy is simply a bad thing for everyone in the auto industry...including toyota.

hahahah chill out tampa. malibus and cc are built like crap? ARE YOU SERIOUS? CC has one of the best wakes i have ever seen period. i love the interior as well. Malibus have the sleekest interior ever. no question about it. and about the bailout, i dont think we should either. but some help should be given to them, i think the government needs to prevent over 30000 jobs from being lost. american trucks rule over most foreigns anyways... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAaU_L-rN3E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZz3xly3HUA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-jW-jkFX5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRfE_XAk2mE

No they are not I was just being a smart ass because we are now debating which trucks are built better. To be honest I think most of the boats we all go back and forth on are built like tanks. In fact I don't think any of the major boat brands build quality is sub par. Its just brand war my boats better than yours and my dad can beat up your dad and my mom is hotter than yours.

Greg - I don't know what you are going to pay for that truck, but here is the dealer market report for that truck.

Working at a GM dealer I can tell you on that truck I would expect to pay around 28000-30000 which is in line with what the report says above. Sticker on the truck should have been around 47000 new Current rebates are as high as 7500 New with around 3500 markup. So in other words you probably could buy this truck for about 37000 brand new if you found one(very few 08's remain). The 6.0 is a beast but it does like gas. 10 mpg towing is what you will get. Personally I would look for the same truck with the 5.3 which will tow any wakeboat just fine. As far as being an exec truck it very likely is, GM has been dumping many of there "exec" vehicles over the last 2-3 weeks. If anyone is looking for deals now is the time don't believe all the BS on TV.

THAT 6.0 GETS GOOD MILEAGE. IT IS THE HO 6.0 NOT THE WORK HORSE THAT IS IN THE 2500'S

My buddies FJ Cruiser that is 4x4 will pull any wake boat short distances of course. So a good run around when not towing vehicle.

Greg's in Canada so a Manheim on that isn't entirely relevant since cars up there have been much more expensive. I'm near the BC border and when the exchange rate was good they were coming down in droves to purchase at a huge discount.

(Message edited by hate&pain on December 04, 2008)

I bought an 2003 F150 5.4L SuperCrew (4 doors) 4x4 off Craigs list two years ago for $14,000 and it only had 44k miles on it and now has 75k. Not a single problem other than having to replace ball joints. I get 14/15 mpg towing and 15-18mpg normal driving. I love it!! Great truck and I saved a ton of money buying used.

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Yes I am in Canada in the Toronto area...


It's a exec truck as it's never been registered to a dealer and ownership has GM Canada on it.

For that truck they had it listed at $34,000

I figure I could knock it down to $31,000-32,000.

It's got every option known to man on it and is spotless.

Red is a bit bright but I think it is different and would be better than the typical blk or navy's.

Only problem I am stuck on my existing car.. I am getting hosed on wholesale value and not willing to take a $4k hit on a German car...


I like getting a good deal, but also I want to be careful not to "over extend" my spending with these market conditions.

I don't want to put myself into a 5 year finance agreement with the bank and have crazy negative equity since GM went belly up. I hope it doens't happen but I am just playing safe.

I've got that same truck in black and GMC. Luv it. The only thing wrong with it is it's a Chevy. LOL, JK.

bill: what kind of mileage can you possibly get pulling that sailboat around!?!?

lol...that was the best cover EVER !!! Custome made of course. It protected the speakers and tower from the narliest of narly bird droppings in the area.. lol.. obviously, I didn't tow with that cover. Was nice to be able to lift up all the seats and allow things to air out too while the cover was one. In some aspects I thought it was a little bit of a theft deterent too, wetsounds were out of site, out of mind.

So what you guys think? They dropped price to $32,888

Well that's tomorrow's sale price.. drove past the dealer comming home from go carting with the boys...

I am thinking to make an offer for them to take my trade and chew $2k negative equity (gain more on the tax savings) So I would offer them $32,000 all in (plus taxes).. essentially $30k for a truck that sold new for $58k....

its gonna take the import companies a while to catch up with building trucks. they make incredible cars, but the hometown boys have a big leg up on building trucks with power, room, and mpg.

The RED is hot!, sweet looking truck Greg, you gonna trade the GTI in?

They are playing hard ball... crying out loud they had the truck since the leaves were on the trees! (mid october)

Still have my options open.. maybe a Avalanche?

yes.. I would be trading in the GTI... unfortunelty I can't afford both... as I do have a boat also.. and a seadoo

Hang in there, they'll come around. I was all hot to buy a new truck and my wife put the breaks on the deal which ended up being a huge benefit to me! Got the truck I wanted at a good price and found a sales guy I didnt want to punch in the face.

I am in sales and I couldnt believe the shenanigans some of the guys tried to pull.

Any thoughts on the Sequoia or the Land Cruiser for towing?