The majority of the money I spent on my truck in the past year was a $3500 tranny because EVERYTHING grenaded in it. Front suspension (just done a couple years ago), brakes (not done too long ago)....all things that SHOULD last longer on a vehicle that does not have a hard life by any means.

I love my Sierra...I will try and take some pics of it. Everyone has their brand of vehicle...mine will not be Dodge for my own reasons. 2nd gens went from 94-01 with pretty much the same tranny...a POS tranny and Dodge didnt think to do anything about it. Heads crack between valve seats....common problem...Dodge didnt do anything. Plenum gaskets blow...Dodge does the quick fix and flashes an already doggy truck to inhibit performance. Dashes crack...what did Dodge do?

Im willing to find a new truck.... They all have their problems...Im ready to see what problems trucks other than a Dodge have. Plus, I get to experience it with a 5yr/60k mile bumper to bumper warranty...so bring it on!

P.S. Nothing was bought for my truck with a credit card....

 

I Just purchased 2001 4x4 360. literally mint condition in out and under . has all the bells and whistles,awesome truck.But Had I read this forum before buying it I would'nt have bought it. It's like I hold my breath every time I use it,so its not done anything to me yet but just not comfortable about it. who expects atruck with the dreaded "death flash",plenim issues,horrible trannys,vacume 4x4 that might engage or not. And other issues that everyone calls normal,if anything we should have a class action lawsuit and have dodge stand behind their trucks.

 

Thats how I felt when I bought mine...it was in great shape with 92k miles. Had been taken good care of (knew previous owner). Then the "common" problems...and this bodystyle had been around for 6 years when I got it....no thank you Dodge. Apparently the R&D guys slept the whole time, or spent a ****load of money to smoke weed all day which lead to some fantastic-made parts

 

good luck wit the new truck man ! !

 

It really does come down to what you're comfortable with and if you like the vehicle enough to "deal" with its problems. I've always liked dodge products even though the quality wasn't/isn't there.

Let's not forget the fact you never know for sure what problems you're buying when you get another used vehicle. I kept my jeep alive and well for so many years because I knew what was wrong with it, what I had fixed, etc. If the tranny goes in my truck, at least I can take comfort in the mods and money I have into it. If I dump it for another used truck, I could get a crappy tranny AND a crappy engine!

Question for you lblair... you said you're getting a 60k mile warranty. I seem to recal you said there is 56k on the truck already. Considering your excitement, I ASSUME the 60k warranty is ABOVE the 56k already on it? Also, unless it is the manufacturer's warranty, you are in for a BIG surprise!

I bought a 1993 Eagle Vision TSI about 13 years ago. I loved it. I got the bumper to bumper warranty... paid $1600 for it. Besides the fact the warranty was more of an insurance policy (the dealer betting they could get away with doing less than $1600 in repairs while I owned the vehicle), the fine print was KILLER!

For example... the "bumper to bumper" did NOT include "trim" items. When the driver's power seat broke and I brought it in for the "bumper to bumper" warranty, they refused to fix it... the seats were considered TRIM because they are installed in the car during the "trim process" at the plant.

I have owned less than 10 different cars in my life (not including my wife's) and the biggest thing I learned from them is you roll the dice every time you buy used. If I were still working full time with a long commute... I'd buy a new FOREIGN car! Since I am not in that boat... I enjoy pissing off my busy-body neighbor with my "junkyard" and noise while I fix my beaters.

 

The 5yr/60k mile is from the day I bought it...so until Dec2015 or 116k miles. It is a "Gold package" and the reading includes the major parts plus some electrical and stuff. I realize buying used is a gamble...but hopefully I will be covered for the majority with the warranty. I expect to buy stuff, but Im hoping the "common failures" on Dodges isnt as much of a killer for other brands.

 

Would I be correct about them telling you the truck must go to them for any repairs? If I am wrong, you may be ok. If I am not wrong... see below.

I offer you this advice... it's common sense to some but... when bringing the truck in for repairs always... always have them document the reason you're bringing it in and what they did or didn't do to fix it.

The reason for this is, as I mentioned previously, the dealership (stealership... I like that one!) is going to try to avoid dipping into the funds they set aside (as a sort of escrow account) for your truck. Although they may have told you the truck must go to THEM for repairs, that may not be true.

I had trouble with the tranny in the Vision I purchased. It would simply slip out of gear at times. Not good when pulling out into traffic! I brought it back to the dealership no less than 6 times with the complaint. Each time they said they could not repair it because the car performed fine for them.

I went to a different dealership for help. They said they could not help me unless it was documented the original dealership was not fixing the problem. The service manager gave me the advice I gave you. The service department tried REAL hard to avoid giving me any documentation... right down to promising to mail it to me because the printer was broken. I managed to get enough (I think 3 times documented) to go to the other dealership. I got a NEW tranny ($3600+) and a loaner. Since the 2nd dealership had nothing to lose, they went all out to make me happy... at the expense of the other dealership.

So, watch those charming smiles turn to "you jackhole" looks when you demand documentation!

All that said... this was 13+ years ago and I do walk around with the word "sucker" stamped on my forehead!

 

Like I said earlier, good luck. Sounds like to me that your 5k squared the truck away. (Trans, plenum, and the other mods in your sig.) Probably shouldn't have expected to dump 5k / year. How much did you get on trade?

 

The HP of the Vortec 5300 is higher, but the number that really matters is torque, and they're the same.

The lighter weight of the Sierra and the reduced rotating mass of a 2wd with small tires are why it feels peppier. Although the 5.3's get pretty doggy towing. My budddy's Tahoe feels very spunky-until you load it with a small trailer. That thing couldn't hardly get out of it's own way with a 14' bumper pull laiden with my 2,800 pound Daytona.

On fuel economy, yes, the Vortec's (even the older 5.7) are better than the magnum 360. 16-18 mpg is pretty normal with the 5300. Of course, the MDS Hemi can best 20........

Good luck with your new beast. The newer Silverado/Sierra are pretty good trucks over all. But be ready for the electronics issues that have plagued newer GM's. They're hard to diagnose and expensive to fix. Window won't roll down? Don't bet on it being a switch or motor failure...................

 

One thing you should know about that GMC that is an added bonus is the cabin air filter in the dash. So no more leaves in the face on a fall day for you. A shot of Fabreeze on that filter will be a nice touch too.