my first truck was a 2002 dodge 1500 ..second was a 2004 3500 two door with the hemi i love it and still have it as a daily driver (paid for) ..third was a 2007 gmc 2500 gas 6.0 had it about 6 month and got rid of it hated it wasnt as stong as the hemi or reliable it was in the shop more then out so i sold it back to the lot

... so i would get a dodge with the hemi unless your z71 has low payments , almost paid for , and reliable .........

 

Gotta love these guys around here, nothing but honesty floatin around. Even in my young years, Ive owned them all, in some form or another. F-150, had a couple here-n-theres, but paid $1500 for it, and beat the **** out of it, to be expected. '95 Blazer, 4.3 vortec, couple probs, mainly overheating, ended up being a freezeplug, beat the **** out of it. Jeep GC, beat the **** out of it, no real problems besides reg maintaince. Two "new" dodges: don't offroad them, nearly at all, but still run'em pretty good, NO problems, yet :iknocks on wood like a ****:

I don't have much of a point. I saw you were looking for a lower payment, but don't sacrifice mileage and whatnot for a couple bucks(or $100) a month. My dodge is the nicest vehicle Ive owned, but I kinda wish I didnt have the $300+ monthly payment, plus $200 in gas (just my truck alone).

drunk rant/ off

 

I gave Chevy one last chance and bought an 04 crew cab Z-71 in 07. My experience with the 5.3 was that it couldn't pull the truck up a slight hill on the highway without running 4 thousand RPMs. I bought an 08 Ram 4.7 QC 4X4 new and it runs so much better. I love the truck and have driven many long distances and have found it to be plenty comfortable. If your lookin to trade you can't go wrong with a Dodge and will never go back.

 

Long story short, last spring there was a beautiful 04 SLT Laramie 2wd with 90k in absolutely super condition (original sticker price $31k) sold for $7500. Believe me there are deals to be had if you are patient and in the right place at the right time.

 

WOW guys thanks for all the great tips and ideas. OK so here is the deal. My '06 Silverado 1/2 ton Z71 ext cab short box "Silver Birch" in color is a great truck. BUT there is 119K on it. I bought it in June of '08 with 90K on it. I have put all new brakes parts on the front and still have the strangest front end noise! Its on its third battery and just put in a new ignition switch! It still looks good rides great and runs good too but there is a rust spot on the drivers door all ready and the miles are growing every day. I will pass on the '04 Ram with 136K! I pay $315 a month for this Chev and dont feel it is worth it. I may even find a older Silverado '03-'04 loaded for cheaper. But thats why I like the Rams cause you can find a quad cab cheap vs a crew in a Silverado. Like I said Im a huge GM truck fan. My first truck was a '77 Scottsdale 4x4 with a 400 small block. Again thanks for all the help and honesty here. This is a great site to be on! Oh and Im no were near paying this thing off still oh $14,800 on it!!!! FOR SALE !!!!

 

Well all I think I will stay with the Silverado Z71 BUT not mine he he I will still dump mine and find a loaded 03-04 Z71 with a lower payment. Thanks all for the help guys!!!