Back to GMC shopping

[Diamondpilot]

Also, did you get out to look at the competition? Those new Ford F-150's are sure sweet. Not sure if the new engines are out yet though so if not I would wait.

Chris

 

[timswi]

Thanks for all of the great advise...36 was what I was thinking, but needed some experienced backup.

I currently have an SLE, it's like the 3 bears thing...Not too little, not too much. That's what I want to replace.

I don't need or want a yuppie-mobile. That's why I'm not interested in the 5ft bed crew cabs. Not insulting anyone here, but a 6 or 6.5 ft bed is all I can live with...Thus the extended cab. If I knew I wouldn't have to put it in city parking garages every so often, I'd go 8ft.

I'm going to let the dealer stew for a while. The truck's been sitting around since August or before based on the inspection sticker, so maybe the floorplan will get to them.

I'm in no hurry anyway. At least now I have some ammo to work with..Thanks everyone.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I was a long bed guy till I got a trailer. I find I can fit everything I need in a short bed or the difference is so great I need the trailer either way. I like and must be able to put my trucks in the garage so no long beds with extended or crew cabs for me anymore.

Not sure about GM trucks but I have had 3 of the F-150 crews with the 5.5' bed and its amazing what it will hold. Its a good 6" deeper than others beds and that makes up for the volume lost. I haul lots of fire wood and mulch and it would handle just as much if not more than other brands 6.5' beds.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you are going to be patient and wait I would see what there is new in the spring. Getting a new truck now will just expose it to the road salt and harsh winter stuff. Your trade is not going to lose anything more. Now if the deal was real sweet, yes I would jump on it but if you wait you will do better more than likely.

Another thought is since Ford came out with all these new great (on paper) engines maybe GM, Dodge, Toyota, and Nissan will follow suit. If you get something now may be a mistake if 1 year down the road the new stuff is so much better and you are in a position where you are upside down and can not trade or get out before taking a big hit. Just something to think over?????

Chris

 

[PoorMansCat]

3:42 is NOT a pulling gear... especially for a gasser and not if you will be getting anywhere near the rated towing capacity. It can be utilized in a diesel application with a 5/6 speed, but mainly due to the diesels ability to produce max torque at low RPM. That being said, IF you only pull occasionally, and run at lower weights...it might be a good trade-off for the increased fuel economy when dead-heading..
Personally, I would not buy a gasser with less than 4:10 gearing.... Granted, i would give up fuel economy, but I would be absolutey steamed if I were to run out of pulling power!!!. My personaly experience is that what fuel economy I could gain by running 3:56 or even 3:73 is negated when the trans. is constantly coming back to 4th or even 3rd gear when the 4:10 DOESN'T backshift... Not to mention the incresed wear of full load backshifting on the trans...

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

You really need to find a dealer who will be totally honest and upfront with you or do a lot of research before you walk through the door. Remember these guys do this for a living - it's hard to beat a dealer at his own game.

15% off may or may not be a good deal - as the rules may have changed when dealing the the new GM. With the old GM I usually walked if not able to get at least 20% - 25% off MSRP. Regional offers vary, but let me give you an example based on a full page ad in yesterday's paper. Best I can determine this applies to 2010 GMC Seirra.

Available credits - before any haggling:

Cash Delivery Allowance $8,500
Holiday Bonus $1,500
GM Card $2,000
Cash For Clunkers $3,000
Loyalty $ 885

Total available credits $15,885. All these have as Asterisk beside them and were further clarified in about 10 lines of fine print at the bottom of the page that required a magnifying glass to read.

Now if you are not aware of all these you are a significant disadvantage when trying to haggle with the dealer. Also be aware that after you think there is a deal - they may take you to the Business Office where you are hit with "Dealer Fees"... "Financing Fees"...."AntiTheft Etching Fees"..."Documentation Fees".......etc etc that can add $100's to what you thought was an agreed deal and often these fees are stated to be non negotiable, because all of the dealers in the area do the same thing.

 

[BruceWard]

Chris (who always post negatively on anything GMC) is the only person I have heard say anything about the 6.2 / 6 speed hunting for gears.

I have a 2007 Sierra Denali with the 6.2 / 6 speed. I have a ~3000 pound 20' equipment trailer. I haul the trailer with my 4,000 pound B21 a couple of times a month. I have towed a 6,000 pound excavator on the same trailer for a 9,000 pound load. I have never had any problem or concern towing.

 

[hawkeye08]

3:42 is NOT a pulling gear... especially for a gasser and not if you will be getting anywhere near the rated towing capacity. It can be utilized in a diesel application with a 5/6 speed, but mainly due to the diesels ability to produce max torque at low RPM. That being said, IF you only pull occasionally, and run at lower weights...it might be a good trade-off for the increased fuel economy when dead-heading..
Personally, I would not buy a gasser with less than 4:10 gearing.... Granted, i would give up fuel economy, but I would be absolutey steamed if I were to run out of pulling power!!!. My personaly experience is that what fuel economy I could gain by running 3:56 or even 3:73 is negated when the trans. is constantly coming back to 4th or even 3rd gear when the 4:10 DOESN'T backshift... Not to mention the incresed wear of full load backshifting on the trans...

PoorMansCat; I would agree with your comments if we were talking the 4 speed auto coupled with 3.42 gears, but the 6 speed has some deep gears that, if I recall correctly, that does better than the 4sp and 3.73 or 4.10 gears. I have had no issues pulling. I would think that the pickup with 4WD low would allow pulling those few times when it is a tough situation. Remember also that the 6.2 has ~400lb/ft and ~400hp. Pretty decent for a gasser. With the variable valve timing (VVT), it has excellent torque at low end and very nice HP at high end (torque curve is flatter than you would expect). (yes, I know if does not equal a diesel) I searched for the graphs but did not find them with a quick look.

 

[timswi]

Well...Out of the clear blue sky, the dealer e-mailed me saying that there are all kind of incentives available today...A miracle? I really hate this process.

Can I find a '77 GMC step-side 4x4 somewhere ....good grief.

 

[timswi]

Here's a 2010 set of curves. Since it's the same RPO, it's the same engine for 2011. One bad thing in reading some of these graphs, and that's the resolution. Put any engine of this size on a graph that reads to 1000 ft/lbs and and the curve will look rather flat.

I'm pretty sure that would cover me...Ain't pulling a D9.