New Ride - 315HP / AWD / 21 MPG / 20" Wheels...and 9600lb towing

[PlatinumGLS]

Sold our B6 Passat (2006 4-Motion) a couple weeks ago with the intention of buying a used truck as it is a PITA having two sedans when you own a house, a large yard and no nearby relatives with pickups. I work from home and my wife is home with our son (almost 3) so fuel economy would not be a concern.

Was looking at used trucks on craigslist and ebay but it is crazy what even rusty, high-mileage work-trucks are going for. Luckily, we are eligible for a GM employee discount through my wife’s grandfather so I emailed the internet sales guy I deal with who has sold me 2 new VW’s and a Chevy. After a test drive, a night to think it over and about 15 minutes of paper work later, I think I got a killer deal on a new 2011 Silverado LT 4x4 “All Star Edition”…

Surprised with the number of features…5.3L V8, 6-speed transmission, 4x4, electronic locking rear differential, dual zone heating/cooling, bluetooth, USB port, steering wheel controls, power driver seat, 20” wheels, adjustable pedals, rear parking assist, remote starter, homelink, OnStar, trailering package, etc…

Here are some pictures…the color is Imperial Blue Metallic - difficult to see the metallic due to overcast sky...

[absoluteczech]

perfect for groceries

[PlatinumGLS]

perfect for groceries

That is what the Jetta is for unless we get a Costco membership in which the truck will in fact be perfect

[Krazee]

The only truck I like better is a GMC Sierra Denali.

[Bonanza]

Hm. Nice silver medal.

Should've gotten the F-150.

[PlatinumGLS]

The only truck I like better is a GMC Sierra Denali.

The Denali is awesome but out of my price range

Hm. Nice silver medal.

Should've gotten the F-150.

I've driven numerous F-150s and they are very nice. However, the driving experience is not to my liking. IMO, they feel more disconnected.

[Numbersix]

Nice! Great looknig truck and you won't regret the way it drives.

My dad has an '08 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison with that same cab/bed configuration. Hasn't had a thing go wrong thus far, and I am shocked at how well it drives/rides. I used to dread long drives in his old '89 C2500; I welcome driving/riding in the new truck. Only thing I don't understand is why must all trucks be so tall now? His '08 is a FOOT taller than his '89--and they are both 2wd.

[j31izzle]

Not a big fan of the exterior of those trucks, but that color really compliments it.

[hotshoe32]

Sharp looking truck. Congrats!

[Bonanza]

The Denali is awesome but out of my price range


I've driven numerous F-150s and they are very nice. However, the driving experience is not to my liking. IMO, they feel more disconnected.

Yeah, I'm just giving you a hard time cause I love my F-150. I really do like the look of those trucks, especially how the back fender flares out. Nice lines in a truck.

[6cylVWguy]

I probably would have rather gone with a Dodge myself, but that's a sharp looking truck (especially the color!). Funny that you posted this as I was sort of admiring a similar truck that I have recently seen at my gym. It was a regular cab, all gray, tinted windows, and black steel wheels. I think it might have been a base trim vehicle, but as equipped it looked pretty aggressive for being a regular truck.

[PlatinumGLS]

Nice! Great looknig truck and you won't regret the way it drives.

My dad has an '08 GMC 2500HD with the Duramax/Allison with that same cab/bed configuration. Hasn't had a thing go wrong thus far, and I am shocked at how well it drives/rides. I used to dread long drives in his old '89 C2500; I welcome driving/riding in the new truck. Only thing I don't understand is why must all trucks be so tall now? His '08 is a FOOT taller than his '89--and they are both 2wd.

Hopefully ours will be just as dependable but I have no reason to think otherwise. I agree, the truck is monstrous in height.

Not a big fan of the exterior of those trucks, but that color really compliments it.

Thanks - it was overcast when I took the photos so kind of hard to see the metallic.

Sharp looking truck. Congrats!

Thank

Yeah, I'm just giving you a hard time cause I love my F-150. I really do like the look of those trucks, especially how the back fender flares out. Nice lines in a truck.

No problem. If we also had the Ford Employee discount, the F150 might be in our driveway instead.

[VTECjustkickedinyo]

perfect for groceries

[PlatinumGLS]

I probably would have rather gone with a Dodge myself, but that's a sharp looking truck (especially the color!). Funny that you posted this as I was sort of admiring a similar truck that I have recently seen at my gym. It was a regular cab, all gray, tinted windows, and black steel wheels. I think it might have been a base trim vehicle, but as equipped it looked pretty aggressive for being a regular truck.

I did look at the Dodges but I was concerned with their quality and similarly equipped Dodges would have been more money as well. I do like the way they look and their HEMI is very good. Also, they feel even BIGGER while driving than the Chevy does.

[Krazee]

The Denali is awesome but out of my price range

I know...more expensive than I thought...but damn is it beastly looking.

Are the 'Burbans/Escalades/Yukon built on the same chassis as the Silverado/Sierra?

[PlatinumGLS]

I know...more expensive than I thought...but damn is it beastly looking.

Are the 'Burbans/Escalades/Yukon built on the same chassis as the Silverado/Sierra?

They share the same platform: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMT900

[6cylVWguy]

I did look at the Dodges but I was concerned with their quality and similarly equipped Dodges would have been more money as well. I do like the way they look and their HEMI is very good. Also, they feel even BIGGER while driving than the Chevy does.

I think the cool thing about modern full size trucks is that if you want one for light duty work, it's really hard to do it wrong. It seems like it really comes down to price and simply preference. All three brands have really seemed to up their game over the last few years when it comes to design and powertrain choices. The blue of your truck though reminds me of that very excellent dark blue that the mkV Jetta GLIs (among others?) were available in.

