I need to know the good/bad about each year silverado 1500 between 01-05. I'm debating on buying a new truck or just finding a good used one.

I'm looking for an extended cab Z71 with the 5.3 liter engine. What things should I look for in a used truck? Is any year better than the other? Would I be better off just buying a new truck or would you consider a used one? Thanks for all the help!

Steve

 

I've had the following:

'00 5.3 single cab fleetside silverado
'02 5.3 ext cab fleetside sierra Z71
'03 4.8 single cab stepside sierra
'04 6.0 ext cab sierra denali
'05 5.3 crew cab sierra

Out of them all I really enjoy my current one due to the decent power and spaciousness inside the cab. If you have the money, I say go for a '05+ crew cab Z71 and you'll be in love.

 

 

It all depends on what you are using the truck for. If you want a daily driver that is a useful truck get the extended cab, if you want something to go fast get a rcsb. If I wanted to go fast, I would find a 99-02 rcsb with the 4.8 in it and drop in a cammed 6.0, you can get high 12's - low 13's out of this type of set up, for around 15k. For a daily driver I would get a 99-02 ecsb, I saw a 01 in the paper yesterday for 12,500. I like the looks of the 99-02's better than the newer ones, the cat eyes just have not grown on me, but that is my opinion. Anyway, I don't think I will ever buy another brand new vehicle, they simply depreciate to much, If I were buying a truck today, it would be used, so I could spend more money on mods. Used truck 12k, Radix 5k, just makes more sense to me!!

 

No other opinions, I thought this one would start an argument

 

Well its gonna be a daily driver. I already have a 2000 camaro for my weekend go fast toy.

How much power difference is there between the 4.8 and the 5.3?

 

Not much but if 4.8 is in anything other than an rcsb then its a dog IMO. Get the 5.3 in ec and 4x4. I would go with a 4x4 ec for the room in side and the 4x4 for cause its nice to have. Got my 01 ecsb z71 for 12,500 with 125,000 on it.

 

is always nice to have an ext. cab for a little more space... but if you are planning in buying new I would buy a 1500 cc 4x4 alot more comfortable than a ec..!!! and mod it.... I believe gm will have the 1500 cc 4x4 with a 6.0 in it real soon.... that would be a nice vehicle, you could even tow your camaro with it...

 

How are these engines etc. holding up with high mileage? I've seen a few 01-03 with over 75000 miles and I've passed on them because of it.

 

Ill put it this way I pulled the heads on my truck at 165,000 miles and you could still the factory honing on the cylinders they were in excellent shape. I have heard of as much as 255,000 on these engines so IMO 75,000 is just getting started as long as they have been well maintained.