Chevrolet Silverado Trucks | Vans
Chevrolet Silverado Trucks | Vans
[May 17, 2000]
AJ
Model Reviewed:
Z71 Regular Cab
Strength:
The 5.3L is solid and powerful. This is one fast truck. Tow/Haul mode is awesome. The best locking axle I have ever driven. Very impressive tow vehicle.
Weakness:
Auto Headlights, The steering column rattle that took 4 trips to the dealer to fix. This truck towed a 6500 lbs trailer and about 900 lbs in the bed for 900 miles. It averaged over 12 mpg! The rear suspension was bottomed out the whole trip, but never had one problem on that trip. Any half ton truck that could do this has my respect. I would be happy buying another one, but I may just keep this one. Other than the steerling column problem, I have not had any problems. Being 6'1" the regular cab is very comfortable. The exhaust was a little too quiet so I had duals installed. Similar Products Used: Ford Ranger, S10 blazer, S10 Pickup. The Silverado is the best. |
[Jun 01, 2000]
Treven Williams
Model Reviewed:
/ Silverado Ext Cab w/5.3L
Strength:
The 5.3L V-8 provides sufficient power for a large vehicle. The comfortable ride and fuel economy are strong arguments for choosing this truck, over its competition.
Weakness:
Cold-start engine knocking was described by the dealer as " pistons bouncing around, due to expansion of engine block...GM does not have a fix". In addition, there are no signals for a partially closed door. Wind noise from rear side windows. Many small annoying problems. A $26K vehicle that spends more time in the service center, than in my garage. The new Silverado brings a shining aura to the stone aged, rough riding truck. Long road trips are quite comfortable for the front passengers. With time, rear passengers may become uncomfortable from the almost vertical rear seat. Yet, the rear seat spacing limitations are more than adequate for short to medium trips. The third door is very useful for front and rear passengers. The 5.3L powerplant provides stong acceleration during passing situations, even up steap hills. Unfortunately, it does not feel like 270Hp. The fuel economy averages around 22mpg, with a bed cover (80mph, over hills). Small problems may become annoying, and the Chevrolet service centers rarely provide replacement transportation for re-occurring problems. This was my first, and last, traditionally American-built vehicle. Advice: Save time by purchasing a BMW and a used Toyota P/U. Similar Products Used: Ford F-150 |
[May 22, 2000]
Dan
Model Reviewed:
LS extended cab
Strength:
Very comfortable, roomy, powerful, practical. Seems like a lot of stuff for the price, especially with GM credit card rebates. The extended cab with the third door is extremely useful and roomier than any other truck (try sitting in a Tundra's back seat compared to Chevy). Nice power from the V8. Tows big trailer and boat without problems. Fits in garage. Can camp in the back for short trips. Handles well for its size, 4 wheel disc brakes are nice (other companies use drums in the rear).
Weakness:
Well it's a truck, so compared to a car, the size and handling is a bit awkward. Mileage isn't great but better than some others. I would recommend this truck especially if you can get rebates. Compared to any SUV I think it wins hands down, you simply get so much more. Reliability has been good so far, there were a couple minor things that the dealer fixed. When it comes to usefulness this truck is about as good as it gets, but I don't like driving trucks for daily driving (although it's fine for long freeway trips if you just cruise). So get this truck, but then get a Corvette for regular driving and you're set. Similar Products Used: 1969 Chevy truck, test drives of others |
[May 29, 2001]
Jason Roberts
Model Reviewed:
Silverado LS
Strength:
Appearance, ride, handling, power, and comfort all come to mind. This Chevy is a winner.
Weakness:
Stiff bounce on concrete freeways. Doors hard to shut. I have 3000 miles on this 2001 extended cab LS. The 5.3L is a great motor with plenty of power and yet not too bad on the fuel consumption. Don't let those Ford owners try to write a phoney review to scare you. I am true owner of the Silverado and honestly, I do not regret purchasing this truck. Chevy is running some great deals right now, at least in California, with $5000-$7000 off the sticker. (sorry to all you folks that paid $30,000 for this same truck). At that value, nothing touches this truck. Last week I towed a 4000 lb. trailer up the hills of Pasadena with the A/C on and the cruise set at 75 mph. No problem. Similar Products Used: Far superior in power, look, value and drive to Ford, Dodge or Toyota. There is not even a close second. |
[May 31, 2001]
Stan
Model Reviewed:
Chevrolet Silverado
Strength:
Looks Awesome, aftermarket part availability (you'll need it)
Weakness:
SUSPENSION, Engine, brakes, interior plastic, seats I purchased this vehicle because it was American made. I did not realize that we still made junk (I really hate to say that). It now has 45k miles on it, and it has been to the dealer for just about everything except the paint. The truck has exhaust leaks, oil leaks, broken plastic interior parts, has a factory defective rear rotor (which the dealer says is my fault), the suspension is a joke. I have spent much money on shocks (on my 3rd set) attempting to keep it from bouncing down the road. Not to mention the suspension noise, and to top it all off it's been to the dealer 3 times because it leans to the driver side. I've owned 3 brand new vehicles. Two of them were Toyota trucks, one of which had 140k miles on it before I let it go (mistake). I have never had to bring a vehicle to the dealer for anything until this Chevy. Speaking as someone who has experience in purchasing new vehicles, DON'T FOOL YOURSELF because the truck is cool looking! (it really is cool looking)! This chevy is a lemon! You should check out the lines at the Chevy service center. Similar Products Used: Toyota trucks - no comparison |