[PlatinumGLS]

I think the cool thing about modern full size trucks is that if you want one for light duty work, it's really hard to do it wrong. It seems like it really comes down to price and simply preference. All three brands have really seemed to up their game over the last few years when it comes to design and powertrain choices. The blue of your truck though reminds me of that very excellent dark blue that the mkV Jetta GLIs (among others?) were available in.

I completely agree with what you said about the full size trucks. You really cannot go wrong with any of the "Big Three".

[kraut_pauer79]

absolutely freakin sweet

that is a perfect equipment package, just the right amount of goodies. Is the 5.3/4x4/20" wheels what makes up the All Star package?

and I hate to be that guy, but would you mind letting us in on what you paid?

[freedomgli]

Nice truck. I hope it gives you years of trouble free service.

[GolfVIDriver]

Good job, Steve! I love the color too. Next time we get together take me for a spin in it.

If my Suburban was anything to go by, you won't have a lick of problems with it. There ain't much to go wrong on a Chevy truck.

[PlatinumGLS]

absolutely freakin sweet

that is a perfect equipment package, just the right amount of goodies. Is the 5.3/4x4/20" wheels what makes up the All Star package?

and I hate to be that guy, but would you mind letting us in on what you paid?

Perfect package for us as well. With rebates and employee discount, I saved about $8K off the sticker price.

EDIT: More info on the All Star Package http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...changes-92045/

First, we are announcing a new “All Star Edition” (RPO PDU) Silverado. While we’re using the popular “All Star” designation for name recognition, the content is a little different from what you’re familiar with. We’ve taken the popular Power Pack Plus and added $995 of additional content at no charge. As you can see, it represents a great value at just $1,280 after the $1,495 option package discount:


• 5.3L V8 Engine
• MYC 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
• G80 Auto Locking Rear Differential
• Z82 Heavy Duty Trailering Package
• P46 17” Aluminum Wheels
• New! AG1 Power Driver’s Seat
• New! UK3 Steering Wheel Audio Controls
• New! UPF Bluetooth for Phone
• New! UUI Radio with USB Port
• New! CJ2 Dual Zone Automatic A/C
• New! T96 Fog Lamps
• New! A60/PPA EZ-Lift Locking Tailgate

The 2011 All-Star DOES NOT include 20" chrome-clad wheels as in the past, but if you add S83 20" wheels ($1,295 MSRP) to the current net price of the 2011 MY All-Star Edition ($1,280) the difference is only $435 more than the previous All-Star, and it includes the new content.

Nice truck. I hope it gives you years of trouble free service.

Thanks

[PlatinumGLS]

Good job, Steve! I love the color too. Next time we get together take me for a spin in it.

If my Suburban was anything to go by, you won't have a lick of problems with it. There ain't much to go wrong on a Chevy truck.

Thanks Matt! Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later

[That1njguy]

Nice truck! Congrats and good luck. Don't let the wife talk you into more kids with the extra back seat room

[PlatinumGLS]

Nice truck! Congrats and good luck. Don't let the wife talk you into more kids with the extra back seat room

Thanks and trying very hard to follow that advice

[VW1.8Tsunami]

Truck envy in 3, 2, 1.....

Nice truck

[uncleho]

You cannot lose with trucks these days. They're all varying levels of NICE & WIN. Even the Toyota with that rear bed that bounces around in that Ford YouTube.

I like the CrewCab, but the bed is too short and the Ext Cab's rear seats are plenty for my kids... and me.

The styling of this Gen Silverado reminds me of the clean and simple (not bold like Ram or trucky like Ford) form and lines of the Silverado 2 gens ago, which I also like.

[Wanganrunner]

I want some big ridiculous pickup, it looks like so much fun.

Nice buy.

[Amdek]

congrads! now lets see the toys it pulls

[PlatinumGLS]

Truck envy in 3, 2, 1.....

Nice truck

Thanks

You cannot lose with trucks these days. They're all varying levels of NICE & WIN. Even the Toyota with that rear bed that bounces around in that Ford YouTube.

I like the CrewCab, but the bed is too short and the Ext Cab's rear seats are plenty for my kids... and me.

The styling of this Gen Silverado reminds me of the clean and simple (not bold like Ram or trucky like Ford) form and lines of the Silverado 2 gens ago, which I also like.

I agree, not many compromises when buying a new-full size truck. And I have no problem sitting in the rear seat either

I want some big ridiculous pickup, it looks like so much fun.

Nice buy.

Thanks, we are enjoying it so far. I love the V8 sound which has been missed since selling my GTO.

congrads! now lets see the toys it pulls

Nothing right now...but my Aprilia could easily fit in the bed and will come in handy this week when I buy a new compressor

[VWVan]

Nice truck!

[PlatinumGLS]

^^^^^

[hushypushy]

Great color! Both Ford and GM are coming out with some awesome colors these days...I am pleased

[PlatinumGLS]

Great color! Both Ford and GM are coming out with some awesome colors these days...I am pleased

I agree wholeheartedly

[konigwheels]

The best color on a great truck. When my buddy bought his '10 it was the Texas package with huge chrome emblems and those same chrome "clad" 20's. He debadged it and traded another guy for the other style 20 inch wheel. It went a long way in the way it looks, and the overall design of the truck really grew on me.

These wheels.


I have always thought they looked fantastic, much more subtle than the chrome and one of my favorite factory wheels of any manufacturer. It's a little irrational on my part, only because I know the chrome clad wheel is a plastic cover. I don't think of them in the same way as a regular aluminum wheel now.

Did you get a chance to drive a 6.0 liter? The 5.3s are bulletproof and will give you many miles of hassle free power if you maintain it, my personal DD has a 5.3 and I love it, but those 6.0s really move when you push the go pedal!

Keep it nice, but use the hell out of it.