Posted 2006-12-31 2:10 PM (#53076) Subject: Test Drove 2007 Silverado
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Posts: 121 Location: Salem, CT
Hi Folks - I went out on some test drives this weekend. I drove in order
Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab Hemi
Silverado Classic 2500 (6.0L) Ext. Cab
Silverado 1500 5.3L (New Style)
Basically I can't say a bad thing about any of them. The Dodge drove well, especially on the highway. I noticed it seemed to have axle tramp (vibration) when I accelerated from a stop while turning... not that bad but it might have gotten annoying over several years. I also thought they should have a step up in the gas engines - the Hemi seemed great in a 1500, but a larger displacement gas engine would be a good option.
The Silverado Classic 2500 was a great drive. It had 4.10 gears so it was turning a few hundred more RPM at 65mph than the Dodge did. That 6.0L engine is great, it sounds excellent, and pulls real nice. I didn't get on it too hard since the truck only had 7 miles on it. The big drawback here was the redesigned Silverado - once my wife saw the new truck, specifically the interior, the "Classic" wasn't an option. I'll tell you though, there are some great deals to be had on the Classic models, and they are still a great driving truck.
Last up was the new Silverado - This looks like the one to beat. There were two things holding us back on this one. The 6.0L is really hard to find - and my wife didn't like the red paint job (I thought it looked great). I have to say, the 5.3L engine seems very powerful, and I think it would handle a 2H bumper pull with no difficulty. The new truck is a leap in just about every way from the Classic model, including price. The window sticker isn't that much higher for a comparable model, it's that there is little discounting going on, at least compared to the deals they are offering on the Dodge and Classic Chevy.
So it looks like we'll wait a bit longer for either the 1500HD, or a 2500 model to be available. I also want to drive the Ford, and I understand Toyota should have the new Tundra out sometime soon.
Posted 2006-12-31 2:32 PM (#53077 - in reply to #53076) Subject: RE: Test Drove 2007 Silverado
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Posts: 209 Location: pensacola, fl
I have a 2001 Chevy 1500HD 6.0L/(Crew Cab) I Love this truck it has 130,000 miles on it and is still going strong, It has pulled everything I have asked of it with no complants!! Have fun shopping!! Think Big.. you may want to pull something bigger than a 2 horse BP in the future and don't want to have to worry about having enough truck!!
Posted 2006-12-31 3:14 PM (#53080 - in reply to #53076) Subject: RE: Test Drove 2007 Silverado
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
What was the rear axle ratio in that new 1500? 3.42? They need to get back to the 3.73 or 4.10 with those tall 32" tires that some have. Those are some tall gears for a truck that suppose to have a towing package. A 4x4 with 3.42 gears playing in the mud is one thing but hit a little hill climb with a 6000-7000# behind it and you'll think it has 17 passing gears. Guess they (the mfg.) got more of a mind set of a little better fuel mileage, taking the kids to practice and off to round up some grub rather than trying to pull a wet setting hen off her nest! As much as some of these new trucks cost, they should be able to pull close to what a ALCO or EMD 3500 locomotive will pull...........Sorry, had a "rant" moment. Hope you have good luck picking a new truck!
Posted 2006-12-31 6:02 PM (#53085 - in reply to #53080) Subject: RE: Test Drove 2007 Silverado
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Posts: 121 Location: Salem, CT
Hi - the gear ratio on the 1500 was 3.73 - The 2500 I drove had 4.11. I forget the exact ratio on the Dodge, but it was close to 3.73. I thought the 4.11's would make for a noisy highway ride, but it really wasn't bad. I think the rpm's at 65mph were just under 2500, and the 3.73 was around 2000.
Posted 2006-12-31 6:31 PM (#53090 - in reply to #53076) Subject: RE: Test Drove 2007 Silverado
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Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
Hope their trucks have improved.
I have a 2001 Impala that had the transmission replaced at 40,000 miles, the right tie rod and and left hub assembly at 49,000 miles, intermediate steering shaft at 5000 miles, and has had brake issues all along the way.
We traded my wife's 2000 Silverado 1500 on my Ram 3500. Her truck had faded seats and carpet in 4 years. The plastic mirror inserts fell out of the side mirrors before 100,000 miles. The dash squeaked like crazy when the truck was 3 years old, and it also had a problem with the blinker relay cycling (but no blinkers flashing) when just driving down the road at that time. When changing her oil at about 110,000 miles I noticed a peculiar red tint to the oil. Coolant? Might explain why the coolant level always would fall over a month's time or so...
GM has worn its welcome thin in my house. Look hard at the Ford and the Toyota... have not had a favorable experience with either of the GM vehicles we've had in our household. Sorry to post such negativity on a brand of truck, but I feel it is my duty to warn you to be aware of durability issues with their vehicles as we've experienced.
I come from a Ford background, driving a Dodge now after driving 1991-model year Ford trucks since 1999. Still drive the Impala (2001 model).
Posted 2006-12-31 8:08 PM (#53097 - in reply to #53090) Subject: RE: Test Drove 2007 Silverado
Veteran
Posts: 121 Location: Salem, CT
Thanks - I'll be looking hard at all of them. I've had my own issues with earlier GM products. I had a (1997 I think) Z24 Convertible that was absolutely the worst vehicle I ever bought. I do think that the Big 3 get it, and I hope all are now making better products. The new Silverado really is a big improvement (in design) than the model it replaces - and overall I think the older Silverado has had a good reputation.
I do drive a Toyota truck now, and it's given me 119,000 trouble free miles. I'd buy another Toyota in a second if they make the right truck, at the right price. If not, then I'd have no problem going back to Chevy, Ford, or Dodge.
Test Drove 2007 Silverado