[Jun 05, 2001]
Roy Huzel
Model Reviewed:
chevsilverado Z71
Strength:
drove like a car
Weakness:
where to start well recalls every month ,cant haul more then 20 2x4s and no resell vaule, its a truck for weekend use well if you need a truck for the weekends the silverado is it and the new hd are haveing the same problems and the diesels are going boom too just like the 6.5 so a die hard chev guy buys a ford super duty crew cab.ford is it as nice on the inside but i needed a truck not a big car.now if they would use a cummins diesel, ford looks and give a chev inside we would have a truck that we all could be happy with Similar Products Used: well had a 96 z-71 long box extcab same as 99 but new one had leather in it. order the 99 in aug of 98 didnt see the thing till apr of 99 nice ,ok so i hoped that was it for head acks not 3 months later new leaf springs every time you put a full tank of gas the truck was leaning to the left, it goes on but they also eat alternators |
[May 24, 2001]
Joyce Donar
Model Reviewed:
chevy ext cab1500 silverado
Strength:
seating capacity for 5 is very comfortably, convience of the 4th door,
Weakness:
thru my first rear end axel at 9000 miles and still making noises as if it were going out again carrying no weight, lost spare tire driving down the road at 40 mph thank god no one was behind us. Heating and air conditioning controls they don't cool off or heat up(can't change temperature without shuting off vehicle for 10-15 minutes) eating off tires right and left. It's been in the shop 10 times in 8 months. TOTALLY BAD!!! Spent that kind of money and you can't even drive the vehicle out of the area for fear reaccuring problems will go. At the present time of this letter there is a rattle in the engine. Similar Products Used: 1992 chevy 6.5 turbo diesel no comparison 1995 chevy ext cab silverado no comparison |
[Apr 28, 2001]
John
Model Reviewed:
C2500 ext.cab long-bed 2WD
Strength:
Good looks, plenty of torque w/454, nice sound from factory exhaust + echo chamber, quiet interior, very comfortable on long drives. Stereo's not bad for factory. Good visibility.
Weakness:
Started solenoid had to be ordered. Dealer would not sell me one without the entire starter assy.(>$300!!) Tensioner pulley had the bearing sieze destroying PLASTIC pulley. Luckily, coasted into a parts store. Just noticed the tensioner needs replacement since it has worn to the point the tensioner pulley is out of alignment with belt. Alternator bearings went south. Need LARGE soldering gun to seperate alternator halves. Heater hose connection on rear of intake manifold sheared-off when its removal was attempted.(common problem, made of cheap material) I bought this truck w/64K miles from a neighbor in 1997. Always liked the style of the C2500 series. Tough, clean, sharp looking truck. Despite having been stranded once(starter solenoid), and nearly being stranded again(belt tensioner pulley failure), I love this truck! Similar Products Used: 76 F250 4X4. Can't really compare. |
[Apr 24, 2001]
Jason
Model Reviewed:
Silverado Sportside
Strength:
Good solid feel. Stable in cornering and over rough, uneven terrain. Good sound system for stock.
Weakness:
Seems to have machanical problems. Not very well built engine/drive-train wise. After moving out of my 1992 S-10 with 200,000 miles and no problems whatsoever, I decided to jump into a full-size pickup in 1998. I was hoping that this truck would be as reliable as my S-10 had been. Was I wrong. In just the past year, I have had to replace the power steering pump, tensioner pulley, and right this minute the water pump is being replaced. Couple this with the mushy brakes (even after replacing the pads), and a bad grease seal in the rear end, I am less than pleased with my purchase. Similar Products Used: 1992 S-10, 1992 Chevy Full Size (Sport) |
[May 22, 2001]
John
Model Reviewed:
Chevy Silverado 2500 HD
Strength:
This truck has awesome power i had to buy two of them one for around town driving and another for when i tow a couple of cars that i own to car shows. I got the 8.1 and the 6.6 duramax as well.The height of this truck is perfect, if it were much taller i wouldnt be able to store it in the garage at night un-like those fords they are way too tall and oversized.
Weakness:
Need a size or 2 bigger tire for stock option, give it a little more ground clearence, Chevrolet has truly out done themselves when they created this big bad boy, with their team of engineers the engines are so powerful, they have the top of the line transmissions, and top of the line in production(total for all their trucks). The 8.1 and 340Hp with bout 450lb/ft torque, and with the duramax with 300hp and an astonishing 520lb/ft of torquue you could tow anything + the gas mileage is better on the duramax and gas is cheaper as well. Also you can get the 6.0L with put out 320hp. Since im into big trucks ive invested with a lift and bigger tires along with a few preformance items as well and it looks and sounds great and runs like 400 horses(with aftermarket upgrades) & a million bucks.. IF you dont need the heavy Duty go with the standard silverado the 5.3 has more than plenty power. By the way Chevrolet is cheaper than GMC they are the same quality excpet looks alittle different. Reason GMC is more expensive is cause its hand built rather than machine Similar Products Used: Ford F-250 super duty, Dodge 2500 Dodge 3500, GMC 2500 HD |